Aglaonema: Care, Watering, Light and Yellow Leaves

The aglaonema, a tropical plant from South-East Asia, is recognisable by its foliage variegated in white, pink or red. It asks for little: a bright room away from direct sunlight, an ideal temperature between 18 and 21°C, and watering in small amounts, once or twice a week in spring and summer, and every fortnight in autumn and winter.

This guide explains how to water it according to its size, how to repot it, how to prune it, and what to do about yellow leaves, a brown, mushy stem or mealybugs. Good to know: the aglaonema is toxic to cats and dogs if they eat its leaves. At By Charlot, it goes by the name The Ray of Sunshine or L'Admirable.

Prized for the beauty of their foliage, aglaonemas are plants native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, notably Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. Aglaonemas belong to the Araceae family and stand out for their striking leaves. Available in a variety of colours, from white to red by way of pink, By Charlot's aglaonemas add a touch of sophistication to any interior: L'Admirable or The Ray of Sunshine are sure to win you over, bringing a splash of colour into your home.

How to care for your Aglaonema?

How much water does my Aglaonema need?

Aglaonemas are houseplants that need regular watering, always in small amounts. In spring and summer, we recommend watering your plant 1 to 2 times a week. Come autumn and winter, you can space out the watering. We suggest adding water to your plant 1 time every 15 days.

What is the best type of water for my plant?

Like most houseplants, the Aglaonema is sensitive to the limescale found in tap water. Ideally, we recommend watering your plant with rainwater whenever possible. This option can be tricky if you live in a flat. If so, before watering your plants with tap water, let it stand for a while to reduce its limescale content.

How much water should I give my Aglaonema?

By Charlot Aglaonemas are available in Standard size. The amount and frequency of watering depend on your Aglaonema's exposure to light and the humidity level of your home. Recommendations on how much water to add therefore vary depending on the environment the plant is in. As plants are living things, their care is not an exact science, so it's important to observe them in order to look after them in the best possible way. To help you water your Aglaonemas, here are a few tips based on their size:

Standard size: the amount of water equivalent to an espresso, that is 5 cl of water, is enough for this size of plant. However, you can adjust it according to your Aglaonema's needs.

Please note that these quantities are only guidelines and may vary depending on your home and the environment the plant is in.

How do I know if my Aglaonema needs watering?

When a plant is short of water, several signs can alert you. If your plant's leaves are drooping, it means it's lacking moisture. Water it and it will be back in perfect health.

We recommend waiting until the soil is thoroughly dry before watering your Aglaonema again. Dry soil on the surface doesn't always mean the plant is thirsty. If in doubt, we always recommend touching the soil with your finger: if it's dry down to 1.5cm, it's time to water the plant. The soil is sometimes damper than it appears. That said, do make sure the compost is properly dry, as a plant that's been overwatered has far less chance of survival than one that's been underwatered.

What is the ideal exposure for Aglaonemas?

Aglaonemas need a bright spot, out of direct sunlight, to thrive. Place your plant in a room with good light to encourage its growth. Avoid direct sunlight, as it could scorch your plant's leaves.

If your home is on the darker side, this may slow your plant's growth and, in some cases, dull its foliage.

What are the ideal conditions for growing Aglaonemas?

Hailing from tropical regions, Aglaonemas are plants that dislike the cold. They can live indoors between 15°C and 30°C, but a temperature between 18°C and 21°C will be ideal for their healthy development.

For your Aglaonemas to grow at their best, we recommend adding natural fertiliser in spring and summer. During this time of year, you can also mist their leaves to increase their humidity levels.

How do I prune my Aglaonema?

Pruning an Aglaonema is generally straightforward and can be done to encourage healthy growth, control the plant's shape and remove any damaged parts. To do this, you'll need clean, disinfected gardening scissors to reduce the risk of spreading disease, as well as a pair of gloves to protect your hands.

We recommend identifying the leaves you wish to prune, whether they're yellow, damaged, or simply to even out your plant's appearance. Cut the chosen leaves at the base, just above the point where the leaf stem meets the plant's main stem. Avoid pruning more than a third of the plant at a time, to prevent excessive stress. Moderate pruning is generally best for encouraging healthy growth in your Aglaonema.

What are the tips for repotting my Aglaonema?

