Aglaonema 'Cutlass'

Background of Aglaonema ‘Cutlass’

Aglaonema ‘Cutlass’ is a named cultivated selection. The genus Aglaonema is native from north-eastern India to Papua New Guinea, with many species growing in humid tropical forest.

Care for Aglaonema ‘Cutlass’

• Leaf clearance: The long blades need room to arch and unfold without repeated contact. Handle them close to the base so the narrow leaves are not creased during cleaning.
• Light: Medium indirect light supports steady growth, and brighter filtered light is also suitable. Keep direct sun off the creamy silver-green areas.
• Watering: Water when the upper 2–5 cm of substrate is dry, then wet the mix evenly and let the pot drain. A single leaning leaf is not a reliable thirst signal.
• Temperature and humidity: A range of 18–27 °C suits it, with 15 °C as a sensible lower limit. Ordinary indoor humidity is normally sufficient, while moderate humidity can help long new leaves open smoothly.
• Substrate: Use a loose mix with fine bark and perlite or pumice so the root zone regains air between waterings.
• Feeding: Apply a low-strength fertiliser during active growth and reduce the concentration when growth slows.
• Propagation: Divide rooted shoots, or root healthy cane sections with nodes in warm, aerated substrate.

Troubleshooting Aglaonema ‘Cutlass’

• Bent or split leaves: Narrow blades can crease if they are pressed while unfolding or repeatedly rubbed. Leave a marked leaf if it stays healthy and give new growth more clearance; the old crease will remain.
• Brown leaf tips: Uneven moisture, dry heated air and excess fertiliser salts are the main checks. Flush the substrate if salts are visible, keep the watering trigger consistent and reduce strong feeding; see brown leaf tips.
• Drooping: Feel the substrate before watering. A dry root ball needs a thorough soak. Give a wet, heavy pot more air and drying time before watering again. The watering guide can help distinguish the two.
• Leaf drop: Several leaves falling after a move can follow rapid changes in temperature or moisture. Keep the plant warm, stabilise the watering pattern and avoid making several additional changes at once.
• Thrips: Silvery scars, black specks and distorted emerging leaves are reasons to inspect the folded growth and both leaf surfaces closely. Confirm thrips by finding slender moving insects or black specks beside fresh silver scarring there before treatment. Isolate the plant, rinse the long leaf surfaces and remove badly infested debris. Apply an indoor-plant treatment labelled for thrips to the folded new growth and both leaf surfaces, then repeat it at the intervals stated on the label for the full course.

Aglaonema ‘Cutlass’ 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.