Lemon Lime Philodendron VS Neon Pothos

Lemon Lime Philodendron VS Neon Pothos Image

Neon Pothos and Lemon-lime Philodendron are some of the most popular houseplants. Both are vining indoor plants that can sit in a hanging basket or dangle from the ceiling, with their unique heart-shaped leaves a beautiful addition to any residential space.

Because these two houseplants share many similarities, people confuse one for the other or find it difficult to differentiate them.

So, this Lemon Lime Philodendron Vs Neon Pothos article introduces each plant and discusses their main similarities and differences.

This detailed comparison should help make it easier for you to identify each plant. So let’s dive right in.

About Lemon Lime Philodendron

Lemon lime philodendron is a tropical plant originally from rainforests in South America.

Its most distinct feature is perhaps the beautiful green-yellowish heart-shaped leaves that make it a decorative addition in many homes.

This houseplant grows indoors and outdoors, making it a versatile houseplant.

The plant’s heart-shaped leaves can grow as much as 7 to 8 inches long, with about a half-inch of width. When the conditions are optimal, the vines will likely reach 10 to 12 inches.  

Once hung from the ceiling or hanging basket, the plant’s stem will grow and bend downwards as it gets longer.

So, while lemon lime philodendron is originally an upright plant, it will form cascading vines that may eventually reach the ground.

Young Lemon lime philodendron plants tend to be pinkish-yellow, and the color changes as the plant mature.

The plant is said to affect mental health positively and may reduce victims’ stress and anxiety.

It is easy to propagate lemon-lime philodendron through its stem cuttings. The plant produces several aerial roots, making propagation and growing it straightforward.

About Neon Pothos

Neon Pothos resembles Philodendron Lemon Lime in how fast and vigorously it grows. It is also an upright grower that vines as it grows and requires minimal care once settled in its hanging basket, preferably away from direct sunlight. 

However, unlike philodendron lemon-lime, neon pothos is originally from French Polynesia, including Moorea and Tahiti.

The plant looks great, with distinctive yellowish lime-green-colored leaves that appear to be glowing. This bright, translucent appearance gives the leaves a neon-like glow, which explains the name. 

And these heart-shaped leaves do not have white variegations, a feature that sets Neon Pothos apart from other plant leaves.  

The neon or yellowish lime green color spreads across the pothos leaves and stems, making the entire plant incredibly beautiful. Many houseplant parents love how Neon Pothos easily brighten up any space, making them a valuable addition to any room. 

The plant’s color undergoes slight changes as it grows. Younger neon pathos tends to have brighter, more neon-like leaves than older ones. The bright color darkens across the entire foliage as the plant ages but retains its stunning beauty. 

Consider growing this plant species in a well-lit space away from direct light. Otherwise, the color will dull and fade if your neon pathos does not get sufficient light.

Sometimes the neon pothos houseplant will produce flowers that lack any perceptible fragrance. This happens when the plant receives bright indirect sunlight. 

Lemon Lime Philodendron Vs Neon Pothos Side by Side 

All philodendrons and pothos species belong to a family of plants scientifically referred to as the Araceae family. 

Also known as the aroid plant family in English, these species have distinct bright leaves that grow on upward stems, which turn into vines wrapping around nearby structures. 

They grow petioles and aerial roots, and both plants prefer brightly-lit areas away from direct sunlight. They can also survive in low light conditions, even though such conditions dull their otherwise bright color.

Similarities between lime philodendron and neon pothos

Despite being different plants, lemon-lime philodendron and neon pothos have quite a few similarities. 

i. Care and maintenance 

Neon pathos and lemon-lime philodendron are low-maintenance houseplants that prefer to live in hanging baskets in indirect sunlight.

With the right amount of sunlight, both plants will have bright-colored leaves that can significantly brighten your room. 

Neon pothos is pretty versatile. It can grow well in nearly any room in your home where they have hanging baskets and some sunlight. However, most plant owners prefer keeping them in shaded corners.

Like neon pathos, lemon-lime philodendron grows pretty fast, starting with an upright stem that eventually vines as it grows further. The plant achieves its full size in a hanging basket or pot and requires regular pruning to avoid overgrowing.

These mid-sized plants can create stunning tabletop decorations as long as they are pruned more than once a year. 

ii. Light preference 

As already mentioned, both Lemon lime philodendrons and neon pothos prefer bright, indirect sunlight. 

The sunlight plays a key role in ensuring the plant leaves remain bright, especially for neon pothos. With adequate sunlight, your neon pothos leaves will be nearly transparent and beautiful. 

Nonetheless, both plants can tolerate low light conditions and survive in dim or shaded areas of your home, even though this will reflect on their leaves. 

Low light conditions will make neon pothos appear dull, while lemon lime philodendron become leggy with only small leaves when living in areas with little inadequate sunlight. 

