Lemon lime philodendrons are easy-to-care-for and low-maintenance houseplants. They can also grow outside as well. They prefer lightweight, well-drained and aerated soil for easy root growth and function. For additional care and growing bits, I have discussed how to account for warmth, humidity watering, repotting, and propagation.
The plant grows on long and delicate dangling vines. It grows up to 2 feet tall without staking. But given growing space, they can vine down from hanging baskets to reach an average length of 3 meters.
This houseplant is also commonly known as the sweetheart vine. Throughout the various growth stages, the plant does exhibit different leaf color hues. Pink-yellow, typical lemon to neon green. I adore its lime green to bright yellow-green color prominence.
1) Soil Requirements
When grown indoors, these plants can reach their potential from soil or soil-less mixes. If you want the best, you can DIY a soilless potting mix and soil mix. However, the number of options is so slim.
Potting Mixes – DIY Potting Recipe
Lemon lime philodendrons will grow with satisfactory results in peat-base potting mixes.
DIY 1
Combine 1 part perlite + 1 part peat moss + 1 part regular potting soil
If you can’t find perlite, go for coarse soil.
DIY 2
Mix 50% peat-base potting mix + 20% organic compost + 30% regular indoor/houseplant potting soil
This recipe produces a soil combination rich in organic matter not only good for nutritional needs but also for draining ability.
DIY 3
Mix 50% potting soil + 50% coconut coir
Potting mixes will suit the houseplant’s growth and nutrition. But why is it important to select or come up with the most suitable pot medium?
One concerns watering. Two are aeration and easy absorption of nutrients. And the rest gives your houseplant an easy time to reap the best of its potential. (Prevent root rot, often repotting than not and the plant struggling to grow.)
Use cactus and succulent soil mixes for experimenting purposes. They are not a great choice for philodendrons lemon lime from the get-go. Though they may serve as a last-resort alternative.
Ground Soil
Many a time, the provision of growing needs outside becomes a challenge. Especially with soil quality being key. And so, you need to be careful. Avoid sandy soils that easily become compacted over brief periods.
Ground soil is known to harbor many disease-causing pathogens and pests. For this reason, ground soil may not be the best choice for potting your houseplant.
Bottom line: while you’re striving to give your philodendron the best of nutrition; good to fast-draining and moist soil can make the difference.
2) Warmth + Humidity
As a houseplant, philodendron lemon lime thrives in tropical temperate and humid environments. It is related to the peace lily in terms of its adaptation to warmth and humidity. So it should grow and do well in indoor gardens. However, it won’t tolerate cold and freezing degrees of temperature.
For optimal growth, work closely with your humidity and temperature mobile devices. Strive to maintain warmth indoors at around 65 °F to 85 °F. You need not be concerned about your houseplant’s exposure to too much humidity levels. They will grow just fine.
Should you find it necessary, you can mist your houseplant occasionally. Misting will not harm it in any way. However, watch out for pests and diseases.
Temperature shifts sometimes may occur at night at some point of growth. As long as it does not drop below 55 °F, your lemon lime philodendron is safe even outside.
3) Indoor Light Environment
Well-adapted to different lighting conditions, growing this plant indoors is easy. If your home is somewhat poorly lit, you can still have a lemon lime philodendron lighting it up.
How much sun does a lemon lime philodendron need? You can situate this vining plant in low light spots to medium light spots. However, if you can find a room with bright indirect light it is going to thrive.
Outdoors, you can locate it in outdoor rooms where the light gets diffused. Dappled or brightly lit shades are also ideal for it to stay happy and do extraordinarily well.
4) Fertilizer & Nutritional Needs
Knowing when it is about time and how to fertilize is crucial. Here are some signs and guide tips for beginners.
- Plant leaf growing smaller and smaller
- Your houseplant refusing to vine
- Pale leaf color
Select a water-soluble fertilizer for potted plants, whether you are keeping them indoors or growing outdoors. I usually feed my philodendron houseplants once a month every spring and summer.
Pale leaves are an indication of insufficient calcium or magnesium or both. Or else if the soil has these macronutrients, then the amounts are going low. If you detect new cases of pale leaves, inject fertilizer with enough calcium and magnesium.
