Aglaonema (Aglaonema commutatum), commonly known as Chinese Evergreen, is a popular indoor plant. It is a genus of flowering plants that are native to New Guinea & tropical & subtropical parts of Asia. This plant features unisexual flowers arranged in spadixes & erect or decumbent stems.

Some types of this ornamental plant varieties have green leaves, while others have white, crimson, red or pink leaves in eye-catching patterns that are ideal for decorating contemporary homes, workplaces, & living rooms. The colorful Aglaonema plants have become a much revered houseplant across the world.

Aglaonema plant thrives in low-light conditions, but requires moist soil, protection from cold temperatures & excessive sunlight. According to the NASA Clean Air Study, the species modestum of Aglaonema plant genus was good at getting rid of formaldehyde & benzene, which are common household air pollutants. Aglaonema plant is an ideal popular choice for those seeking a unique, appealing, and effective indoor plant for homes, greenhouses, offices, hotels, & shopping malls for interior designing.

History & Origin of the Aglaonema Plant

Aglaonema, a member of the Araceae family, is native to southeast Asia. It is a genus of about 40 species that is known for its unique patterns on its leaves as well as flowering plants.

Aglaonema plants have been grown for hundreds of years in Asia as lucky plants. The Aglaonema plant was first introduced to the West in 1704 by Camellus, a Jesuit priest in the Philippines.

Aglaonemas grow wild in subtropical rainforests of Thailand, Indonesia, & Malaysia, where they are happy beneath larger trees & shrubs that keep the sun from reaching them. The plant belongs to the Araceae family, which includes around forty species. Indigenous Aglaonemas have variegated leaves & are generally small.

Morphology of the Aglaonema Plant

With over 100 varieties, Aglaonema plants offer a range of vibrant colors and patterns, from light green to silver to yellow to red. Aglaonema consists of soft-caned herbaceous perennial plants, ranging in height from 30-150 cm. The leaves of Aglaonema plant are evergreen, ranging from 10-45 cm in length & 4-16 cm in width. The foliar variegation and color are variable, with leaves being medium to dark green or variegated in lovely hues of greens, silver, or whites. The sheer number of varieties give plant enthusiasts a wide choice of selection when buying aglaonema online.

The flowers of Aglaonema plant are arranged modestly beneath the leaf, which develops in an ear enclosed by a bract. The spadix of the plant bears female flowers positioned at its base, while the male flowers, adorned with lustrous filaments, are elevated above. The flowers of this plant are merely unimpressive & should be removed so as not to impede from its aesthetic appeal.

Interesting Facts of the Aglaonema Plant:

• The Aglaonema plant is used many times in the hit film ‘Léo’, where the eponymous hero treasured it & Mathilda gave the plant a “fresh start” at the end of the film.
• Aglaonema is a visually appealing decorative plant. But this plant is toxic in nature due to calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause irritation of mucous membranes & skin irritation & painful rash when ingested orally. So simply put, do not eat the plant!

Cultivation of the Aglaonema Plant

There are more than 100 different varieties of Aglaonema plants that can be grown indoors. They are known for having beautiful leaves with slight stripes in colors like pale green, silver, yellow, red, & other vivid colors & patterns. Cultivation procedures vary significantly among varieties, but are generally similar.

How to grow Aglaonema plant at home?

Aglaonema can be propagated through stem cuttings or through division when repotting.

To propagate using stem cuttings, proceed as follows:

• To grow new plants from stem cuttings, cut a few-inch stem from the mother plant with a very sharp, clean knife.
• Put the cutting in a glass of water & put the bottom end in root hormone.
• Make sure the cutting is not directly in the rays of the sun.
• After three to four weeks, the cutting will have roots. Repot it at this point.

To multiply by division, follow the below steps:

• Place the pot on its side so that you can take out the plant & its dirt.
• Carefully pull the tumbling mass of roots & soil apart.
• Hold the plant near the roots and divide the stem shoots by breaking the bond between different shoots. Note that each divided shoot should have some roots with it.
• Fill a pot with warm water & loose planting soil. Place the clump in it.
• For a couple of weeks, keep both the original & the three offspring moist until they are settled & less stressed.

