Kurt Stüber [1] · CC BY-SA 3.0
About
The genus *Aglaonema* is highly popular in horticulture, known for its wide array of variegated cultivars that have been bred for unique leaf colors and patterns. These plants are often grown as low-light houseplants and are valued for their ornamental beauty.
Field notes
Morphology
These evergreen perennials have erect or decumbent stems that can root at the nodes. They feature wide leaf blades, which in wild species are often variegated with silver and green coloration. The inflorescence is borne on a spadix, featuring unisexual flowers 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 locations such as Indochina, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo.
Cultivation notes
Aglaonema are best suited for low-light conditions and are popular houseplants. They require moist soil and are intolerant of cold temperatures, with chilling injury appearing at 15 °C (59 °F). Care involves protecting them from excessive sunlight and removing any developing inflorescences. They 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 at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Habitat
- Altitude
- —
- Altitude Class
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Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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