Want to add a vibrant color shade to your living room or home garden? Getting a pot of Philodendron golden goddess or lemon-lime can give you that desired touch. But these two exotic plants look so alike that you might think they are the same. This is why many plant growers easily confuse them.
However, looking deeply at both plants can help you easily tell them apart. In this article, we will compare Philodendron golden goddess vs. lemon-lime. So, read on to get a closer look at the similarities and differences between both beautiful plants.
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What is a Philodendron Golden Goddess?
The philodendron golden goddess belongs to the Araceae family. It is a hybrid plant created in Thailand. Golden Goddess is a climbing plant that can grow indoors and outdoors. This plant is famous for its vibrant yellowish or chartreuse color.
As this house plant grows, its climbing abilities improve. A grown golden goddess climbs up to 2 meters.
To grow a golden goddess properly, you will need a bright environment without full exposure to direct sunlight. Its foliage will thrive with relative humidity and moderate watering.
Under these circumstances, you can see its beautiful leaves grow more prominent. The leaves, roots, and the whole plant of Golden Goddess are considered toxic. As a result, it is not safe to keep near your pets.
In addition to its lovely golden foliage, this plant is not demanding in terms of care. With minimum care, you can enjoy this exotic tropical houseplant. This plant does a great job growing both indoors and outdoors. However, it must be left in the outdoor area if you want to see its amazing flowers.
What is a Dracaena Lemon Lime?
Lemon-lime, or Dracaena lemon-lime, is an exotic houseplant. It is a member of the Asparagaceae or asparagus family. The plant’s name describes its outside appearance, as its leaves have a combination of lemony (yellowish) and limey (greenish) color shades.
Lemon lime is an excellent selection for an indoor garden. A mature plant can reach up to 2.1 meters tall when kept indoors. However, this plant can reach more than 6 meters tall in an outdoor atmosphere.
If you do not prefer such heights, you can prune and trim the plant to keep things under control. Keep in mind that this plant is not safe for your furry friends. It is poisonous and can cause stomach problems for them.
This plant is also famous for being a natural air purifier. It works as a natural filter for clearing the atmosphere of toxins in the air, including formaldehyde. So, you can depend on this plant to improve indoor air quality.
Differences between Philodendron Golden Goddess and Dracaena Lemon lime
There are many factors to consider when comparing Philodendron golden goddess vs. lemon-lime. Despite the presence of some minor outside similarities between the Philodendron golden goddess and Lemon Lime, they share far more differences.
The colors of the leaves might trick you into believing they are just two names for the same plants. Also, similar care and growing conditions can lead some people to confuse the two plants. But by taking an in-depth look at both beautiful houseplants, you can uncover their many differences.
1. Origin
Both plants come from entirely different plant families. The philodendron golden goddess comes from the Araceae family, while lemon lime comes from the Asparagaceae family. The family of the first plant does not feature edible plants, while the Asparagaceae features a few edible members.
As for the native areas, both grow in different countries. The Golden Goddess is native to parts of Asia, such as Thailand and Malaysia. Also, this hybrid plant is cultivated in Central and South America in addition to the Caribbean Islands.
On the other hand, Dracaena lemon-lime grows naturally in tropical parts of Africa, such as Angola and Mozambique.
2. Leaves
A deep look into the leaves can help you easily identify each plant. The leaves of the lemon-lime tend to be tall and not very large in width. They look like a sword, too, with their sharp, thin edges. The leaves are famous for their lovely yellowish and greenish stripes.
On the other hand, the golden goddess’s leaves are known for their yellowish or golden color. However, a very young plant features a light green color. Typically, they turn golden as the plant heads toward maturity.
As for their shape, they are relatively broader and shorter than lemon-lime. The Philodendron leaves look like a heart drawing or have the form of an oblong paddle.
3. Variegation
Dracaena lemon lime is, by nature, variegated. Its leaves feature both shades of yellow and green. This is not the case with the Philodendron golden goddess; the leaves have their famous golden, yellowish color. This plant does not show any sort of variegation at any stage of the plant’s life.
4. Climbing
The Golden Goddess is a natural climber. It can show a moderate growth rate until you provide a moss pole. Once the plant is supported correctly, it will grow pretty fast and might exceed two meters. Also, the plant will use its trunks to climb if it is kept around trees.
Lemon-lime, on the other hand, is not a climber. It only features a vertical growth pattern. With such a pattern, the plant stands out from the rest of its fellow plants.
5. Hardiness zones
Both plants grow naturally on different continents. So typically, the hardiness zone won’t be the same for both. The Philodendron golden goddess thrives ideally in a US hardiness zone of 9 and 10. As for the lemon-lime, it needs a US Hardiness Zone that ranges between 10 and 12.
6. Temperature and Humidity
Temperature and humidity needs for both plants can be slightly different. Both plants need a warm and humid atmosphere. However, the difference lies in the range.
For instance, the lemon-lime plant thrives between 21 and 24 degrees Celsius (70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit). As for the Golden Goddess, it needs an average of 18 to 24 degrees.
When it comes to humidity, Golden Goddess needs humidity levels exceeding 50%. This is why you can use a humidifier to increase the moisture in the house. Conversely, lemon-lime can survive and grow in conditions of at least 40% humidity.
Philodendron Golden Goddess vs Lemon Lime: Are they the same?
Comparing the philodendron golden goddess vs. lemon lime is that they are not the same plant. They are different plants. They share minor similarities in light, water, and soil needs. Both plants are also toxic for house pets and young children. So, there should be a place as far from their reach as possible.
However, each one of these plants has its distinct appearance. For example, the leaves of the golden goddess have yellow or chartreuse-golden leaves, while the lemon lime plant has yellow-green or lime leaves.
Also, the outside shape of the leaves is different. Lemon lime leaves look like a thin sword, while the golden goddess looks like the shape of a heart.
The Golden Goddess is a climbing plant that forces its visibility once it receives the proper support. Lemon lime is an upright plant that can never climb and will always need pruning to keep its height under control.
