Pothos vs. Philodendron: 4 Tips for Differentiating the Plants

A pothos—a common name for this member of the Epipremnum genus, specifically Epipremnum aureum—is a vining plant with waxy, large leaves. A pothos leaf generally has a chartreuse to green tint; some plants have solid-color leaves while others have variegated leaves. Other names for pothos plants include devil’s ivy, taro vine, money plant, Solomon Islands ivy, or ivy arum. They are easy to care for and low-maintenance, making them popular houseplants.

Pothos plants descend from the same Araceae family of plants as the Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) and plants in the genus Scindapsus. Native to countries in the Eastern Hemisphere (and islands in Southeast Asia in particular), pothos plants are drought-tolerant and can survive in both low-humidity and high-humidity environments, able to tolerate bright light as well as low-light conditions.

A philodendron—which belongs to the Philodendron genus—is usually an indoor plant but can also live outdoors. It can climb a trellis or tree with its twisting, vibrant foliage. Vining philodendron leaves are papery and emerge in a heart shape. Their leaves are generally solid green, although some variegation is possible.

Philodendrons thrive in bright indirect light. Their origin as tropical plants means they appreciate misting and other artificial humidity, but they can survive in drier conditions, too. They do well as indoor hanging basket plants or outdoor ornaments to a tree or trellis.

There are many different types of pothos plants. Here are four of the most common:

1. 1. Golden pothos: Perhaps the most classically identifiable type of pothos plant, a golden pothos plant often boasts variegated leaves.
2. 2. Jade pothos: Smaller than their relatives, jade pothos plants are adept at growing well in conditions of low to bright light.
3. 3. Marble queen pothos: Marble queen pothos plants possess leaves flecked with bright to darker shades of green.
4. 4. Neon pothos: The neon pothos plants get their name from their bright green, solid-color leaves.

Philodendrons grow in many different species. Check out these four types:

1. 1. Blushing philodendron: The blushing philodendron, or Philodendron erubescens, branches out its leaves and red-colored flowers (which are actually spathes, or special leaves).
2. 2. Heartleaf philodendron: Also called Philodendron hederaceum, heartleaf philodendrons are popular in Central America (particularly Costa Rica) and South America (like in Brazil), as well as other parts of the world.
3. 3. Imperial green philodendron: Imperial green philodendrons have imposing dark green leaves.
4. 4. Lacy tree philodendron: Lacy tree philodendrons are also called split-leaf philodendrons, as each of their leaves flares out in a ripped-up pattern. They also go by the scientific names Philodendron bipinnatifidum, Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum, and Philodendron selloum.

Both philodendron and pothos plants hail from the same Araceae family of plants, so some of the same care tips apply to both. Here is a four-step pothos and philodendron care guide for these tropical plants:

1. 1. Use the right potting soil. Either type of plant will do much better in a potting mix full of nutrients and with ample drainage holes. You can use perlite to further aerate the soil and give it room to breathe. Watering soil without this sort of breathing room can quickly lead to root rot, as the soil can become waterlogged without appropriate drainage. You can also use houseplant fertilizer sporadically if you wish, but these plants are quite resilient on their own.
2. 2. Provide enough light. Pothos and philodendron plants are extremely adaptable, but they both thrive in medium light or brighter light. While it’s probably wise to avoid placing them in direct sunlight, giving them enough bright indirect light can help ensure these plants grow to their full potential.
3. 3. Repot when necessary. Vining plants like these will need repotting, as they’ll keep growing. Prune your plants occasionally by taking stem cuttings and planting them in new pots or soil. These cut stems will begin growing on their own shortly after. Otherwise, you can just trim the tops of your pothos or philodendron plants when they start getting unwieldy.
4. 4. Keep an eye out for pests. Be on defense against both crawling and airborne assailants. If mealybugs, aphids, or other attackers appear, treat them with a homemade insecticide—like soap mixed with water—before the problem gets out of hand.

While there are many similarities between pothos varieties and types of philodendron, there are also some key differences to note between these members of the aroid subfamily of plants. Here are four ways you can identify these similar but different plants:

1. 1. Observe growth habits. Watching the new growth patterns of these plants can provide clues. Pothos leaves grow unadorned by cataphylls (thin coverings meant to protect the leaves until they grow to full strength), while the new leaves of philodendrons grow within them.
2. 2. Check the aerial root system. Aerial roots grow when vining plants are climbing upward to grip onto another surface like a trellis or tree. The aerial roots of pothos plants are singular thick nubs. Philodendron aerial roots are thinner, scrappier, and grow in larger quantities.
3. 3. Perceive the petioles. Petioles are small stems that connect leaves to a longer stem. Philodendron petioles look rounded and smooth, while pothos petioles have an indented ridge (often brownish) along their length.
4. 4. Touch the leaves. Philodendron leaves are thin, soft, and papery, whereas pothos leaves feel thicker and waxier. You can also eyeball the leaf shape to tell the difference: Philodendrons have heart-shaped leaves, while pothos plants bow out in a more traditional way.

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