Fortunately, you can take measures to ensure the healthy growth of either plant, even where bright indirect sunlight is challenging. 

Tips for maintaining the ideal lighting conditions

  • Use artificial lights like GROW or LED lights to promote optimal plant growth if you cannot get bright indirect sunlight.
  • Cover windows with drapes to protect these plants from direct sunlight if they are growing near windowsills.
  • Toxicity

Like other plants belonging to the Araceae family, neon pothos and lemon-lime philodendron contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that are poisonous to pets like cats and dogs.

If these furry friends chew or bite into any part of the plant, they release insoluble crystals. When this happens, the poisonous substance will penetrate the animal tissue and irritate the mouth and digestive tract. 

So if you have dogs or cats in the family, ensure they don’t interact with the plant. Thankfully, both plats hang from the ceiling, which can minimize the chances of pet interaction. 

iii. Pests and disease tolerance 

Pests rarely affect lemon lime philodendron. The same thing applies to neon pothos. However, both plants may suffer from scale insects or mealybugs.

Both the philodendron and pothos plants have great resistance to most pests and diseases affecting house plants. 

If either plant suffers from scale insects or mealybugs, you can kill the bugs by a weekly treatment of the leaves using neem oil solution. 

What you will need to treat houseplants with a neem oil solution 

  • Two-part neem oil
  • One-part dish soap
  • Warm water

Once you have the required supplies, mix them thoroughly in a spray bottle and apply the solution to your affected plant weekly. Next, spray the entire foliage, covering the stems and leaves to kill the attacking insects and eradicate the infection. 

Notice that neon pothos and lemon-lime philodendrons can also suffer root rot in case of overwatering. So ensure you keep the watering moderate to avoid foot rot and fungal leaf infections associated with soggy soil.

iv. Soil type preference 

All philodendron and pothos plants tend to do best in well-drained soils. This is the case with lemon-lime philodendrons and neon pothos.

So overly compacted or clay soil type is not ideal for either plant. Planting lemon lime philodendrons or neon pothos in clay or compacted soil may result in root rot as the soil remains wet for extended periods. 

Instead, ensure you plant your neon pothos or philodendron in loose soil that contains perlite, peat moss, or vermiculite for the best results. The plant’s roots should fare well as long as they have room for easy growth and enough air pockets to breathe. 

The two plants also grow in water, which makes for a good alternative medium. You can grow the plants in water as a personal preference or as a temporary option when looking to root new plants.

When growing these houseplants in water, be sure to change the water at least twice a month. But if you choose the traditional soil approach, ensure the soul is nutrient-rich and well-aerated.

Alternatively, create the perfect DIY Aroid Soil Mix by mixing one-part peat moss with one-part houseplant soil and adding charcoal or perlite to promote better drainage. 

v. Fertilizer requirements 

Philodendrons and pothos require fertile soils to grow well. However, neither plant species is a heavy feeder.

So you can choose fertile soil with good nutrients or feed the plants with fertilizer from to time, preferably in spring and summer when the growing season comes around. 

When fertilizing either lemon-lime philodendron or neon pothos, go for low-strength fertilizers, as the two plants need only minimal fertilization to grow healthy.

Peat moss is a perfect option that helps plant roots stay moist in addition to adding nutrients slowly into the soil. 

vi. Temperature and drought tolerance  

Pothos plants such as neon pothos have a high tolerance to drought, so they do not need too much water.  

Lemon lime philodendron is also tolerant to drought but requires regular watering to remain healthy. 

So it is crucial to maintain your watering schedule if you have any of these two houseplants to promote their growth. 

You also want to avoid subjecting neon pothos or lemon-lime philodendrons to sudden temperature fluctuations as part of caring for them. 

viii. Watering preferences 

As already mentioned, both neon pothos and lemon-lime philodendron require regular watering to keep their roots in moist conditions. 

Both houseplants prefer well-aerated soils, which tend to drain the water fast. So, keeping them without watering for prolonged periods can leave their roots dry.

Ideally, ensure you water the plants at least once every week during summer. And in any weather, ensure you wait until the topsoil in the pot is visibly dry before adding water.

While you need to maintain a regular watering schedule for both plants, too much water is not recommended. Prolonged wet conditions will cause pothos root rot symptoms that may damage your houseplant. 

If you are unsure whether the soil has dried and is ready for watering, consider sticking your finger into it to test the soil for moisture. 

Watering tips for pothos and philodendrons

  • Water the plant more often in hot weather as the high temperatures often cause faster evaporation.
  • Add water only after the soil’s top layer has dried out. 
  • When watering, drench the soil until excess water flows out the drainage holes.
  • Consider watering plants in terracotta pots more frequently than those growing in plastic pots.
  • Use filtered water at room temperature.
  • In summer, water the plants at least once every week, and less in the winter

Differences Between Neon Pothos and Lime Philodendron

The neon pothos and lemon-lime philodendron plant species might look similar but are different in many aspects.

