Aglaonema ‘Ghost’

Background of ‘Ghost’

‘Ghost’ is a horticultural Aglaonema cultivar with unusually pale cream, green and silvery-grey foliage. The genus Aglaonema is native from northeastern India through tropical Southeast Asia to New Guinea. Its species are mainly evergreen herbs of humid forest, while the washed cream-and-grey combination seen in ‘Ghost’ is a cultivated characteristic.

Keeping Aglaonema ‘Ghost’ healthy

• Light: The pale silvery foliage does best in bright filtered light. Increase exposure gradually after a darker period and avoid direct sun on the light blades.
• Water and substrate: Let the top few centimetres dry before watering thoroughly, then allow complete drainage. Use a structured mix that keeps some moisture while still regaining air around the roots.
• Humidity and airflow: Ordinary household humidity is generally suitable. Avoid heavy misting that leaves water sitting in the leaf bases, and keep gentle air movement around the grouped foliage.
• Temperature: A stable 18–27 °C range is suitable; protect it from cold glass, draughts and temperatures below 15 °C, which can cause delayed dark damage.
• Feeding: Use a low-strength complete fertiliser while leaves are developing and reduce the dose when growth slows. Do not try to compensate for weak light or damaged roots with extra feed.
• Leaf care: Wipe the pale leaves with a soft damp cloth while supporting them near the base, and remove only foliage that has fully yellowed or died back.
• Propagation: Separate rooted basal shoots when dividing the plant. Stem sections can also be rooted if they are firm and carry at least one viable node; keep the propagation medium warm and airy.

Troubleshooting Aglaonema ‘Ghost’

• Brown leaf spots: A stable dry scar can be left alone, but soft tissue that continues to enlarge needs attention. Keep water off the damaged foliage, increase gentle air movement and use clean tools only if a leaf is actively collapsing. Remove an actively collapsing leaf or badly affected material, and leave a stable dry scar alone.
• New leaves stay tightly curled: Check moisture and temperature first, then inspect both leaf surfaces for pests if the problem repeats. Restore steady moisture and temperature when either has fluctuated, then judge improvement by the next leaf. Tightly curled growth alone does not confirm a pest: fine pale stippling with webbing indicates spider mites, while silvery scars with black specks indicate thrips. If you confirm spider mites or thrips, isolate the plant, rinse hardened foliage and apply a treatment labelled for the confirmed pest to both leaf surfaces and the folded growth. Repeat it at the intervals stated on the label for the full course.
• Mealybugs: Sticky residue and white cottony clusters can hide against the pale petioles. Move the plant away from other houseplants, remove visible mealybugs with a wipe or rinse, then apply a treatment labelled for mealybugs to the pale petioles, petiole joints and leaf undersides. Repeat it at the intervals stated on the label for the full course; the mealybug guide gives further support.
• Brown margins after feeding: Salt build-up is likely when damage follows a strong fertiliser dose or a crust appears on the mix. Flush the substrate thoroughly with fresh water and reduce the next feed.
• Root rot: Soft dark roots in sour-smelling wet mix indicate decay. Remove only clearly rotten roots, repot into fresh open substrate, clear blocked drainage and wait for the upper root zone to begin drying before watering again; follow the root rot guide.

Aglaonema ‘Ghost’ 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.

Aglaonema: where the name comes from

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.