Pothos vs Philodendron – The Differences
- Leaf shape. Pothos leaves are pointed and heart-shaped, sometimes variegated with white, gold, yellow, or pale green variegation while philodendron leaves are large and imposing, usually lobbed in shape with ...
- Cataphyll. A cataphyll is a reduced, small leaf. ...
- Leaf texture. ...
- Aerial roots. ...
- Petioles. ...
- Stipules. ...
- Light needs. ...
- Water retention and growth rate. ...
Where to buy Pothos?
Product Overview
- Rated 1 of the best air purifying plants
- Hardy and easy to care for
- Prefers shade to partial shade
- Has an elegant and unique look
- Brings stylish splendor to nearly any setting
How to grow Pothos in water easily?
Pothos Care
- Light. When grown indoors, pothos prefers bright but indirect light. ...
- Soil. Pothos plants thrive in ordinary, well-draining potting soil. ...
- Water. A pothos plant likes to have its soil dry out completely between waterings. ...
- Temperature and Humidity. ...
- Fertilizer. ...
How to propagate Pothos in water or in soil?
So, with that out of the way, let’s see how we can propagate pothos in soil:
- Clean your scissors, pick the vine, cut with the node.
- Here the stem where the node is will be drenched legitimately into the soil. ...
- Prepare the kind of soil required for the propagation of the pothos is aerated soil, which helps in drainage. ...
- Take a pot, fill it with the mix of soil and pumice or soil and perlite, and water the pot.
Can a Pothos live in water?
Yes, pothos can undoubtedly live forever in water depending upon various factors such as lighting, temperature, fertilization, aeration, etc. In fact, like any other aquatic plant, pothos does excellent in water medium.
Which is better pothos or philodendron?
Overall, a Pothos is hardier and will grow faster than a Philodendron. The leaves of a Philodendron are usually more uniformly green than the Pothos, though each has strikingly variegated varieties.
Is philodendron and pothos the same?
Pothos and philodendrons are two separate and distinct plants that belong to separate genera. Pothos belongs to the Epipremnum genus, and philodendron belongs to the Philodendron genus. However, they do exist under the same family, as both pothos and philodendron belong to the aroid plant family (Araceae).
Is Devils Ivy a philodendron?
But you might be surprised to learn you have an imposter lurking about! Both Devil's Ivy (pothos) and philodendron are grown for their attractive foliage, but because they have similar leaves and growth habits, they are often mistaken for one another.
Can you plant pothos and philodendron together?
Pothos plants and philodendrons are often mistaken for one another. That's because they're very similar not only in their appearance but also in their requirements. Because of the similarity in their care requirements, you can safely grow pothos and philodendrons together.
Why is pothos called devil's ivy?
It is also called devil's vine or devil's ivy because it is almost impossible to kill and it stays green even when kept in the dark. It is sometimes mistakenly labeled as a Philodendron, Pothos or Scindapsus in plant stores.
Is Devils Ivy a pothos?
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum), also called Devil's Ivy, is a tropical vine native to French Polynesia. Because of its attractive foliage, low maintenance requirements and virtual indestructability, the pothos plant is one of the most popular houseplants in temperate regions.
Is a monstera a philodendron?
But the monstera is not, technically speaking, a philodendron at all. Both the monstera and true philodendrons are part of the arum family, a much larger group of plants that also includes the ever-popular pothos, one of the world's prettiest and easiest houseplants.
How do you identify a philodendron?
Physical description. The foliage of philodendrons is usually green but may be coppery, red, or purplish; parallel leaf veins are usually green or sometimes red or white. Shape, size, and texture of the leaves vary considerably, depending on species and maturity of the plant. The fruit is a white to orange berry.
Do I have a monstera or philodendron?
The difference between the two is the shape and size of the leaves. The philodendron has smaller leaves, which are split rather than fenestrated. They also have a feather-like shape, while Monstera leaves are round and heart-shaped.
How do you make a philodendron bushy?
How to Make Philodendron Plants Bigger & Bushier?Keep them at Right Temperature. shutterstock/cheng wei. ... Propagate More Cuttings in a Single Pot. ... Prune them Right. ... Give them Proper Light Exposure. ... Use Well-Kept Tools. ... Keep off Pests. ... Water the Plants Well. ... Maintain High Humidity.More items...
