Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor plant stands out from the crowd because of its unique camouflage-pattern leaves consisting of three different shades of green: light green, green, and dark green.
This easy-to-care-for plant is also called Camo Plant, Tricolor Camo Plant, or Camo Leaf Plant.
The key to this tropical plant’s care is to remember that it grows under a canopy of trees in its natural environment. Therefore, the Camo plant likes medium to bright, indirect light, lightly moist soil, and warm, humid conditions.
This army patterned Aglaonema plant originates in the jungles of Sumatra and Nias Island.
Pronounce: uh·glay·oh·nee·muh
So, how do you care for an Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor?
Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor Care
Here are the basics of Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor care, which we will detail in this article.
- Soil: Well-draining potting mix that will still hold some moisture
- Pot: Pot with adequate drainage hole
- Light: Medium to bright, indirect light
- Water: Keep moist. Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
- Humidity: 50-60% humidity will help your plant thrive
- Pruning: To remove any dead or dying leaves
Soil
The best Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor soil is a well-draining potting mix that also retains some moisture. A combination of indoor plant potting mix, orchid bark, perlite, and peat will work well. Sphagnum moss is also great for retaining water.
Fertilizer
Use a balanced house plant fertilizer that you dilute by half on your Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor once a month during the growing season (the spring and summer).
Pot
When choosing a pot for this plant, the most important thing is adequate drainage holes.
When Should I Repot Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor?
Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor likes to be root bound, so no need to repot this plant very often.
When it eventually outgrows its pot, you will know it because you will see many roots coming out of the drainage holes.
If your plant is looking sad and droopy, that’s another sign that you may want to repot your Camo plant.
Try to repot your plant during its growing season – spring or summer. Use a pot that is the next size up from your current pot, and make sure it has good drainage.
How to Repot Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor
When it is time to repot, follow these steps:
- Find a cute new pot (with a drainage hole) that’s about 2 inches larger than your current one.
- Get some fresh potting mix that is well-draining. Add some perlite if desired for extra drainage and moss to retain moisture. Orchid bark is also a great addition.
- Carefully remove your plant from the current pot.
- Check the root ball for any signs of poor health. Be sure it is not mushy or soft. If you do see anything wrong, carefully trim away the damaged roots.
- Add your potting mix to the pot, about ⅓ to ½ full, so that the plant stands out of the pot at roughly the same height it did in the old pot.
- Once your plant is in, fill the rest of the pot with soil. Keep the soil loose and not too compact.
When removing your plant from its old pot, be careful not to damage any roots. Untangle the roots as much as possible and carefully place the plant into its new pot. After repotting, be diligent about watering and ensure your plant gets the right amount of light.
Sun/Light Requirements
Medium to bright, indirect light is ideal for the Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor. Too much direct sunlight could burn the leaves.
While this plant can grow in low light, increasing light will help it maintain its vibrant camouflage variegation.
How to Water Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor
Your Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor likes its soil to be consistently moist. Water when the top inch or so of the potting mix is dry. Use your finger to feel the moisture level of the potting mix before you water to avoid overwatering.
Moist soil is not the same thing as wet soil. Leaving a plant sitting in constantly wet soil will lead to root rot.
Humidity
Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor prefers a humidity level of between 50 and 60 percent. It will survive with less humidity, but if you want it to thrive, you’ll want to surround it with slightly higher humidity than is found in the average home.
The most common symptom of low humidity is browning leaves. If your home is particularly dry or your Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor shows signs of dehydration, try a plant humidifier.
Pro Tip: An inexpensive hygrometer is a wise investment in testing the humidity level in your home and adjusting it accordingly for your plants.
We have two fantastic articles detailing humidifiers for plants:
Temperature
As a tropical plant, Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor prefers warm temperatures.
Your typical household temperature should be acceptable as long you keep it above 65 degrees Fahrenheit most of the time.
Pruning
Pruning is only necessary to remove any dead or dying leaves. You should be able to pull off the leaves gently. If you can’t pull a leaf off, use a clean pair of scissors to cut the leaf off at its base.
Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor is a slow-growing variety of Chinese Evergreen, and trimming off too much foliage could affect the plant’s health and appearance. Too much pruning will cause permanent damage to your plant. Never remove healthy leaves.
