Aglaonema: care, toxicity & reproduction

The patterned leaves of the butt thread are a real eye-catcher. Fortunately, it can also be kept as a houseplant without any problems.

His preference for slightly shady spots makes the cob thread (Aglaonema) a particularly suitable plant for darker rooms. Here we reveal what else you should pay attention to when it comes to location and maintenance.

Aglaonema: origin and characteristics

The piston thread (Aglaonema), also known as Chinese evergreens, are a genus of plants that includes around 22 species. The tropical plants belong to the Araceae family and occur naturally in Southeast Asia. Because of its wonderful foliage, the cob thread is often used as a houseplant. But what does the piston thread look like? The evergreen shrub grows upright and the alternate leaves together form a bushy overall picture. The cob thread leaves are simple, elongated and tapering to a point at the end. There are different

AglaonemaSpecies and varietieswhose leaves are differently colored and patterned. Between June and September the Aglaonema Flowers in the bulb shape typical of the arum family. The flower bulb is enclosed by the spathe, the bract. If the flower is fertilized, then the red berry fruits emerge. The slowly growing plants can reach heights of up to 120 cm.

Location, earth and Co.

the Aglaonema does not belong to the light-loving plants and is therefore suitable as Plant for dark rooms. If the cob thread is in partial shade or light shade at one location, it will develop particularly beautiful, green leaves. If it gets too much light, the leaves turn yellow or gray. Plants with bright or brightly patterned leaves can handle a little more light and should be set up lighter. The piston thread loves warmth. The temperature should not fall below 18 ° C even in winter, in summer the cob thread likes it even warmer at 20 - 25 ° C.
The humidity should always be high at around 70%, which is why a bathroom or kitchen are ideal locations.
When planting the cob thread, a drainage layer should first be created in the pot. This can consist of coarse materials such as potsherds, pebbles or expanded clay, through which the water can later drain off. This is now followed by a layer of earth. A high quality substrate like ours Plantura organic universal soil retains its loose structure for a long time. The air flow is therefore maintained for a long time, so that the roots do not rot if watered correctly. Place the piston thread in the middle of the pot and fill the gaps with substrate. The vessel should definitely have a drainage hole and then be placed in a planter or on a saucer.

Tip: If the leaves of the piston thread come into contact with water, unsightly stains can occur. In order to increase the humidity, the coaster should be filled with expanded clay and water instead of spraying the plant with water.

Maintain Aglaonema

In the Aglaonema-The main care is to ensure sufficient humidity and regular watering, because the tropical plant needs a lot of water.

Use lime-free water at room temperature when using the Aglaonema pour. Rainwater is best. It is better to water more often and in smaller quantities. In addition, it should always be poured directly into the soil so that the leaves are not wetted with water. The substrate should always be moist, but never wet. Any water that has run out in the saucer or planter must be removed a few minutes after the water has been added so that the piston thread does not stand in the water. Otherwise it can lead to root rot, because the Aglaonema does not tolerate waterlogging at all. In winter you can reduce the watering and always let the soil dry first before watering again.

In the growing season from spring to autumn, the cob thread is supplied with nutrients every two weeks. Our Plantura organic indoor & green plant fertilizer is for the Aglaonema ideally suited and strengthens leaves and roots with its ingredients. It is very easy to use: the liquid fertilizer is simply mixed with the irrigation water and poured into the soil. The nutrients of the plant are then quickly available there. In winter there is only fertilization every four to six weeks.

Repotting the cob thread should also be done in spring. Young plants need a larger pot every year, older specimens are only repotted every two to three years.

Increase butt thread

Head cuttings are usually used to multiply the cob thread. These are cut from the mother plant in spring. To obtain a head cutting, cut a 10 cm long piece from the upper part of a healthy shoot. A sharp, disinfected knife should be used for this. The lower leaves are removed so that the cob thread cutting does not evaporate as much water. Prepare a pot of potting soil, such as ours Plantura organic herb & seed compost, before. Our peat-free soil offers the young plants optimal growth conditions thanks to its loose structure and supports strong root formation. This is particularly important at the beginning so that the plant can later supply itself with sufficient nutrients. The cutting is now inserted into the moistened potting soil with the cut point up to the point where the remaining leaf begins. At a temperature of around 22 - 24 ° C, roots form after around six weeks. Place the nursery pots in a moderately bright place and keep the soil evenly moist. In addition, a transparent bag should be placed over the cutting to increase the humidity.

the Aglaonema also forms offshoots, i.e. small daughter plants. These can be removed from the mother plant by dividing, for example during repotting. In any case, the daughter plants must already have their own roots and leaves. After division, they are planted in separate pots. The temperature for successful rooting should be 22 - 24 ° C. Keep the soil evenly moist.

Tip: Older butt thread specimens get a bit unsightly at some point. The vegetative propagation means that young plants can be grown again and again.

Is the piston thread poisonous?

Because of the milky sap that is contained in all parts of the plant, the cob thread is considered poisonous. The calcium oxalate crystals it contains can irritate the skin and mucous membranes in particular on contact. This does not only apply to humans, because the Aglaonema is also poisonous for cats and dogs and should always be kept out of the reach of pets. Wear gloves when repotting for safety.

Would you rather be on the safe side for your cat? In our Top 10 non-toxic houseplants for cats you will find plants that are completely harmless to your house tiger.