Neon Philodendron Care And Secret Tips – Ultimate Guide
Neon Philodendron Care: The Neon Philodendron ( Philodendron Cordatum ‘Neon’ is a beautiful vine-leaf plant that belongs to the Araceae family.
It is distinguished by its distinctive bright yellow-green colour and heart-shaped leaves. These are found hanging from pots or baskets. It is beautiful to behold, especially when it is kept on patios or balconies.
If you are looking for this particular plant, however, there may be others that look similar. These plants are often confused for one another and shops sometimes mislabel them.
You may end up with one or both of these plants when you buy your Neon Philodendron.
- Philodendron Lemon Lime (Philodendron hederaceum ‘Lemon Lime’)
- Neon Pothos
They are so similar, that the three of them have been passed on to each other. This doesn’t seem to matter to most owners, as they are all equally beautiful. Botanists are the only ones who care.
The Neon Philodendron, a Brazilian native, is tropical. It thrives in humid, warm conditions.
Because it is epiphytic, it prefers to be under shade trees. It is best to keep it out of direct sunlight.
Neon Philodendron Plant Care
Neon Philodendron Light Requirements
Neon Philodendron does best in medium, indirect light. Low light conditions can also be tolerated by the plant. However, it should be cautious with too much sun and direct light.
Too much sunlight can cause damage to the plant. This will cause the plant to lose its leaves. This will cause the leaves to turn brown and begin to bleach.
This is not like wilting leaves, which take longer to fix.
It is important to know where the sun is coming from and where it hits. Avoid contact with the leaves of the plant.
A north-facing or east-facing window is the best option indoors. You should keep the glass at least a foot away from the opening of the window in the former case.
Be careful of the windows facing the west and south, as they receive more intense afternoon sunlight. It is therefore a smart idea to protect these windows with some type of protection.
It will be happy in the partial shade outdoors. It can also tolerate severe shade without problems.
Temperature
Neon Philodendron thrives under tropical conditions. It can withstand moderate to hot temperatures. It is suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 9 through 11.
These areas will allow you to plant the plant outdoors in your garden or patio all year. It is best to store it in a container. You can either grow it indoors or outside in the warmer months.
Do not leave it outside if temperatures drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Your indoor Neon Philodendron thrives when the climate is maintained between 65 and 80 degrees.
The plant does not like extreme heat, just like the cold. It can tolerate higher heat than it can handle. It can tolerate heat up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, so even in hot summers, it is fine.
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Neon Philodendron Humidity
Neon Philodendron can also tolerate average humidity in the home, as long as it doesn’t drop below 40% frequently or for prolonged periods.
If you live in dry areas, such as hot summers, or deserts, you will need to mist your plant once a week or bath the plant in the sink to keep it happy.
If you do, your leaves will turn brown and become a bit crispy.
This can also happen in wintertime when the air is dry.
Your Neon Philodendron needs to have at least 60% humidity for the best growth.
How Often Do You Water Neon Philodendron?
Neon Philodendron enjoys moist soil. Avoid soggy or wet soil. Overwatering can cause the plant to become irritable. It will also develop root rot if it is left in water for too long.
It is best to let the soil dry completely before watering. It will be happy as long as it is not dry beyond 2 inches from the top and less than 50% of the soil.
If you forget to water your plant, it will let you know. You should water your plant if it starts to wilt or curl up.
These are the first signs of low moisture. If you don’t take care of your plants, they will eventually turn brown.
You can water your plant quickly if it isn’t getting enough water.
It is equally important to consider how you drink your water.
You want to water the soil slowly until it becomes saturated. To wet the entire plant, you don’t want water to come from above it. You don’t want to water it too quickly with lots and lots of water.
The goal is for the soil to absorb water and allow moisture to reach the roots.
After draining the water, let it dry completely before resetting it.
Soil for Neon Philodendron
Neon Philodendron thrives in moist, well-draining earth. It isn’t fussy about this.
You can either use 100% sphagnum moss, or a mixture of peat and vermiculite.
