Family: Araceae
Scientific name: Aglaonema pictum
Common name: Camouflage Plant
Origin: Sumatra (Indonesia)
The leaves of this species look spectacular with a camouflage pattern of white, dark green and light green. It is a particularly rare species that originates from the densely grown hills of volcanos on the islands of Sumatra and the smaller island of Nias. They usually grow at heights between 1.000 and 2.000 metres, but can be found closer to sea level. The 50cm tall plant grows on the forest floor, where it is used to a high shade environment. However, the leaves have nicest colour patterns when the plant is kept in a light spot without direct sunlight. The optimum growing temperature is between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius, without too many temperature fluctuations. The best air humidity would be above 70% (the higher the better), but otherwise regularly spraying the plant should work as well. The soil type should not be dense, and could be a mix of sphagnum moss, perlite, and tree-bark to get well aerated soil. Regularly give the plant fertiliser for best growth. Overall there are quite a lot of requirements, but with these conditions the plant is well suited as a house plant. Eventually, the plant can also flower with a white-green inflorescence that is followed with red berries after pollination.
Sowing description: The seed has a short shelf life and is best sown as soon as possible. First remove some red-fruit leftovers if present, and sow it in a mix of sphagnum moss (available at gardening centres) and sand (1:1) at 20-25 degrees Celsius. Keep it lightly moist. Germination usually occurs after a few weeks, but if it takes longer it can still happen as long as the seed is hard.
Sowing time: Whole year
Difficulty: Challenge
Minimum temperature: 15 degrees Celsius
