Aglaonema ‘B.J. Freeman’

Selection history of Aglaonema ‘B.J. Freeman’

Aglaonema ‘B.J. Freeman’ was selected as a seedling of the plant then called Aglaonema crispum at Valkaria, Florida. It was reproduced true to type by division and cuttings at Apopka, Florida. B. Frank Brown filed the cultivar for protection in 1988, and United States plant patent 6857 was published on 13 June 1989. The same cultivar has also circulated under the horticultural name ‘Cecelia’.

Care for Aglaonema ‘B.J. Freeman’

• Light: This cultivar benefits from medium to bright filtered light and can grow well in a bright indirect position. Keep direct sun off the broad blades.
• Give the crown room: Its large leaves crease easily when crowded. Leave enough clearance for new blades to expand and support them near the base when cleaning.
• Watering: Let the upper 2–5 cm of substrate dry, then wet the full root ball evenly. In a larger pot, check moisture deeper before watering again.
• Root environment: Use a structured, freely draining mix with bark and mineral aeration. Keep temperatures around 18–27 °C, avoid cold draughts and maintain enough air movement that the grouped bases dry after splashing.
• Humidity and feeding: Normal indoor humidity is usually sufficient, with moderate humidity helpful while broad new leaves open. Feed at low concentration during active growth and reduce the dose when growth slows.
• Propagation: Robust basal shoots can be divided once rooted, and healthy cane sections can be rooted in warm, airy substrate.

Problems to watch for on Aglaonema ‘B.J. Freeman’

• Drooping leaves: A dry root ball and damaged roots in wet substrate can look similar at first. Check the moisture below the surface before adding water; rehydrate thoroughly if dry, or let a wet root zone regain air and inspect the roots if the plant stays limp. When root damage is confirmed, retain firm roots, remove only roots that are soft, hollow, slippery or foul-smelling, and repot the viable roots into fresh airy mix when needed. The watering guide explains how to judge the root ball before watering.
• Several lower leaves yellow together: More than one old leaf changing at once can follow prolonged wetness or chilling. Restore steady warmth after cold exposure. If the lower root zone is still wet, extend the interval and improve drainage; if it is severely dry, water the full root ball. Remove additional foliage only after it has fully yellowed.
• Creases and tears: The large blades are easily marked by pressure. Leave a damaged leaf if it remains healthy, give new leaves more clearance and support each blade near its base during cleaning.
• White or chalky surface marks: Dried water residue should wipe away with a damp soft cloth. If the mark is within the leaf tissue, feels damaged or continues to enlarge, treat it as leaf damage and stop rubbing the surface.
• Spider mites: Fine stippling, a duller surface and delicate webbing are reasons to inspect the leaf undersides closely. Confirm spider mites by finding moving mites or their fine webbing there before treatment. Move the plant away from the collection and wash the upper and lower leaf surfaces carefully. Apply an indoor-plant product labelled for spider mites to both leaf surfaces and the fresh growth, then repeat it at the intervals stated on the label for the full course. Continue checking fresh growth until it stays clear.

Aglaonema ‘B.J. Freeman’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

About the name Aglaonema

Aglaonema combines Greek aglaos, meaning shining or splendid, with nema, meaning thread or filament.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Aglaonema in 1829 in Wiener Zeitschrift für Kunst, Literatur, Theater und Mode, volume 1829, page 892.