Aglaonemas are among the world’s most popular indoor plants. This is most likely because they can thrive in low-light conditions.
With a bit of attention, you can grow massive displays of colorful foliage. On top of that, the plants come in all sorts of different shapes and shades.
There are many Aglaonema varieties out in the wild. Some have broad dark leaves, while others grow tiny, bright ones.
So, you should be able to find a plant that suits your needs. To help make this process easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of 20 types of aglaonema.
In this article, we’ll talk about what makes each variety special. We’ll also walk you through how to take care of the plants to ensure they last a long time.
Aglaonema Overview
Before we jump into the types of plants, let’s take a quick look at the species as a whole. For starters, Aglaonemas are native to South and Southeast Asia.
They thrive in shady tropical forests with high humidity levels.
Other than that, these plants are also perennials from the Araceae family. That means, with the proper care, they can live longer than two years.
Even though they may shed their leaves in winter, the colorful foliage comes back by spring. This is also why many people call the Aglaonema Evergreens.
It refers to how their leaves can stay functional throughout multiple growing seasons.
While Aglaonemas are native to parts of Asia, you can still find them all over the world.
How Many Species of Aglaonema Are There?
We can estimate that there are around 50 different types of Aglaonema. Although finding out the exact number can be a bit tricky.
Since they can thrive in low-light conditions, they’re adapted to living indoors. Because of that, flora cultivators love to breed and hybridize these plants.
So, every few years, a new variety of Aglaonema will pop up around the world.
Aglaonema Varieties
Now, with the overview out of the way, we can jump into the different types of Aglaonema. Let’s take a look at these plants and how to take care of them.
- Aglaonema Amelia
Common Names
The common name for the Amelia plant is Chinese Evergreen. This refers to the flora’s Asian heritage and resilient leaves.
Description and Characteristics
Aglaonema Amelia is one of the most popular plant varieties on our list. It grows to about 11 or 12.5 inches tall if given the space.
In addition, the foliage can spread out to cover an area of around 20 inches.
The popularity of the plant is probably due to the fact that it’s clump-forming. That means the foliage tends to grow in large bunches.
Because of that, the leaves typically look dense with few bald spots.
Moving on, when it comes to the color, the leaves are a combination of three hues. Each one is a slightly different shade of green.
The base of the foliage is a deep, dark green. Plus, there are large streaks of emerald that run across the surface in a lateral pattern.
Finally, some leaves have random spots of light green.
Care Guide
Taking care of Amelias is pretty simple. First off, they don’t require that much watering. A cup of water, once a week, should do the trick.
That means you can leave the plant unattended for quite a while.
Other than that, Amelias thrive in a temperature range of 68℉ to 77℉. This allows them to carry out normal growth cycles as fast as possible.
They can also handle being in slightly cold weather but within certain limits. Any temperature lower than 55℉ may cause the leaves to freeze over and break.
- Aglaonema Anyamanee
Common Names
Anyamanees have one of the most difficult names of any Aglaonema plant. The name originates from Thailand and it means gemstone.
This is a reference to the bright bold color of the plants. Some people also call these florae Unyamanee and Pink Anyamanee.
While the names may be tough to pronounce, the plant is still incredibly delightful.
Description and Characteristics
As you can tell by the common name, Anyamanee foliage is mostly pink. Yet, there are small green veins that run through the surface of the leaves.
So, the foliage has an incredible variegated pattern that’s unique to these plants.
When it comes to size, Anyamanees are on the smaller side. The overall height of the plants reaches around six to seven inches.
Other than being stunning to look at, these plants also have a special quality. They’re able to filter the air and purify it from many pollutants.
These include chemicals like benzene, formaldehyde, and other hydraulic fluids.
Care Guide
Taking care of these plants can be a little challenging. That’s because Anyamanees are especially sensitive to moisture concentration.
They need around a cup of water every 10 days. Anything more, or less, and the plants will have a hard time growing.
On top of that, you’ll need to fertilize the soil at least once a month to keep them healthy.
- Aglaonema BJ Freeman
Common Names
Most of the time, people will refer to this plant as BJ Freeman. While it’s a great identifier, the name isn’t all that inviting.
