Kurt Stüber [1] · CC BY-SA 3.0
About
The genus *Aglaonema* is highly valued by hobbyists for its diverse and striking foliage, which often features variegated patterns of silver, green, and white. It is a popular indoor plant, known for its ability to thrive in low-light conditions and its historical use as a luck-bringing ornament in Asia.
Field notes
Morphology
These evergreen perennials have erect or decumbent stems that may root at the nodes. They typically feature a crown of wide leaf blades, which are often variegated with silver and green coloration. The inflorescence bears unisexual flowers in a spadix, with female flowers near the base and male flowers nearer the tip. The fruit is a fleshy berry that ripens red.
Distribution & habitat
Native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and New Guinea, with specific species found in regions including Indochina, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, and Borneo.
Cultivation notes
It is best suited for low-light conditions and requires moist soil. Care involves protecting it from cold temperatures, as chilling injury can occur at 15 °C (59 °F). It is important to remove any developing inflorescences to prolong the plant's life. The species is poisonous due to calcium oxalate crystals.
History & etymology
Aglaonema have been grown as luck-bringing ornamental plants in Asia for centuries and were introduced to the West in 1885 at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Habitat
- Altitude
- —
- Altitude Class
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Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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