Philodendron hederaceum Lemon Lime is a tropical and easy-to-care-for plant that works well either as an accent piece or on its own.
We’ll go through Lemon Lime Philodendron care in further detail in this post so you may confidently raise this popular plant.
If you want to buy a Philodendron Lemon Lime, we have a few reasonable options for you to explore too. Continue reading to learn more about this Philodendron’s exciting attributes.
Table of Contents
What Is Philodendron hederaceum Lemon Lime?
The Philodendron hederaceum Lemon is also known as Lemon Lime Philodendron, Sweetheart Vine, and Lemon Lime Heartleaf Philodendron, and it is a perennial well-known for its trailing foliage in shades of bright yellow to chartreuse. This tropical plant from the Araceae family has heart-shaped, colorful yellow-green leaves.
This article is mainly focused on indoor gardening, but this Philodendron can also be grown outdoors in hardiness zones 9-11.
Origin And Family
The Lemon Lime Philodendron comes from the Philodendron genus, the Araceae family, and it is originally from the rainforests of Central and South America. Philodendron Lemon Lime has become a popular indoor plant that can thrive inside most homes in recent years, and it’s typically considered a low-maintenance plant.
First catalogued in 2004 by Tai Yam, this popular plant makes a great addition to any indoor grower’s collection.
Lemon Lime Philodendron Vs. Neon Pothos
It’s easy to confuse a Lemon Lime Philodendron and Neon Pothos. But there are some key differences. The main thing to look for is variegation. The Pothos has more variegation on its lower, more developed leaves. The overall shade of the Philodendron is a brighter lime than the Pothos too.
Finally, the leaf shape of the Pothos looks more like elongated hearts, while the Philodendron has rounder heart-shaped leaves.
Where To Buy
While you can purchase a Lemon Lime Philodendron at your local plant shop or nursery, there are likely better deals online at places like Etsy.
In terms of pricing, Philodendron hederaceum Lemon costs fluctuate between $10 and $40.
We’re also giving some great deals at Icarus Plants. Use this link to get 10% off.
Similar Plants
Love Lemon Lime Philodendron? There is a wide variety of other Philodendrons you should consider too! Here are some of the ones we have articles about:
Philodendron Birkin – The Philodendron Birkin is a rare gorgeous houseplant with striking white stripes on its dark green leaves. These patterns make the plant look dainty and might make you think it’s difficult to care for; fortunately, that’s untrue.
Philodendron Prince of Orange – This flamboyant plant gets its name from its exquisite hued leaves that unfurl with a deep orange-bronze color that turns salmon as they get bigger.
Philodendron Gloriosum: This striking plant has large, heart-shaped leaves with distinctive veins that become more pronounced as it matures.
If that’s not enough, here are some of my favorite Philodendron varieties to purchase.
Philodendron hederaceum Lemon Plant Size
When grown as a houseplant, the Lemon Lime Philodendron grows to a height of 12-24″ and spreads to a width of 10-12″. It grows quickly and thrives under low light or bright direct light.
Philodendron hederaceum Lemon Care Needs
The Philodendron Lemon Lime Plant is a light-loving plant that needs evenly moist soil throughout the year. Water your plant deeply (until it drains out the holes in the pot) when 50% of the topsoil is dry during the summertime. You will likely need to water less in winter.
| Care Type | Care Specifics |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Philodendron hederaceum Lemon |
| Common Name | Lemon Lime Philodendron, Sweetheart Vine, Lemon lime heartleaf philodendron |
| Plant Family | Araceae |
| Origin | Central and South America |
| Plant Type | perennial |
| Leaf Shape | heart-shaped |
| Leaf Color | bright green to charteuse |
| Recommended Home Placement | east or west-facing window; low light rooms may work in some situations |
| Growth Rate | fast |
| Light | bright indirect light |
| Soil | standard commercial potting soil |
| When To Water | Water when 50% of the topmost soil gets dry. |
| When To Fertilize | once a month during growing season |
| Preferred pH | 5.0 - 7.0 |
| Humidity Range | higher humidity encourages larger leaves |
| Toxic To Pets? | Yes - symptoms include lips swelling, upset stomach, vomiting, allergic reaction to eyes, esophagus, and throat if ingested |
| Common Pests & Diseases | spider mites, brown tips, fungus gnuts, root rot, mealy bugs, drooping leaves |
Care Difficulty
In terms of care difficulty, the Sweetheart Vine plant is easy-to-care-for. The biggest considerations for this beauty are light and the well-draining-soil requirements.
