How to Care for Lemon Lime Philodendron

Contents

What Is A Lemon Lime Philodendron

Lemon Lime Philodendron, a common name for the Philodendron Hederaceum, is a tropical plant that is indigenous to the rainforests of South America. The Lemon Lime Philodendron was seen by European explorers and brought back to the European continent; thus Lemon Lime Philodendron started its journey as a popular houseplant. While it is possible to grow Lemon Lime Philodendron outside, it is more commonly seen as an indoor plant.

Lemon Lime Philodendron is most easily recognized by its strikingly vibrant leaves, boasting a greenish-yellow color. The leaves, like most Philodendrons, are heart-shaped. The leaves will stay green all year due to Lemon Lime Philodendron being an evergreen plant. The leaves will grow to be about 7-8 inches long and around 1 inch wide with the stem reaching almost 12 inches. The indoor plant overall can be about 12-24 inches wide and 10-12 inches tall. If grown outdoors in more open spaces, the Lemon Lime Philodendron can grow even larger.

When the stem elongates, it will begin to bend downwards and grow like vines, gently cascading to the ground. The leaves are fairly thin and new growth will start pinkish-yellow and turn more neon or lime green once it matures.

This popular houseplant is very easy to take care of, grow, and maintain as long as you follow the correct steps in plant care! Philodendron plants have been grown comprehensively and they have variations which include Philodendron Florida Ghost, Philodendron Imperial Green, Philodendron Pedatum, and Philodendron Birkin.

Benefits Of Lemon Lime Philodendron

Having a Lemon Lime Philodendron is not only a beautiful and striking plant in its own right. Incorporating more plants indoors can have a very positive impact on your mental health by reducing levels of anxiety and stress. Beyond its decorative and mental health benefits, Lemon Lime Philodendron will help to purify the air in your home. Lemon Lime Philodendron can remove nearly all of your indoor toxins.

Lemon Lime Philodendron V.S. Neon Pothos

Often times Lemon Lime Philodendron can easily get confused with Neon Pothos, even though they are unrelated, beyond the same family of Araceae. Both Neon Pothos and Lemon Lime Philodendron are bright green and neon coloring, similar coloring in the leaves and stems.

There are several things you can look for to tell apart a Lemon Lime Philodendron versus Neon Pothos. Lemon Lime Philodendron’s leaves are thin and smooth, while Neon Pothos have a ribbed texture from veins.

The aerial roots that the Lemon Lime Philodendron grows will be thinner than the roots of the Neon Pothos and the Lemon Lime Philodendron will have sheaths grown, while the Neon Pothos does not grow any.

Last, newer growth on the Lemon Lime Philodendron will be a pink or darker brown, while the Neon Pothos’ new leaves will be a lighter green color.

Lemon Lime Philodendron V.S. Brasil

Both Lemon Lime Philodendron and Philodendron Brasil have a very similar structure with heart-shaped leaves. The coloring of the leaves is where the two differ and will be what makes the two stand apart from each other.

While the Lemon Lime Philodendron will have consistent lime green and yellow leaves, the Philodendron Brasil has variegation of light green and darker green. This is where the Philodendron Brasil gets its name due to the coloring resembling the Brazilian flag.

Lemon Lime Philodendron V.S. Moonlight Philodendron

Lemon Lime Philodendron and Moonlight Philodendron are pretty easy to tell the difference between. The main similarities are the colors of new growth. Both will have yellow-green new leaves.

In comparison to the heart-shaped yellow-green mature leaves of the Lemon Lime Philodendron, the Moonlight Philodendron are not heart-shaped. The Moonlight Philodendron leaves are instead oblong shaped and turn a darker green, but still bright, when the leaves mature.

Basic Care Of Lemon Lime Philodendron

Lemon Lime Philodendron are very easy to take care of and are fairly durable plants. There are, however, still important steps to Lemon Lime Philodendron plant care that need to be followed.

Light

Since the Lemon Lime Philodendron is native to the rainforests of South America, they do best with bright indirect light similar to what they would experience under the canopy of the rainforest. Lemon Lime Philodendron can survive and do well with low light situations, but it will grow more quickly with brighter light.

Brighter light does not mean direct light. Avoid direct sunlight on your Lemon Lime Philodendron. If your Lemon Lime Philodendron is exposed to continued direct sunlight, the leaves will begin to burn and you will cause permanent damage to the leaves.

Watering

Lemon Lime Philodendron will want to be watered very well. You will want to wait for the top half of the soil to dry before you water the Lemon Lime Philodendron again. Once you do water it, again water it well.

