Lemon Lime Philodendron vs. Neon Pothos: Comparison + Care

There are a few popular houseplants that tend to cause confusion for people. Lemon Lime Philodendron and Neon Pothos are perfect examples. They look very similar, but a few key differences can help you tell them apart.

In this blog post, I’ll discuss the similarities and differences between these two plants, as well as care tips.

Are Lemon Lime Philodendron and Neon Pothos the Same?

Lemon Lime Philodendron and Neon Pothos are popular indoor plants for a good reason. They’re both easy to care for, tolerate a wide range of growing conditions, and look gorgeous.

But are they actually the same plant?

The answer is…no.

Lemon Lime Philodendron and Neon Pothos plants are both in the Araceae family. However, they belong to different genera.

Lemon Lime Philodendron is part of the Philodendron genus. Its botanical name is Philodendron hederaceum ‘Lemon Lime.’

On the other hand, Neon Pothos is in the Epipremnum genus and has the botanical name Epipremnum aureum ‘Neon.’

So while they are different plants, they do share a lot of similarities. For example, they are both lime green, have heart-shaped leaves, and prefer bright indirect light. They also tolerate drought well and are very easy to propagate.

So if you’re debating which one to get, don’t worry – you can’t go wrong with either one. Both are beautiful, easy-care plants that will thrive in your home for years.

With that said, let’s take a deeper dive into Lemon Lime Philodendron vs. Neon Pothos. What exactly are the differences and similarities between these two plants?

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What is Lemon Lime Philodendron?

The philodendron plant is native to South America’s rainforests. ‘Lemon Lime’ is a cultivar of Heartleaf Philodendron that was discovered in 2004. The yellow-green leaves give it its name. The leaves are heart-shaped, and they are really delicate and beautiful. A vining plant, its stems can grow up to 12 feet long, and it likes to climb.

What is Neon Pothos?

As I said earlier, this is a member of the Araceae family. It’s native to the Solomon Islands – which means it’s used to warm, humid climates. The bright, neon green leaves of Neon Pothos make this plant stand out. The foliage is beautiful and vibrant.

The vines can reach up to 10 feet long, which makes this plant an excellent choice for a hanging basket or winding up a trellis or moss pole.

And it blooms, bearing small white flowers.

Similarities Between Lemon Lime Philodendron and Neon Pothos

These two species resemble each other, hence the confusion.

They are both climbers that can get very long. The leaf shape is similar, and both are yellow-green in color. And they both prefer bright indirect light.

And they have similar care requirements, so if you can’t decide which one you have, don’t worry about it. You can treat them the same way.

How Are They Different?

Even though these plants are very similar, there are some key differences you should be aware of because that’s how you can tell them apart.

Leaf Texture

One way to tell them apart is by their leaf texture. For example, Lemon Lime Philodendron leaves are smooth and thin with a softer texture. On the other hand, the Neon Pothos plant has thicker leaves that are more heavily textured with a waxy finish.

Growth Habit

Another way to tell them apart is to look at how new growth develops. I actually think this is the easiest way to distinguish between them.

A new pothos leaf grows and unfurls from a current leaf.

On the other hand, Philodendron leaves emerge from a cataphyll, which is a thin sheath that encases the new leaf. Cataphylls eventually turn papery and fall off. If your plant has cataphylls, then it’s a philodendron, no question.

New Leaf Color

Leaf color is not the best way to distinguish between these plants unless you are comparing brand-new leaves. For example, on a Lemon Lime, new leaves often have a pinkish hue, while new Neon leaves are a light yellow-green.

Aerial Roots

Both philodendrons and pothos have aerial roots, but they look different.

Pothos has one large aerial root per node.

On the other hand, philodendron aerial roots are thin and delicate and occur in groups. You’ll see two or more aerial roots per node.

Flowers

Neon Pothos can produce white flowers. Lemon Lime Philodendron, however, does not bloom.

So those are the key differences between these two plants.

Philodendron Lemon Lime and Neon Pothos Care

Both are very easy to care for. Here are some tips:

Temperature and Humidity

Like all tropical plants, they prefer warm, humid climates. Hardy to zone 10, don’t move them outside until nighttime temperatures are consistently 60 degrees or more.

If your home has dry air, a humidifier can help increase the humidity around your plants

Light

Both plants prefer bright indirect light. Indoors that means near a window, but not in direct sunlight. Don’t place it too close to a window that gets a lot of hot sunlight, as the leaves will burn.

If your plant is not getting enough light, the leaves will start to droop.

Watering

These houseplants both like moist soil but don’t want to be soggy. That means you should water them consistently but let the soil dry out a bit between watering. Then, don’t water again until the top inch of soil is dry.

I typically water them both weekly in the summer months and every other week in the winter.

Fertilizing

Neither plant is a heavy feeder, but they can benefit from being fertilized every month during the growing season (spring and summer). You can use a liquid fertilizer or slow-release pellets.

Pruning

If your pothos or philodendron is getting too big or leggy, then it’s time for pruning.

Both of these plants benefit from being pruned regularly. This helps to keep them compact and bushy. They can get out of control if you don’t trim the vines.

Simply cut off any leggy stems at the desired length.

Ideal Soil Mix

They both prefer a well-draining soil mix. You can make your own by mixing equal parts peat moss, perlite, and potting soil. But actually, any standard all-purpose houseplant soil will be fine; these plants aren’t too picky about soil as long as it drains well.

Pots

They are both susceptible to root rot, so make sure your pots have drainage holes.

Propagation

Philodendron and pothos are among the easiest plants to propagate from stem cuttings. Simply cut a stem with a few nodes, stick it in water, and wait for the roots to grow.

I almost always have a few varieties of philodendron or pothos rooting in my kitchen window. And, in fact, I’m rooting a Lemon Lime Philodendron as I write this post.

After the roots have developed, plant the cutting in fresh potting soil, and you’re good to go.

Problems With Lemon Lime Philodendron and Neon Pothos

While these are both very easy to care for, and they don’t often experience problems, there are a few things to watch out for.

Common Pests

Neither of these plants is particularly susceptible to pests. But do keep an eye out for common pests that may invade any of your houseplants. These include mealybugs, spider mites, scale insects, and fungus gnats. If you notice any of these pests on your plant, you can treat them with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Diseases

Philodendron and pothos really aren’t prone to disease. However, they can develop root rot if allowed to sit in wet soil, so be careful not to overwater and always use a pot with good drainage.

Droopy Leaves

This simply means that your plant needs water. They both bounce back quickly if they are underwatered. However, I find philodendron plants to be a bit less tolerant of underwatering than pothos.

Brown Tips

Brown tips are another symptom of underwatering but can also be caused by dry air. If you notice the tips of the leaves starting to turn brown, check to see if the plant needs watering. If it doesn’t, then increase the humidity around the plant.

Leggy Growth

Leggy growth is a common problem for vining plants such as pothos and philodendron, that don’t receive sufficient light

If you notice long vines with very few leaves, then it’s time to do two things.

1. Prune off the scraggly vines.
2. Move the plant to a spot where it gets more bright light.

So those are some things to keep in mind when caring for Lemon Lime Philodendron and Neon Pothos!

Plant Toxicity

Lemon Lime Philodendron and Neon Pothos are both toxic to humans and animals. So, if you have pets or small children around, it’s best to keep these plants out of reach.

Wrapping Up: Lemon Lime Philodendron vs. Neon Pothos

Both Lemon Lime Philodendron and Neon Pothos are beautiful and easy to care for. They have a few key differences, but once you know what those are, it’s easy to tell the difference. And whichever you have makes a great addition to any home or office!

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