Benefits & Uses of the Aglaonema Plant

• Aglaonema plants are visually pleasing: Leaves of Aglaonema, which are available in a variety of color & patterns, are selected for their aesthetic value. They are easily adaptable to enhance the look of a space with any decor style.


• Aglaonema is easy to grow & low-maintenance: Aglaonema plants are easy to grow & require minimal maintenance, making them a convenient choice for people with hectic schedules. They are compact & slow-growing, only needing to be repotted every three years.


• Aglaonema plants have an easy propagation: Aglaonema can be easily propagated through stem cuttings in water or soil. If you want to share this plant with friends or family, new plants can be started with stem cuttings put into water, or simply by dividing established plants.


• Aglaonema plant tolerates low-light conditions: Some green varieties of aglaonema are able to thrive in rooms with low levels of natural light, making them a great choice for those spaces that lack windows.


• Aglaonemas are natural humidifier: Aglaonema is recognized to act as a natural humidifier by releasing water from its leaves into the air, which makes the air around it more humid.


• Aglaonema plant is an allergen-free plant: Aglaonema plants with glossy, smooth leaves do not retain allergen particles in the air, making them an excellent choice for those with seasonal allergies.


• Spiritual benefits of Aglaonema: Aglaonema are good Feng Shui plants. This is because they bring “positive chi (energy)” & are associated with “purity” & “good fortune”. In its native country, the Aglaonema is one of the most popular houseplants in history. In fact, it’s so respected that it’s often placed in business lobbies, temples, various buildings, & sometimes even in homes for good luck in Thailand.


• Aglaonema has air-purifying properties: Aglaonema is another top pick for indoor air purification. They’re effective at removing formaldehyde—commonly found in carpeting—from the air that helps you to breathe & sleep better! It also helps in removing some harmful VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) from air & in return improves air quality by adding oxygen in the environment.


• Therapeutic properties of Aglaonema plant: Research has demonstrated that Aglaonema plants hold psychologically calming & tension-relieving properties. They have also been investigated for possible therapeutic uses, including as a neuroprotective agent & a libido booster.


• Other Health benefits of Aglaonema plants: If you live somewhere cold in the winter & have dry skin, cracked lips, or other winter problems, Aglaonema can help you look & feel better.


• Aglaonema plants are perfect for gifting: Aglaonema plants are exquisite & simple to care for, making them great gifts. With over 100 varieties, they offer a range of vibrant colors & patterns, from light green to silver to yellow to red. Aglaonema is often used as a green decor element in offices, hotels, & public spaces as well as in interior landscaping. It becomes a popular gift during housewarmings, birthdays & other occasions.

Learn how to decorate your home with Aglaonema plants

Growing and care guide for Aglaonema - What to avoid & adopt

Aglaonema plants are extremely easy to care for. They are hardy plants, and are not very fussy with their care. Some varieties of Aglaonema plants are more tolerant than others. Follow the below guide to understand the general principle to follow for keeping your Aglaonema plant healthy.

Aglaonema Plant Care - What To Adopt:

• Aglaonema, on average, requires medium-bright & indirect light (moderate lighting with shade or morning sunlight).
• Choose well-draining peat-based potting mix & mildly acidic soil (6.0–6.5 pH).
• Wait for the soil to dry out before watering, but don't overwater because extreme moisture can damage roots of Aglaonema plant.
• Aglaonema plant thrives in 65–90°F (18–32°C) indoor temperatures with little light & humidity.
• Winter care for Aglaonema involves monitoring for chilling injury, which can occur at temperatures between 32-59°F (0-15°C).

Aglaonema Plant Care - What To Avoid:

• Avoid placing the aglaonema plant in an area exposed to wind, chill, or air conditioning to prevent chilling injury. Mature & old leaves are more sensitive to chilling temperatures.
• The Aglaonema plant can be toxic to pets & children if ingested, so keep it out of reach.
• Do not overwater the aglaonema plants. Overwatering causes yellow leaves, stem rot, and root rot.

