Aglaonema Care Guide: Red, Pink and Green Varieties
Aglaonema: The Perfect Low-Maintenance Houseplant
Aglaonema (Chinese evergreen) is one of the best houseplants for beginners and busy plant owners alike. Its stunning patterned leaves — green, red, pink, silver, or a combination — bring colour to any space, and it tolerates lower light conditions that would kill most other plants.
As a bonus, aglaonema is one of NASA's top air-purifying plants, removing formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene from indoor air.
Popular Varieties
Red Aglaonema — currently the most trendy type. Vivid red or pink-red leaves with green margins. Top cultivars:
- Red Siam — deep red leaves with green edges, one of the most striking
- Siam Aurora — red-pink leaves with green border
- Valentine — pink-red with silver markings
- Red Anjamani — dark burgundy-red leaves
Green (classic) Aglaonema:
- Silver Bay — silver-green with dark green margins
- Maria — dark green with silver spots; most shade-tolerant variety
- Brilliant — large light green leaves with white markings
Variegated Aglaonema:
- Tigress — green and white spotted
- Sparkling Sarah — green with pink spots and veins
- Harlequin — green with cream-yellow patches
Light: Match Brightness to Leaf Colour
Aglaonema is famous for tolerating low light — but there's an important nuance:
- Green varieties (Silver Bay, Maria) — genuinely tolerant of shade. Can be placed 2-3 metres from a window
- Red and pink varieties — need bright indirect light to maintain vivid colouring. In low light, colourful leaves fade to green
Rule: the brighter and more colourful your aglaonema, the more light it needs (always indirect — no direct sun, which causes leaf scorch).
Best placements: east, west, or north-facing windows. Keep away from direct south sun.
Watering
Aglaonema dislikes both extremes: completely drying out and constantly soggy soil.
How to water:
- Allow the top 2-3 cm of soil to dry out between waterings
- Spring/Summer: typically every 5-7 days
- Autumn/Winter: every 10-14 days
- Use room-temperature, settled water
- Empty the saucer 30 minutes after watering
Signs of watering problems:
- Lower leaves yellowing + wet soil → overwatering
- Leaves drooping + dry soil → needs water
Temperature and Humidity
Aglaonema is tropical, preferring 18-28°C — perfect for Tashkent homes year-round.
What to avoid:
- Temperatures below 15°C (including cold winter windowsills)
- Cold draughts
- Air conditioning blowing directly on the plant
Humidity: aglaonema tolerates dry indoor air reasonably well, but looks better at 60%+ humidity. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth once a week — this provides moisture and prevents spider mites.
Fertilizing
- April to September: every 2-3 weeks
- Use liquid fertilizer for foliage houseplants
- Reduce to monthly or stop in autumn/winter
Repotting
- Young plants (under 3 years): annually in spring
- Mature plants: every 2-3 years
- Signs it's time: roots emerging from drainage holes
Use light, well-draining soil. A mix of standard potting soil with perlite (2:1) or a dedicated aroid mix works well.
Why Aglaonema Leaves Turn Yellow
| Symptom | Likely Cause |
|---|---|
| Lower leaves yellowing gradually | Normal ageing — remove old leaves |
| Multiple leaves yellowing + wet soil | Overwatering, possible root rot |
| Yellowing + dry soil | Underwatering |
| Yellow patches with brown edges | Sunburn |
| Yellowing after repotting | Transplant stress — will recover in 2-3 weeks |
| Top leaves yellowing | Cold draught or temperature drop |
Why Leaves Lose Colour
Red and pink varieties fade when light is insufficient. Move to a brighter spot (bright indirect light) and colour should recover within 4-6 weeks.
Pests
- Spider mites — most common in dry air. Fine webbing on leaf undersides, tiny dots. Treat with acaricide or neem oil
- Mealybugs — white cottony masses. Remove with alcohol-dipped cotton swab, then apply insecticide
- Thrips — silver streaks and dots on leaves. Treat with insecticide
Toxicity
Aglaonema is toxic to cats and dogs — contains calcium oxalate crystals. Causes burning and swelling in the mouth if eaten. Keep away from pets and small children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which aglaonema variety is best for home? For low-light or cooler spaces — Silver Bay or Maria (green varieties). For bright interiors with good light — Red Siam or Valentine. Red varieties are trending right now and look stunning.
Why are my aglaonema's leaves curling? Curling + pale colour = insufficient light or cold. Curling + dry soil = needs watering. Curling + wet soil = root problems — reduce watering and check roots.
How often should I water aglaonema? Every 5-7 days in summer, every 10-14 days in winter. Check the soil — water when the top 2-3 cm are dry.
Does aglaonema flower? Yes, but flowers are insignificant (a spadix like peace lily). Most growers remove them so the plant puts energy into leaves.
Is aglaonema good for offices? Excellent choice — tolerates artificial lighting, dry air conditioning, and low-light conditions. Filters air pollutants. Just don't place it directly under the air conditioning unit.
Buy Aglaonema in Tashkent
Studio Amina carries aglaonema in several varieties — including vibrant red and pink cultivars. Delivered in beautiful pots with a care card. Delivery across Tashkent in 1-2 hours.