So, to make the plants more commercially appealing, we refer to them as Gabriella or Celia.
Description and Characteristics
BJ Freemans are one of the original varieties of Aglaonema. Because of how old the plants are, it’s difficult to track their origins.
However, that doesn’t take away from the flora’s natural beauty. These Aglaonema have bright green, papery leaves.
Some foliage can have a few dark spots, but the majority is a pale green shade. Plus, the leaves are broad and curve upwards.
This means the plants will look full, even with just a few leaves.
In addition, they’re one of the largest types of plants on our list. With enough space, they can grow to almost four feet tall and three feet wide.
Care Guide
Since BJ Freemans have been around for a long time, these plants are excellent survivors. They don’t need much water or fertilization throughout their lifetime.
In fact, you can get away with watering these florae about once a month. On top of that, they’ll only require around a tablespoon of fertilizer a year.
For the fastest growth rates, be sure to keep BJ Freemans in a temperature range of 60 to 70℉.
- Aglaonema Black Lance
Common Names
The name that most people use for these plants is Black Lance. This is because of the shape of the leaves.
Although, since the leaves on the plants are almost black, some also call them Dark Evergreens.
Description and Characteristics
Black Lances are one of the most distinctive varieties of Aglaonema for a couple of reasons. First off, they have dark leaves.
While they’re not black, like the name suggests, they’re a deep shade of green. This is incredibly unusual for plants. Most others have bright-colored foliage.
Other than that, the leaves have a unique shape. As the name implies, they resemble lances. That means they have broad bases that taper down as you reach the tip of the foliage.
Black Lances can vary greatly in height depending on their growing conditions. Some of them can be as small as eight inches tall, while others can reach about four feet high.
Care Guide
Taking care of Black Lances is an easy task. The plants can survive in many environments with little maintenance.
Typically, Dark Evergreens need a cup of water every other week. This may change depending on the weather, so it’s best to check the soil before adding any more moisture.
You can do that using the finger test. Burrow a small three-inch hole into the soil with your index finger.
If your digit comes out completely dry, then you need to sprinkle on a little extra water.
- Aglaonema Cory
Common Names
Cory may sound like a strange name for a plant, but there’s a reason behind it. The word “Cor” is Latin for heart, mind, and soul.
So, it symbolizes how these Aglaonemas can warm up any space they’re in. Other than that, some gardeners refer to the plants as White Frost. This is because of their cream stems.
Description and Characteristics
There are a few reasons people like to buy Cory plants. For starters, they have sizable green leaves with feathery stripes running through them.
As the plants age, the veins on the foliage turn a silvery-cream shade. This creates a pleasing pattern that you won’t see anywhere else.
Generally, Cory plants can reach heights of around 36 inches. Although, it may take a couple of years for the florae to grow that tall.
Care Guide
Cory plants are another resilient variety of Aglaonema. They can handle high temperatures in excess of 70℉.
Plus, they can thrive in spaces with low humidity, which is rare for an Aglaonema.
Sadly, they’re not all that resistant to the cold. Temperatures below 60℉ will turn the leaves rigid and brittle.
- Aglaonema Cutlass
Common Names
A cutlass is a short sword with a slightly curved blade. So, as you can imagine, the leaves of the plant look like a small hunting knife.
That’s also why another common name for these plants is Dagger Evergreens.
Description and Characteristics
Cutlass leaves have one of the most interesting shapes on our list. The base of the foliage is narrow, but it tapers down even further.
This results in a slim, pointy tip. While the leaves aren’t as sharp as daggers, they can still cause injury if you’re not careful.
The tip of the leaves can puncture the skin like needles.
Because of the narrow foliage, Cutlass plants can survive in high heat. A few can even thrive in climates as hot as 85℉. There, they grow to about 15 to 20 inches.
Care Guide
To get the most out of your Cutlass plants, you’ll need to water them about once a week. Although, you have to be sure to use lukewarm water.
If the temperature of the soil drops below 60℉, the roots may frost over and break off.
Other than that, keep the plant out of direct sunlight. Overexposure may degrade the leaves and stop them from carrying out photosynthesis.