If you notice the leaves are turning brown or becoming soft and wilting, that will indicate that your Lemon Lime Philodendron is under-watered and you need to increase your watering, after you have a recovery and adjustment period for your Lemon Lime Philodendron; do not suddenly drench the Lemon Lime Philodendron. While your Lemon Lime Philodendron can come back from being under-watered, you want to avoid letting this happen too frequently. If your Lemon Lime Philodendron experiences droughts too often, it will cause stress for your plant, which will not allow your Lemon Lime Philodendron to thrive!

If the leaves are turning yellow and not maintaining their yellow-green color, that will indicate that you are overwatering. This can be difficult to notice the change since the Lemon Lime Philodendron has naturally bright green. It is very important to pay attention to the level of dampness in your soil before you water your Lemon Lime Philodendron.

Soil & Repotting

The soil you will want for your indoor Lemon Lime Philodendron is going to be well-draining, loose, and moist soil. You can use traditional potting mixes or mixes with peat in the formula. You want the soil to be loose enough for the roots to be able to grow easily. You will, however, want to avoid sandy soils as they will not be loose enough, even if they might drain better.

Generally, the Lemon Lime Philodendron is ready to be repotted at the end of its dormant period in the winter and the beginning of its growing season in early spring. The Lemon Lime Philodendron is okay with being slightly rootbound as the roots will grow into a ball. It will still require repotting once the new growth of leaves begins so as to not stunt the growth.

Temperature & Humidity

The temperature of the room you keep your Lemon Lime Philodendron in should be between 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and around 55 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Be very careful, especially in the winter, that your Lemon Lime Philodendron is kept away from any drafts. If your Lemon Lime Philodendron is exposed to cold temperature it can cause stunted growth of your Lemon Lime Philodendron.

Even though Lemon Lime Philodendron is a tropical plant, it will survive well in levels of humidity found in the average household. If you do increase the humidity of the Lemon Lime Philodendron’s environment, the leaves will grow larger and general growth will be increased. Occasionally misting your Lemon Lime Philodendron’s leaves will also be beneficial in improving the humidity environment for growth.

Fertilizing & Pruning

It is best to feed your Lemon Lime Philodendron with fertilizer monthly during its growing season, namely spring and summer, and then every other month outside of the growing season. When fertilizing, use standard plant fertilizer, but use it at half or a quarter strength.

If you see any leaves that are dead, discolored, damaged, or otherwise unwell, trim them. Make sure when you trim your Lemon Lime Philodendron that you use scissors or shears that are sharp. Do not try to twist or rip off leaves or stems that need to be removed; this will cause scars on your Lemon Lime Philodendron.

If you want to just trim down the volume of your Lemon Lime Philodendron, you will want to trim above the leaf nodes. This can help improve and stimulate the growth of your Lemon Lime Philodendron if it is not growing properly. If your Lemon Lime Philodendron is not growing as many leaves as it should you can make very small cuts near the leaf nodes.

Occasionally wipe off the dust that collects on your Lemon Lime Philodendron’s leaves. Use a damp clean cloth to remove the dust so that the leaves can better breathe through clean pores. This also helps with avoiding pests.

Propagation

Propagation is very simple for a Lemon Lime Philodendron. Attempt Lemon Lime Philodendron propagation only in the spring or summer as that is when the plant is most active. You will cut the stem with sharp scissors to avoid scarring your Lemon Lime Philodendron. Then you can either place the stem into water or into moist soil. The stem should begin to root easily. If you propagate in water, once it roots you can then transfer the Lemon Lime Philodendron stem and roots into moist soil. The Lemon Lime Philodendron stem should then develop new growth in the next 3-4 months.

Toxicity

Lemon Lime Philodendron when ingested is toxic to both humans and pets. If ingested, it can cause swelling in the mouth, irritation in the stomach, and vomiting. Make sure if you have pets that you keep your Lemon Lime Philodendron up and out of reach; this may be difficult to do if your Lemon Lime Philodendron has grown very long, so you may need to trim your Lemon Lime Philodendron’s stems to avoid accidental ingestion by your pet.

Common Problems In Caring For An Lemon Lime Philodendron

While the Lemon Lime Philodendron is a fairly easy houseplant to maintain and grow, problems can crop up. Common problems the Lemon Lime Philodendron would have can be found below as well as ways to handle and correct these issues.

Browning Leaves

If your leaves of your Lemon Lime Philodendron are browning, the biggest culprit is underwatering your Lemon Lime Philodendron. Remember to water once the top half of the soil has become dry. When you do water, water it well and water the entire surface of the soil, do not concentrate the water in one location.

