Why are my leaves turning yellow?

This is usually a sign of overwatering or poor drainage.

How often should I water it?

Water when the top 2 to 3 centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch.

Plant guide

Neon Philodendron.

Philodendron hederaceum

Pronounced fil-oh-DEN-dron hed-er-AY-see-um

Also known as Vilevine, heart-leaf philodendron, heartleaf philodendron

heart-leaf philodendron — Photo by Marci Howdyshell (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The Neon Philodendron is a vibrant, vining houseplant known for its striking chartreuse foliage. It is a popular choice for hanging baskets or trailing down shelves. This plant is quite adaptable and thrives in most indoor environments.

Another photo of Neon Philodendron — Photo by Brittany Savoie (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Tropical vine
Light: Bright indirect light is best for maintaining color.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 10 days
Mature size: Up to 2 meters long
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 11 to 12
Bloom time: Rarely blooms indoors, but occasionally in late spring.

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root issues. Watch for drooping leaves which often signal a need for water. Provide bright, indirect light to maintain the intense neon color of the leaves.

Watering: Water when the top 3 centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back long stems to encourage a bushier appearance.
Repotting: Repot when the roots begin to circle the bottom of the container.
Soil: Well draining peat based potting mix
Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5
Temperature: 15 to 27°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years indoors.
Deer and rabbits: Low

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Growth slowing down significantly during the active season.

Safety

People: The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause irritation to the mouth, tongue, and throat if chewed or swallowed.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of children, as the leaves are toxic and pose a choking and irritation hazard if ingested.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause mild skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no notable respiratory allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is toxic if ingested and should never be consumed by humans or pets.

How to identify it

Heart shaped leaves
Bright neon yellow green color
Trailing vining growth habit
Smooth leaf texture

Height: 1 to 3m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: dark green, lime green, evergreen
Flowers: white, green, 5 to 10cm

Problems to watch for

Brown Leaf EdgesCommon
Fungus GnatsCommon
Root RotCommon
Spider MitesCommon
Leaf DropUncommon
MealybugsUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon
ThripsUncommon

By symptom

Check your neon philodendron from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, division
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Keep the plant away from cold drafts and heating vents during winter. Reduce watering slightly as growth slows down in cooler months.
In containers: It grows very well in containers and hanging baskets, requiring a minimum pot size of 4 to 6 inches for young plants.

Stem cuttings in water

1. Snip a 4 to 6 inch stem cutting just below a leaf node.
2. Remove the lower leaves so no foliage sits in the water.
3. Place the cutting in a jar of water in bright, indirect light.
4. Change the water weekly until roots are 2 inches long.
5. Pot the rooted cutting into fresh, well draining soil.

Group plants with similar water needs together to make maintenance easier.

Grows well with

Peace Lily — They share similar light and moisture requirements.
Snake Plant — It adds a contrasting vertical structure to the trailing philodendron.

Similar species

Pothos — It has a similar trailing habit but thicker, waxy leaves.
Satin Pothos — It features similar heart shaped leaves but with silver variegation.

Science

Family: Araceae
Genus: Philodendron
Order: Alismatales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Central and South America, Caribbean.
Conservation: Not of conservation concern as it is widely cultivated and common in its native range.

In the wild, it grows as an epiphyte or climber in the understory of tropical rainforests, utilizing trees for support to reach better light.

Uses: indoor decor, hanging baskets, air purification

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 3/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 4/9
Salinity: 2/9
Temperature: 8/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my leaves turning yellow?: This is usually a sign of overwatering or poor drainage.
How often should I water it?: Water when the top 2 to 3 centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch.

Where the name comes from

The name Philodendron comes from the Greek words philo, meaning love, and dendron, meaning tree, referring to its climbing habit. The species name hederaceum means ivy-like, describing its trailing growth.

Good to know

It is commonly called the heartleaf philodendron due to its leaf shape.
It can grow as a trailing vine or climb if given a moss pole.
It is one of the easiest plants to propagate in water.
The plant is native to the tropical Americas and the Caribbean.
It was once classified under the genus Pothos, but it is not related.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Keep your neon philodendron growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.