Aglaonema 'Arctic Lime'

Aglaonema 'Arctic Lime'

Aglaonema 'Arctic Lime' is a compact Chinese evergreen grown for soft lime-green foliage with cream-green marbling and deeper green edges. It forms an upright, leafy clump from short stems, with new leaves opening close to the centre before expanding into broad, oval-lance-shaped blades. The plant stays tidy in a pot, with pale foliage held clearly above the crown as it fills.

This cultivar has a rounded indoor habit with a dense upright crown. Young plants usually stay compact and multi-stemmed. Established plants widen gradually as fresh shoots develop from the base. The light leaf colour gives the crown a clear pale-green surface while the plant remains compact.

Aglaonema 'Arctic Lime' quick profile

• Compact, upright Aglaonema with a tidy clumping habit
• Broad oval to lance-shaped leaves with lime, cream-green and deeper green patterning
• Smooth, slightly arching foliage that builds a rounded crown
• Warm indoor rooms with bright filtered or steady medium light

Lime foliage, crown shape and background

Aglaonema 'Arctic Lime' grows from short, cane-like stems carrying leaves on fleshy petioles. The leaves are broad, smooth and gently pointed, with a pale central field and darker green margins. Each leaf shows a slightly different distribution of colour, creating natural variation while keeping the overall colouring light and even.

Aglaonema belongs to the Araceae, a family known for spadix-and-spathe inflorescences. Indoors, this cultivar is kept for its foliage. Mature, settled plants may occasionally flower, producing small arum-type inflorescences, but the leaf crown carries most of the colour and structure. Removing spent inflorescences keeps the crown neat.

Wild Aglaonema species come from warm, humid, shaded tropical forest habitats across Asia and New Guinea. Keep the plant in filtered light, even moisture cycles, airy substrate and stable warmth. 'Arctic Lime' is a cultivated Aglaonema selection.

Growing Aglaonema 'Arctic Lime' indoors

• Light: Place in bright, filtered light or a steady medium-light position. Strong midday sun can mark the pale leaf tissue, especially close to hot glass.
• Watering: Water when the top 2–4 cm of substrate has dried. Keep the root ball lightly moist during active growth, then water more sparingly during cooler, darker months.
• Substrate: Use a loose aroid or foliage-plant mix with coco coir or fine bark, mineral particles and good drainage. The mix needs some moisture retention with air around the roots.
• Pot and drainage: Use a pot with drainage holes. Let excess water drain fully before returning the plant to a cover pot.
• Temperature: Keep above 16 °C, with 18–26 °C giving steadier growth. Cold windowsills, draughts and wet substrate can lead to dark, water-soaked-looking patches.
• Humidity: Average home humidity is usually tolerated, but moderate humidity reduces sticking and crisping on new leaves. A humidifier or grouping with other tropical plants can raise humidity in very dry rooms.
• Feeding: Feed lightly in spring and summer with a balanced houseplant fertiliser at reduced strength. Excess fertiliser can scorch leaf edges.
• Repotting: Repot when the roots fill the pot or watering becomes difficult to manage. Move up by one pot size to keep the root zone evenly moist.
• Pruning: Remove yellowing older leaves at the base. Older stems can be shortened if the plant becomes tall and bare, encouraging new growth from lower nodes.
• Propagation: Established plants can be propagated by division or stem cuttings with visible nodes. Warmth and steady moisture are important during rooting.
• Semi-hydro substrates: Aglaonema can adapt to mineral or semi-hydro substrates when roots are transitioned gradually and kept warm. Start with a healthy, actively growing plant.

Aglaonema 'Arctic Lime' health checks

• Yellow lower leaves: One old leaf at a time is normal ageing. Several yellow leaves together point to a wet root zone, poor drainage or a cold position.
• Brown leaf tips: Check watering pattern, fertiliser strength and very dry indoor air. Flush the substrate occasionally if salts have built up.
• Pale, papery patches: These usually come from direct sun or heat against a window. Move the plant further from the glass or filter the light.
• Soft stems or sour-smelling substrate: Inspect the roots. Soft brown roots indicate that the substrate has stayed too wet or too cold.
• Fine speckling or dull leaves: Check the undersides and petiole bases for mites. Rinse the foliage and isolate the plant before treatment.

Rotation, display and leaf cleaning

Place Aglaonema 'Arctic Lime' where its pale leaves can be seen from above and from the side. Rotate the pot every few weeks to keep the crown balanced, especially near a window. Wiping dust from the leaves keeps the marbled pattern clear and makes pest checks easier.

Pet safety for Aglaonema 'Arctic Lime'

Aglaonema contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. Keep Aglaonema 'Arctic Lime' away from pets and small children, as chewing the leaves or stems can irritate the mouth, tongue and throat. The sap can also irritate sensitive skin, so gloves are helpful when pruning or dividing the plant.