Growth Rate
The growth rate of a Philodendron Lemon Lime is fast, and it will grow to about 12-24″ tall and 10-12″ wide at a mature height.
Water
The watering frequency will vary based on the temperature and whether or not you’re able to hit the moderate-to-high humidity requirements in your home. But generally speaking, your Philodendron Lemon Lime prefers an evenly moist growing medium.
When 50% of the topsoil gets dry, it’s time to water the soil. If you’re new to the houseplant space, we should point out that the best place to water this plant is at the soil – not the leaves. Watering the leaves can cause fungus and diseases to appear.
Light
Philodendron Lemon Lime prefers bright indirect light. This is similar to what it experiences natively on the rainforest floors of Central and South America.
Placing this plant in any low-light room or bright indirect space works well in most situations. Honestly, most Philodendrons can stand to get a little more light than other bright-indirect-light-needing houseplants. You might try to put it in an bright east (or even south) facing window and see how it responds.
You’ll know your Lemon Lime Philodendron is getting too much light when its leaves burn or bleach. Loosley drooping leaves are a sign that your Lemon Lime isn’t getting enough light.
Drooping and brown leaves can be signs of too much or too little light, but they can also be caused by low fertility. See our section on fertilizer for more information on how to keep this plant happy.
Potting
Like most indoor plants, Philodendron plants prefer a well-draining pot made of either plastic, terracotta, or clay. Get a pot that has at least a single drainage hole. Another option is a self-watering planter, which helps your plant moderate the amount of water it’s taking in.
The reason drainage is so important is that, without it, you’re putting your Philodendron at risk of root rot, which is the primary killer of most houseplants.
When To Repot Philodendron Lemon Lime
As your Philodendron Lemon Lime develops, you should consider moving it to a larger pot on an as-needed basis. As a result of Sweetheart Vine’s fast growth, this happens every once every two years or so on average.
Always swap out the potting mix when repotting so the plant has access to new nutrients. This will help it adjust to the new pot faster and facilitate growth.
Potting Soil Options
A standard commercial potting soil is a good option for the Philodendron Lemon Lime. If you make your own, use houseplant soil and peat. Remember that you prefer an evenly moist growth medium, so your soil should support this.
The soil type should also support good drainage, which protects root rot and other diseases. This prolific grower prefers a well-draining soil or mix.
We suggest these potting mixes:
pH
You’ll need a soil pH of roughly 5.0 – 7.0 for this Lemon Lime Philodendron, which is neutral to acidic. If you’re concerned about pH, you can buy a simple internet pH test to examine your soil.
If you are concerned that the pH of your Philodendron Lemon Lime is too high or too low, you can add sulfur or aluminum sulfate to modify it.
Fertilizer
A water-soluble fertilizer is ideal for the Lemon Lime Philodendron. Eden Organic 100% All Natural Fertilizer, for example, would work. During the spring and summer months, feed the plant once a month.
In the colder months, you fertilize every other month – or not at all. Simulate the nutrients this vining plant would generally obtain from Central and South America. Read about this plant’s standard commercial potting soil requirements in the section above, as well, which is another consideration for the nutrients this Philodendron needs.
Propagating Philodendron hederaceum Lemon
It is possible to propagate a Lemon Lime Philodendron with the proper methods. Here are various techniques for propagating this bright light loving tropical houseplant.
Stem Cuttings In Soil
Stem tip cuttings in soil are one of the most convenient ways to propagate your Philodendron Lemon Lime.
The best times to take stem cuttings are in the spring or summer. Choose new growth for your cuts without any defects. Remove any leaves that will be going in the soil.
Push the stems gently in soil – I recommend starting them in small 4″ pots.
Keep the soil moist to maintain a high level of humidity around the cutting. Also, be sure to keep the space warm – at least around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, which encourages faster root development.
Stem Cuttings In Water
The best period to harvest stem cuttings is from spring or summer. Choose a healthy area of the plant, preferably new growth, for your cuttings. Choose a stem with no more than 2-3 nodes.
Place your Lemon Lime Philodendron stem in a bowl of lukewarm water and remove all but the top few leaves. Replace the cup every few days and keep it in a bright, indirect light source.
