The Aglaonema, commonly known as the Chinese Evergreen, is a popular houseplant due to its striking, often variegated foliage and its tolerance for less-than-ideal indoor conditions. It features broad, lance-shaped leaves that display vibrant patterns of silver, pink, red, and green. Propagating the Aglaonema is a straightforward process that allows owners to multiply their collection or rejuvenate an older specimen that has become “leggy” or sparse at the base.
Multiplying Through Stem Cuttings
Propagating Aglaonema via stem cuttings is a reliable method, especially when dealing with a plant that has developed a long, bare main stem over time. The process begins with selecting a healthy 4-to-6-inch section of the stem, making a clean cut just below a node—a slightly swollen area where a leaf or aerial root bump emerges. Using a sterilized cutting tool, such as a sharp knife or shears, prevents the transmission of disease.
Once the cutting is prepared, remove any lower leaves to prevent rot. You have two primary options for encouraging root growth. The first is water rooting, where the stem is submerged in a clear container of water, ensuring that at least one node is below the waterline. Roots typically develop within three to six weeks, and the water should be changed weekly to maintain oxygenation.
Alternatively, the cutting can be planted directly into a sterile, well-draining potting mix, optionally after dipping the cut end in rooting hormone powder. The soil method involves inserting the stem into the medium, gently firming the soil, and keeping the substrate consistently moist but never saturated. Root development in the soil can take slightly longer, often six to eight weeks, but plants rooted directly in soil experience less transplant shock. Placing the cutting in a warm environment with bright, indirect light will maximize successful root formation.
Multiplying Through Division
Division is a simpler method of propagation suited for mature Aglaonema specimens that naturally grow in a clumping fashion and have produced multiple offsets, or “pups,” around the base. This technique is often performed when the plant is being repotted, typically during its active growth period in the spring or summer. The plant is gently removed from its pot, and excess soil is carefully brushed away from the root ball to expose the individual root systems.
Identifying the separate clumps is straightforward, as each offset will have its own root system attached to the main plant’s rhizome. Using a clean, sharp instrument, or gently pulling them apart, the offsets are separated from the mother plant, ensuring each new division has a substantial portion of roots and foliage. The separated pups should be immediately potted into small containers filled with fresh, well-draining potting mix.
The new divisions should be potted at the same depth they were previously growing and then watered thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots. This method provides an instant, well-established new plant, as the division already possesses a fully functioning root structure. Because division causes some degree of root disturbance, the newly potted plants may experience temporary wilting.
Caring for Newly Propagated Plants
Once a cutting has rooted or a division has been successfully potted, a controlled environment is necessary for the new plant to fully establish itself. Aglaonema plants thrive in bright, indirect light, and newly propagated specimens are more sensitive to harsh, direct sunlight which can scorch the tender leaves. An ideal temperature range of 65°F to 80°F supports robust growth.
Maintaining high humidity is important in the post-propagation phase, as the new roots are not yet efficient at water uptake. Humidity levels around 60% to 70% are beneficial and can be achieved by placing the pots on a pebble tray filled with water or by using a nearby humidifier. The soil should be kept consistently moist to support root development, meaning watering when the top inch of the potting mix feels dry to the touch. Avoid waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.