To repot your Aglaonema, gather your plant, some potting soil and a slightly larger pot (a few centimetres wider in diameter). Repotting should mainly be done in early spring, before your plant's growth period, roughly once a year or once every two years depending on how quickly your plant is growing.

Loosen your plant's roots by gently shaking the root ball. Add potting soil to your new pot and place your Aglaonema inside. Once you've added soil almost to the top of the pot, for optimal watering, you can add a little water to help settle the soil around the roots.

Your Aglaonema is now repotted. Place it in a bright room and it will grow beautifully!

How do I keep my Aglaonema healthy?

My Aglaonema is infested with little bugs, what should I do?

Certain insects can infest your plant: mealybugs and red spider mites.

If you notice a white, cotton-like cluster on your Aglaonema's leaves, these are mealybugs. Beware, mealybugs can spread from plant to plant, so move your Aglaonema away from your other plants while you treat it.

To get rid of mealybugs, mix one dose of black soap into a litre of water and spray the mixture over your plant. Once done, we recommend wiping away the white clusters with a damp cloth.

If you find red spider mites on your plant, mist its leaves with water. These insects dread humidity and will soon disappear.

Are Aglaonemas safe for pets?

Aglaonemas are toxic to pets if ingested. In this case, we recommend keeping your pets away from your plant.

What should I do if my aglaonema's stem turns brown and mushy?

If your plant's stem starts to soften and turn brown, this can be down to several factors. It may be caused by exposure to cold or frost, meaning your plant has suffered frost damage. In this case, it will need replacing. It can also result from overwatering. If so, we recommend repotting your plant to let the soil breathe. That said, this doesn't always work, and your plant may sadly not pull through.

The leaves of my aglaonema are curling in on themselves and dropping: what should I do?

If the leaves of your aglaonema start curling in on themselves and drooping downwards, it means your plant is thirsty. We recommend watering it, always in small amounts, to help it feel better.

You can also mist the leaves of your aglaonema to boost its humidity levels. This will keep its leaves from drying out, and they'll perk back up.

What if the leaves of my aglaonema look less vibrant?

Aglaonemas come in a variety of colours. Those with pink leaves, like The Ray of Sunshine, have wonderfully vivid foliage that can sometimes turn a little duller. If this happens to your plant, it means it isn't getting enough light. We recommend moving your aglaonema to a brighter room with better exposure. Just take care not to place it in direct sunlight, as this could scorch its leaves and leave brown marks.

My aglaonema has yellow leaves: what does this mean?

For indoor plants, yellow leaves are a sign that something specific is wrong, and this can happen for several reasons:

If the soil is very damp, yellow leaves mean your plant has had too much water. We recommend repotting it in a free-draining substrate and waiting until the soil is completely dry before watering again.
If the soil is dry 1.5cm down, it means your plant is thirsty. We recommend watering it, always in small amounts.

Incorporating aglaonemas into your decor

Aglaonemas By Charlot : which one to choose?

Aglaonemas are tropical plants available in different shades of colour and with different patterns on their leaves. Each foliage colour lets you add diversity and colour to your space, discover the Aglaonemas By Charlot:

The Ray of Sunshine is an Aglaonema Pink Star. This plant, with its dazzling pink leaves, brings a unique aesthetic to your space.

With green glints across its white foliage, L'Admirable is an Aglaonema White Joy. This plant stands out for its pure beauty, which adds a touch of elegance to your living spaces.

How can I decorate my home with aglaonemas?

Dazzling plants, aglaonemas brighten up your spaces with their colourful patterned foliage. To decorate your home with aglaonemas, we recommend placing several varieties together to create eye-catching arrangements. Vary the colours of your plants to add visual interest.

You can also play with height: use shelves to create different levels between your plants. This adds dynamism to your decor, alongside a variety of colours between The Ray of Sunshine and L'Admirable.

Where should I put my aglaonema?

Tropical plants with striking leaves, aglaonemas are perfect for adding a splash of colour to your space.

To show off your aglaonemas at their best, we recommend placing them in key spots around your space. On side tables, shelves, or even as centrepieces on a coffee table, these plants will add a touch of character to your decor.

The Ray of Sunshine or L'Admirable are the perfect plants for creating a welcoming, beautifully styled interior.