Yellow Leaves

While it is normal for your Lemon Lime Philodendron to have yellow-ish leaves if the leaves become less green that means it is being overwatered. This can be slightly difficult to tell since their coloring of Lemon Lime Philodendron is already fairly light. To fix your overwatered Lemon Lime Philodendron, let it dry to the point that the leaves droop just a little. Heavily water your soils to the point that it is draining out the pot from the bottom; then return to a regular watering regimen. Remember to only water once the top half of the soil of the Lemon Lime Philodendron is dry, do not overwater!

Leggy Stems/Vines

If the stems and vines of your Lemon Lime Philodendron are becoming leggy, it is likely because your Lemon Lime Philodendron is not getting enough light. Lemon Lime Philodendrons are tropical plants; even though it is native to the rainforest, it needs bright light. The stems and vines of your Lemon Lime Philodendron are reaching out to find more light, not just experiencing growth. Move your Lemon Lime Philodendron to an area of your house that has bright, yet indirect, light to help liven up your stems and Lemon Lime Philodendron overall!

Base Looks Sparse

If the base area of your Lemon Lime Philodendron is looking thin sparse in terms of leaves, you have allowed your Lemon Lime Philodendron to grow without trimming and pruning. To make your Lemon Lime Philodendron more full and lush, begin pruning the vines after the leaf node. This will encourage the vine and stem to branch out. You can also cut at the leaf nodes to cause more growth for your Lemon Lime Philodendron.

Leaves Soft And Wilting

Similar to browning leaves, leaves on Lemon Lime Philodendrons that are becoming soft and wilting are a sign of underwatering. Take the pot to a sink and saturate the Lemon Lime Philodendron’s soil to rehydrate it. Do not let it sit in too much water, but allow it to drain through. From here be sure to regularly water the Lemon Lime Philodendron once the top half of the soil is dry.

Growth Slows

If you notice the Lemon Lime Philodendron has not sprouted new growth of the stems remaining around the same length, it is likely that your Lemon Lime Philodendron is in an environment that is too cold. Lemon Lime Philodendron wants to be in an environment around 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit to simulate its natural rainforest environment. Be sure to move your Lemon Lime Philodendron away from vents or windows and move it to warmer areas in your home.

Bugs!

Unfortunately, while the Lemon Lime Philodendron is pretty resistant to pests, life finds a way. Some pests are more stubborn or harmful than others. To see which type your Lemon Lime Philodendron might have (or work hard to avoid) see the following on gnats, mealybugs, and spider mites.

Gnats

While gnats are technically harmless, they are annoying for us humans. If your Lemon Lime Philodendron is harboring these pests, there are several ways to prevent and rid yourself of these insects. You can remove any plant debris; remove any stems and leaves that are dead or in some way dying. Avoid allowing the soil to be moist for too long a period of time; gnats like moisture and will be attracted to moist soil if you water your Lemon Lime Philodendron too frequently.

Mealybugs

If you notice white cotton ball-looking bugs, those are mealybugs and they will quickly breed and spread to any other nearby plants. To remove these bugs, first remove visible bugs by wiping the leaves and stems of your Lemon Lime Philodendron with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol. Then mix 1 cup of rubbing alcohol with dish soap and about 1 quart of water. Spray your Lemon Lime Philodendron with this solution all over the plant, even if there were no mealybugs in those areas. You will want to repeat this treatment once a week to be sure the mealybugs are gone.

Spider Mites

Spider mites may appear on your Lemon Lime Philodendron as little black or red moving dots on your plant. You can also recognize them by their webbing, as they are related to spiders! To treat a Lemon Lime Philodendron that has spider mites, you will first want to spray the plant under the faucet and then you can treat the Lemon Lime Philodendron with a solution of rubbing alcohol, neem oil, and hydrogen peroxide. You will want to repeat this treatment once a week in case there are any spider mites that survived or are new hatchlings.

Soil Surface White

If the surface of your Lemon Lime Philodendron’s soil is white or crusty looking, it is possible that you have been fertilizing it too frequently. You have two options to remedy this situation: repotting or rinsing the soil.

The best option and fail-safe way to avoid the issue of over-fertilizing is to just re-pot the plant into the new soil. You remove your Lemon Lime Philodendron from being possibly burnt from too much fertilizer.

If you do not want to remove and toss out the existing soil, you can flush the solid with water repeatedly to cause the fertilizer to drain out with the water. Repeat it frequently to remove the extra fertilizer.

Where to Buy Lemon Lime Philodendron

The Lemon Lime Philodendron can be bought on Amazon and Etsy. The price for the plant varies from seller to seller. Click on the below links to check the prices.