- Aglaonema Chocolate
Common Names
When you roast a fresh batch of cacao beans, they turn a nice, deep, burnt maroon shade. This color is almost identical to that of Aglaonema Chocolate leaves.
That’s where the name comes from. Plus, we can refer to these plants as Velvet Evergreens because of the smooth surface of the foliage.
Description and Characteristics
As we mentioned, Chocolate plants have smooth, maroon leaves. The bright pop of color can add a sense of whimsy to any space.
To top it off, the foliage has red veins running through the center. This makes the plants ideal for adding an exotic flare to indoor areas.
On average, Chocolate Aglaonemas can grow to around six inches tall. While they’re on the shorter side, they’re no less striking than the other types of plants on our list.
Care Guide
There are a few factors you should be aware of to take care of Chocolate Aglaonemas.
Right off the bat, they don’t need a lot of water. A couple of cups a week should be more than enough.
Besides that, they’re particularly sensitive to sun rays. Even though they can survive under direct sunlight, the leaves will begin to discolor.
This will affect the plants’ ability to grow new structures, and it dampens the beauty of the foliage.
- Aglaonema Deborah
Common Names
The name Deborah has Hebrew origins and translates into Queen Bee. This shows off how elegant these plants can be.
Aside from that, many gardeners use the name Queen of Siam for this Aglaonema variety. That reinforces the royal background of the plants.
Finally, because of the white base of the leaves, we can also call these florae Snow White.
Description and Characteristics
Deborah plants have variegated green leaves that curve upwards as they grow. Because of that, the tips of the foliage create an almost crown-like shape.
This is probably why these plants have strong ties to royalty. In addition, the pale green center of the florae gives it a soft, welcoming air.
Moving on, the average Deborah can reach heights of around 32 inches.
Care Guide
Unlike other Aglaonemas, Deborahs need a lot of moisture regularly. As a general rule, it’s best to water these plants every other day.
To add to that, they need plenty of sun. It’s best to place them in indirect sunlight for a minimum of six hours a day.
That’ll ensure they can produce enough energy to survive. Lastly, to help the leaves grow healthy, you may need to prune the plants quite often.
- Aglaonema Emerald Bay
Common Names
Emerald Bay is a type of Aglaonemas with striking, vibrant green leaves. That name comes from the fact that the foliage can resemble flashy gemstones.
Other than that, we can also call this plant the Survivor Evergreen.
Description and Characteristics
These plants are typical Aglaonemas. Their leaves are narrow and pointy, with a variegated pattern on the surface. Plus, they have the signature bright green shade of flowering Araceae.
Emerald Bays are one of the hardiest plant varieties on our list. That’s why we refer to it as the Survivor.
They can handle tough conditions, meaning they can grow almost anywhere in the world. This includes warm and cold climates alike.
Moving on, if you let them grow freely, Emerald Bays can soar about four feet into the air.
Care Guide
Just like most of the other varieties on our list, Emerald Bays need water about once a week. However, that’s not all.
These plants prefer living in an environment with high humidity levels. Because of that, you’ll need to mist the leaves with water every couple of days.
Besides that, Emerald Bays require constant fertilization. To meet their nutritional demands, sprinkle a tablespoon of fertilizer on the soil twice a month.
- Aglaonema Etta Rose
Common Names
There are a couple of common names for these plants. These include Etta Rose and Floating Evergreen. The latter comes from the different shades of the leaves.
Description and Characteristics
Etta Roses have small, broad foliage that branches out in every direction. The leaves have a deep, dark hue with a bright stripe of pink running through the center.
Plus, the leaves have random bright green spots scattered all around.
In the morning light, you can see every vein in the leaves and all the subtle color shifts. However, as the sun sets, the foliage display becomes even more impressive.
At night, the moonlight shines through the leaves and gives them a magical effect. The pale pink sections can appear almost translucent.
For that reason, the green areas can look like they’re floating in mid-air. That’s most likely the reason behind the name Floating Evergreen.
Care Guide
The moisture, temperature, light, and humidity requirements of these plants are pretty standard.
That means they only need water every couple of weeks and can survive in temperatures between 60℉ and 70℉.
Although, Etta Roses do require some special care. Every few weeks, you have to rotate the plants to ensure they grow evenly.
