Neon Philodendron: Best Grow & Care Guide

Neon Philodendron is a tropical plant endemic to southern Brazil, so it flourishes in hot, humid environments.

While it may be cultivated outside, it is usually always seen in houses, workplaces, or retail malls. Take this article and make your care schedules easier. 

Neon Philodendron Overview

Neon Philodendrons can filter gaseous pollutants from the air; this Philodendron is especially well-suited to indoor situations.

Neon Philodendron Grow and Care Guide

The Neon Philodendron is an evergreen epiphyte that gets water and nutrients from the atmosphere and adjacent droppings, making your care duty effortless. 

1. Sunlight & Temperature 

Being a tropical plant, Neon Philodendrons grows in USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11. 

Remember that Philodendrons are forest-dwelling plants that thrive in areas with shade and indirect sunshine.

Neon Philodendrons with golden lime leaves can tolerate lower light than other family members, but they reward with more gorgeous rose-gold young leaves in brighter light.

Usually, Neon Philodendrons require 6-8 indirect bright sunlight and 12 hours of artificial light in the absence of sunlight. 

The plant may be exposed to too much light if multiple leaves turn yellow simultaneously.

So, use sheer curtains or grow the plant under big trees.  Also, you should avoid temperatures lower than 55°F and higher than 90°F.

High temperatures harm Neon Philodendrons causing browning and leaf burns.

So, keep the plants away from drafts and hot heaters. If possible, use the shade of trees to reduce the warmth.

• Use an upturned bucket or flower container to protect your Neon Philodendron during freezing weather.
• Cover it with an oversized fabric piece, frost cloths, or fleece coverings if it’s too big.

2. Water & Humidity

Leaves fall early, young and old, and buds do not open, along with the tip of the leaf becoming brown.

Your plant’s leaves may feel dry and crispy to the touch if you give it too little water, while too much water will result in mushy and limp leaves.

Use distilled, rain, or aquarium water to water the Philodendron Neon if possible. Allow the soil’s top inch (2.5 cm) to dry out between waterings.

That being said, Neon Philodendron can tolerate ordinary household humidity if it does not go below 40% for long periods. Higher humidity, on the other hand, stimulates bigger leaves.

Although the Neon Philodendron is a trailing plant, it may grow aerial roots and climb on wood, walls, and other surfaces.

This will most likely happen if there is a lot of humidity in the air. In the absence of required humidity, the leaves develop crispiness and brown.

Place the plant in the bathroom and kitchen if the indoor setting lacks humidity. Take a pebble tray as an alternative if dry conditions persist.

Group the houseplants or mist the plant; alternatively, use a humidifier.

5. Soil & Fertilizer

The optimum soil for Neon Philodendrons is a wet, well-draining soil.

Neon Philodendrons, like other Philodendrons, thrive in slightly acidic soil of pH ranging from 4.5 to 6.

To obtain the optimum mix, 30% soil, 20% peat, 40% orchid bark with charcoal, 10% perlite, and a thin covering of finely shredded sphagnum moss stirs up best.

Note: If you overwater your plants, you may always add extra perlite. It will allow water to pass through the soil, preventing it from becoming mushy and clogged.

Or use Philodendron Houseplant Potting Soil if you need a commercial mix. 

If you want your plant to grow quickly, sprinkle a diluted houseplant fertilizer every month.

You should prioritize using organic fertilizers since they are mild and reduce the risk of fertilizer burn.

However, do not overfeed the plant. Too much fertilizer will increase salt accumulation in the soil, harming the plant’s shoot system.

Here are some fertilizers with adequate strength which helps spread slender, luminescent vines: Florikan Time Release Fertilizer, Purived Liquid Fertilizer, Indoor Plant Food, All-Purpose Organic Plant Food

4. Potting and Repotting

You should plant a Philodendron in a slightly bigger container than its root ball and has plenty of drainage holes.

After some time, Philodendrons outgrow with roots poking out or root bound, requiring repoting.

Neon Philodendrons require every two to three years or when they become root-bound in the spring or early fall.

• Remove your plant from its old container and carefully set it in the new one, with fresh dirt at the bottom and around the borders.
• Pick a potting vessel 2 “-4” bigger than previous pots in diameter to accommodate growth. 
• Your pot should have drainage holes to ensure the soil is kept in its place and water passes along.
• After that, give the plant plenty of water.

5. Regular Pruning 

Cutting down your Philodendron Neon plants is good if they take up too much room or appear tall and lanky.

To remove the fading leaves and manage the spindly growth, you may safely give your Neon Philodendron a modest trim any time of year.

This helps reduce plant problems, including yellowing and browning leaves of the Philodendron Neon. 

