Lemon Lime Philodendron’s a hit among houseplants for its compact size and attractive foliage. It’s awesome to have indoors and doesn’t take much work to keep happy. In this guide, we’ll chat about how much sun it needs, where to put it, how much to water it, the perfect room temp, how to keep the air just right, what soil to use, when to feed it, its growth quirks, how to pot and repot, and when to trim it back. Plus, we’ll share how you can have your Philodendron Lemon Lime looking awesome in no time! So let’s dive in and discover everything about this cool plant– let’s get growing!
Philodendron Lemon Lime care overview
Botanical Name | Philodendron hederaceum Lemon |
Common Name | Philodendron lemon lime |
Family | Araceae |
Genus | Philodendron |
Mature Size | Up to 24 inches tall |
Soil Type | Well-draining airy soil |
Soil pH | 6.4 to 7.3 (mildly acidic to neutral) |
Native Area | Central to South America |
Temperature | 65 to 80°F |
Light | Bright, indirect light |
Watering | Moderate |
Humidity | 60-80% |
Fertilizer |
A balanced feed once a month in spring and summer
|
Propagation | Root in water or soil |
Toxicity | Toxic to humans and toxic to pets when ingested |
How to care for Lemon Lime philodendron?
The Lemon Lime Philodendron’s a looker and super easy to keep alive. It’s okay with dim light and grows pretty fast, making it a top pick for those who want some leafy vibes at home but aren’t plant experts. Here’s how you can make your Lemon Lime Philodendron happy:
Light Requirements
The Lemon Lime Philodendron loves the tropics and needs bright but indirect light to grow best. Here’s how to get the light just right for your plant:
- Bright, indirect light: Your plant needs bright but not direct light to grow. Too much sun can damage its leaves, so pop it near a window with soft sunlight or in a spot outside with some shade.
- 75-80% exposure: Aim for light exposure of 75% to 80% during the day. You can do this by putting it near a window with morning or afternoon sun, or by using grow lights.
- Avoid direct sunlight: Direct sun can damage the plant’s leaves, so keep it out of reach from windows facing south or anywhere with direct sun.
- Observe the leaves: If your plant’s leaves are turning brown or yellow, it might be getting too much sun. Move it somewhere with less light and watch for changes.
- Rotate the plant: Make sure all sides of the plant get enough light by turning it every few weeks.
Keep in mind, your Lemon Lime Philodendron’s light needs might change based on the light in your house, so keep an eye on it and change things up if needed. With the right light, your Lemon Lime Philodendron will look lush and lively.
Soil
For optimum growth, the soil used for a philodendron lemon lime should have some organic material to provide nutrition. A shop-bought potting mix with perlite and/or vermiculite thrown in for better water flow is a good choice.
You can also add peat moss to help with airflow and keep water in the soil. Make sure the soil is damp but not soaked, as the roots can rot if they sit in water for too long. The soil should have a pH between 5 and 6.5 for the best growth.
Fertilizer it some plant food every two weeks when it’s growing season will also help it grow well. With the right soil and care, your Lemon Lime Philodendron will thrive indoors. Soil is key to your plant’s growth, so make sure you get it right.
Watering
When it comes to watering Philodendron Lemon Lime, the most important thing is to make sure that the soil is moist but not soggy. Water the plant when the top one or two inches of soil are dry; this usually means once a week in cooler temperatures and twice a week during warmer months.
Avoid drowning it, as this can cause root rot. Give it a good drink so water comes out of the bottom of the pot, and let it drain fully before taking it out of its drip tray.
You can use a moisture meter to check how wet the soil is if you’re not sure. If it’s really hot out, you might need to water it more to keep the soil moist. Warm water’s best for your Lemon Lime Philodendron to keep it happy and healthy.
Temperature
Lemon Lime Philodendron plants love it warm and humid with daytime temps between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t let it get chillier than 55 degrees Fahrenheit at night; otherwise, you might hurt the plant.
If the temperature jumps around too much outside these limits, it could stress out the plant and make it more prone to sickness and bugs. So, keep a check on your home or garden’s temperature. Giving your Philodendron Lemon Lime the right heat can help it grow healthy and strong.
Humidity
Philodendron Lemon Lime is a jungle plant that needs plenty of humidity to grow well. The perfect humidity level should be between 60-80% for the plant to grow and stay healthy. Here’s how to keep your Lemon Lime Philodendron’s air just right:
- Use a humidifier: The simplest way to boost humidity around your Lemon Lime Philodendron is by using a humidifier. Set it to 60-80% humidity and pop it near the plant.