That way, the foliage has the best chance of surviving through the winter.
- Aglaonema Golden Bay
Common Names
Because of the color of the leaves, we dubbed these plants Golden Bays. As an alternative, we also call them Sun Evergreens.
Description and Characteristics
Golden Bays are a variation of the more common Emerald Bays. Both plants have almost identical leaves.
They’re narrow, pointy, and have a striped pattern on the surface. Yet, what makes Golden Bays special is the color of the foliage.
As the name suggests, the center of the leaves is a pale yellow. Plus, the base has a deep amber shade.
Due to the color variation, these plants can create a remarkable light show. In low-light conditions, the leaves look like they have a subtle glow in the center.
This, along with the flare of the leaves, can resemble the sun.
Care Guide
Golden Bays are sensitive to air moisture content and the sun. They require a high level of humidity to thrive.
Unfortunately, that may mean you have to invest in a humidifier.
Aside from that, Golden Bays need an environment with bright, indirect sunlight. These plants can survive in the shade, but it’ll affect the pattern of the leaves.
The longer the foliage is out of the sun, the plainer it’ll look.
- Aglaonema Gemini
Common Names
This variety of Aglaonema has two names. The one we use the most is Gemini, but the designation Tigress Evergreen is also common.
Description and Characteristics
Gemini usually describes an object with a dual nature. That’s the perfect way to express the colors of these plants.
Gemini Aglaonema leaves are a mixture of dark and pale green. The shades create a color-blocking pattern that almost looks like tiger stripes.
In addition, the leaves curl down slightly. This gives the plants an open shape, which makes them appear inviting.
Under perfect conditions, Gemini can live up to 10 years. Yet, this can change depending on the temperature and humidity levels of your area.
Care Guide
One of the reasons we call them Tigress Evergreen is because of how resilient they are. They can go several weeks without any water and maintain a healthy growth rate.
Because of that, Gemini Aglaonemas make perfect beginner plants. You don’t need much experience to care for them.
On top of that, because of their dual-colored leaves, they can survive in high and low light conditions.
Although, due to their growth rate, you may have to prune them often.
- Aglaonema Lady Valentine
Common Names
The usual name for these plants is Lady Valentine. Yet, there are two other designations that we use to show off the delicate nature of these florae.
These include Pink Lady and Valentine Evergreen.
Description and Characteristics
Lady Valentines have large, broad leaves that grow out in every direction. These plants are one of the most special varieties of Aglaonema.
That’s because, instead of green, the majority of the foliage has a pink center. This gives the florae a soft, feminine appearance.
That’s why many people associate it with the most romantic day of the year.
Moving on, Pink Ladies are one of the smaller plants on our list. They can grow to around three inches, but rarely ever taller.
That makes them ideal table centerpieces. You can place a Valentine Evergreen pot on your dining table to add a nice, gentle pop of color.
Care Guide
To create the subtle pink hue, Valentine Evergreens need plenty of sunlight. As a general rule, the more sun, the deeper the shade of pink.
So, it’s best to place these plants in bright, indirect sunlight.
Other than that, Pink Ladies don’t have any specific care needs.
Although, since the foliage is larger than average, these plants tend to have fewer leaves. Luckily, that means you’ll rarely need to prune it.
- Aglaonema Leprechaun
Common Names
Leprechauns have been a symbol of good fortune for many years. Because of that, some people refer to these plants as Luck Evergreens.
Description and Characteristics
Leprechaun leaves go through a few changes as they mature. First off, they start by growing straight up.
Then, the foliage begins to arch outward and downward as it ages. Finally, the leaves will end up in a lance shape, with an average width of three inches each.
The leaves also grow in a compact form, which means they’ll clump up together. This makes the plants look incredibly dense.
Another interesting feature of Leprechauns is that they’re usually uniformly rounded. That means you won’t need to put in any effort to make sure the plants look symmetrical.
Besides that, the average Lucky Evergreen can reach a maximum height of around 10 inches.
Care Guide
Leprechaun Aglaonemas have an impressive growth rate. Due to that, they can reach full maturity in just under nine months.
Although, for this to happen, you need to supply them with the perfect environment.
