Aglaonema 'Silver Queen'

Bob McColley’s early commercial hybrid

Bob McColley of Bamboo Nursery in Orlando, Florida, bred Aglaonema ‘Silver Queen’ from Aglaonema commutatum ‘Treubii’ and Aglaonema nitidum ‘Curtisii’. It became one of the major early commercial Aglaonema hybrids. Both parent species come from wet tropical forests of Southeast Asia and Malesia.

Care for cane-forming aroids

• Watering, root care and light: Take a rooted basal branch when the plant has several shoots, or use a firm cane section containing a healthy node. Warm, lightly moist substrate and filtered light support rooting while the long emerging leaf remains tender.
• Light: Place the striped foliage in medium to bright indirect light. A brighter stable position supports active shoots, while a dark corner extends the wet period around older cane-like stems.
• Watering: Use the weight of the pot and moisture in the centre of the root ball. Once the container is noticeably lighter, water slowly across the full pot, let excess drain and adjust the next check to current warmth and light.
• Temperature, humidity and airflow: Keep Aglaonema ‘Silver Queen’ in steady indoor warmth and away from chilling temperatures. If the air remains very dry and tips keep drying, move the plant away from heating or use a humidifier.
• Feeding: Use a complete houseplant fertiliser at a low dose while growth is active. Feed less often whenever growth slows, regardless of the season, and never fertilise a dry root ball or a stressed plant.

Troubleshooting Aglaonema 'Silver Queen'

• Folded leaves: Long blades retain bends caused by packaging, cleaning or contact with furniture. Leave healthy damaged leaves in place and give new growth more clearance.
• Drooping: Feel moisture through the root ball and compare pot weight. Thoroughly soak roots in mix that is dry throughout; limp growth above saturated mix needs a drainage and root check before any additional water is given.
• Pests: Inspect along the long undersides and midribs for thrips or spider mites, then check petiole bases for mealybugs and scale.

Aglaonema ‘Silver Queen’ 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.