Aglaonema or the Maranta Leuconeura, also known as Chinese evergreen, is native to Southeast Asia from places like Malaysia and the Philippines.

Aglaonema plants have beautiful, variegated leaves ranging in color from yellow to green with some varieties having attractive silver-gray or pinkish-red veins.

Their leaves display in a decorative and stunning way, making them one of the prettiest plants you’ll find.

And the bushier they are, the more beautiful they look.

How To Make Aglaonema Bushy

A bushy Aglaonema

You can make your Aglaonema bushier by pruning it, giving it moderate amounts of indirect sunlight, and keeping it at a temperature between 70 and 85 degrees F.

Prune Your Aglaonema to Make It Bushier?

The main way to ensure your Aglaonema is full and bushy is by removing new leaves as they appear.

Because of how slow they grow, you don’t want to cause any damage to the plant before it has a chance to reach maturity.

For younger plants, you can use your fingers.

For bigger, more mature plants, use sharp and clean shears.

In a few weeks, you should see two or more new branches emerging from where you removed the leaves.

Pruning When Matured

Also, when your plant is fully mature and the first frost sets in, prune your whole plant down two to three inches above the soil line.

This will ensure the plant becomes big and bushy when the summer comes around.

Does Light Effect The Bushiness Of An Aglaonema?

Yes, light makes a big difference in the business of an Aglaonema.

Regardless of the type, make sure it’s getting partial shade and moderate to low indirect sunlight.

They do best in bright locations such as an east-facing window that lets in lots of bright but indirect sunlight.

Be careful to keep your Aglaonema out of direct sunlight because its leaves are susceptible to sunburn.

This is because, in its native environment, it sits at the bottom of rainforests, living underneath tree canopies where it receives a lot of cover from full sun and plenty of warmth.

Direct sunlight will cause your Aglaonema’s leaves to burn, which may damage the plant and prevent it from becoming bushy.

Too little light will also force the plant to struggle, turning it leggy and woody.

This will also inhibit any bushy growth and development.

Best Temperature For Your Aglaonema?

Even though it doesn’t require a lot of sunlight to become bushier, you want to make sure that your Aglaonema stays warm, even in winter.

Temperatures should never get below 60°F at any time to help ensure the plant becomes and stays healthy and bushy.

Warmth is more important than light for these plants.

The Right Level Of Humidity Will Also Help Your Aglaonema To Become Bushier?

Because this is a tropical plant from the rainforest, it must have adequate humidity to make the leaves full and luxuriant.

Aside from regular watering, humidity is important for your Aglaonema’s happiness.

You can place a humidifier somewhere nearby the plant, mist the leaves with water after sunset, or keep it near a humid room (like the kitchen or bathroom).

Best Soil And Watering Schedule

Providing the soil and moisture conditions that your aglaonema likes is important if you want it to grow healthy and bushy.

You can use regular soil for the “Silver Queen” and it must be well-draining.

Keep it moist and in the spring and summer months but watering should be less frequent in the winter and fall.

Of course, you want to avoid root rot, so don’t give it any water until the soil feels dry to the touch.

That means about every seven to nine days in the summer and once every two to three weeks in winter.

Make sure your plant doesn’t struggle for want of water to prevent wilting and possible death.

Does Fertilizer Help?

A good nitrogen-rich gardening fertilizer can help your Chinese Evergreen to become bushier.

Fertilize damp soil with a liquid houseplant fertilizer at around half strength once a month in spring and summer.

Stop giving nutrients once outdoor winter temperatures get below 60°F.

Should I Repot My Aglaonema?

In order for your Aglaonema to stay bright and bushy, you have to repot at least once a year in its infancy.

Once it matures, repot about every two to three years.

How To Repot Your Aglaonema

When it comes time to repot, choose a pot that’s about 3 or 4 inches bigger than your current one.

Prepare your new pot by filling about a quarter of the way full with soil.

To get your Aglaonema out of its old pot, gently dig around the plant with a small fork or shovel to loosen the soil and free the roots.

Carefully wiggle the plant out of its old pot.

It’s difficult to do without knocking off a few leaves so don’t worry if it happens.

If your plant has been root-bound, you can loosen and free up the roots a little before it goes into its new pot.

Finally, put your Aglaonema into its new pot and fill it in with soil to about the level it was in its old pot.

Give it a couple of days to adjust and then water it full and deep to encourage new root growth.

Final Thoughts

Also known as “Silver Queen” or “Painted Drop Tongue,” Aglaonemas are very dense and compact bushes that make a great houseplant.

Aglaonemas are such great houseplants because they’re very adaptable to colder regions.

Knowing how to make Aglaonema bushy and full is the key to maintaining its beauty for years to come.

Most often, pruning new leaves as they appear will be the best way to make these plants bushier.