Aglaonema modestum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-glah-oh-NAY-mah moh-DES-tum
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Easily grown for the lush tropical-looking foliage as a houseplant or outdoor container plant, a perennial herb with dark green stems; leaves large, up to 10 in. long, often variegated. Grown indoors the Aglaonema genus prefers well-diffused light but can tolerate low light levels. Any good quality potting mix will support plant growth, allow the medium to dry between waterings (but not for more than a day or two), and avoid using cold water. This plant is sensitive to cold, it prefers a range of daytime temperatures between 70F - 80F. Can be grown outdoors in warm regions but must be protected by shade.
Flowers are seldom seen, the flower is a spadix surrounded by a spathe. Removal of flowers/fruits will redirect energy to foilage.
Soil-borne nematodes and mites could be a problem for this plant.
Found in: interiorscape
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:






- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Aglaonema
- Species:
- modestum
- Family:
- Araceae
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Philippines, Malayasia
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Fleshy, oval
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spadix
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are seldom seen. They are in a spadix surrounded by a spathe.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Variegated
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Other/more complex
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are large, up to 10 in. long, often variegated.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Multi-trunked, thick green stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heavy Shade
- Humidity
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- CAUSES SEVERE PAIN IN THE MOUTH IF EATEN! SKIN IRRITATION MINOR OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. Poisonous through ingestion or dermatitis. Symptoms may include skin irritation after contact with cell sap; if chewed, irritation of mouth, lips, throat, and tongue. Poisonous to animals including dogs, cats, and horses. Animals may have the following symptoms: struggle to swallow, irritated/painful--even burning/swelling mouth (including lips and tongue), may vomit, foam at the mouth, and much drooling. To humans and animals, it is poisonous if ingested (or if the juice from the plant is touched). Other symptoms (more so for humans) include a rash, pain where the rash is, and mucous membranes irritated.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Calcium oxalate crystals
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems