Aglaonema ‘Silver Moon’

Selection history of Aglaonema ‘Silver Moon’

‘Silver Moon’ came from a controlled breeding programme in Altha, Florida. Breeder Marian W. Osiecki selected it in October 1994 from seedlings produced by self-pollinating Aglaonema ‘Silver Bay’.

That makes ‘Silver Moon’ a direct descendant of ‘Silver Bay’ in cultivation. Its compact branching and broad bicoloured leaves were selected within that breeding line.

Growing Aglaonema ‘Silver Moon’ indoors

• Light and balance: Use medium to bright indirect light and turn the pot occasionally if most light comes from one direction. This keeps the freely branching crown from leaning strongly to one side.
• Temperature: Give ‘Silver Moon’ stable conditions around 18–24 °C; move it to a warmer position before temperatures remain under 15 °C.
• Keep conditions stable: Protect ‘Silver Moon’ from cold draughts and cold window glass. Aim for 50–60% humidity and keep the plant away from hot drying airflow.
• Manage moisture through the whole root ball: Let the upper layer dry and use pot weight as a second cue, then water thoroughly and drain. Use a loose mix that holds some moisture but still drains freely, and avoid a pot much larger than the root system.
• Feeding: Apply fertiliser sparingly while new leaves are expanding.
• Pruning during active growth: Remove fully yellow lower leaves cleanly. Shorten an older bare stem above a healthy node if rejuvenation is needed.
• Repotting: Repot once roots or basal shoots begin to crowd the container, giving the expanding clump a little more width.
• Propagation during active growth: Use rooted shoots from the base or healthy cane sections.

Aglaonema ‘Silver Moon’: common trouble signs

• A new leaf emerges with a hooked or trapped tip: Aglaonema can develop bent-tip when growth conditions fluctuate sharply. Keep watering, temperature, light and feeding more consistent and let the leaf open on its own. Do not pull it free.
• Brown tips appear after repeated feeding: Soluble salts may be accumulating in the substrate. Flush the pot well with plain water, allow it to drain and reduce the strength or frequency of fertiliser. The brown leaf tips guide covers other causes to compare.
• Grey or dark greasy spots develop after a cold event: Treat this as possible chilling injury. Move the plant to stable warmth, prevent further cold exposure and remove fully dead tissue only after the damage has stopped progressing.
• Yellowing and loss of firmness over wet soil: Extend the drying interval and inspect drainage. If the stem base softens or roots are brown and mushy, remove the decayed roots, then replant the firm root mass in a fresh mix that drains freely.

Aglaonema ‘Silver Moon’ 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.

About the name Aglaonema

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.