Read more: Pink Aglaonema Care Guide

Varieties of Aglaonema Plants

Aglaonema is a genus of evergreen tropical perennials indigenous to the humid tropical regions of Asia. The Aglaonema plant is available in various varieties with different colors & patterns on the foliage of the plant. Below are a few varieties of Aglaonema plant that you can buy online:

• Aglaonema Pink Anjamani: It has beautiful red-pink & green foliage. It is simple to care for & endures a wide range of climatic conditions. Its vibrant foliage is a welcome addition to any space.


• Aglaonema Milky Way: It has long, silver-gray & apple-green leaves which have a gold-and-yellow center vein.. The plant's minimum care requirements & its tolerance of neglect make it an ideal choice for beginners.


• Aglaonema Red Lipstick: It has a mix of green and red leaves, where real red color dominates most of the plant. Unlike other red varieties where the color is more towards dark pink, red lipstick Aglaonema is the real red Aglaonema.


• Aglaonema Black Lipstick: It has exotic green & bright red-pink foliage with red-pink leaf edges & centers. It is easy to care for & adds color to any room.


• Aglaonema Pink Valentine: It has blush pink & contrasted green foliage with random splashes of blush pink. It is an easy care plant, which can survive in all kinds of surroundings.


• Aglaonema Pink Dalmatian: It has eye-catching deep red-pink & contrasting green foliage with random splashes of deep red-pink color. It is an easy-care houseplant that loves bright, indirect light & it is a good choice for anyone who loves pink plants.


• Aglaonema 'O' Rose Cochin: The plant has green & light pink blush foliage with an almost neon-like pink center. It is easy to care for & has colorful foliage.


• Aglaonema Harlequin: It is one of the rarest Agloanema plants. It has light green, yellow, & bright pink foliage with yellow splashes on light green leaves & a center pink veined leaves. It is the best house plant as it requires very low care & it rejuvenates the room with the vibrant pink shades.


• Aglaonema Red Valentine: It has rose-pink & deep green foliage with random splashes of rose-pink shade. It is easy to care for & adds color to a room.


• Aglaonema Super White: This rare variety has creamish-white color & contrasting dark green foliage with random splashes of creamish-white shade. It is low-maintenance & adds vibrancy to a room.


• Aglaonema Red Ruby: It has a vibrant red color with some dark green foliage. This is a decorative plant that requires less care so can be grown indoors or in a dull outdoor shade area. It is also the best air-purifying plant.


• Aglaonema Red Suksom Jaipong: This rare hybrid variety is a unique plant with red & dark green foliage with small white stems. It is a vigorous growing plant & very easy to care for. It is a very shade tolerant & low maintenance plant, that’s perfect for most home & office environments.

Aglaonema Plant Placement: Planting on "Best Spot" & "Garden Type"

The best planting locations for Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen) include indoor environments, container gardening, shade gardens, tropical gardens, office or workspace environments, & landscaping. For example:

• Aglaonema is suitable for indoor & outdoor spots, such as homes, offices or workspaces because it thrives well with little light exposure. It is suitable for placing at the desk, a shelf, & open areas to boost greenery & purify the atmosphere.
• Aglaonema can be grown in hanging baskets, terrariums, or vertical gardens for unique looks, miniature gardens, or vertical arrangements, providing a stylish & space-saving addition to your home.
• Gardening enthusiasts can use Aglaonema to landscape by putting it under trees, along shady edges, & in areas with some shade.
• Plus, decorative pots can boost the visual value of your home by matching or contrasting with your existing decor.

Gifting Ideas of the Aglaonema Plant

Aglaonema plants are symbolic of “good luck”, “prosperity” & “longevity”. It is a “symbolic gesture” that shows “goodwill & positivity” on various occasions.

An “ideal choice for gifting” on house warming, birthdays, weddings, new beginnings, corporate gifts, get well soon, condolence, thank you, corporate events, holiday gifts, retirement, anniversary occasions & more.

Additionally, an attractive pot with a “personalized message or card” as well as “care instructions” can make the plant appealing to givers.

Continue Reading: List of Plants that bring Positive Energy