Aglaonema ‘Greyhound’

The cultivated origin of ‘Greyhound’

Aglaonema ‘Greyhound’ is a narrow-leaved cultivar whose breeding history is unknown. The selector, parentage, place of origin and first date in cultivation have not been established. Its fine leaf shape alone cannot identify the species behind it, so the corresponding natural range and forest habitat remain uncertain.

Care for the open crown of Aglaonema ‘Greyhound’

• Light: Use medium to bright indirect light for the light-green blades and deep-green central strokes. The open crown exposes more leaf surface to a nearby window, so increase brightness carefully. Weak light slows the plant and reduces drying around the almost-white petiole bases.
• Watering: Lift the pot and check below the surface when the narrow leaves soften. A light container with dry mix needs a complete soak; a heavy one points to a wet root zone that needs time and airflow. Water through evenly only when the root ball is ready, then drain fully.
• Temperature, humidity and airflow: Keep it at 18–27 °C and above 15 °C. Around 45–60% humidity is normally enough. If humidity stays below about 40% and tips keep drying, move the plant away from heating or use a humidifier. Normal room airflow is enough; avoid cold draughts and direct hot air.
• Feeding: Use a complete houseplant fertiliser at a low dose every three to four waterings during active growth. Feed less often whenever growth slows, regardless of the season, and never fertilise a dry root ball or a stressed plant.
• Substrate and repotting: Use coco coir or peat, small bark and perlite or pumice in a stable draining pot. Let a newly delivered plant settle in its original pot. Repot after roots fill the container, choosing a pot only slightly larger than the root system.
• Leaf care: Support the fine blades close to the petiole while wiping them. Inspect both sides for thrips scars and mite stippling, then look between the pale stalks for scale or cottony mealybugs.
• Propagation: Separate a rooted side shoot from the loose clump, keeping the stem base firm and at its original depth. Healthy cane nodes can be rooted in warm, lightly moist substrate under gentle filtered light.

Creases and simultaneous yellowing on Aglaonema ‘Greyhound’

• Creased leaves: Pressure across a slim blade leaves a permanent fold or tear. Move the plant clear of traffic and support new leaves near the base and keep pressure away from the flexible tip during cleaning.
• Several yellow leaves: Check moisture through the full pot and the firmness of the base. A single lower leaf may age naturally; several leaves yellowing together indicate root-zone or temperature stress.
• Pests: Inspect along the narrow undersides and midribs for thrips scars or spider-mite webbing. Check petiole bases for mealybugs and scale.

Pet safety: Aglaonema ‘Greyhound’

Aglaonema ‘Greyhound’ is not pet-safe. Aglaonema contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause immediate mouth pain and irritation, swelling of the mouth, tongue or lips, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing if chewed. Sap may also irritate skin and eyes.

The Greek word roots in Aglaonema ‘Greyhound’

Aglaonema combines Greek aglaos, meaning shining or splendid, with nema, meaning thread or filament. Botanist Dan H. Nicolson rendered the resulting name as “shining stamen” in his monograph of the genus. Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established Aglaonema on 8 September 1829 on page 892 of issue 108 of Wiener Zeitschrift für Kunst, Litteratur, Theater und Mode.