- Grouping plants together: Putting your Lemon Lime Philodendron with other houseplants can create a mini climate that keeps moisture in the air, raising humidity.
- Mist the leaves: Regularly spraying the leaves of your Lemon Lime Philodendron with water can help keep the air around the plant humid.
- Use a pebble tray: Putting a tray filled with pebbles and water under the plant pot can make a humid mini climate. The water in the tray evaporates, making the air around the plant moist.
- Keep the soil moist: Keeping the soil damp can also help make the air around the plant more humid. But watch out not to waterlog your Lemon Lime Philodendron because that could cause root rot.
Avoid dry air or cold drafts as they can dry out the plant and damage the leaves. With the right humidity, your Lemon Lime Philodendron will grow lush and lively.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer your Lemon Lime Philodendron is important. A liquid houseplant feed with an equal 10-10-10 mix is the best choice for this plant. When Fertilizer, half the strength the bottle says and spread it over the soil just after watering. Feed it once a month in spring and summer, then take a break in fall and winter.
If you spot salt buildup on the soil, it might hurt your plant. If you see any salt, take the plant to the sink and run water through the soil for around 10 minutes to rinse out the feed.
Repotting
Repotting a Lemon Lime Philodendron is a piece of cake and can help it grow healthier. You should repot once a year in spring when the new growth starts. When you do, use a bigger pot than the last one for more room for roots and soil. A pot with drainage holes is a must, and the potting mix should drain well.
Repot when the plant isn’t growing or blooming, so you don’t shock the roots and slow growth. After you repot, water it a lot and keep it in bright but indirect light for the best growth.
Pruning
Pruning is a crucial part of caring for a Philodendron Lemon Lime as it helps keep the plant in shape and encourages it to grow healthy. Here’s how to trim your Philodendron Lemon Lime:
- Ditch dead or yellow leaves: Take off any dead, yellow, or beat-up leaves from the plant. This helps push new growth and stops diseases spreading.
- Snip long stems: If your Philodendron Lemon Lime has long, spindly stems, you can chop them back to get a bushier plant.
- Cut overgrown vines: If your Philodendron Lemon Lime’s got vines that are too long, you can snip them back to the length you want. Just make sure to cut right above a leaf node to push new growth.
- Use clean and sharp gear: Use clean, sharp pruning shears or scissors to keep from hurting the plant or spreading diseases.
- Prune in spring or summer: Best time to prune your Philodendron Lemon Lime is spring or summer when it’s growing strong. Avoid trimming in fall or winter because it could slow down growth and make the plant more likely to get damaged.
Only remove up to 1/3 of the plant’s leaves at once to stop it from getting stressed. With the right pruning tricks and timing, your Philodendron Lemon Lime can stay lush and lively for years.
Related: Philodendron cordatum Care And Grow: The Ultimate Guide
Philodendron Lemon Lime Propagation
You can make new plants from your existing one in either water or soil, depending on what you like.
- For water propagation, start by cutting a 4-6 inch piece of stem from your plant with a sharp knife. Then, strip any leaves from the bottom part of the stem and pop it in a container with water. Change the water every few days to keep it clean. In a few weeks, you’ll see roots growing at the bottom of your cutting. Once they get to an inch or two long, you can gently move them into soil and give them room to keep growing.
- For soil propagation, take a cutting of your plant and remove any leaves from the bottom part of the stem. Then, fill a pot with well-draining soil and stick your cutting in at an angle. Water it regularly until roots grow and then give it plenty of bright, indirect light to encourage growth. In a few weeks, you should see new leaves popping out of your cutting.
No matter which way you go, with a bit of time and patience, you’ll have new, healthy Philodendron Lemon Lime plants before you know it!
Philodendron Lemon Lime Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Philodendron Lemon Lime plants are usually pretty pest-free, but a few common bugs can give them trouble. Spider mites, mealybugs, and fungus gnats can all bother your plant if not stopped.
To keep bugs from settling in, it’s important to check your Philodendron’s leaves often for any signs of pests. If you see any bugs, wipe them off right away with a damp cloth or use a bug-killing product.
Also, keeping your home or garden clean by removing dead leaves and rubbish can help keep bugs away.
