Philodendron lemon-lime and Neon Pothos are both popular vining house plants that look very similar.
With its beautiful heart-shaped leaves, the Philodendron makes an attractive addition to any home. Neon Pothos produce a white flower and have a lovely lime green coloring.
Whether you choose the Philodendron lemon-lime or Neon Pothos, your plant can hang from a shelf or be used in hanging baskets. Let’s look at the differences and similarities between these two popular houseplants.
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Neon Pothos vs Lemon Lime Philodendron
All species of pothos and philodendrons belong to a family of plants called the aroid (Araceae) family, which have bright leaves that grow on vines.
The plants grow aerial roots and petioles, and the vines can wrap round structures in the surrounding area. Both plants prefer to live in indirect sunlight but can survive in low light.
They should be watered weekly by soaking the plant and then be left to dry out. Soil needs to be well aerated and fertilized with peat moss.
Neon Pothos | Lemon Lime Philodendron | |
| USDA Hardiness zone | Can be grown outdoors in zones 10 and 11 | 9 to 11 |
Scientific Name | Epipremnum Aureum | Philodendron Hederaceum Aureum |
| Mature height | Vines can reach 6 and 10 ft. (1.8 – 3 m) indoors. | medium-sized plant: 8 to 12 inches tall with vines up to fifteen feet. |
| Mature width | 4 to 6 inches | Leaves are 7 to 10 inches in length and approximately ½ inch wide |
| Growth rate | Fast growing, grows faster in warmer weather. | Grows rapidly in the right conditions |
| Habit | Grows aerial roots and petioles | Grows aerial roots and petioles |
| Light Requirement | Prefers bright indirect light but can cope with low light | Prefers bright indirect light but can cope with low light |
Soil Type | Dry, well-aerated soil | Dry, well-aerated soil |
| Soil pH | 6.1 to 6.5 | 6.4-7.3 |
Watering Frequency | Water weekly in summer and less in winter. Soak plant and leave to almost completely dry out before next watering. | Water weekly in summer and less in winter. Soak plant and leave to almost completely dry out before next watering |
Pests | Rarely affected by pests. May suffer from mealybugs or scale insects | Rarely affected by pests. May suffer from mealybugs or scale insects |
Diseases | Root rot, fungal diseases | Root rot, fungal diseases |
Differences Between Lemon Lime Philodendron and Neon Pothos
There are many differences between these two popular houseplants. These include slight differences in leaf shape and texture and variations in aerial roots and petioles.
Leaf Shape and Texture
The main difference between the neon pothos and lemon-lime philodendrons is in the shape of their leaves. Both plants have heart-shaped leaves. Lemon Lime Philodendrons have leaves that are more heart-shaped and are thinner with a slightly softer texture. Neon Pothos have leaves that are generally larger and thicker. Their leaves are also waxier to the touch.
There are also differences in these two plants where the petiole is connected to the leaf’s base. The neon pothos leaf has a reasonably straight base compared to the lemon-lime philodendron leaf, which curves dramatically inwards.
Growth Habit
Both the neon pothos and lemon-lime philodendrons have rapid-growing aerial roots which can climb and vine around your home’s surfaces.
There are slight differences between the two plants; neon pothos has a single aerial root on each node, while lemon-lime philodendrons grow many smaller roots per node, which gives them a wilder look.
Both plants have fast-growing vines. Lemon-lime Philodendrons grow all year round, while neon pothos has a growth spurt during warm weather and slow down in the winter or if left in shaded conditions.
If conditions are too cold for the Neon Pothos, their leaves will turn black.
Leaf Size
If you compare the leaves of these two plants, you’ll notice that the base of the neon pothos is flatter, slightly larger, and less rounded.
Philodendron leaves are broader and measure 7 to 10 inches in length, and approximately ½ inch wide. Neon Pothos leaves are thinner and more elongated.
Foliage Color
- As the name suggests neon pothos have bright neon green leaves, which look very tropical.
- Lemon lime Philodendron leaves are slightly lighter and are a muted lime green. They also have a slight brownish or pink tint.
Neon Pothos Produce Flowers
Neon Pothos produce stunning white flowers, but they are unlikely to flower indoors.
