If you are searching for a low-maintenance indoor plant that will bring color and greenery into your home, Aglaonemas should be considered. Aglaonema plants are common for their beautiful leaves, dwarfism, and the capacity to acclimatize indoors.

For a beginner gardener, the advantages of such a plant are obvious. Aglaonemas can withstand darker places than other houseplants, but nevertheless, proper natural light is needed for their healthy development. According to The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), Aglaonema is a low-light-tolerant houseplant that requires low to medium indirect light, and variegated varieties require brighter indirect light.

This guide by Leafio will help you learn about different types of Aglaonemas, water and light requirements, placement options, and general maintenance of such a plant.

What Is an Aglaonema Plant?

Aglaonema is an evergreen foliage plant that is usually grown indoors. It is mainly appreciated for its leaves, which may be a combination of colors such as green, silver, white, pink, red, or any other, depending on the specific variety.

It is sometimes referred to as a Chinese evergreen plant and can be grown anywhere around the home or office, like the bedroom or living room.

One of the key features of Aglaonema is its flexibility. This type of plant can withstand low light levels more than other common houseplants. Low light does not mean no light, because all plants need light for photosynthesis and good growth.

For customers, this makes Aglaonema an appealing choice when looking for an indoor plant without having a bright or sunny place.

Popular Types of Aglaonema Plants

The diversity of leaves makes Aglaonema collection fun. Cultivars can look different but need almost the same care.

1. Aglaonema Pink Red

Aglaonema Pink Red is an ideal choice for those who do not like ordinary green leaves. The colors of its pink and green leaves make it a good decorative element for desks, shelves, side tables, and corners of the living room.

Since colorful and variegated leaves require additional lighting, keeping this plant near a sunny window will protect it from the sun.

2. Aglaonema Super White

This variety of Aglaonema features white-colored leaves, which may lend a contemporary look to the interiors.

Plants with highly variegated leaves have a lower content of green chlorophyll in their leaves, which allows them to grow in brighter indirect lighting than other dark-leaved plants.

3. Aglaonema Green Liza

This variety is suitable for those who like green colored foliage. This plant may suit home or office environments where one does not want to introduce any color in their interiors.

While choosing a variety of Aglaonema, keep in mind the looks and the light availability in the rooms.

What Light Does Aglaonema Need?

Lighting plays an essential role in Aglaonema care.
The preferred lighting conditions are low to medium indirect light. The plant should not be placed in direct sunlight for prolonged periods, as the rays tend to burn the foliage.

Placement rules include:

Low light: Ideal for plants with large green leaves, though growth may be slower than usual.

Medium indirect light: An ideal position for healthy foliage development.

Bright indirect light: Useful in growing colorful or highly variegated plants.

Direct sunlight: Should be avoided, particularly during summer.

Weak or elongated growth in the plant can mean that there is not enough light in the position where the plant is placed. In fact, according to the RHS, pale or weak growth indicates insufficient lighting.

How to Water Aglaonema Plants

Watering is where most novice plant growers go wrong. The aim should not be to stick to a strict schedule but to look at the growing environment of the plant.

For Aglaonema watering, let the first few centimeters of the growing media dry out before watering it again. Water the plant properly so that excess water can run off through the drainage hole. Aglaonema grows poorly in a saturated planting mixture.

A simple watering regime

1. Test the top of the potting mixture
   
2. If it feels significantly moist, wait
   
3. If the top few centimeters have dried out, water thoroughly
   
4. Let excess water drain out

Discard any standing water from a decorative cover or tray.

Do not water simply because the same day has come around each week. Inside temperatures, lighting conditions, size of the pot, soil mixture, and season can affect drying rate.

During cooler or lower-light periods, Aglaonema may use less water, so watering usually needs to be reduced.

Best Soil and Pot for Aglaonema

Proper drainage is necessary for Aglaonema plants to have healthy roots.
It is advisable to use a good potting mix that drains well and to use pots that have drainage holes. It is possible that a pot that retains water for a long period may result in root problems.
There is no need to repot the plant in a very large pot when repotting. It is easier to transplant to a pot that is slightly bigger because larger pots will retain excess water near the roots.
According to RHS, Aglaonema should be transplanted every two or three years.

Best Placement for Aglaonema Plants

Choosing the right location can make Aglaonema indoor plants much easier to maintain.

Living Room

Place Aglaonema on a side table, console, plant stand, or in a bright corner away from strong direct sunlight.

Bedroom

Such a plant will thrive well in a bedroom with natural soft light. The plant should not be positioned near a very cold or warm window.

Home Office

Aglaonema can make a good desk and floor plant at an office, especially where there is indirect lighting. The RHS has Aglaonema on its list of houseplants that thrive in low-light offices.

Near a Window

A bright window can be a good spot where the light has been filtered.

Places to Avoid

Keep your plant away from:

• Strong afternoon sun directly hitting the leaves
  
• Air-conditioning vents
  
• Heating vents
  
• Cold drafts
  
• Areas where the pot may remain wet for long periods

Aglaonema prefers warmer indoor conditions and is sensitive to cold drafts and sudden temperature changes.

Aglaonema Humidity and Temperature

Aglaonema needs humidity but can withstand moderate levels of indoor humidity.
Indoor conditions will always be better than those where there are abrupt changes in temperature. An approximate optimal temperature for Aglaonema is given by RHS at about 18°C to 24°C.

When indoor air gets too dry, especially during heating or air conditioning, a humidifier may be used to increase humidity.
However, one should remember that too much moisture near the roots is not humidity near the leaves.

Fertilizing Aglaonema

The plant does not need to be fed all the time. When the plant is actively growing, using a good balanced fertilizer for houseplants will help the foliage develop.
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for your particular fertilizer rather than thinking that adding more fertilizer will help the plant grow faster. According to RHS, the plant should be fed during the growing period and less during slow-growing periods.
Never use fertilizer on completely dry soil since it can harm the roots.

Common Aglaonema Problems and Solutions

Yellow Leaves

There are various reasons for yellow leaves, and overwatering could be one of them. Check whether the soil of your plant is wet enough or not.

Brown Leaf Tips

The possible reasons for brown leaf tips are dry indoor air, uneven watering, and stress from the environment. Inspect the lighting, watering, humidity, and temperature of your plant.

Drooping Leaves

If the leaves of the plant are drooping, then check the condition of the soil before watering. Don’t just think that watering will solve all problems. Both underwatering and overwatering can cause stress for your plant.

Faded or Weak Variegation

Bright coloured varieties may require more indirect light. But it doesn’t mean that you should put them in direct sunlight.

Pests

Aglaonema can be affected by common indoor plant pests such as mealybugs, aphids, and spider mites. Regularly checking the leaves and stems can help you notice problems early.