Why does my pothos only have one vine?
If it's just one cutting then it will be only one 'vine'. You need to cut it to promote more growth. If I were you I'd cut it close to the top of the soil, but leave at least a couple of leave on it. This should make a few shoots come out of the stump that's left.
How do I make my pothos grow longer?
Begin With A High Quality Potting Mix.Choose A Consistently Warm Setting.Place Pothos In A Location Receiving Bright, Indirect Sunlight.Water Judiciously.Fertilize With Balanced Fertilizer.Prune Damaged or Old Leaves Promptly.Check Plants For Pests Regularly.
What is another name for philodendron?
Many houseplants are referred to as philodendron, but most are probably actually pothos.
Are Monstera and philodendron the same?
Is a Monstera a Philodendron? No! While they're both in the same larger family, a philodendron is more closely related to the most popular houseplant in the world, the pothos. Monsteras are more closely related to the peace lily.
How do you identify a philodendron?
Physical description. The foliage of philodendrons is usually green but may be coppery, red, or purplish; parallel leaf veins are usually green or sometimes red or white. Shape, size, and texture of the leaves vary considerably, depending on species and maturity of the plant. The fruit is a white to orange berry.
Is a philodendron a money plant?
pothos, (Epipremnum aureum), also called golden pothos, money plant, or devil's ivy, hardy indoor foliage plant of the arum family (Araceae) native to southeastern Asia. It resembles, and thus is often confused with, the common philodendron.
What is the difference between a pothos and a philodendron?
Key Differences Between Pothos and Philodendron Plants. When trying to tell the difference between a pothos and philodendron plant, there are a few key differences to watch out for — it all comes down to their taxonomy, foliage shape, root and stem structure and growing habits.
What are the roots of a pothos plant?
The stems are also closer in color to the leaves than on the philodendron plant. The roots are thick nubs, with only one per node.
How to get a pothos to vine up a trellis?
First, gently weave and wrap the vine up your support system making sure to not wrap too tightly. For extra support, feel free to attach the leaves to the support with some string. Care for your plant as usual.
How fast does a pothos grow?
During the growing season, philodendrons can grow up to 10 cm per week and pothos up to 12 cm per week. Overall, a pothos is slightly hardier and will grow faster than a philodendron.
How hot should pothos be?
Soil should stay moist, but not wet. Light: Both plant varieties thrive in indirect light to low light, but pothos can tolerate even lower lighting. Temperature: These plants thrive in temperatures ranging from 55 – 85℉. However, pothos plants prefer high humidity and warmer temperatures of up to 90℉.
Why are my pothos leaves turning yellow?
If your pothos or philodendron is yellowing, it may be due to under or over-watering. If you also notice browning, overwatering is likely the cause. If your plant is underwatered, the leaves will be yellow with crispy, brown ends. Check in with the soil to determine if it matches your diagnosis.
What are the little stems that connect the bottom of the leaf to the beginning of the base stem that goes into the
Petioles are the little stems that connect the bottom of the leaf to the beginning of the base stem that goes into the ground. When it comes to the root system overall, they’re strong in both plants and are able to vine and climb surfaces. Philodendron roots and petioles are:
What are Philodendrons?
Philodendrons are tropical plants that come in a variety of leaf shapes and colors. The most common variety is the heart-shaped Philodendron, to the point where it is actually considered the standard version of Philodendrons.
What Are Pothos?
The Pothos plant is also a tropical vine. A Pothos vine is characterized by its shiny leaves, often seen with white, gold, or yellow markings on them.
Leaf Shape & Texture
Philodendrons are often characterized by their beautiful heart-shaped leaves, while with Pothos plants, the leaves aren’t always heart-shaped.
What is the difference between a pothos and a philodendron?
One difference between Pothos and Philodendron is the genus. Pothos are classified as being any plants in the Epipremnum genus, whereas Philodendrons are well… in the Philodendron genus. They ARE somewhat related though. Both are considered to be part of the aroid plant family (Araceae). 2.
What is the second leaf of a Golden Pothos plant?
One leaf has variegation and the other doesn’t. The second leaf from the top is commonly known as the Heart Leaf Philodendron. The bottom leaf is a closely related variety called Philodendron ‘Brasil.’.
