The two primary reasons for growing and tending to plants at home is to beautify one’s surroundings and to ensure a regular supply of organic and fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables to one’s kitchen.

For those who aren’t into gardening, the latter plants may not be visually attractive, apart from time when they are flowering and fruiting. They focus more on the produce or the impact of the plant on the surroundings.

The usual go-to plants that are used to beautify one’s surroundings tend to be different from the ones that provide produce. Exotic ornamental plants, beautiful vines, seasonal, colourful flowering plants and cacti are the more featured ones in the decorative category of plants. For such plants, the focus is on their uniqueness of appearances, such as dual- or multi-coloured leaves, shaded or patterned leaves, or leaves that have different shapes.

These plants not only add colour to one’s place, but they are usually hardy plants. This means that these plants have the capacity to bear neglect longer than, let’s say, a seasonal vegetable plant. From watering, sunlight exposure, application of fertilisers, space to pesticides, their requirements for attention and care are minimal. If the plant’s basic needs are met, these plants can continue to thrive and beautify the surroundings for many years.

For many, the low-maintenance Snow White, with its unique green and white leaves, is the go-to plant to beautify one’s surroundings

One such ornamental plant with its unique dual-coloured leaves is the Snow White Aglaonema. It is scientifically known as Aglaonema Costatum and is broadly categorised as a plant falling under the much-hyped category of Aglaonema or the Chinese Evergreens, within the Araceae family.

It is not commonly found locally, but it is sold commercially at plant nurseries and online. During the coronavirus pandemic, the plant was high in demand due to its ability to purify the air.

Snow White, as the name suggests, has beautiful leaves, which have both sharp green and white colours mixed together. Like any other plant, the Snow White fares well in open ground, but the beauty of the plant is enhanced in bigger-sized pots and containers or dedicated, confined spaces in a garden. Such containers can be placed at different corners of the house, or placed symmetrically to line passageways.

One must ensure that the plants, once potted, are located in a place that gets indirect sunlight and away from direct exposure to sunlight. This plant does not grow well in direct sunlight, while afternoon sunlight can be deadly for the plant.

Similarly, the Snow White plant does not fare well in extreme temperatures, especially in dry conditions. Misting and spraying of the leaves is advisable in such conditions.

Although the plant requires minimal care, it still needs regular watering. The watering should be done in a manner that there is proper drainage and water isn’t pooled up on the surface, otherwise it may result in root rot.

The optimal time to water the plant is when the surface of the container soil is dried. In mild temperatures, with diminished evaporation, some gardeners water their Snow Whites after every five to seven days. But that depends more on the dryness of the air than anything else. Excessive water, lack of water, low humidity and sunlight exposure can all drastically impact the plant.

One of the first indications of a possible trauma to the Snow White is any of the leaves turning brown and/or falling off the plant. A brown leaf is a red flag, indicating some abnormal, unwanted or reduced input for the plant.

The Snow White plant attains a height and width of around two to three feet. The size of this low-maintenance plant makes it ideal for homes as well as offices. The plant may need to be shifted to a bigger container or the stems or pups can be segregated into multiple pots. Depending upon the plant growth and the root cluttering below the surface, this has to be done roughly after every two years.

In my upcoming columns, I will explain how the Snow White plant can be easily propagated, using node cuttings, and the fertilisers and pesticides it requires during different phases of its life cycle.

Please send your queries and emails to doctree101@hotmail.com. The writer is a physician and a host for the YouTube channel ‘DocTree Gardening’ promoting organic kitchen gardening

Published in Dawn, EOS, July 21st, 2024