Neon Pothos vs Lemon Lime Philodendron: Which One to Choose?

Houseplants are excellent decoration items that enhance your indoor space’s beauty with their diverse shapes, sizes, and colors. If you’re also looking for a vibrant and easy-to-care-for houseplant, both philodendron lemon-lime and neon pothos can be great options.

But if you can choose only one of these houseplants, you must know more about them to make the selection.

These two plants are similar in appearance, but they have some key differences in care requirements and growth habits.

So, in the battle between neon pothos vs lemon lime philodendron, keep reading to find out which one is the right houseplant for you. 

What Is Philodendron Lemon Lime?

Philodendron lemon-lime (Philodendron hederaceum) is a tropical houseplant that looks quite attractive because of its striking 10-inch long heart-shaped leaves. The foliage of this plant grows on dainty vining stems, making them look unique and elegant.

What’s really cool about these plants is that their stems can elongate and bend downwards to create cascading vines. Their thin leaves are another unique feature, and when the plant is young, they actually have a pinkish-yellow color to them. 

Furthermore, philodendron lemon-lime reduces anxiety and stress levels, which is pretty amazing. Plus, it’s a great air purifier, so it’s perfect for keeping your home or office feeling fresh and clean.

What Is Neon Pothos?

Just like lemon-lime philodendrons, neon pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘Neon’) is another tropical plant and is perfect for most rooms in your house. These plants were first found in the Solomon Islands, and they’re extremely popular for their beautiful leaf color. 

You can easily spot a pothos plant because of its chartreuse neon leaves that have a slightly heart-shaped appearance. They can produce gorgeous white flowers, but they’re unlikely to bloom when kept as indoor houseplants.

If you’re looking for a plant that can thrive in warm and humid indoor environments, a neon pothos is an excellent choice. The best part about these lovely plants is that they’re low maintenance and don’t need much attention. 

Are Philodendrons and Pothos the Same?

Lemon-lime philodendrons and neon pothos are not the same. While they may seem alike at first glance, they are quite different.

For starters, Philodendron Lemon Lime is from South America and Neon Pothos is from French Polynesia, and while these are both warm climate, they are still very different habitats. But interestingly, both of them are from the “Araceae” plant family, which is famous for its vibrant leaves.

Although they’re both indoor houseplants, they have distinct features when it comes to the texture and size of their leaves.

A single glance won’t be enough to tell them apart because of their similarities; if you can identify their subtle differences, you will be able to choose the most suitable one for your home.

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Neon Pothos vs Lemon Lime Philodendron: Differences

To differentiate between a neon pothos and a lemon-lime philodendron, you need to be aware of the following aspects: 

Shape and Texture of Leaves 

When trying to distinguish between these two houseplants, you can look at the shape and texture of their leaves.

The lemon-lime philodendron has thinner and toned-down textured leaves, whereas the neon pothos leaves have a dark texture and larger leaves. You can also tell them apart by looking at how the leaves connect to their stem. 

Size of Leaves 

When you take a look at the leaves of these two plants side by side, you will notice the difference in size. For instance, the neon pothos has a larger and slightly flatter base compared to the philodendron. The philodendron’s leaves, on the other hand, are wider than neon pothos with 7-10 inches in length and ½ inch in width.

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Leaf Color 

The leaves of neon pothos are bright green and eye-catching, which can add a tropical touch to any space. In contrast, the lemon-lime philodendron has lime-green, slightly lighter, and more subdued leaves.

When they’re young, they may appear more pinkish in color, but with maturity, their leaves develop into a deeper shade of lemon. So, if you observe these plants as they grow, you can see their leaves change in color over time.

Flowering Habits 

It’s quite rare to see flowers on a neon pothos plant as it needs specific environmental and lighting conditions to bloom. On the other hand, you won’t be able to grow any flowers on lemon-lime philodendron even with the right conditions. So, you can check for flowers if you have to differentiate between a lemon-lime philodendron and a neon pothos.

Growth Habits 

When it comes to growth habits, you can see some major differences between these two plants. The lemon-lime philodendron has a continuous growth pattern throughout the year, so you may need to trim it more often.

But the neon pothos tends to grow fast in summer and then surprisingly slow down during winter seasons for energy conservation. 

Height 

If you’re looking for a leafy vine plant with an impressive length, the neon pothos is a great choice. These plants can grow up to 6-10 feet tall indoors, but it may need some years to reach this size. 

At maturity, philodendron lemon-lime can reach up to 15 feet tall, which is even taller than the neon pothos. The plant is also considered a leafy vine plant with unique color variations.

Neon Pothos vs Lemon Lime Philodendron: Similarities

Apart from their similar looks, the following elements will cover all the major similarities between a neon pothos and a lemon-lime philodendron: 

Light Requirements 

In the case of lighting requirements, you should know that both the lemon-lime philodendron and the neon pothos are quite similar.

Both of them can tolerate poor lighting conditions and thrive even in areas that are shaded. However, it’s important to note that these plants still need some light to flourish, so you should place them under indirect lighting. 

Watering Needs 

Watering your plants properly is crucial for their growth and development. Both lemon-lime philodendrons and neon pothos need moist soil to survive.

For this reason, it’s recommended to water both of these plants once a week in hot weather. This frequency is enough to maintain the required level of moisture in the soil for their growth. And for the winter season, it’s enough to water these plants once or twice a month. 

Soil Requirements 

They also have similar soil preferences as both neon pothos and lemon-lime philodendrons like well-drained and loose soil to thrive. This kind of soil allows excess water to drain out, which helps to provide enough oxygen to the roots.

The best soil for these plants should be enriched with organic and good draining materials like perlite, charcoal, and peat. (See: Best Bagged Compost for Your Garden)

Fertilizer Requirements 

Giving your indoor plants the right amount of fertilizer is crucial for their growth, including the neon pothos and lemon-lime philodendrons. Although they don’t always need fertilizers, it’s still important to use the right kind of fertilizer to give them the nutrients. One way to provide natural and organic nutrients for these plants is by using peat moss in the soil mixture. 

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Temperature 

Both of these plants can get seriously damaged if they get exposed to extreme heat or cold. That’s why it’s best to keep them away from direct sources of heat and cold air.

Ideally, the temperature for these plants should be in the range of 55-90 degrees Fahrenheit, with approximately 50 percent humidity.

So, when you’re choosing a spot for these plants, make sure to keep them away from any areas with extreme temperature changes.

Vulnerability to Pests 

Another common aspect between these two plants is their susceptibility to pests and diseases. The good news is that most neon pothos and lemon-lime philodendrons are resistant to pests. But occasionally, they can get affected by mealybugs or scale insects, which you can easily remove with neem oil. 

Toxicity  

Since neon pothos and lemon-lime philodendrons originated from the Araceae plant family, they’re not safe to eat.

Moreover, these plants hold calcium oxalates which can cause severe vomiting, oral irritation, and burning if they come into contact with the skin or mouth. So if you have pets at home, you should be careful because both of these plants are toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.

Final verdict

There is no clear winner between neon pothos vs lemon lime philodendron because it all comes down to your preference.

If you like houseplants with vibrant colors and dark textures, neon pothos can be the perfect option for you.

On the other hand, if you want a larger houseplant with a toned-down texture, go for lemon-lime philodendron. But both plants are easy to care for and make a beautiful addition to your indoor garden.