Aglaonema ruby – 14cm

Description

Detailed Description

• Foliage & Patterning: The plant boasts broad, glossy, lance-shaped leaves. Its primary charm is the rich, unpredictable variegation: dark forest-green margins frame a central explosion of bright ruby-red, hot pink, and rose-coloured blotches.
• Growth Habit & Form: It maintains a naturally compact, bushy, and elegant vase-shaped structure. It grows outwards from central stems in an attractive, clump-forming habit, making it an excellent centerpiece for tabletops, desks, or shelves.
• Size: Indoors, it stays fairly manageable, typically reaching an ultimate height and width of 30 cm to 60 cm.

Care Instructions for South Africa

☀️ Light Exposure

While plain green Chinese Evergreens are famously shade-tolerant, the Aglaonema Ruby requires medium to bright indirect sunlight to preserve its brilliant neon-pink and ruby hues. Low light will cause the new leaves to revert to standard green. Avoid direct, harsh South African midday sun, which will quickly scorch, bleach, or crisp the beautiful colourful margins.

Watering

Water thoroughly, then allow the top 25% to 50% of the soil to completely dry out before watering again. This plant is highly forgiving of a bit of neglect but absolutely hates stagnant moisture.

• Seasonal Routine: During hot summer months, expect to water roughly once a week. In the cooler, slower winter months, significantly scale back watering, allowing the soil to dry out almost fully between drinks to prevent root rot.

Soil & Potting Mix

Plant in a highly well-draining potting mixture to allow oxygen to reach the roots. A perfect homemade blend is a standard high-quality indoor potting soil mixed evenly with perlite and a bit of orchid bark or coarse sand. Always use a container with drainage holes.

Temperature & Humidity

Thrives in standard warm room temperatures between 16°C and 28°C. It is very sensitive to cold; protect it from freezing Highveld winter nights or drafty coastal windows, ensuring it never drops below 15°C. It handles average home humidity well but will appreciate being grouped with other plants or kept in a humid environment like a bathroom during dry inland winters.

Fertilising

Feed your plant once a month during the spring and summer active growing season using a balanced liquid houseplant food (like Nitrosol or an all-purpose liquid fertilizer) diluted to half strength. Do not fertilise during autumn and winter when the plant goes into a semi-dormant state.

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

The Aglaonema Ruby is toxic to humans and pets (cats, dogs, and horses) if ingested. The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals, which cause immediate mouth pain, swelling of the lips and tongue, drooling, and difficulty swallowing. Keep it styled on higher shelves out of reach of curious pets.