Read along to learn about the main differences between these two popular houseplants. 

1. Leaf size, texture, and color

While neon pothos and lemon-lime both have beautiful heart-shaped leaves, they are not identical. Lemon lime philodendron has thinner heart-shaped leaves with a noticeably softer texture. These leaves are also larger than neon pothos leaves.

On the other hand, the neon pothos houseplant has relatively smaller heart-shaped leaves that are generally thicker than lemon lime philodendron leaves.

The texture of neon pothos leaves is also another distinguishing aspect. These leaves feel waxier when you touch them compared to philodendron leaves, which feel softer.

The two plants also differ in the appearance of the attachment point at the base of the leaf where it connects to the petiole. 

For the neon pothos, the leaf’s base is noticeably straight, while the lemon-lime philodendron leaves are drastically curved inward at this attachment point.

Ideally, the leaves are one of the two plant’s most important distinguishing features. Here is a concise breakdown of the specific leaf features that set the two plants apart. 

Leaf shape

While both plants have heart-shaped leaves, the lemon-lime philodendron houseplant has a more defined curve at the top of the leaf. 

In comparison, the curve at the top of the neon pothos leaf is less defined. So, the heart shape of your neon pothos will generally be less dramatic than that of its philodendron cousin. 

Leaf size

The leaves of lemon-lime philodendron are generally larger than those of neon pothos plants. They are also larger than those of the plant’s heartleaf philodendron cousin. 

Lemon lime philodendron has an average leaf length of 5 inches and a width of 2.5 inches. 

However, the base of the neon pothos plant leaf is slightly larger and flatter. It is also less rounded than that of lemon-lime philodendron. 

Leaf texture

Neon pothos has a more textured leaf. The leaf is thicker and feels waxier to the touch, as opposed to lemon-lime philodendron leaves that are softer and smoother.

The philodendron leaves feel somewhat leathery when you touch them on both the upper and lower surface. 

Leaf color

Neon pothos plant have a distinct bright neon green leaves color, which gives them their name. 

On the other hand, the leaves of the lemon-lime philodendron plant are a muted lime green that appears a bit lighter, with a slight pink or brownish tint. 

Your lemon lime philodendron leaves will have a slightly pink tint when young and may lose the tint with age. Typically, the pink hues may confuse with pink monstera plant also when it is actually lemon lime philodendron.

In contrast, young neon pothos plant leaves are often yellow-green instead of lime green. Ultimately, both plant leaves are lime green, so you must pay attention to these slight differences in brightness and tint to notice the differences. 

2. Maximum height and structure  

Lemon lime philodendron can achieve a height of about 10 to 15 feet when fully grown. This is slightly taller than the neon pothos plant, which grows to only about 6 to 10 feet. 

In a 5-inch pot, your philodendron houseplant should grow to approximately one foot or 12 inches, with about a 14.5-inch spread.

While neon pothos plants are typically shorter, they can be much wider, with a spread of about 1 to 2 feet. 

While both neon pothos and lemon lime philodendron grow pretty fast, they can take a few years before reaching maturity, with leafy vines that spread throughout their lifetime.

3. Stems, petioles, and flowers  

When put outdoors in bright but indirect sunlight, neon pathos will likely produce scentless flowers, unlike lemon lime philodendron, which does not bloom under any circumstances.

Even though neon pothos flowers are unscented, they boast a graceful white color, but you are unlikely to enjoy this beauty indoors as the plant hardly ever produces any flowers indoors. 

The environment is everything when it comes to blooming in neon pothos. It is very rare to see the plant produce flowers, as most people keep them indoors and houseplants. 

Petioles 

The two plants, neon pothos and lemon-lime philodendrons, have different petioles. The petiole is the slender stalk supporting a plant’s leaf and connecting it to the stem.

In lemon lime philodendron, the petiole is rounded, while the neon pothos has an indented and slightly curved petiole.

This part of the plant is also slightly ribbed and pretty strong. It grows to about 3 inches of average length.  

Stem 

Lemon lime philodendron has a smooth stem approximately 0.35 inches wide. You can expect each stem to produce about ten leaves. 

4. Humidity and temperature preference 

Pothos generally have a greater tolerance for higher temperatures than philodendrons. Your neon pothos will thrive in high-humidity environments with temperatures ranging from 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

The plant is also relatively hardy and will survive a broad range of environmental or weather conditions. 

On the other hand, philodendrons will thrive in warm temperature conditions. Their ideal temperature is between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. 

However, unlike neon pothos, the philodendron houseplant has less tolerance for temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit or above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The plants do not have any specific humidity preference, unlike pothos. 

Because neon pothos like humid environments, you can always shift them to a room with more atmospheric water vapor if they fare badly in other rooms in your home. 