Height and Structure
The Neon Pothos has leafy vines which can grow to impressive lengths. Vines can reach between six and ten-foot when grown indoors. It’s likely to take a few years before the plant reaches maturity and grows to such a length.
Growing Requirements
Neon Pothos is very versatile and will grow well in most rooms in your home. They can grow in a hanging basket and are easy to care for, best suited to shaded corners.
They can also be grown outside in the right conditions and are more likely to flower outdoors.
Lemon-lime Philodendron has more of a compact growth habit. They require regular pruning and are medium-sized plants that can be used to create a beautiful tropical table-top decoration.
Neon pothos can even be grown in water without the need for soil. A cutting can be placed in a vase of water and grown in indirect sunlight.
It will quickly develop roots, and the water should be changed at least every two weeks.
Similarities Between Neon Pothos and Lemon Lime Philodendron
Philodendron lemon-lime and Neon Pothos look very similar, and the care and attention they need to thrive is also identical. Here’s how to care for these two houseplants:
Light Requirement
Both Neon Pothos and Lemon lime philodendron are versatile plants that can tolerate low light and grow well in shaded areas.
The plants do need enough light to stop them from becoming leggy and do best in indirect sunlight. This is particularly true of lemon lime Philodendrons which will become leggy and only grow small leaves if they don’t get enough light.
Watering Requirements
These two houseplants should be kept relatively moist and need watering at least once a week in the summer months. Wait until the topsoil dries out before watering again. Neon Pothos are slightly easier to care for as they are drought-tolerant.
Take the climate into consideration when watering plants:
- Hot weather will cause water to evaporate faster, so you’ll need to water more often.
- Plants in terracotta pots generally dry out more quickly than those in plastic pots.
- Water both plant species as the top layer of soil dries. Wait until the top 1 to 2 inches of soil is dry, then soak the potting soil until the water flows from the drainage holes.
Watering Tips:
- Water with filtered water that’s room temperature
- Drench the plants and leave to dry out before the next watering
- Water at least once weekly during the summer
- Only water the plants when one-third of the soil has dried out
- Water less in the winter
Soil
Neon Pothos and lemon lime Philodendron grow best in loose well-draining potting mix. These houseplants require fertile soil which is aerated and nutrient-rich.
To create the perfect soil, mix one-part houseplant soil with one part peat moss and add perlite or charcoal to help with drainage. These houseplants don’t do well in soil that’s compacted or heavy.
Temperature
When caring for Lemon-lime Philodendron and Neon Pothos, it’s best to avoid sudden temperature fluctuations. Keep the plants away from draughts and hot radiators during the winter. In summer, the vines should be an adequate distance from the air-conditioning system.
Fertilizer
Lemon-lime Philodendron and Neon Pothos don’t need much fertilizing as they aren’t heavy feeders.
- Peat moss is an excellent fertilizer as its nutrients to the soil, which feeds the plant. It’s also light and helps the roots stay moist.
- You may like to apply a diluted houseplant fertilizer every couple of months if you want your plant to grow rapidly.
- Most pothos and Philodendron plants grow well without any added nutrients.
- Start off with a good quality potting soil that will contain all the nutrients your plants need.
Pest and Diseases
Pests and disease, which are common to many house plants, don’t really affect Philodendron lemon-lime or Neon Pothos. In some cases, your plants may suffer from mealybugs or scale insects which can be killed by applying a neem oil solution to the leaves weekly.
Neem Oil Pesticide
- 2 tsp. neem oil,
- 1 tsp. dish soap
- 1 quart (1l) of warm water
Instructions
1. Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a spray bottle.
2. Use the solution weekly by spraying the plant’s stems and foliage.
The most common disease that affects Philodendron lemon lime and Neon Pothos is root rot due to overwatering. Houseplants that are living in soggy soil are also prone to fungal leaf infections, including black leaf spots and rotting stems.
Toxicity
Both Lemon-lime Philodendron and Neon Pothos are toxic to cats and dogs. If you have any pets, be very wary about growing plants in the Araceae family, as they can prove to be fatal if ingested.
These plants are poisonous as they contain insoluble calcium oxalates and cause the following symptoms if ingested by cats, dogs, or small pets:
- Oral irritation such as a burning mouth, drooling, and tongue swelling.
- Vomiting
- Difficulty swallowing