Philodendron Golden Goddess vs Lemon Lime: Is There A Difference?

Houseplants are incredibly popular as they are an easy way to add color and variety to a home. There are different houseplants available and it’s important to choose the right one for you. So, what about philodendron golden goddess and lemon lime? Are they the same, or is there a difference between them? How do you take care of them? Keep reading to discover more!

What is the Difference Between Philodendron Golden Goddess and Lemon Lime?

There is no difference between philodendron golden goddess and lemon lime – they are simply two different names for the same plant. The philodendron golden goddess or lemon lime is a variety of the Philodendron hederaceum plant which is also known as the heartleaf philodendron. It is a member of the Araceae family group which is commonly known as the arum family. The arum family is a large group that is comprised of approximately 3,750 different species.

Philodendron hederaceum is a flowering plant that is native to the Caribbean and Central America where in its natural habitat it can grow to heights of between 10 and 20 feet. It is an evergreen climbing plant that is characterized by its glossy heart-shaped leaves. There are many different cultivars of Philodendron hederaceum and several are commonly grown as houseplants.

The golden goddess or lemon lime variety is known for its bright yellow-green foliage with its signature heart-shaped leaves. The leaves are usually 7 to 8 inches long with stems up to 12 inches long. As the stems grow, they often begin to gently cascade downwards, giving the plant a stunning, flowing appearance. As a potted houseplant, it usually reaches around 12 inches tall. However, if given sufficient space, it can easily reach heights of up to 6 feet. Although they rarely flower when grown indoors it is possible if they are kept under the right conditions. If they do flower then the flowers are typically fairly small and white.

What are the Benefits of Owning a Philodendron Golden Goddess and Lemon Lime Plant?

As an evergreen plant, the philodendron golden goddess or lemon lime variety maintains its leaves and its color all year round, meaning that there are no unsightly dead leaves to worry about. Of course, it’s not all about looking pretty. Did you know that keeping a philodendron golden goddess houseplant can be beneficial to you?

One of the main benefits of keeping this stunning plant is that it can help to improve the quality of the air inside your home. With its large, flowing leaves it is capable of absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide and other toxins from the air. This purifies the air in your home which can only be a good thing!

Not only that, but studies have found that having a houseplant in your home can significantly reduce stress and anxiety. However, care should always be taken with these plants around children and animals as the leaves contain calcium oxalate crystals which can be toxic.

How Long does Philodendron Golden Goddess/Lemon Lime Live?

If you’ve got a philodendron golden goddess or lemon lime houseplant, then you’re probably wondering how long they live, right? Philodendrons live longer when they are outside in their natural habitat where they have the space to grow and really thrive. In fact, it’s possible for some philodendrons to reach 100 years old when outside.

As houseplants, philodendrons have a much shorter lifespan. However, that’s not to say that they don’t live very long. In fact, as a houseplant varieties of Philodendron hederaceum are renowned for their hardiness and longevity. So long as you maintain your plant properly (more on that next), then it’s not uncommon for your philodendron golden goddess to live for 20 years or more!

Tips on how to Grow Philodendron Golden Goddess/Lemon Lime

If you’ve decided that a philodendron golden goddess/lemon lime is the right plant for you then you’ll be glad to know that they’re actually incredibly easy to grow and care for. It is a fast grower and requires plenty of sunlight. However, it should be indirect rather than the full sun which can scorch the leaves.

The soil should be well-draining and should be kept moist rather than saturated. A good way to check the moisture of the soil is to stick a finger in it and only water if the top layer (1 to 2 inches) is dry. As a general rule, this variety of philodendron is fairly resistant to drought. It can cope better with being underwatered than overwatered. Also, preventing the soil from becoming soggy is the most effective way of preventing root rot in any plant, not just philodendrons. Additionally, as the plant grows it might be necessary to repot it into a bigger container.

Although this plant is low maintenance, it is a fast grower which means that you may need to prune it sometimes. However, this depends on your own personal preferences as to what size you are happy for it to be. However, for the best results, trim the stems when necessary to control the size. But even better – you can propagate it using the stems you’ve trimmed off to grow new plants. All you need to do is first submerge the stems in water (making sure the leaves are kept above the water level). Then, just leave them in a place where they can get plenty of indirect sunlight for a few weeks until roots develop, at which point they are ready to be planted into soil again!

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Firn