Cleaning the Leaves
If you notice dust on your plant’s leaves, gently wipe them with a damp cloth. While you wipe, support the underside of the leaf with your other hand so that you don’t cause any damage or accidentally pull the leaf off.
Keeping the leaves clean will help them absorb more sunlight and your plant will grow better.
Size and Growth of Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor
The Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor grows, generally speaking, to be about two feet tall at the most.
This plant is a relatively slow grower. You can help it grow as quickly as possible by giving it the care it needs.
Flowers and Foliage
Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor occasionally blooms a spathe and spadix, but its blooms are nowhere near as beautiful as its camo leaves.
Many houseplant enthusiasts will cut off the flower blooms with clean, sharp scissors. By cutting off the flowers, they don’t suck energy away from the rest of the plant.
Common Issues With Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor
Losing Leaves
Your Tricolor plant might lose some leaves when it is under stress. Even if your plant uses all of its leaves but the stem is still healthy, there’s a good chance you can bring your plant back to good health.
Be sure you’re following the light and water requirements outlined above and give your plant some time to recover.
Drooping Leaves
There are several reasons the leaves on your Camouflage Plant are droopy. The most common cause of drooping leaves is underwatering. However, drooping leaves can also be caused by root rot from overwatering.
Check that your plant is getting the right amount of sunlight and water as outlined in this care guide.
Yellow Leaves
While it’s perfectly normal for leaves to turn yellow and die from old age, if your Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor suddenly has many leaves that turn yellow, you need to figure out why.
Yellowing leaves are a sign of overwatering, which can cause root rot and death. Check to see if your plant’s root system is healthy.
One way to prevent overwatering is to feel the soil with your finger before you water your plant. If the top inch or so is still moist, wait a day or two and check again before watering. You want the top inch or so to feel dry.
FAQ’s: Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor
Are Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor Plants easy to care for?
Yes! Many different Aglaonema varieties are extremely popular as houseplants. This popularity is due to the plant being so hardy and low-maintenance.
Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor has show-stopping foliage and shares the easy qualities of the other Aglaonema.
If you have experience with common houseplants like Pothos Varieties, Snake Plant, or ZZ Plant, caring for this rare plant will be easy peasy!.
Can you grow Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor from seeds?
You are probably better off learning how to propagate Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor using stem cuttings. While you can technically grow this plant from seeds, it will require a lot of patience and probably some trial and error to accomplish. Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor seeds may also be hard to come by, especially viable seeds.
Is Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor toxic to pets?
According to the ASPCA, all plants within the Aglaonema family, including the camouflage plant, are toxic to cats, dogs, and other pets. It is harmful because of the calcium oxalate crystals within the plant.
If your pet has ingested your Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor plant, watch for oral irritation, pain, swelling of the mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), difficulty swallowing. Call your vet right away.
Other Aglaonema Varieties You Might Like
Many species and varieties are under the Aglaonema genus (also called Chinese Evergreen) with similarities to the Camouflage Plant. Some popular ones include:
- Aglaonema Rotundum (Purchase on Etsy)
- Philippine Evergreen/Chinese Evergreen (Purchase on Etsy)
- Aglaonema Nitidum (Purchase on Etsy)
- Aglaonema Siam Aurora (Purchase on Etsy)
- Aglaonema Lady Valentine (Purchase on Etsy)
Aglaonema Pictum Bicolor vs. Tricolor
Aglaonema Pictum Bicolor, the cousin to the Tricolor, also has unique variegation on its leaves. If Tricolor is army-camouflaged, Bicolor is marbled with contrasting lime and dark green splotches.
Aglaonema Pictum Bicolor has two primary colors on its leaves – lime and dark green creating a marbled effect.
The Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor plant has light green, dark green, and white.
Both Aglaonema Pictum Plants require the same care. The Aglaonema is less frequently available from online retailers, so it may be more challenging to find.
Where to Buy Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor Plant
Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor plants are for sale from many online retailers, including Etsy.
This unique plant was once very, but prices are coming down as it becomes more readily available.
As always, take care when purchasing a plant online. Be sure the seller has excellent reviews and read through the listing, so you know what you’re buying and how your plant will be shipped.
Final Thoughts on Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor
If you’re looking for an indoor plant that’s rare and has unique variegation on its interesting foliage, the Camo plant is it!
Some items we discussed that will help you with Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor plant care to keep it growing strong:
Good luck growing your Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor plant and making it part of your cozy, fresh, and green home!