When houseplants come to mind, people think of lush, dark green leaves. However, as for the Philodendron Moonlight plant, a member of the Araceae family, its leaves are naturally a yellow-green hue. It lives up to its botanical name with its fluorescent leaves.
The Central and South American-based plant’s cheerful coloring is one of the top reasons people choose this variety. Philodendron ‘Moonlight’ adds brightness to any dull, gloomy space. It also makes a statement with its large, oval, veiny leaves and bushy growth habit. Additionally, it can help cleanse airborne toxins out of your home, including formaldehyde.
Considering adding this unique variety to your home? Read over our guide.
Moonlight Philodendron Care
The good news is, Philodendrons in general are typically easy to care for. That goes the same for the Philodendron ‘Moonlight’ plant.
Let’s delve into the care requirements and preferences of this bright green houseplant.
Soil
Moonlight Philodendrons are not picky with their soil. However, avoid soil that has an alkaline pH. Also, aim for soil that is well-aerated and fast-draining.
Watering
The Moonlight plant is most happy when its soil is well-drained and moist yet not oversaturated.
Water your Moonlight houseplant when the top two inches of soil is completely dry. Water less during the cooler months.
Lighting
Moonlight plants enjoy a few hours of direct sunshine in the morning. As the day progresses, they prefer bright, indirect lighting.
Frequent, direct illumination can lead to burning of this Philodendron’s leaves. On the other hand, this variety can survive in low-lighting conditions but with cosmetic consequences. A lack of sun can cause their leaves to stay small and their stems to become leggy.
Place them in an east- or north-facing window to best accommodate their lighting needs.
Humidity & Temperature
Moonlight Philodendrons love high humidity. However, they also thrive in low-humidity environments.
Temperatures between 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit are most ideal for this houseplant.
Fertilizing
Fertilize your Philodendron Moonlight once a month during the warmer months. Ideally, use an organic fertilizer.
Propagation
Moonlight plants can be easily propagated via stem cutting or via offsets.
If propagating via a stem cutting, place in a vase or jar of water. Roots should emerge within a few weeks and can then be planted in soil. Offsets already have a root system. That said, simply place it in its own pot with soil.
Diseases & Pests
Because of their ease of care, there aren’t many common diseases your Moonlight houseplant could encounter. However, there are a few. Overwatering your plant can lead to root rot. And improper watering in general can lead to leaf spot diseases.
As for pests, be on the lookout for scale, mealybugs, trips, and spider mites. The latter usually appear due to overwatering, using a contaminated soil or pot, or over-fertilizing.
Toxicity
Because the foliage and stems of this Philodendron variety contains calcium oxalate, it’s toxic to humans and pets.
Ingesting parts of the Moonlight Philodendron can lead to swelling of the mouth, an irritated stomach, and/or vomiting. The juices of the plant may also cause skin irritation.
Moonlight Philodendron Flower
When mature, the Philodendron Moonlight will flower in the warmer months. Expect it to develop cream and burgundy-colored spathes.
Luckily, Moonlights will bloom indoors. With a month-long bloom time, you can enjoy their flowers for weeks to come. Lack of blooming can indicate improper conditions or poor care of your plant.
Philodendron Moonlight Variegated
There is a variegated version of the Philodendron Moonlight featuring color-mutated foliage. This newer, Thailand-based hybrid features similar care of non-variegated Moonlight plants.
However, variegated Moonlight plants are more difficult to find for sale. Additionally, they tend to cost more.
Philodendron Moonlight vs Prince of Orange
The Philodendron Moonlight and Philodendron Prince of Orange have similar sizes, growth habits, and leaf shapes.
The color of their foliage is one of their most obvious differences. Moonlight leaves are a bright, yellowish-green color. Prince of Orange plants, hence their name, feature copper-toned leaves. As the Prince of Orange’s leaves mature, they eventually turn a darker green.
Moonlight Philodendron vs Lemon Lime
Moonlight Philodendrons and Lemon Lime Philodendrons both feature a lime-green color. However, they have their differences.
The Lemon Lime variety has vine-like growth, smaller leaves, and duller-colored foliage. Their leaves are also more heart-shaped as opposed to the oval shape of the Moonlight. Moonlights grow bushy yet upright, feature longer and wider leaves, and are quite neon in color.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are both climbers and non-climber varieties of Philodendrons. Unlike the Lemon Lime Philodendron, for instance, the Moonlight Philodendron is not a climber. Rather than featuring long, vine-like stems, the plant grows like a shrub. It thrives best when in a regular pot versus a hanging basket.
Since this variety isn’t a creeper, it won’t grow as large as some other Philodendron varieties. Ultimately, the Philodendron ‘Moonlight’ reaches approximately a meter in both height and width when mature. It grows fast, so expect to transplant it into a larger pot soon.
The price of a Philodendron ‘Moonlight’ depends on many factors. For instance, the size of the plant, the type of pot, and how large the pot is can affect how much your plant will cost. On average, you can expect to pay around $10 to $12 for a Moonlight in a 4″ pot. More mature plants will cost more.
Conclusion
When kept away from children and pets, the Moonlight Philodendron makes a great addition to a home. Its bright leaves can add a quick pop of color to any interior design. Best of all, its virtually trouble-free maintenance makes it suitable for beginner gardeners.