Aglaonema 'Stripes'

Breeding history of Aglaonema ‘Stripes’

Aglaonema ‘Stripes’ was developed through the University of Florida foliage-plant breeding programme from Aglaonema ‘Manila’ × Aglaonema nitidum ‘Curtisii’. The cultivar was published in 1988.

Care for Aglaonema ‘Stripes’

• Light and spacing: Give the long leaves bright indirect light. If the plant leans strongly toward one side, rotate the pot gradually and keep it out of abrupt stronger sun.
• Water and substrate: Water once the upper third or so of the substrate has dried, then drain the pot fully. Refresh a compacted mix if water begins pooling on the surface or the pot stays heavy for an unusually long time.
• Temperature and leaf clearance: Keep the plant warm and away from cold draughts; around 18–26 °C suits active growth, and prolonged temperatures below about 15 °C are best avoided. Leave enough clearance for new blades to unfold without repeated rubbing or bending.
• Feeding and propagation: Apply a low-strength balanced fertiliser during periods of active leaf growth. Rooted basal shoots or healthy stem-tip sections can be propagated when needed; keep the stem bases at roughly their previous level when repotting.

Troubleshooting Aglaonema ‘Stripes’

• Creases and tears: A leaf that has been folded, crushed or rubbed may keep a crease or tear even after the plant is healthy again. Move hard objects away from the foliage and protect unfolding leaves from repeated contact and leave an otherwise sound blade in place.
• Soft stem base: A soft or loose stem base with persistently wet substrate can indicate stem or root rot. Inspect the roots and lower stem, remove only confirmed soft dark tissue and replant firm healthy material in fresh airy mix.
• Brown tips: Brown tips after irregular watering or heavy feeding are best addressed at the root zone. Restore a steadier watering pattern and flush the pot thoroughly with plain water if fertiliser residue is likely.
• Pest signs: Fine pale stippling with webbing indicates spider mites; silvery feeding scars with black specks indicate thrips; fixed bumps with sticky honeydew indicate scale; and cottony or waxy clusters, sometimes with sticky patches, indicate mealybugs. Isolate the plant and inspect both leaf surfaces and stem joints. If you confirm spider mites, thrips, scale or mealybugs, rinse hardened foliage or remove visible insects, then apply a treatment labelled for the confirmed pest to both leaf surfaces and the stem joints. Repeat it at the intervals stated on the label for the full course.

Aglaonema ‘Stripes’ 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.

How did Aglaonema get its name?

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.