Do you want a no-fuss plant that adds instant radiance to your indoor space? Then aglaonemas are probably just the plants you need. With splashes of reds, pinks, greens, and more colours, there is a tint to complement any décor.
They come in all sizes too. From compact six inches to majestic three feet tall, it’s easy to find the perfect plant for any surface.
Aglaonemas are loved for their large, thick, glossy, and variegated leaves which make them instantly recognisable. In some varieties, the stems, petioles, and midrib are pink, while in others these are white or green.
The leaves are elliptical or lanceolate shaped and have long petioles that start at the base of the plant. They grow opposite one another in a somewhat circular pattern giving the plant its attractive rosette appearance.
As your plant ages and gets taller, older leaves die off and the plant may begin to look cane-like. But this only happens after about two years and can be fixed by simply cutting off the top portion of the plant and starting all over. See details below in the section on how to propagate aglaonemas.
Do aglaonemas have flowers?
Although they are grown for their attractive foliage, aglaonemas produce flowers. What appears as one unspectacular flower, though, is really an inflorescence made up of several flowers on a white spike called a spadix. The spadix is surrounded by a greenish-white or white hood called a spathe.
Some varieties flower more readily than others, and the presence of flowers is a good indication that your plant is quite pleased with the care it is receiving. However, because the plant uses up a lot of energy to maintain those flowers, people like to cut them off to make the plant channel its energy towards its stunning foliage. Look out for flowers from about September until about February.
Where to place aglaonemas indoors and outdoors
One of the dilemmas we face when we get a new houseplant is how to balance the aesthetics of our room with the needs of the plant. Aglaonemas spare you that trouble, and this is another reason why they are such lovable houseplants.
They are naturally shade-loving tropical plants which makes them suitable for the lower lighting conditions almost anywhere indoors.
You can grow them near a window that receives direct or indirect sunlight. Depending on the intensity of the light, you may need to move them closer or further away from the window.
Aglaonemas also adapt well to artificial light, so you can place them in areas of your home with insufficient natural light. They’ll be happy as long as you have the supplemental light on for up to 12 hours during the day.
(Read more about how to give your indoor plants the right amount of light).
They can also be grown outdoors all year round here in the tropics. They are better off in shaded balconies, porches, or patios. Avoid keeping them under direct sunlight, as prolonged exposure to full sunlight could burn or bleach their foliage.
How much do aglaonemas cost?
Aglaonemas have been cultivated for their ability to adapt to low lighting conditions indoors, and new varieties are added to the market at a dizzying pace. I once came across the website of a seller that featured 157 cultivars.
The newer varieties cost a lot more than the ones that have been in the market. In Lagos where I live, the more common cultivars cost about N2,000 ($4), which is on the lower end of the plant price spectrum. The newer cultivars could cost up to N15,000 ($36). Size also matters. The bigger the plant, the more expensive it will be. (Read more about how to save money buying plants here).
How to care for aglaonemas
Aglaonemas are some of the easiest plants in my collection as they don’t demand much to be happy. Follow this guide to get the best out of your plant.
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Water
Aglaonemas don’t need frequent watering, making them easy-going guests in your home. They are blessed with thick, well-branched roots which they use to explore every part of the pot for water and nutrients before the next watering.
So, you should check if your plant needs a drink by feeling the soil. Water only when the top two inches of the soil is dry.
You’ll know you are overwatering if one or more young leaves get brown and mushy. On the other hand, if the soil is kept dry for too long, lower leaves turn yellow or brown and will fall off.
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Soil and feeding
Aglaonemas prefer soil that is loose and rich in nutrients and will benefit from regular feeding to maintain those large leaves. It’s always best to add compost to the soil when potting. This way, the plant takes up nutrients as it needs. (Read more about how soil composition affects your plants).
Your plant will grow at a rate that depends on how much light it is receiving and on the nature of the cultivar. Some varieties grow as fast as adding on a new leaf every week, while some take several weeks to produce a new leaf under similar conditions.
As the soil’s nutrients are depleted, you will notice new leaves getting smaller. You can add more compost to the soil at this point, or feed with a liquid fertiliser.
Controlling pests on aglaonemas
Aglaonemas are relatively pest-free but may be afflicted by mealybugs. Clean leaves regularly and avoid getting water between the stem and petioles. Read more about how to groom your plants.
How to propagate aglaonemas
Mature plants produce offsets which are young plants growing from a node of the parent plant. These offsets can be detached from the mother plant when they have three or more leaves. To do this, it’s better to expose the roots of the plant so that you can see clearly to cut off the young plant with a good supply of roots attached to it.
Another way to propagate aglaonemas is to cut off the top of the plant just below a node. Place the top part in water with the node below the water level, or in moist soil. New roots will appear in a few weeks.
The remaining stem will also produce two or more offsets in a few weeks.
On a final note, here’s one more reason to love aglaonemas. A cut stem can continue to grow in a vase of water, which is perfect for beginners and busy bees alike. You only need to remember to change the water once or twice a month. Rainwater which contains dissolved nutrients is preferable, but distilled water or tap water free of chlorides will do as well. New leaves may appear smaller than older leaves, but the plant still lives on.
Thanks for reading. I hope you now love aglaonemas if you didn’t already.
