Dieffenbachia seguine 'Crocodile'

Aglaonema grow in the shady undergrowth of rainforests, often near streams and rivers. Accordingly, they prefer semi-shady conditions and high humidity. Nevertheless, they are robust, pest-resistant, and adaptable plants, making them well-suited for beginners. Varieties with predominantly green leaves, in particular, are an excellent choice for those new to the Araceae family.

When grown as houseplants, any emerging flower stalks should be removed, especially in winter. The plants invest a lot of energy into their flowering phase, and with little light and weakened plants, this can negatively impact the plant's overall health.

Aglaonema originate from the undergrowth of rainforests, and are accordingly adapted to semi-shady to shady conditions.

As houseplants, they should be placed where they receive bright but indirect light, e.g., next to a south-facing window or directly at a north-facing window. They also tolerate a few hours of morning sun well, but must be protected from strong midday sun, especially in summer.

When cared for under grow lights, e.g., in a plant cabinet, in a terrarium or in a grow tent, low to medium lighting is sufficient for them. At 1,000 to 4,000 lux or 20 to 40 PPFD (µmol/m²/s), they grow well and their leaves develop ideal coloration.

Red-leaved cultivars can tolerate slightly more light and will also show better coloration as a result.

Aglaonema prefer a loose, airy substrate. They grow perfectly in our Aroid Mix or, depending on whether you want to water more frequently, even better in pure coco chips.

They can stay in their pots for a long time and don't need to be repotted very often if they are in good substrate. Repotting only becomes necessary when the plant has developed numerous new stems and these overshadow each other with their leaves. When repotting, the roots can be loosened and the plant can be divided if desired.

Aglaonema should always be kept moderately moist and never completely dry out. They can be watered with medium-hard tap water. A regular flush with soft water, such as rainwater, distilled water or RO water, approximately every 3 months, is beneficial and prevents limescale build-up in the substrate.

Aglaonema grow slowly, which is why they don't need too much fertilizer. As houseplants, they can be fertilized every 2 weeks during the growing season (approx. April to October) with a good complete fertilizer (N-P-K + trace elements) for houseplants, such as Wuxal Universal Fertilizer. We recommend halving the manufacturer's recommended dosage. This corresponds to a fertilizer conductivity of approximately 500 µS/cm. The conductivity can be determined with a TDS meter. In the autumn and winter months, fertilization should be reduced, as the plants do not get enough light to utilize the nutrients. A very weak fertilization of approx. 100 – 200 µS/cm monthly is sufficient here.

When grown under grow lights, they can be fertilized year-round with approx. 500 µS/cm every 2 weeks.

If they are only watered with soft water (e.g., when cared for in a terrarium), a calcium and magnesium fertilizer (so-called CalMag fertilizer) should also be used.

For even better leaf coloration, especially if the plants receive a lot of light, regular foliar fertilization with an iron fertilizer is recommended.