Aglaonema pictum ‘Bicolor’

The Sumatran species background of Aglaonema pictum ‘Bicolor’

Aglaonema pictum ‘Bicolor’ is a horticultural selection within Aglaonema pictum. The species is native to Sumatra, including Nias, where it grows as a subshrub in wet tropical forest.

Care for clumping aroid roots and foliage

• Leaf care: Wipe the small patterned leaves only when they are dusty, using a soft damp cloth. During cleaning, inspect the undersides and the low stem, remove loose dead material and do not allow water to remain around the crown.
• Light: Use medium to bright filtered light. Direct sun can mark the leaves.
• Temperature, humidity and airflow: Keep Aglaonema pictum ‘Bicolor’ at steady warmth and away from chilling temperatures, particularly when wet. Aim for moderate to high humidity.
• Feeding: Use a complete houseplant fertiliser at a low dose sparingly during active growth. Feed less often when growth slows, and wait until newly arrived or rooted plants resume growth.
• Substrate, stem position and repotting: Use a fine, porous mix of coco coir or peat, small bark and perlite or pumice in a draining pot. Let a newly delivered plant settle before repotting.

Troubleshooting Aglaonema pictum ‘Bicolor’: normal changes and damage

• Scorch: Bleached crisp patches on the exposed surface indicate direct sun or heat. Move the plant into filtered light; damaged tissue will not recover.
• Stuck or damaged new leaf: A folded blade can follow changing moisture or temperature while it developed. Check the enclosed surfaces for pests and use the new-leaf guide and let the folded blade open on its own.
• Stem-base rot: Soft dark tissue at the substrate line requires immediate attention. Trace the rot to a completely firm node before cutting or repotting, and keep every healthy rooted stem section available for recovery. Once the stem has been traced back to a fully firm node, cut back only to a firm node and root healthy material in fresh airy substrate if the roots cannot be saved.
• Pests: Examine the patterned undersides and new growth for thrips and spider mites, then check the nodes for mealybugs and scale.

Aglaonema pictum ‘Bicolor’ 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.

How the name Aglaonema pictum came about

Aglaonema combines Greek aglaos, meaning shining or splendid, with nema, meaning thread or filament. The epithet pictum is Latin for painted, referring to the patterned leaves.

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

William Roxburgh first described it as Calla picta in 1832 in Flora Indica, 1832 edition, volume 3, page 516. Karl Sigismund Kunth later placed it in Aglaonema as Aglaonema pictum in 1841 in Enumeratio Plantarum, volume 3, page 55.