That includes watering once every two weeks and constant misting to keep the humidity up. Plus, make sure to keep the temperature between 65℉ and 70℉.
- Aglaonema Maria
Common Names
Maria is the simplest name for these plants, and it loosely translates to beloved. Apart from that, we also call them Mosaic Evergreen or Snail Evergreen.
Description and Characteristics
When you compare Maria plants to the others on our list, you’ll notice a significant difference. The majority of the florae only contain one or two colors.
However, Maria leaves have three, and sometimes more, different shades of green.
These hues come together to create an exceptionally intricate pattern. This can sometimes look like a mosaic design.
In addition, the leaves are broad but relatively short. This will give the plants an overall fuller look. Plus, just like snowflakes, no two leaves are the same.
Moving on, mature Marias can reach heights of about 20 inches indoors.
Finally, we call these plants Snail Evergreens because of how long it takes them to mature.
Care Guide
Marias aren’t as resilient as the majority of Aglaonemas. For that reason, you have to pay close attention to their environment.
Typically, these plants will perform best in cooler weather. Sadly, that means they’ll have a hard time surviving in temperatures over 70℉.
Other than that, Marias prefer the shade. They can grow in areas with minimal sunlight, which makes them ideal indoor plants.
It’s crucial that you keep these florae away from the sun as much as possible. Even a little bright sunlight can scorch the leaves and cause them to break off.
- Aglaonema Maria Christina
Common Names
These plants have three common names. Aside from Maria Christina, we can also call them Poison Darts or Deadly Evergreens.
Description and Characteristics
Maria Christinas bear a startling resemblance to Maria Aglaonemas. Both plants have broad, short, multicolored leaves.
Yet, there are a couple of major differences. Christinas have fewer shades of green on their foliage. This means the leaves are slightly less interesting.
Besides that, Maria Christinas also have denser foliage.
However, that doesn’t mean these plants are boring. Maria Christinas are poisonous members of the Arum family.
Consuming even small amounts of the plants can send humans and animals to the emergency room.
Lastly, these plants can grow up to 10 inches tall and around four inches wide.
Care Guide
Unlike Marias, these plants are much less sensitive to the environment. They can handle a wide range of light concentrations.
Because of that, you can grow them almost anywhere.
They also don’t need that much moisture, meaning you can water them once every couple of weeks.
So, most of the time, you won’t need to put in any effort for the plants to thrive. Although the leaves don’t grow symmetrically, so you may need to prune them frequently.
- Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor
Common Names
Pictum is the Latin word for decorating. So, from the name, we can tell that people loved using the three colors of these plants to embellish their homes
The different shades of green come together and form a pattern. This is most likely the reason behind the name Camouflage Evergreen.
Description and Characteristics
Pictum Tricolors are one of the most stunning varieties of Aglaonema. That’s because of their broad leaves with complex designs.
The foliage consists of three main shades, dark green, pale green, and an off-white hue. These come together to form a variegated pattern that resembles camouflage.
Plus, the leaves have a waxy coating layer that gives them a glossy surface. This helps the plants reflect some light and add a bit of shine to your space.
To top it off, these florae stay compact and rarely grow over two feet tall. That means you can squeeze them into any space around the house.
Because of that, Pictum Tricolors are exceptionally popular and in demand. Sadly, that means they can also be quite pricey.
Care Guide
Pictum Tricolors prefer growing in damp conditions. For that reason, you’ll need to water the plants often.
Generally, adding about a half cup of water to the soil every other day should do the trick.
In addition, since you’ll dilute the soil regularly, you have to replace any lost nutrients. You can do that by sprinkling on a tablespoon of fertilizer every two weeks.
- Aglaonema Red Gold
Common Names
The common name for these plants is Red Gold. Although some gardeners also refer to the florae as the Sunset Evergreen.
Description and Characteristics
If you’re looking for exotic plants to add a bit of flare to your home, Red Golds may be the way to go.
These are a hybrid cultivar of Aglaonema. That means that they’re a combination of more than one type of flora.
Because of that, these plants have wonderfully colorful foliage. The base of the leaves is a pinkish-red hue.
On top of that, there’s a mixture of yellow and green stripes running across the surface. This collection of colors can be reminiscent of the sky just before dusk.