This plant is prone to pests, including Spider Mites, Aphids, and Mealybugs. Use insecticidal soaps and neem oil to remove the pests. 

Apart from insects, your Neon Philodendron is also susceptible to bacterial and fungus infestation, which results in leaf spot disease, mold, and root rot.

Use fungicides, like Bonide Copper Fungicide or spray sulfur and baking soda water to treat these diseases. 

Eventually, Philodendron Neon needs pruning annually in the growing seasons, i.e., spring and summer. 

• Remove any stems that are leggy or have a lot of yellowing or dead leaves, as well as the longest, oldest stems.
• Use scissors, pruning shears, or fingernails to make smooth rather than jagged cuts.
• Lanky trails should be cut just after a node. 
• Always prune or pinch growth immediately above a leaf node (the place on a stem where a new leaf or stem emerges). You’ll end up with many unattractive stubs if you don’t.

Neon Philodendron: All About Growth Rate

Under warmer conditions, the root system of Neon Philodendron grows in 2-3 weeks. These roots are aerial, which climb, and the vine rapidly around the tree’s bark in the wild.

The new stem develops every 2-3 months. The leaves, however, take a comparatively shorter time to grow.

The matured vines of Philodendron Cordatum Neon can grow up to 6 and 10 feet in length and up to 2 feet in breadth indoors. On the other hand, they stroll up to 50 feet in a tree in the wild.

Unlike some species of Philodendrons Cordatum Neon doesn’t produce flowers indoors. However, it produces lovely pearl white flowers when it blooms in the winter.

The individual foliage of the plant measures 3-6 inches in diameter. Its leaf is the primary component of attraction which is heart-shaped and Chartreuse-yellow.

The Philodendron Neon has a growth spike in the summer and then slows down in the winter or when kept in the shade. Its leaves will turn black if the weather is chilly.

Toxicity of Neon Philodendron

The most significant disadvantage of every Philodendron is that they are poisonous.

Neon Philodendron as well is toxic as it possesses amorphous calcium oxalates. The following symptoms can be seen when ingested by pets and even humans:

• Irritation of the mouth, tongue, and lips and discomfort and swelling.
• Excessive drooling
• Vomiting and difficulty in swallowing

Although it is improbable, the consumption of the plant in excess amounts can be fatal. Therefore, it’s best to keep the plant safe from pets and children and take necessary precautions.

If the chemical was swallowed, offer water or milk immediately unless a provider tells you otherwise.

Or if the individual has difficulty swallowing with symptoms such as vomiting, seizures, or a decreased degree of alertness, DO NOT offer water or milk.

The best thing to do is to take professional help.

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, 888-426-4435
• Pet Poison Helpline, 855-764-7661

Neon Philodendron Propagation 

Since Neon Philodendron does not flower, propagation through seeds is not possible. So, stem cutting is much easier and faster. 

Steps to Propagate Neon Philodendron from Stem Cuttings:

• Cut 4 to 6 inches of the stem nodes intact using a sterile cutting instrument. Ensure each cutting contains at least two to three leaves and respective nodes.
• Plant the stem cutting in a small container with new potting soil. Alternatively, you may grow it in water and then transplant the cutting to the soil after it has established roots.
• You should make sure that the soil covers all individual notes. Similarly, if you are using water, the nodes should be submerged.
• Place the pot in a well-lit, warm, humid environment; but out of direct sunshine.
• Like seed propagation, cover it with a plastic bag to enhance humidity. But remember to unzip it and air it out every few days.

The cutting will form some roots after four weeks. Allow the plant to continue to grow. Repot it to a larger container when it outgrows its current one.

Where to Buy Neon Philodendron?

Some of the e-commerce sites are shown below:

FAQs about Neon Philodendron

Is Neon philodendron the same as Lemon Lime?

NO!! But those two are so similar that they’re frequently mistaken for one another.

Although, most owners don’t seem to mind because they’re both equally attractive and share similar needs and requirements. Both of the plants being from the tropics, have similar characteristics likewise.

How to Differentiate between Neon Pothos and Neon Philodendron?

The fundamental distinction between Neon Pothos and Neon Philodendrons is their leaf form.

Both plants have heart-shaped leaves. The leaves are thinner and have a little softer touch in Philodendron Neon whereas, they are often bigger and thicker in Neon Pothos.

How can I train my Neon Philodendron to climb up a stake or trellis?

Wrap the plant around the post or trellis and weave it up. If necessary, knot it with thread or bind wire, but don’t tie it too tightly.

The formation of aerial roots along the vine that will link the plant to the stake or trellis increases as the humidity in the air rises. You can remove the thread if the plant grows higher.