5) Philodendron Lemon Lime Water Needs
A properly-checked watering schedule is another care need yet crucial. During the growing season, your plant will benefit from soil water a lot. Absorption of macronutrients, keeping the plant vigorous and helping it cool itself.’
How often should you water your philodendron? Ensure that you thoroughly but carefully water during spring and summer. Let the pot drink until some drain through the drainage holes.
You can prevent the potting soil from flooding often. Just allow the top half of the potting soil to dry out between watering.
6) Repotting Lemon Lime Tips
Philodendron lemon lime plants need to be repotted regularly but not so often. You can repot once you notice roots starting to grow out of the pot. This may come in the second or third year of growth.
Before you can transfer it, examine the health status of your plant. Have a closer look at its roots and stems. If they feel soft and mushy, don’t repot. Always To repot, just remove the plant from its old pot, prepare a fresh pot mix and replant.
Growing New Philodendron Lemon Lime (Propagation)
The procedures involved in growing new lemon lime philodendrons are much similar to propagating philodendron red heart. To enhance success, propagate either in the early springtime or summertime.
You can also buy your houseplant from Etsy or Amazon.
Stem Cutting Propagation
Cutting from stems is the easiest means of getting new plants. The procedures and steps are straightforward, fast, and inexpensive.
What you need:
- A sharp knife or pair of scissors
- Disinfectant
- Potting mix
- Glass jars
- Pots or shallow wide containers
- Rooting powder
Steps
Identify a healthy, mature mother houseplant. Locate a healthy stem with a couple of leaves.
- Clean-disinfect your cutting tools
- Locate your knife or scissor 1 -2 inches below the stem cutting node
- Leave a single leaf above the stem and cut just above the upper node
- Cut only enough stems you need
- Dab each cutting in rooting powder
- Get the glass jars, pour in spring water
- Place the cuttings into the glass-water jars
Remove any leaf immersed in the water.
Alternatively,
- Bury the stem cuttings straight into the potting mix
- Situate your cuttings in (indirect light) brightly lit and warm rooms
- Replace the glass jars with water as necessary. Keep the potting mix moist and warm.
Your cutting will start growing fresh roots in 2 – 3 weeks. After 2 months or so (4 – 6 weeks), new leaf growth will emerge from the stems in form of buds.
Transfer your growing cutting to new rooting pots with a well-drained mix. To promote quick rooting, protect your cuttings against cold drafts and direct sun/heating vents.
These will be your new plants. Start caring for them as usual when they have grown a few more leaves.
Toxicity in Lemon Lime Philodendrons
The main plant parts of a lemon lime philodendron carry good amounts of crystal calcium oxalate. This chemical compound is useful to the plant itself. It acts as self-defense against the plant-eaters of the wild.
The toxicity in the plant is quite dangerous for pets and human health. If you ingest the leaves allergic reactions may develop. The symptoms are felt in the eyes, throat, and food pipes.
Common Issues to Watch out for
Anything outside the sturdy, vibrant lemon freshness in leaves is an indicator of something not working. Or there is a growth issue beyond the normal.
i) Leaves wilting: It is a common sign of a watering issue. (i.e. your houseplant is not watering enough
ii) Leaves yellowing and drooping: These two signs are dangerous for your plant to indicate. You’re probably watering very frequently. If the leaf’s yellowing appears natural, move the plant closer to the window.
iii) Pale leaves: Your houseplant signals that there isn’t enough calcium/magnesium in its potting medium or soil.
iv) Brown leaves: is an indication of either extreme warmth, direct sunrays falling on your plant, or exposure to direct heating vents.
NB: With the above care, a problem with disease or pest shouldn’t arise.
Plant Info Tab
- Scientific name: Philodendron hederaceum
- Common name: Lemon lime philodendron or sweetheart vine
- Family: Araceae
- Genus: Philodendron
- Plant Origins: Central and South America
- Cultivar: Hybrid
- Hardiness zone: 10
- Plant shape: Vining or climber
- Bloom Time: Spring to late spring, May – July
- Leaf area: 5 – 8 inches long 2 – 3 cm wide
- Dormancy period: Winter
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets and humans