Besides that, Sunset Evergreens can grow to around three feet tall.
Care Guide
Red Golds thrive in warm conditions with plenty of moisture. For that reason, you’ll need to water the plants around twice a week to keep them healthy.
Moving on, these florae prefer living in a humid environment. This allows the stems to maintain their rigidity to help the plants grow up toward the sun.
Yet, they can survive in dry climates. The only issue will be with the growth rate. In low humidity, Red Golds will take a long time to reach full maturity.
- Aglaonema Silverado
Common Names
The common names for these plants are Silverado and Silver Evergreen. Both designations refer to the florae’s metallic, gray hue.
Description and Characteristics
When you think of plants, you’ll typically imagine shades of green, red, yellow, and maybe pink. However, Silverados completely stepped out of these expectations.
Instead of the normal nature shades, these florae have grayish foliage. The leaves are also broad and taper to a fine point at the tip.
This gives them the classic tear-drop shape.
Plus, if you let Silverados grow freely, they can reach heights of about two feet tall. That makes these plants incredibly versatile.
You can use them as centerpieces, or as added decoration on your windowsill.
Care Guide
Silverado plants are exceptionally easy to take care of. They only need watering once a week, although they are a little drought-tolerant.
That means they can go about two or three weeks without moisture. This will slightly slow down the growth rate, but it should revert back to normal as soon as you add water.
Moving on, when it comes to light, Silverados aren’t all that picky. You can place them in low or medium light.
However, it’s best to steer clear of direct sunlight to avoid damaging the leaves.
- Aglaonema Wishes
Common Names
In ancient China, many people believed these plants could grant your deepest desire. That’s most likely where the name Wishes comes from.
Aside from that, we can also call the florae Red Wish Evergreens.
Description and Characteristics
These plants are similar to Red Golds. Both have a bright red center, with a green variegated pattern on top, and they grow to about three feet tall.
The most obvious difference is that Wishes don’t contain streaks of yellow. As a result, the red hues are much more apparent.
Because of that, many Asian Cultures associate these plants with good fortune.
Other than that, Red Wish Evergreens tend to have marginally smaller leaves. This makes them perfect for pots or small terrariums.
Care Guide
To maintain the bright scarlet shade of these plants, you’ll need to pay attention to the water content.
During the summers, Wishes will need plenty of moisture. So, as a general rule, it’s best to keep the soil damp throughout the season.
For that reason, you’ll need to water the plants every other day.
However, as winter comes around, this changes. In the cold, Red Wish Evergreens prefer the soil to be slightly dry.
Because of that, you’ll need to change the watering schedule to once a week.
FAQs
What Are the Most Popular Aglaonema Types?
While all Aglaonemas are charming, some are more popular than others.
One of the most sought-after plants is the Pictum Tricolor. It may be a little tricky to care for, but the beautiful foliage display more than makes up for it.
Other than that, people also tend to prefer Silverados, Emerald Bays, Wishes, and Red Golds. Each one of these has colorful leaves that add a bit of warmth to any space.
To top it all off, they’re usually easy to maintain.
Which Aglaonema Plants Are the Easiest to Grow?
The answer to this question will depend on where you live. If your home is in a colder climate, then go for Emerald Bays or Amelias.
Both plants should be able to survive through the chilly winter and regrow their leaves.
On the other hand, if you live in a warm area, then Cutlass and Silverados are the way to go. These are some of the most resilient plants on our list, and they don’t need much care.
What Are the Benefits of Aglaonema Plants?
The main reason people purchase Aglaonemas is because of their decorative nature. They’re stunning plants with a massive variety of shapes and colors.
Although, that’s not the most impressive feature of these florae.
Most members of the Aglaonema family have purifying qualities. They can reduce the level of pollution in the air.
Wrapping Up
The Araceae family is large, with plenty of members. However, our list focuses on the most popular 20 types of Aglaonema.
These include Cutlass, Emerald Bays, Silverados, Red Golds, and Amelias. Other than that, there are also the Wishes, Gemini, and Leprechaun varieties.
Each one of these has distinctive foliage and a specific maintenance routine. With all this information in mind, you’re ready to head out and buy a new plant for your home.
