Characteristics of Aglonema Plant (Aglaonema sp.) in the Wild

Aglaonema is a genus of ornamental leaf plants in the Araceae family, native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and New Guinea. In Indonesia, they are known as Sri Rejeki or Aglonema.

Aglaonema was believed to be a lucky ornamental plant in Asia for centuries and was introduced to the West in 1885. When Aglaonema was first brought to the Royal Botanic Gardens (Kew), it was cultivated, hybridized, and bred into a variety of cultivars.

The NASA Clean Air Study states that Aglaonema is effective at removing airborne toxins (formaldehyde and benzene), and many botanists recommend this plant to be grown at home.

 

Characteristics of Aglaonema Leaf

The leaves are broad and have a variety of shapes, ribs, and shades, ranging from silver, yellowish, green, orange, pink, and red.

 

Characteristics of Aglaonema Flower

The flowers are unisexual and appear in the peduncle. Female flowers appear near the base and male flowers stick up more.

 

Characteristics of Aglaonema Fruit

The fruit is berry-like, fleshy, and red when ripe. The fruit is a thin layer covering one large seed.

 

Characteristics of Aglaonema Plants

Aglaonema grows as a low, perennial plant with upright or lying stems and creeping (depending on the species). Stems growing at ground level can take root at the knot.

Aglaonema grows well in low light conditions and is a popular indoor houseplant.

 
HOW TO CULTIVATE AGLAONEMA PLANTS:

To cultivate Aglaonema plants can be done by cuttings and by dividing the shoots. Care for this plant is very simple, just protect it from cold temperatures and excessive sunlight.

For Aglaonema to thrive, it needs moist soil and a little fertilizer (this plant is easily injured if given excessive fertilizer).

 
LIST OF AGLAONEMA SPECIES:

Aglaonema brevispathum – Indochina

Aglaonema chermsiriwattanae – Thailand

Aglaonema cochinchense – Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia

Aglaonema commutatum – Philippines, Sulawesi

Aglaonema cordifolium – Mindanao

Aglaonema costatum – Langkawi Island, Indochina

Aglaonema densinervium – Philippines, Sulawesi

Aglaonema flemingianum – Terengganu

Aglaonema hookerianum – Darjiling, Assam, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar

Aglaonema marantifolium – Maluku, New Guinea

Aglaonema modestum – Bangladesh, Indochina, southern China

Aglaonema nebulosum – Borneo, Malaysia, Sumatra

Aglaonema nitidum – Borneo, Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Indochina

Aglaonema ovatum – Laos, Thailand, Vietnam

Aglaonema philippinense – Philippines, Sulawesi

Aglaonema pictum – Nias, Sumatra

Aglaonema pumilum – Myanmar, Thailand

Aglaonema roebelinii – Luzon

Aglaonema rotundum – Sumatra

Aglaonema simplex – Yunnan, Indochina, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines

Aglaonema tricolor – Philippines

Aglaonema vittatum – Sumatra, Lingga Islands