Aglaonema commutatum var. maculatum (28/02/2016, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Indirect bright to low light
Flowering period: Late summer to early autumn
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 50cm
Eventual Spread: 50cm
Hardiness: 13
Family: Araceae
Aglaonema commutatum var. maculatum is an evergreen herbaceous perennial. Its dark green leaves have silver gray bands, are elliptic with entire margins, up to 20cm long and 8cm across. Its cream/ white flowers appear as a spandex with a green spathe. Its red fruit are in the form of berries.
Aglaonema commutatum var. maculatum Leaf (28/02/2016, Kew Gardens, London)
The species, Aglaonema commutatum, commonly known as Chinese Evergreen, is native to the Philippines and north east Sulawesi Indonesia. In its native habitat it grows as a tropical woodland understory plant.
The etymological root of the binomial name Aglaonema is derived from the Greek aglaos meaning ‘bright’ or ‘clear’ and nhma meaning a ‘thread’. Commutatum is derived from the Latin commutatus meaning ‘change’.
The landscape architect may find Aglaonema commutatum var. maculatum useful as an attractive foliage houseplant. It should be noted the sap of this plant is an irritant.
Ecologically, Aglaonema commutatum var. maculatum is of little value to UK wildlife.
Aglaonema commutatum var. maculatum Fruit (28/02/2016, Kew Gardens, London)
Aglaonema commutatum var. maculatum prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
When maintaining Aglaonema commutatum var. maculatum as a houseplant its soil should be watered regularly. Watering should be reduced during the winter months. Its preferred active growing temperature rages from between 18ºc to 24ºc. Feeding with weak fertiliser solution should be carried out every two weeks during the growing season.
Landscape Architecture