What leaf is on the left side of the photo?
On the left side of the photo above is a Pothos le af and the right side is a Heart Leaf Philodendron leaf. It’s called “heart leaf” for a reason! Notice the pronounced curving and heart shape. The Pothos leaf lacks this characteristic.
What is the name of the word used to describe the naming convention of plants?
1. Pothos and Philodendron Taxonomy . I’m going to start on a very high level first to clear up some common confusion, and then I’ll get to some visual specifics that you can use. Taxonomy is just a fancy word to describe the naming convention of plants by botanists.
Is the petiole on the right or left?
The Philodendron petiole on the right is very round and uniform. The Pothos petiole on the left has an indentation, is not completely round, and will eventually form two brown, papery edges. This distinction makes it very easy to quickly tell the difference!
What is the difference between a pothos leaf and a philodendron leaf?
Another difference is that philodendrons have a cataphyll sheath while pothos leaves simply unfurl from the original leaf.
How to tell if a philodendron is a pothos?
To tell difference, feel the leaf texture of the two plants. If it’s smooth and glossy, it is a philodendron, but if it’s matte, it is pothos. However, some pothos varieties such as golden pothos have a smooth leaf texture (as you will see in the video below) just like philodendrons.
What kind of light does a pothos need?
Light needs. The pothos prefers bright, indirect light for them to grow and develop properly. This is totally opposite of what the philodendron prefers as this plant can only thrive in areas with low light intensity. The philodendron also holds its variegation better in areas with low light.
What is a cataphyll leaf?
A cataphyll is a reduced, small leaf. This type of leaf is usually modified in a way to perform some specialized functions. You can tell the difference between pothos vs philodendrons by checking for cataphylls.
How big do golden pothos grow?
The leaves of the golden pothos are larger than those of the heartleaf philodendron. In essence, the golden pothos’ leaves can grow up to 30 inches in length. On the other hand, the leaves of the philodendron can grow to a maximum of 12 inches in length.
What are the leaves of a philodendron?
Pothos leaves are pointed and heart-shaped, sometimes variegated with white, gold, yellow, or pale green variegation while philodendron leaves are large and imposing, usually lobbed in shape with deep natural cuts; and can be pinnate or not.
How do philodendrons spread?
Philodendrons also spread by climbing but with several aerial roots per node . Pothos petioles are grooved. The groove runs between the leaf and the plant’s stem. Philodendron petioles are usually round, smooth and typically slender compared to those of pothos.
What is the Difference Between Pothos and Philodendron?
Both the philodendron and pothos plants come from the Araceae family. However, pothos is a member of the Epipremnum genus while philodendron is in the Philodendron genus.
How to Tell if Your Plant is a Pothos or Philodendron
Not sure what kind of plant you’re growing? If you were given your houseplant as a gift or perhaps lost your plant markers, these helpful identification tips should help you figure out what kind of plant you’re growing.
Types of Pothos
The general tips above will help you identify the vast majority of pothos plants, but it’s important to note that there are some differences between individual cultivars, too.
Types of Philodendron
Although there are many types of pothos plants you can grow, the philodendron genus is even larger and there are countless species for you to choose from.
Philodendron vs Pothos: Which is Better?
There’s no easy way to decide which plant to grow. Both pothos and philodendrons are popular houseplants that are easy to find, easy to grow, and easy to love!
Where do philodendrons grow?
This is also a vine plant, although it’s more of a tropical plant with its natural habitat is the tropical rainforest of the West Indies.
What is a pothos plant?
As mentioned above, pothos is a vining plant. When it comes to potting your pothos you’ll need to decide where you want it to live and how you want it to look. If you want to allow for the vine to extend and cascade downwards, creating a decorative appeal, it’s a great idea to put in up on a bookshelf or hanging from a macrame hanger on the wall or ceiling.
How big does a golden pothos grow?
With the philodendron’s long length being mentioned above, it’s actually worth noting that golden pothos can grow up to ten feet long, making them much bigger and easily identifiable!
How often should I water pothos?
Water your pothos about every week or so . Touching the top few inches of soil will help you know if you need to water it – if it’s dry, water them. If it’s still wet, leave it alone!
