Aglaonema ‘Chili Red’

Cultivar background of Chili Red

Chili Red is a named ornamental Aglaonema selected for saturated red-to-pink leaf centres, green margins and pink petioles. Its colour sits on the dense, self-supporting form associated with Chinese evergreens.

The genus Aglaonema is native to tropical and subtropical Asia. Its wild relatives grow as evergreen understory plants beneath filtered forest light, producing new shoots from short stems near the base. Chili Red retains the broad leaves and clumping habit of the genus, with red, pink and green colour developed through horticultural selection.

Care for aroid canes, roots and new growth

• Propagation: Divide a rooted basal shoot, or root a healthy cane section containing a node in warm, lightly moist medium.
• Water: Water thoroughly after the surface and upper layer of the substrate have dried. Empty the cover pot and wait longer whenever the root ball still feels cool, heavy or damp below the surface.
• Temperature and humidity: Keep Aglaonema ‘Chili Red’ in steady indoor warmth and protect it from prolonged cold conditions. Moderate indoor humidity works well when air can circulate around the leaves.
• Soil and pot: Choose an airy mix of coco coir or peat with fine bark and perlite or pumice. A drainage hole is essential; repot only when roots or a compacted mix make it necessary.
• Feeding: Apply a complete houseplant fertiliser at a modest dose during active growth. Reduce feeding when growth slows and never fertilise a dry root ball or a newly stressed plant.

Health checks for Aglaonema ‘Chili Red’

• Lower leaf turning yellow: One ageing leaf can be normal. Several yellow leaves together, especially with heavy wet soil, call for a drainage check and an inspection of the roots and short stems.
• Brown tips or margins: Irregular watering, fertiliser salts, severe drying or direct hot air can all cause this. Correct the moisture pattern first, move away from heating and rinse accumulated salts through the pot.
• Dark, water-soaked areas: Chilling can collapse Aglaonema tissue, particularly while the root ball is wet. Move it to stable warmth, keep damaged leaves dry and remove only soft tissue that continues to spread.
• Pale tan patches on the window side: This pattern often follows abrupt direct sun. Shift to filtered light and increase any future sun exposure gradually.
• Red and green balance changing: Colour varies with leaf age, light and growing conditions. Healthy new leaves can carry a larger green area while keeping the cultivar’s red and pink pattern.
• Sticky residue or hidden insects: Look in the leaf bases and below the blades for scale insects, cottony mealybugs, aphids or mites. Isolate the plant, clean visible pests carefully and continue treatment until fresh growth stays clear.

Aglaonema ‘Chili Red’ 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.

What does Aglaonema mean, and who first published it?

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.