Root rot is another problem that can happen if the soil gets too wet. If leaves start turning yellow, stems get mushy, and roots look black and smell bad, then it’s likely root rot’s set in. If this happens, take the plant out of its pot and cut off all the sick parts. Clean the pot before putting it back in fresh soil.
Leaf spot is a fungal or bacterial sickness that can also hit Philodendron Lemon Lime plants. This illness makes spots show up on the leaves and can kill the leaf if not treated fast. Fungicides and bactericides can help stop this disease spreading. Check your plant often for bugs and diseases, and do something about it if needed.
Lemon Lime philodendron Care Common Problems
Philodendron Lemon Lime is a relatively easy plant to care for, but like all plants, it can run into a few hiccups. Here are some usual problems and fixes for taking care of Philodendron Lemon Lime:
- Yellowing leaves: Yellow leaves could mean you’re watering too much or too little. Check how damp the soil is and tweak your watering to match. Feeding it too much can also cause yellow leaves, so don’t go overboard with the fertilizer.
- Brown tips on leaves: Brown tips might be because the air’s too dry or there’s too much direct sun. Up the humidity and shift the plant out of the direct sun.
- Root rot: Root rot comes from overwatering and can make the plant wilt or even kick the bucket. If you think it’s got root rot, take the plant out of its pot and check the roots. If they’re brown and squishy, cut them back and repot the plant in fresh soil.
- Pests: Mealybugs and spider mites are usual pests that can bother Philodendron Lemon Lime. Clean the leaves with a damp cloth or use a bug-killing soap to control the bugs.
- Leggy growth: Leggy growth might be from not enough light or bad pruning habits. Make sure the plant’s getting enough light and trim back any long, spindly stems to get a bushier plant.
Always keep an eye on your Philodendron Lemon Lime for any signs of trouble and jump in right away to stop any more harm. With good care and attention, your Philodendron Lemon Lime can flourish and make your home more beautiful.
FAQ about Philodendron Lemon Lime care
Why is my lemon lime philodendron not growing?
If your lemon lime philodendron isn’t growing, it could be for a few reasons. The usual culprit is not enough light or watering it wrong. Make sure the plant gets at least 8 hours of light every day and that you’re giving it the right amount of water. Also, check if the soil drains well and lets the roots breathe. If the pot is too small, think about moving it to a bigger pot with fresh soil and fertilizer to help it grow. Lastly, make sure you’re not feeding it too much or too little. Too much food can burn its roots and stunt growth. If none of these fixes work, consider getting a pro to help. They can figure out the main issue and give advice for the best way to care for philodendron lemon lime.
Is Philodendron Lemon Lime a climber?
Yep, Philodendron Lemon Lime is a climber. It has long, trailing stems and air roots that it uses to stick to trees or other surfaces.
Conclusion
All in all, taking care of Philodendron Lemon Lime isn’t too tricky but getting the right habits can make a big difference to the health and overall look of this lush houseplant. By making sure it gets the right amount of light, airy potting soil and regular watering, temperature, humidity and fertilizer, you can keep your philodendron healthy and looking its best. With any luck you shouldn’t be bugged by pests or plant diseases, while making more plants and trimming are easy activities that will help in the continuing success of your philodendron.
If you ever run into any trouble – like watering it too much or too little – there are fixes to usual problems that one may face when taking care of this awesome houseplant. Check out our post on FAQs related to Philodendron Lemon Lime care if you have any questions or concerns about its health! So, what are you waiting for? Go treat your beautiful Philodendron Lemon Lime to a pamper session today – it deserves it!
In conclusion, looking after Philodendron Lemon Lime isn’t too tough but picking up the right habits can make a big difference to the health and overall look of this lush houseplant. Correct watering, light needs, soil nutrition, temperature, humidity, and other factors are all key parts that when done right will create a healthy and well-rounded environment for your Philodendron Lemon Lime.
You should be checking your plant regularly to catch any usual pests or plant diseases that may show up, as well as being aware of any trimming that needs to happen because of overcrowding.
Lastly, don’t forget to repot your plant when needed since its roots need space to grow! All these tips can help you grow a happy and healthy Philodendron Lemon Lime for years to come. Plant owners with experience for Philodendron Lemon Lime should remember the tips mentioned here for future reference. If you have more questions about caring for lemon lime philodendron plants, please visit Famiplants website or get in touch with us directly. We’re always happy to help both experienced and newbie gardeners alike!