As an Aglaonema odorata, I am a resilient and fragrant evergreen shrub, prized for my glossy leaves and delicate, sweet-scented yellow flowers. My watering needs are not overly complex, but they are crucial to my health and happiness. To understand how often I need a drink, you must listen to my language and observe my environment, as a fixed calendar schedule is not something I can adhere to.
My primary request is simple: please check the soil moisture before watering. I dislike having my roots constantly wet, as this suffocates them and leads to root rot, a serious condition I fear. The best method is to insert your finger about 2-3 inches into my soil. If the top few inches feel dry to the touch, it is the perfect time for a thorough, deep watering. If the soil still feels cool and moist, please wait a few more days and check again. This simple act of checking is the most direct way to understand my immediate needs.
My growth cycle is intrinsically tied to the seasons, which dramatically affects my water consumption. During my active growing season in the spring and summer, I am working hard to produce new leaves and blossoms. With more sunlight and warmer temperatures, I photosynthesize at a faster rate and draw more water from my roots. Consequently, you will likely need to water me more frequently, perhaps once a week or so, always guided by the finger test. Conversely, in the autumn and winter, my growth slows down significantly. I enter a period of dormancy where my metabolic processes minimize. During this time, the soil takes much longer to dry out. Overwatering is the greatest threat to me in these colder months, so you may only need to water me every two to three weeks, or even less.
My pot and its location create my entire world, and several factors within it determine how quickly I use available water. The amount of light I receive is paramount. If I am placed in a very bright, sunny spot, I will use water much faster than if I am in a location with low or indirect light. Temperature and humidity play a role too; a hot, dry room will cause moisture to evaporate from my soil and leaves more quickly than a cool, humid one. The type of pot I live in matters as well. A porous terracotta pot allows moisture to evaporate through its walls, drying the soil faster than a plastic or glazed ceramic pot. Finally, the composition of my soil is critical. A well-draining mix, perhaps amended with perlite or orchid bark, allows excess water to flow away from my roots, preventing sogginess.
I will communicate my distress if my watering schedule is not right. If I am receiving too much water, my leaves will begin to turn yellow and may feel soft and limp. The soil will have a persistently wet smell, and the stems may become mushy at the base. This is an emergency. If I am not receiving enough water, my leaves will become dry, crispy, and brown, particularly at the tips and edges. I may also droop or wilt, and my soil will pull away from the sides of the pot. While I can often recover from being underwatered with a good soak, overwatering can be fatal.