Tips for maintaining the ideal humidity and temperature  

  • Consider keeping the houseplant away from breeze-prone windows during winter. 
  • Ensure you increase the humidity around your neon pothos plant when the temperature rises.
  • Put a wet tray with wet pebbles under your plant’s pot to help maintain high humidity around the plant. 
  • Consider using heating pads to maintain the ideal temperature around the houseplant for optimal growth.
  • If you can afford it, use a humidifier to increase the humidity around your plant. 

5. Roots 

Neon pothos and lemon-lime philodendrons have similar root systems in that both plants develop aerial roots. The aerial roots that emerge as the plant grows help attach it to supporting elements as the length of the stem increases.

But that is as far as the similarities between the two plants’ roots go. Pothos has relatively thick aerial roots. The plant also develops only one root per node or the stalk’s point of attachment on the stem. 

On the other hand, the aerial roots of the philodendron plant are far thinner. The plant also produces two to three aerial roots at each node as opposed to one on the pothos plant.  

6. Growth habits

The two houseplants, neon pothos, and lemon-lime philodendron, have some similarities in growth habits. For instance, they both have fast-growing aerial roots for climbing and holding onto supporting elements around your home.

However, the two plants are not identical. As already noted, their aerial roots are different even though they serve the same purpose. The pothos houseplant produces a single aerial root, while its philodendron cousin has two thinner and smaller ones on each node.

Also, lemon-lime philodendrons grow as an upright plant initially, while neon pothos develops into a vine from the get-go.

Ultimately, both plants develop rapid-growing vines that grow all year round on lemon-lime philodendrons and grow in spurts on neon pothos.

The latter grows more rapidly during warm weather but slows down considerably in the chilly winter months. Neon pothos also experiences slower growth if kept in shaded areas, with the leaves turning black if left in exceedingly cold conditions.

You will also notice that new leaves on neon pothos curl tightly but slowly unfold as they grow.  

New leaves on lemon-lime philodendron plants are different from those on neon pothos as cataphyll sheaths typically encase some of them.

7. Soil pH 

While both lemon lime philodendron and pothos plants prefer loose, well-aerated soil, they do well in different pH. On the one hand, lemon-lime philodendron favors soil with a pH of between 6.4 and 7.3.

On the other hand, neon pothos prefers soil with a 6.0 to 6.5 pH. Still, both plants tolerate various soil pH and will easily tolerate a wide range. 

Common Problems of Neon Pothos Philodendron Lime 

The similarities between lemon lime philodendron and neon pothos do not just end at their shared features discussed. The two popular houseplants also share the following problems. 

  • Wilting due to prolonged drought  
  • Leaves getting brown due to unwatering of the plant
  • Root rot as a result of prolonged wet soil
  • Curling of leaves as a result of being severely overwatered or exposed to direct sunlight.
  • Discoloration of the stems and leaves due to insufficient light or water-related issues

FAQs

Which is better, pothos or philodendron?

While both plants are popular, neon pothos is a hardier houseplant and grows more rapidly than lemon lime philodendron. So neon pothos should be the better of the two unless you prefer the philodendron plant leaves that are generally more uniformly green than the pothos. 

Is the Lemon Lime philodendron the same as the golden goddess?

Yes, philodendron lemon-lime and golden goddess are just two different names of the same indoor plant. The two names philodendron golden goddess and lemon-lime refer to a plant variety belonging to the Philodendron hederaceum or the heartleaf family.

Is philodendron the same as pothos?

No, philodendrons and pothos are two different plants in different genres. Philodendron is a member of the Philodendron genus, while pothos belongs to the Epipremnum genus, even though the two houseplants share the same family, Araceae.

How do you tell the difference between neon pothos and philodendron?

You can tell the difference between neon pothos and philodendron by observing their leaves. While they are lime green, neon pothos has more vibrant-colored leaves than philodendron. Additionally, young lemon lime philodendron leaves have a slight pink tint, as opposed to young neon pothos, leaves that are typically light yellow-green.

Read also: Philodendron Pedatum VS Florida Ghost, Glacier Pothos vs NJoy and Monstera Pinnatipartita Vs Peru

Neon Pothos vs Lemon Lime Philodendron: Summary

Lemon lime philodendrons and Neon Pothos are two popular indoor plants that share some similarities but also have significant differences.

When deciding which plant to choose for your home, it’s important to consider factors like lighting, watering needs, and overall aesthetics.

In addition to these two plants, there are other popular indoor plants that are often confused with each other, such as Split Leaf Philodendron and Monstera.

By understanding the unique characteristics of each plant, you can make a more informed decision and select the perfect plant for your indoor space.

We hope this detailed comparison has provided helpful insights for you in making the best choice for your home.

Other comparative guide to consider is:

Marble Queen Pothos vs Snow Queen

Leave a Comment