You can also use potting soil you have at home and add pumice or perlite to improve drainage.
Make sure that the soil has enough drainage when you are choosing your soil. This will avoid waterlogging and reduce the likelihood of your plant’s roots being submerged in water for extended periods.
Neon Philodendron Fertilizer
During its active growth period (spring/summer), Neon Philodendron requires fertilizer. You’ll generally need less fertilizer if the soil is richer.
Many growers use compost to improve soil quality.
Water-soluble fertilizer should be applied once per month in the spring and summer. Reduce the frequency to once per month in winter and fall.
You should not overfeed your plant. You might be tempted to give it more fertilizer to speed up its growth. Too much fertilizer can lead to more salt buildup in your soil. This can eventually cause damage to the roots and leaves of the plant.
You will likely notice that the leaves turn brown before this happens. This can be a sign that your plant is suffering from other issues, but it’s also a sign that you have overfertilized.
However, pale leaves can be caused by a lack of plant food or too bright or direct sun.
If you are picking up a plant from a nursery, be sure to inquire if the fertilizer has been added. What kind of fertilizer do they use.
Many times, plant food will be available in the shop. You don’t have to feed the plant for at least the first time.
It is important to determine how long the dose should last. Some may last for a few months. Others can last up to 6 months if they are using a slow-release fertilizer.
Neon Philodendron Pruning
Neon Philodendrons grow at a moderate rate. It will not need to be pruned often, as it grows at a medium pace.
You may need to reduce its size or shape. You can trim the stems and leaves when this happens. It doesn’t need to be hurt because it can do with some good pruning.
However, it is important not to overdo it.
Remember that the leaves of the plant allow for light to be collected and used for photosynthesis. It will be more difficult to produce enough food and energy to sustain optimal growth if there are not many leaves.
To encourage growth and make your plant bushier and fuller, you can trim the longest vines.
Last, take out any dead, damaged or discoloured leaves.
Neon Philodendron Propagation
Stem cuttings are the best way to increase your Neon Philodendron production at home.
It is best to do this in spring so that the new plant has plenty of time before it gets cold.
This is how to grow Neon Philodendron stem cuttings.
- Start by looking for healthy stems. Depending on how many you wish to propagate, you can choose one or more. Each cutting should have at least 2 to 3.
- Use a sterilized cutting tool to cut the 4 to 6-inch length. You can use scissors or a knife, or pruning shears.
- Place the stem in a small container filled with fresh potting soil.
- Alternatively, you can also propagate it in water by moving the cutting to the soil once it has roots.
- The pot should be placed in a warm, humid area that is well-lit. Avoid direct sunlight.
- The cutting will already have roots after 4 weeks.
- Keep the plant growing. When it has outgrown its container, repot it in a larger pot.
How to Repot Neon Philodendron
It is time to move your Neon Philodendron to a larger container once it has outgrown its current home. Although you could keep it there for a while, the plant will grow more quickly if it is kept in a tight space.
Spring or early fall is the best time to repot your plant. This will allow the plant to heal from the shock of being removed and allow it to grow again.
This is how to repot your Neon Philodendron.
- When roots start to emerge from the bottom drainage holes of your container, you should prepare a slightly larger container (2 in.) and some fresh, well-draining potting soil.
- A place to work is also necessary. It can get messy. If you are doing it at home, place the newspaper on the floor.
- Remove the plant carefully from its container.
- After you have removed the roots, inspect them and remove any soil. Make sure the roots are healthy. Cut off any mushy or black roots.
- The new container should be filled with soil up to 30% or 40%.
- The root ball should be placed in the soil. Next, fill the space with potting mixture.
- Water the soil.
- Restore the plant to its original location.
Toxicity
It is dangerous for children, dogs and cats of all ages to play with it.
Pests and Diseases
Regularly inspect your Neon Philodendron to ensure it is free of pests. The most common culprits are mealybugs, aphids, and spider mites.
However, diseases can also occur. These diseases include leaf spots and mold. Both are caused by overwatering.
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