Aglaonema pink and green Suksom

Credit: Mokkie

Pink leaf with green edge Aglaonema 'Suksom

Credit: Mokkie

Flower and leaves Aglaonema 'Suksom

Credit: Ong Jyh Seng

Aglaonema 'Suksom', the red-leaved aglaonema

Do the white leaves of your Aglaonema 'White Joy fill you with joy? Wait until you discover Aglaonema 'Suksom'. In Thai, the name of this Aglaonema commutatum cultivar means "perfect happiness". A pretty accurate description of the sensation felt when observing its green and red leaves.

How to recognize Aglaonema 'Suksom'?

Aglaonema 'Suksom' is an upright, compact perennial. It reaches a height of 60 centimetres with an equal spread.

It grows from an underground rhizome. Its fleshy stems are very pale green, almost white.

The shiny, oval leaves have pointed apices. Bright red, they are edged with dark green. But each leaf blade is unique. Some have additional green variegation, while others have thin, irregular margins.

As with many cultivars, flowering is very rare indoors. In the wild, aglaonemas produce flowers consisting of a cream spadix surrounded by a pale green spathe.

Once pollinated, the flowers give rise to round berries. But don't expect to harvest too many at home! Fruits almost never appear on hybrids grown in pots and indoors.

Aglaonema 'Suksom' is a toxic plant. It causes skin irritation on contact and respiratory problems if ingested. Keep your specimen out of reach of pets and children. Wear gloves when pruning and repotting.

Our maintenance tips

Aglaonema 'Suksom do not need much light to reveal the colors of their foliage. They are content with a spot in partial shade. Easy to live with, they require regular care, but are forgiving of oversights and mistakes.

Watering

Aglaonema 'Suksom likes regular, but not excessive, watering. Its roots must not be drowned. Use non-calcareous water, such as rainwater or filtered water at room temperature.

Between waterings, let the soil dry on the surface (by about two centimetres).

Remember to remove any stagnant water from the saucer or planter.

Spray

Spray foliage with water at room temperature. Do not use tap water. It is often too hard and leaves marks on the leaves.

Fogging temporarily increases humidity and combats the appearance of parasites.

Repotting

In spring, transfer your Aglaonema commutatum ‘Suksom’ to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.

Aglaonema 'Suksom like to be cramped. Re-pot in a pot one or two centimetres wider than the previous one. Choose a pierced plastic pot. This material retains moisture and is better suited to the plant's needs. Line the bottom with clay balls for drainage.

This variety thrives in rich soil. You can use potting soil for green plants and add compost or ground horn. Pour in a layer of substrate and place your subject in the center. Fill in with potting soil and tamp down.

Water to remove air bubbles and encourage rooting.

Fertilization

You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.

Add green plant fertilizerto your watering water.

Cleaning

The leaves of your Aglaonema 'Suksom' accumulate dust. It interferes with photosynthesis and encourages the appearance of parasites. Clean them with a clean, damp sponge.

Remember that aglaonema 'Suksom is toxic. Wear gloves when dusting.

Prune

Your Aglaonema 'Suksom' does not need pruning. You can remove wilted leaves and cut back the flowering stem after flowering.

Remember that the plant is irritating. Use pruning shears or wear gloves during the operation.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Carefully dig up your Aglaonema 'Suksom'. Locate a rhizome with at least two or three shoots. Separate it from the mother plant with a clean, sharp knife or pruning shears. Remove leaves, rhizome and roots.

In a pierced pot, pour gravel or clay balls for drainage. Add a rich substrate, such as special cuttings soil or horticultural compost. Dig a hole using a pen or stake. Plant your young Aglaonema commutatum ‘Suksom’ and tamp lightly.

Water to encourage rooting.

Diseases / Threats

Information

Family	Araceae - Araceae
Type	Aglaoneme - Aglaonema
Species	Aglaonema commutatum - Aglaonema commutatum
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposure	Half-shade
Substrats	Humus soil Sandy soil
Planting method	In pots
Categories	Interior Rhizome Herbaceous
Tags	Beginner Fritillary Toxic
Origin	Southeast Asia
Hardiness (USDA)	11b
Leaf color
Flower colors
Fruit colors