Aglaonema ‘White Lime’

Horticultural background of Aglaonema ‘White Lime’

‘White Lime’ is a horticultural Chinese-evergreen cultivar. Aglaonema as a genus is native across tropical and subtropical Asia to New Guinea.

Care for Aglaonema ‘White Lime’

• Light: Bright indirect light suits the lime-and-cream leaves. Avoid prolonged direct sun through glass, which can leave dry brown patches along the pale margins.
• Water and substrate: Let the upper third or so of the substrate dry before watering, then soak the mix and allow it to drain fully. A loose organic-mineral substrate is preferable to fine material that stays saturated around the stem bases.
• Temperature: Keep the plant in stable warmth around 18–24 °C and away from cold draughts; prolonged temperatures below about 15 °C can damage the foliage.
• Feeding and repotting: A dilute houseplant feed is enough while new foliage is developing. Repot when roots have filled the container, using only a modest increase in pot size.

Common problems with Aglaonema ‘White Lime’

• Brown pale margins: Brown, dry sections along the pale margin can result from direct sun, a root ball that dried too far or fertiliser-salt build-up. Move the plant out of direct sun, water thoroughly after a severe dry-down, or flush the substrate when salts have accumulated. Use new growth to judge improvement.
• Yellowing in wet mix: When soft yellowing accompanies wet substrate, root stress is more likely than the cultivar’s normal pale pattern. Increase the drying interval and make sure the pot is draining well. If symptoms continue to spread, unpot the plant, retain firm roots and remove only dark soft decay; repot in fresh airy substrate when rot is confirmed.
• Cold damage: Dark, translucent or water-soaked patches after a cold spell can be chilling injury. Restore stable warmth and remove tissue only if it becomes soft or starts to decay.
• Spider mites: Fine pale stippling with webbing indicates spider mites; distorted new leaves alone do not confirm a pest. Isolate the plant and inspect the undersides for these signs. If you confirm spider mites, rinse hardened foliage and apply a treatment labelled for spider mites to the leaf undersides and new growth. Repeat it at the intervals stated on the label for the full course.

Aglaonema ‘White Lime’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

Aglaonema: name and meaning

Aglaonema combines Greek aglaos, meaning shining or splendid, with nema, meaning thread or filament.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Aglaonema in 1829 in Wiener Zeitschrift für Kunst, Literatur, Theater und Mode, volume 1829, page 892.