Keep Aglaonema in medium to bright indirect light, let the upper mix dry before watering and protect it from cold draughts. Colourful cultivars need more light than plain green forms.
Care at a glance
| Botanical name | Aglaonema |
|---|---|
| Light | Medium to bright indirect light; variegation needs more |
| Water | Water after upper drying and drain fully |
| Soil | Airy, moisture-retentive houseplant mix |
| Temperature | Consistently warm and away from cold glass |
| Feeding | Light feed during active growth |
Does it fit an Amsterdam home?
Aglaonema tolerates filtered city light better than many colourful foliage plants. Keep it within the brighter half of the room rather than in a dark corridor.
Window direction is only the beginning. Opposite buildings, balconies, trees, privacy film and distance from the glass all change the usable light. Check the intended position at midday before buying, and remember that a spot that works in June may not work in December.
Water the root ball, not the calendar
Water after upper drying and drain fully Use a nursery pot or another container with drainage holes, water the root ball evenly, and empty the cachepot afterwards. Pot size, root mass, light and room temperature determine the interval; the day of the week does not.
Airy, moisture-retentive houseplant mix Repot when roots and mix indicate a need rather than immediately after purchase. A much larger pot stays wet longer and can turn a simple watering error into root damage.
What changes in Dutch winter?
Warmth matters in winter. A cold windowsill plus wet mix can damage roots even when the room feels comfortable during the day.
During long grey stretches, clean dusty leaves, use the brightest suitable position and pause routine feeding when the plant is not growing. Keep foliage clear of both hot radiator air and cold glass. Make one change at a time so you can see what helped.
Read the plant’s signals
| What you see | What to check first |
|---|---|
| Yellow lower leaves | Wet roots or natural ageing |
| Faded colour | Insufficient light |
| Brown edges | Dry air, salts or moisture swings |
One imperfect old leaf rarely requires an emergency response. Look for a pattern across new growth, soil moisture and roots, and compare with a dated photo before changing several variables.
How to propagate it
Divide rooted clumps or take cane-like stem sections with nodes in warm conditions.
Use clean tools, label the cutting with its date and keep new propagation in stable bright indirect light while roots establish. Share healthy, pest-free material through a local stekjesbieb or plant swap.
Safety at home
Aglaonema contains calcium oxalates and can irritate if chewed. Keep away from children and pets.