Aglaonema 'Snowflake'

Natural range behind Aglaonema 'Snowflake'

The genus comes from north-eastern India across tropical Asia to Papua New Guinea, where many wild species grow on humid tropical forest floors.

Keeping Aglaonema ‘Snowflake’ in good condition

• Light: Medium or bright filtered light works well for ‘Snowflake’. Avoid strong direct sun, and wipe dust from the leaves gently with a soft damp cloth.
• Water and substrate: Let the upper portion of the mix dry, then water the entire root ball and drain it fully. Use an airy substrate with a fine organic base plus bark and perlite or pumice; do not judge moisture from the surface alone.
• Warmth: Maintain stable room temperatures and protect ‘Snowflake’ from cold glass, draughts and unheated spaces. Avoid direct hot airflow from heaters.
• Feeding and propagation: Apply a complete fertiliser lightly while new leaves are opening, reducing it as growth slows. Divide only basal shoots with established roots, or root a healthy stem section containing a node.

Troubleshooting Aglaonema ‘Snowflake’

• Fine pale stippling spreads beneath the natural speckling — spider mites: Do not judge by colour alone, because the natural speckling can mask early damage. Isolate the plant and confirm spider mites from moving dots or fine webbing on the leaf undersides. Rinse the mites off, then apply a treatment labelled for spider mites, such as an insecticidal soap or horticultural oil suitable for houseplants, to both leaf surfaces. Repeat it at the intervals stated on the label for the full course, checking until no new pest damage appears.
• Silvery scars develop with black specks — thrips: Separate the plant from the collection and confirm thrips from slender moving insects or black specks beside fresh silver scarring in the folded new growth or on either leaf surface. Apply a treatment labelled for thrips to the folded new growth and both leaf surfaces. Repeat it at the intervals stated on the label for the full course, and watch new growth for further scars.
• Cottony clusters or fixed bumps collect in sheltered areas — mealybugs or scale: Isolate the plant and inspect the petiole bases, stems and leaf undersides to confirm cottony mealybugs or fixed scale bumps. Physically remove the pests, then apply a treatment labelled for the confirmed pest, such as an insecticidal soap or horticultural oil suitable for houseplants, to the petiole bases, stems and leaf undersides. Repeat it at the intervals stated on the label for the full course, and continue checking until no new pest damage appears.
• Soft brown patches keep enlarging: Spreading soft spots can follow damaged tissue or a bacterial or fungal leaf problem. Keep the foliage dry, improve air movement around the plant and isolate it while you check whether new spots are appearing. Remove badly affected tissue with a clean tool only after the spreading area is clearly defined.
• Several leaves yellow while the mix remains wet: Extend the drying interval and check that water can leave the pot. If the stem base is soft or roots are brown and mushy, remove only decayed roots and replant the healthy portion in a clean, free-draining substrate.
• Pale areas become crisp or bleached on the window side: Direct sun or excessive heat is the likely trigger. Move the plant to filtered indirect light and monitor the next leaves; the damaged areas on existing foliage will remain visible.

Aglaonema ‘Snowflake’ 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.

What does the name Aglaonema 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.