Question
I don't know the technical name for this plant, but it's called a neon and it's a cousin to a philodendron, I think.  I've had it about a year now.  It was thriving last Spring and Summer, but then as Winter approached, it started to look droopy.  I know most plants go through a "dormant" period in the Winter where they need watered less, but I'm pretty much a novice to house plants.  It's in the North facing window, which is very low reflective light (but the only window I have available to hang it in) and it was thriving last year, but now I'm afraid it's going to die.  I've been watering it way less than I did in the Spring and Summer, only about once every week and a half or 2 weeks, as if I water it more than that the leaves turn yellow from over-watering (I think).  It's a fairly good size plant in a 10" pot.  I water it with town water.  I fertilized it about a month ago - hopefully that wasn't a mistake?  Is fertilizing something you can do year round?  I grow all my plants in Miracle-Gro potting soil, which has some fertilizer in the soil, but it only lasts for the first 3 months after repotting.  Last month was the first time I added any fertilizer to it.

Being that I'm a complete novice when it comes to plants, I'd very much appreciate any information you can give me.  This is one of my favorite plants and I want to do everything I can to keep it alive for years to come.

Thank you very much for all your help!

Leeanna

Answer
Leeanna,

I don't know of any plant called a neon nor can I find anything online called that. I am wondering if you aren't referring to a pothos vine which is similar to a philodendron but variegated.

Okay, spring is coming fast, at this point increase the watering to once a week, check it by lifting the pot slightly before watering and if it is very heavy weight another day or 2 and check it again. But it could be that your soil is just a heavy soil so don't wait too long if it doesn't lighten up. Don't worry too much about overwatering,it is going back into summer growing mode and it is difficul to overwater a hanging basket because they don't have a lrge water resevoir. It should be fertilized once a month every month of the year except not in December, January or February, but the rest of the year is fine. You are in more danger at this point of underwatering than overwatering. Good luck.

Darlene