11 Pothos Varieties That Make Perfect Houseplants
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Jan 21, 2022 • 4 min read
Pothos plants are low-maintenance, vining plants with attractive, heart-shaped leaves. Explore a range of pothos varieties that beginner gardeners can easily maintain as houseplants.
Learn From the Best
11 Popular Varieties of Pothos
There are a wide array of pothos varieties available, each with its own distinct type of leaf variegations. Consider planting some of the most popular pothos cultivars available.
- 1. Golden pothos: This plant is known for having deep green pothos leaves with speckles of golden yellow. This climbing variety is great for growing on a trellis or moss pole.
- 2. ‘Marble Queen’ pothos: ‘Marble Queen' is a slow-growing pothos characterized by creamy white streaks across gray-green leaves.
- 3. Neon pothos: This non-variegated pothos is famous for its distinctly bright chartreuse leaves. It’s the perfect plant choice to liven up a darker area in a home.
- 4. ‘Pearls and Jade’ pothos: The ‘Pearls and Jade’ pothos has dark green leaves with large blotches of white variegations. It has relatively smaller leaves compared to other types of pothos plants. It grows best in low-light conditions.
- 5. ‘Jessenia’ pothos: ‘Jessenia’ is a heavily variegated variety. Its heart-shaped, emerald green leaves boast spots of lime green and yellow variegation.
- 6. ‘Manjula’ pothos: ‘Manjula’ is a cultivar developed by the University of Florida. It has large, heart-shaped leaves with yellow, green, and cream variegation. ‘Manjula’ is among the rarer cultivars of pothos plants, so it can be hard to come by. Check a specialty nursery or the houseplants section of your local garden center.
- 7. ‘Cebu Blue’ pothos: 'Cebu Blue' has an elongated leaf shape. Its pointy, blue-green leaves take on a nearly metallic sheen in the right light. Be aware that this pothos type may be miscategorized as blue philodendron at your local garden center.
- 8. Glacier pothos: This variegated plant has well-defined splashes of emerald green and cream. Its compact growth habit and small leaves make it the perfect indoor plant for small spaces.
- 9. ‘Hawaiian’ pothos: ‘Hawaiian’ pothos plants are fast growers with medium-sized leaves with yellow and green variegation. Its vining stems grow aerial roots, adding to its overall tropical appearance.
- 10. ‘Snow Queen’ pothos: ‘Snow Queen’ pothos plants have stunning, white variegated leaves. Be aware, however, that the lack of chlorophyll in the foliage results in a slower growth rate.
- 11. ‘N’Joy’ pothos: ‘N’Joy’ pothos plants are known for their intense green foliage with splotches of creamy yellow. Keep this pothos variety in a hanging basket near a sunny window or the leaves might fade into a solid green color.
8 Tips for Growing Pothos Plants
With a few pothos care guidelines, these plants are among the easiest houseplants to care for.
- 1. Plant pothos vines in well-draining potting soil. The only soil requirement for a pothos plant is good drainage, so any high-quality potting soil or potting mix should do the trick. For an even higher drainage capacity, try mixing perlite into your soil before planting.
- 2. Provide pothos plants with bright indirect light. Pothos plants tolerate low-light conditions, but their leaf variegation may fade if they’re in the shade for too long. For thriving pothos plants with vibrant, variegated leaves, place them in bright light. To avoid scorched or discolored leaves, make sure to keep pothos plants away from direct sunlight.
- 3. Let the top inch of soil dry out between waterings. When the top inch of soil is dry, it's time for more water. If you wait too long, your plant’s leaves may begin to wilt. Keep watering your pothos until water seeps out from the pot's drainage holes. To avoid root rot caused by soggy soil, pour out the water that pools in the tray or dish under the pot. If you notice your plant has yellow leaves, it's likely a sign that you're overwatering.
- 4. Use liquid houseplant fertilizer. Pothos plants can thrive without fertilizer, but fertilizing once a month during the spring and summer growing season helps maximize their growth.
- 5. Maintain a consistent indoor temperature. Pothos plants grow best in temperatures between sixty and eighty degrees Fahrenheit and high humidity levels. That said, pothos plants will tolerate all humidity levels, simply growing more slowly than they would in a tropical environment.
- 6. Re-pot pothos plants occasionally. If your pothos plant is drooping no matter how often you water it, that's a sign it has become root-bound. Select a new container that is a couple of inches wider than the current pot, and re-pot the plant once its growing season begins in the spring.
- 7. Prune your pothos plant to contain growth. As part of your regular pothos plant care regimen, prune off long vining stems directly above the joint where the leaf meets the stem. This stimulates new growth and keeps your plant's foliage full and bushy. It's worth noting that pruning isn't necessary if you prefer the look of long pothos vines.
- 8. Watch out for mealybug infestations. Mealybugs are small, white insects that feed on pothos plant leaves and leave behind a powdery wax residue. If you spot signs of a mealybug infestation, treat your pothos plant with insecticidal soap, neem oil, or a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol.
Learn More
Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described "Gangster Gardener." Get the MasterClass Annual Membership and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.