How often should I water a Philodendron?
Similar to the pothos, you’ll want to water your philodendron about every week or when it dries out. If the plant is dropping, it may not be getting enough water, or you may be overdoing it. Fixing the amount of water will help your plant bounce back to life.
Can pothos grow in direct sunlight?
Pothos do best in indirect sunlight and can even do well in low light conditions. The won’t do well in direct sunlight so keep that in mind when you find a home for your new plant.
Do philodendrons need direct sunlight?
Make sure your Philodendrons get enough light but not direct bright light! Most Philodendrons need indirect, bright sunlight. Find a place where there is natural light, but your plant won’t touch the sunshine.
Differences Between Pothos and Philodendrons
Taxonomy
- Taxonomy is the branch of science that is concerned with classifying groups of biological organisms, and it’s used to name plants and animals and organize them into genera and families. Taxonomy, when it comes to plants, is largely concerned with botanical nomenclature. Pothos and philodendrons are two separate and distinct plants that belong to separate genera. …
Aerial Roots and Petioles
- Differences can also be noted between the aerial roots and petioles of pothos versus the aerial roots and petioles of philodendrons. Both pothos and philodendrons have aggressive aerial roots that allow them to climb and vine around surfaces. However, pothos (pictured right) only have one large aerial root per node, while philodendrons (pictured left) may have several smaller aerial roo…
Growth Habits and New Leaves
- Another way to tell the difference between pothos versus philodendron is to look for the presence of cataphylls.2When new leaves grow on a trailing philodendron, they emerge from cataphylls, which are essentially small leaves that encase and protect the new leaf as it grows. They usually remain on the plant after the new leaf has unfurled, eventually drying up and falling off. Pothos d…
Growing Differences
- Admittedly, pothos and philodendrons have very similar needs when it comes to light, soil, water, and temperature, and both are considered to be low-maintenance houseplants. However, there are a couple of minor differences that are useful to know. While both pothos and philodendrons can tolerate low light, philodendrons tolerate low light more readily than pothos.3Additionally, potho…
Key Differences Between Pothos and Philodendron Plants
Philodendron & Pothos Care Tips
- Although philodendron and pothos have different characteristics that set them apart, they have very similar needs when it comes to soil, water needs, light requirements and temperature. However, there are still some slight differences. We’ve included both philodendron careand pothos care tipsbelow to make growing your new houseplant a breeze. Care Tips: 1. Soil:Make s…
Pothos Varieties
- Pothos are great plants to incorporate into any living space. If you’re not sure where to start when choosing a pothos plant, here are some great pothos varieties to add to your collection.
Philodendron Varieties
- Choosing the right philodendron can be tricky, especially since there are so many varieties (over 400 species!), but we’ve highlighted our favorites below along with their key characteristics.
Pothos vs Philodendron – The Differences
Pothos Identification and Profile
- Pothos is a type of flowering plant in the Araceae family. It is native to Moorea, a location in the Society Islands of French Polynesia. You may also hear people refer to this plant as the Devil’s Ivy, the Devil’s vine or Epipremnum aureum (its scientific name). 1. The leaves of Epipremnum are usually 3-4 inches long and they’re distinctly heart-shapedwith a chordate base. 2. Leaves are oft…
Philodendron Pictures and Identification
- Philodendron, on the other hand, Philodendron Selloum, belongs to the Araceae family and is a flowering plant just like the pothos. The philodendron species can be found in many regions around the West Indies region and in the tropical Americas. The traditional philodendron that everybody’s grandmother had in the house had solid green leaves. It’s a vine but more recently t…
Can You Plant Pothos and Philodendron Together?
- One of the most popular questions that usually come up when dealing with pothos and philodendron is whether these two amazing houseplants can be planted together. The answer is yes. It is possible for one to plant pothos and philodendrons together. This is because they have many similar requirements. As long as you give each of these plants adequate space, and tend t…
References + Resources
- Amy Gibbs and Brian Hudelson, UW-Madison Plant Pathology:Pothos Plant Profile Guide
- North Carolina State University Extension: Epipremnum aureum(Devil’s IvyDevil’s VineGolden PothosIvy ArumMarble QueenPothosTaro Vine)
- Illinois University Extension: Philodendron or Pothos