Aglaonema pictum tricolor

A Sumatran cultivated form with a separate namesake

Aglaonema pictum ‘Tricolor’ is a three-toned horticultural form of the wet-forest species Aglaonema pictum, native to Sumatra and Nias. The former botanical name Aglaonema pictum var. tricolor is now treated within Aglaonema pictum. Aglaonema tricolor Jervis is a separate accepted species from the Philippines.

Care for the three-colour leaves of Aglaonema pictum ‘Tricolor’

• Light: Use medium to bright filtered light for the dark green, sage and silver-to-cream pattern. The thick matte blades keep their colouring in stable conditions, while direct sun can leave dry pale patches across the exposed blocks. Increase brightness gradually and watch the leaves closest to the light source.
• Watering: Keep the shallow root zone lightly moist and airy. Check below the surface and wait until the pot has lost some weight, then water evenly and let every excess drop escape. A small pot dries quickly in warmth, while a cabinet or cooler position can hold moisture around the creeping stem much longer.
• Temperature, humidity and airflow: Keep it at 20–27 °C and above 15 °C, particularly when wet. Aim for about 60–75% humidity. A humidifier or cabinet may be needed in a drier room; in a cabinet, use gentle ventilation so moisture does not sit around the low stem.
• Feeding: Use a complete houseplant fertiliser at a low dose about every four waterings 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. Keep the creeping stem on the surface with its roots covered, using a container only slightly larger than the rooted section.
• Leaf care: Wipe the matte leaves gently so the three colour levels stay easy to read. Lift each blade to inspect the underside and follow the low stem for thrips, spider mites, cottony mealybugs or raised scale insects.
• Propagation: Divide a creeping section that already carries roots, or lay a firm stem piece with a healthy node on warm, lightly moist substrate. Keep the node at the surface, cover the roots and maintain gentle airflow while the section establishes.

Scorch, damaged new leaves and root rot in Aglaonema pictum ‘Tricolor’

• Scorch: Bleached crisp patches on exposed leaves indicate direct sun or heat. Shift the plant into filtered light and judge recovery by the condition of the next growth.
• Folded or torn new growth: A blade can remain folded after moisture or temperature changed during its development. Inspect the hidden surfaces for pests, then follow the new-leaf guide and allow the soft tissue to release at its own pace.
• Root rot: A loose base and soft dark roots in wet mix confirm decay. Inspect the low stem and full root system before disturbing the plant, then remove only soft dark tissue and preserve every firm node. After the low stem and roots have been inspected, remove dead roots and reset firm growth in porous substrate.
• Pests: The three-tone pattern can conceal early stippling. Inspect both surfaces and new growth for thrips and spider mites and the nodes for mealybugs and scale.

Pet safety: Aglaonema pictum ‘Tricolor’

Aglaonema pictum ‘Tricolor’ 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.

Why pictum means “painted”

Aglaonema is rendered as “shining stamen” from Greek aglaos, shining or splendid, and nema, thread or filament; Latin pictum means painted. William Roxburgh published the species as Calla picta on page 516 of volume 3 of Flora Indica in 1832. Carl Sigismund Kunth transferred it to Aglaonema on page 55 of volume 3 of Enumeratio Plantarum in 1841.