Aglaonema 'Cutlass'

Aglaonema 'Cutlass'

Aglaonema 'Cutlass' is a narrow-leaved Chinese evergreen with long, tapered blades, pale silver-green centres and darker green margins. Its leaves rise from a compact base and create a slim upright plant with a clear vertical line.

Each blade is much longer than it is wide, creating a fine, upright and sharply defined outline. As new leaves emerge from the crown, the plant gains height and density while keeping a relatively small footprint.

Aglaonema 'Cutlass' narrow-leaf traits

• Long lance-shaped leaves with a narrow blade-like outline
• Pale silver-green central leaf field with darker green margins
• Upright clumping habit from a compact base
• Slim indoor profile for shelves, desks and plant groups
• Leaf tips show watering, salt and dryness stress early

Slim blades, crown shape and growth

Aglaonema 'Cutlass' grows from short basal stems, with new leaves emerging upright before angling outward slightly. The narrow blades give the crown a light vertical outline, and side shoots gradually add density at the base while the plant remains tidy and upright.

The Aglaonema genus is native to warm, shaded tropical and subtropical regions across Asia and New Guinea. Indoors, keep it warm, in filtered light and in a substrate that holds moisture while draining well. In Aglaonema 'Cutlass', the slim blades show tip stress early, so consistent watering and low salt build-up reduce brown tip marks.

Care essentials for Aglaonema 'Cutlass'

• Light: Give medium to bright indirect light. Rotate the pot so the narrow leaves develop evenly around the crown.
• Watering: Water when the top part of the mix has dried and the lower root zone still feels lightly moist. Long dry gaps can show quickly as brown tips.
• Substrate: Use an airy mix with coco coir or peat-free fibre, fine bark and mineral drainage. The mix needs to stay open around the compact base.
• Drainage: Keep the pot free-draining and remove excess water from cachepots. A wet crown base can soften petioles.
• Temperature: Keep warm, ideally 18–26 °C. Protect from cold draughts and winter windowsills.
• Humidity: Average indoor humidity is usually suitable. Very dry rooms can increase tip stress on the narrow blades.
• Feeding: Feed lightly in active growth. Flush the substrate occasionally because narrow leaves show salt-related tip burn early.
• Pot choice: Use a stable pot that balances the upright foliage. Keep the root volume proportionate to the plant.
• Repotting: Repot when roots fill the pot or the mix compacts. Keep the plant at the same planting depth to protect the crown.
• Pruning: Remove old or fully damaged leaves at the base with clean scissors. Partial trimming across several narrow leaf tips can leave the crown visibly clipped.
• Outdoor summer placement: Move outdoors only in warm, bright shade with shelter from wind. Bring back indoors before nights fall below 14 °C.
• Propagation: Divide mature clumps with separate rooted shoots. Small divisions need warmth, steady moisture and gentle light.

Tip, petiole and crown checks

• Brown tips: Check dry intervals, fertiliser strength, mineral build-up and cold water. The narrow leaves show tip stress quickly.
• Leaning blades: Check light direction and rotate the pot. New growth will angle toward the strongest light source.
• Yellow lower leaves: Check for wet lower mix, compacted substrate or a cool root zone.
• Soft petioles: Check the crown base and roots. Firm petioles hold the narrow leaves upright.
• Fine speckling or dullness: Inspect leaf undersides and the tight crown for mites, scale or mealybugs.

Aglaonema 'Cutlass' may occasionally produce a small arum-type inflorescence. Removing flowers keeps the narrow crown clean.

Safety note for Aglaonema 'Cutlass'