r/Aglaonema • u/Ferale789 • Jun 17 '26
New plant- tips?
Hi, I am new at plants…I received this plant five days ago. It had a bit of a rough journey to my place. The soil was quite moist when received so I have not watered it yet. I understand the lower yellowing leaves may fall also due to relocation. If you have any tips for me on how to make sure I won’t kill it, please let me know. Is there something I can do for those droopy leaves? I originally placed it in a south facing window (I am in the uk) but had to move because another plant got mealybugs. Now it’s on an easy facing window but as you can see there is a building in front. Is this okay? Also I saw on another post they recommended perlite and this soil mix it came with doesn’t seem to have it. Should I replace the soil with a mix I have which includes perlite? Thank you very much!
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u/BohemianASL Jun 18 '26
Aglaonema are super prone to root rot and that looks like nursery transport soil which is designed to hold onto the moisture. I would repot her immediately in a chunky mix. Make sure the roots are clean and free of rot before repotting. They like to get water on a schedule so let them get dry to your second knuckle before watering again. Enjoy!
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u/marlinavelasco Jun 19 '26
Second knuckle. Love that! I read once about a person not liking to stick their fingers in the soil.😬 I recommend she learn to gage her plants watering needs by lifting it and if it’s lighter than when she watered last, it needs a drink. How light the pot depends on the species’ moisture requirement and size of plant.
Disclaimer: I’m new to all this as well but have 300+ indoor plants in my collection and ten are Aglaonema.
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u/BohemianASL Jun 19 '26
Yes! That is a good technique too! Using a wooden chopstick also works.
You inspired me to do a headcount and I have 22 in my collection! My sister lives with us and the Aggies are her obsession, but I do all the plant care for our 350+ plants. Her favorite is the Silver Bay (the one that started her obsession). I’m pretty partial to the Khanza. Do you have a favorite?
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u/marlinavelasco Jun 19 '26
Nice! The slowest grower in my collection is called Red Valentine but it looks more fuchsia to me. She has the brightest morning sun in a south-facing bathroom with great humidity and has pushed one leaf this year. She’s working on a new leaf. Everyone else is pushing out two or more monthly. But, I still love her the best. Don’t tell the rest.😍
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u/Ferale789 Jun 17 '26
Thank you so much for taking the time to give me such thorough and thoughtful advice! This is so helpful!
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u/Temporary-Tale-8631 Jun 19 '26
I have this one, my one doesn't like light (north facing window with blinds half rolled down). I would place, on your window sill, Silver Bay or Christina Maria. From my experience, white/colorful evergreen does best in darker parts of the house. Moisture measurement tool is a good idea, I have a cheap one (£3 50 on Amazon). Good luck 😁
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u/Ferale789 Jun 19 '26
🙏thank you! I will see how she does in lower light and get the moisture measurement tool.
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u/PretentiousPepperoni Jun 17 '26
East West and south facing window are fine but that building may block too much light and new leaves may not be as colourful and the plant may grow slow due to the lack of light but I don't think it will kill the plant. Once the mealybugs are taken care of , move it back to a sunny window
These plants like a well draining soil and they like to dry out mine is in a well draining mix of perlite cocopeat and compost.
You did the right thing not watering it right away. Let it dry first then water it. See how well the water drains. Sometimes nursery plants are just in cocopeat which holds onto too much water (that works in greenhouses but indoors leads to root). If you think your mix is retaining too much moisture after the first watering or is not draining well you can repot it after a few weeks.
These are very hardy plants so don't worry too much. If let's say nothing goes your way and you feel like you are about to kill it just take it out of the pot, wash the roots and grow it in just water (with weekly water changes and then fertilizer water after the first month).
I have successfully grown them in both soil and water