Place a humidifier near the Philodendron plant to boost the humidity surrounding the cutting. Similar to stem cuttings in soil, the space around the cutting should be at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Philodendron lemon lime đŸ”¥đŸ”¥đŸ”¥#houseplants #philodendron pic.twitter.com/9H8mvDQZMx
— Ross Lee (@RossleeGardener) October 1, 2019
Humidity
When considering humidity levels for your Philodendron Lemon Lime, keep in mind that you’re attempting to replicate the rainforest conditions of Central and South America.
This Philodendron is a stunning plant that prefers moderate-to-high humidity. If you want larger leaves, I recommend you can place them in a room with higher humidity. You should aim for at least 50% humidity in the space around the plant, but more is better.
If you’ve checked your humidity and discovered that it’s low – or could be better – and especially if you’ve noticed brown spots or brown edges, consider obtaining a humidifier or moving your plant to a naturally humid location.
Temperature
Warm temps are ideal for your Lemon Lime Philodendron plant, but it can also survive in temperatures ranging from 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
The needs for temperature and humidity are typically interwoven. Make a point of going through the humidity section as well.
Toxic
Unfortunately, the Sweetheart Vine is toxic to both pets (including cats and dogs) and humans. If consumed, you can expect the following symptoms: lips swelling, upset stomach, vomiting, allergic reaction to eyes, esophagus, and throat if ingested. Contact your veterinarian if a pet has ingested this plant.
My lemon/lime philodendron and she threw a strip at me pic.twitter.com/GrnKl0JShn
— TCMiniFarm (@farm_tc) February 14, 2021
Problems, Diseases, And Pests
The Lemon Lime Philodendron, like all plants, is prone to a few diseases, pests, and other problems. Here are some of the main dangers to look out for when growing this stunning houseplant.
Brown Leaf Tips
Brown leaf tips can indicate too much sunlight or not enough humidity. If your plant is in a south-facing window and experiencing brown leaf tips, you may pull it back slightly – or reposition it to another room. If you’re seeing brown tips, and you’ve got this plant in a north-facing window, it’s likely a humidity problem. Get a humidifier and place it next to the plant to improve this issue.
Drooping Leaves
Drooping leaves are likely a sign that your plant isn’t getting the light it needs. That said, mealybugs and a lack of fertilization can also cause this.
Root Rot Disease
Overwatering, inadequate drainage, or soil fungi can contribute to root rot, a plant disease. Like many other plant diseases, root rot is difficult to treat; thus, prevention is the best approach to avoid it.
I know I’ve said it a few times in this article, but root rot is a main killer of houseplants, so monitor watering carefully, and when in doubt, water slightly less than what is required
Fungus Gnats
Fungus gnats are incredibly common for indoor growers, as they’re easy to see and they can multiply fast.
What’s more, they eat organic matter in the soil, potting mix, and other container media. Their larvae also consume roots, fungi, and organic materials in the soil, which is terrible news for your Philodendron hederaceum Lemon.
Hydrogen peroxide destroys fungus gnat larvae on contact, making it a quick and easy way to get rid of them. Soak your Lemon Lime Philodendron’s soil is a mixture of four parts water and one part hydrogen peroxide.
Various products on the market target either the larva or adult phases, but either is fine. If you efficiently target one stage of their life cycle and reapply frequently, you should be able to kill these annoying plant flies in just a few weeks.
Spider Mites
Unfortunately, spider mites are common for indoor growers, and Lemon Lime Philodendron is particularly vulnerable. Spider mite damage appears on the Philodendron’s deep Lemon leaves as tiny brown or yellow patches. You will likely see webbing or notice that the undersides of your leaves are sticky.
Start by spraying down your Philodendron Lemon Lime with water from a sink nozzle to dislodge spider mites attached to the plant. Then take Neem oil mixed with water (an insecticidal soap works too) and spray it over the plant.
You should also spray the rest of your indoor plants as a preventative measure.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs may infest your Philodendron Lemon Lime. These tiny parasites damage your Philodendron by inserting a feeding tube into the plant tissues and sucking on the sap. Mealybugs can weaken or kill your Lemon Lime Philodendron.
To get rid of them, take a cotton swab, soak it in rubbing alcohol, and rub it over the heart-shaped leaves and stem. Another option is to use Neem oil mixed with water as a preventative spray.
Conclusion
With its trailing foliage in shades of bright yellow to chartreuse, Philodendron Lemon Lime is a stunning accent plant for your home. And if you follow our good care guide, you’ll be able to grow this Philodendron with no problems.
Do you have a Lemon Lime Philodendron? We want to see it! Please send pictures to [email protected], and we may promote them on our blog posts!