Aglaonema ‘Silverado’

The Indian breeding origin of Aglaonema ‘Silverado’

Gopalaswamy Parthasarathy and Parthasarathy Mukundan bred Aglaonema ‘Silverado’ in India from Aglaonema nitidum f. cinereum ‘Ernesto’s Favorite’ and a cultivated breeding selection. They selected the cultivar in Bangalore in 1989.

Care for clumping aroid roots and foliage

• Leaf and crown care: Support the broad leaves from below during cleaning and leave space around the crown.
• Light: Use medium to bright indirect light. Turn the pot occasionally if light comes mainly from one side, and protect the broad leaves from strong sun through glass.
• Watering: Check the mix beside the canes rather than only at the rim, and water thoroughly when the upper layer has dried while deeper roots retain slight moisture.
• Temperature, humidity and airflow: Keep Aglaonema ‘Silverado’ in steady indoor warmth and away from chilling temperatures. Moderate indoor humidity is normally enough; use a humidifier only if persistently dry air causes recurring brown edges.
• 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.
• Substrate and repotting: Use coco coir or peat, small bark and perlite or pumice in a stable draining pot. Let a newly delivered plant settle before repotting.

Root, stem and leaf problems in Aglaonema ‘Silverado’

• Residue: Pale rings that lift with a damp cloth are surface deposits. Marks that remain within the silver tissue are leaf damage and should not be scrubbed.
• Brown margins: Drying across several leaves usually reflects interrupted moisture, hot dry airflow or salt buildup. Use the brown-tip guide to match the position and texture of the damage to the most likely cause. Check the lower root ball and substrate surface to identify which fits.
• Soft stem base: Movement at the substrate line above wet mix indicates root or stem decay Check the full depth of damage before cutting or repotting, then preserve firm growth and remove only tissue that is soft, dark or collapsing. When the collapsed section has a stable boundary, remove collapsed tissue and preserve firm growth.
• Pests: Check both leaf surfaces and the petiole bases for thrips, spider mites, mealybugs and scale.

Aglaonema ‘Silverado’ 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.

Who first published Aglaonema, and what does the name mean?

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.