Aglaonema pumilum

A low forest species from Myanmar and Thailand

Aglaonema pumilum is native from southern Myanmar to southern Thailand, where it grows in wet tropical evergreen forest. It remains close to the forest floor, with a slender decumbent or creeping stem and small leaves that may be plain green or softly ash-mottled.

Light and moisture for aroid care

• Light: Use medium to bright filtered light. Direct sun can mark the leaves.
• Watering: Its shallow fine roots have little reserve, so water when the top 1 to 2 cm begin to dry and let excess escape rather than allowing the small pot to dry throughout.
• Temperature, humidity and airflow: Keep the plant 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 shallow draining pot. Let a newly delivered plant settle before repotting.
• Leaf care: Clean the small leathery leaves gently when dusty. Remove loose papery material from the creeping stem, but leave firm living leaf bases attached.

Troubleshooting Aglaonema pumilum: normal changes and damage

• Buried creeping stem: Wet substrate covering the horizontal stem can soften the nodes. Keep firm stem tissue on the surface with only the roots covered, and check any previously buried section for softness.
• Curled leaves: Check moisture through the shallow root zone, recent heat and both leaf surfaces. The leaf-curl guide helps separate dryness, heat and pest damage. Rehydrate evenly when dry, but do not keep the creeping stem wet.
• Stem or root rot: A sour smell with collapsing dark tissue indicates stem or root decay Trace the damaged section along the creeping stem before cutting, then preserve each firm rooted length and every healthy node. When the damaged part of the creeping stem is fully visible, remove the affected section and preserve a firm rooted length.
• Pests: Inspect beneath the low leaves and along the exposed stem for thrips, spider mites, mealybugs and scale.

Aglaonema pumilum 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.

Where does the name Aglaonema pumilum come from?

Aglaonema combines Greek aglaos, meaning shining or splendid, with nema, meaning thread or filament. The epithet pumilum is Latin for dwarf or small.

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

Joseph Dalton Hooker first described Aglaonema pumilum in 1893 in The Flora of British India, volume 6, page 530.