Kurt Stüber [1] · CC BY-SA 3.0
About
The genus *Aglaonema* is highly popular among hobbyists for its diverse and striking foliage, which is often variegated with silver and green coloration. It has been cultivated and hybridized extensively, leading to a wide array of cultivars selected for their unique patterns and colors. The species are known for their ability to thrive in low-light indoor conditions.
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 in wild species are often variegated with silver and green coloration. The inflorescence bears unisexual flowers in a spadix, with a short zone of female flowers near the base and a wider zone of 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 China.
Cultivation notes
They are popular houseplants that thrive in low-light conditions and are intolerant of cold temperatures, with chilling injury beginning at 15 °C (59 °F). Care requires moist soil, protection from excessive sunlight, and removal of any developing inflorescences. Propagation is typically done via cuttings or dividing basal shoots. The species are 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 when they were first brought to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Habitat
- Altitude
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- Altitude Class
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Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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