Xanthosoma sagittifolium ‘Lime’

Cultivated form and natural range of Xanthosoma sagittifolium ‘Lime’

‘Lime’ is a cultivated Xanthosoma in the Xanthosoma sagittifolium group.

Xanthosoma sagittifolium occurs naturally from Costa Rica to southern tropical America and grows mainly in wet tropical regions.

Care for Xanthosoma sagittifolium ‘Lime’

• Light: Give bright filtered light so new leaf stalks stay sturdy. Introduce gentle direct sun gradually.
• Warmth and humidity: Keep temperatures stable around 18–30 °C and avoid prolonged temperatures below 15 °C. Aim for 60–80% humidity.
• Water: Water thoroughly during active growth once the surface begins to dry, then let excess water drain freely.
• Potting mix: Use an airy aroid mix that holds some moisture while draining freely.
• Feeding: Give a small amount of fertiliser while the plant is making new leaves.
• Space: Allow room around the pot for the upright leaves to spread as new shoots develop from the base.
• Rest: Reduce watering if growth pauses or the plant becomes leafless.
• Repotting: Repot when roots and new shoots fill the container.
• Propagation: Separate rooted corm offsets once they are large enough to grow independently.

Common problems with Xanthosoma sagittifolium ‘Lime’

• The usual lime-green foliage becomes uniformly yellow and growth slows: Check root health, moisture and light. Move a healthy plant gradually into brighter filtered light if its position is dim.
• Petiole growth becomes long and begins to lean: Light may be too low or strongly one-sided. Increase filtered light and turn the pot periodically.
• Leaves yellow while the mix remains wet: Roots or the corm may be starting to rot. Remove rotten tissue back to firm healthy material with a clean tool, discard the rot and repot healthy growth in fresh aroid mix.
• Fine pale speckles, silvery scars or distorted new leaves appear: Mites or thrips may be present. Isolate the plant and use a product labelled for the identified pest and indoor ornamental plants, following the label interval.

Xanthosoma sagittifolium ‘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.

When was Xanthosoma sagittifolium first published, and what does it mean?

Xanthosoma means ‘yellow body’. The epithet sagittifolium means arrow-leaved.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Xanthosoma in 1832 in Meletemata Botanica, page 19.

Carl Linnaeus first described it as Arum sagittifolium in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 966. Heinrich Wilhelm Schott later placed it in Xanthosoma as Xanthosoma sagittifolium in 1832 in Meletemata Botanica, page 19.