Several Pothos varieties exist and we are going to review each one. Pothos are one of the most popular houseplants. Indeed due to their low maintenance and beauty. Definitely perfect for beginner plant parents.
These hardy plants feature green leaves splashed and marbled in shades of yellow, cream, or white. Epipremnum (ep-ih-PREM-num) is its botanical name, but commonly referred to as Devil’s Ivy, Money Plant, Ceylon creeper, or Ivy arum. Pothos is pronounced POH-thows or paw-thows.
Epipremnum Plant Types
A tropical aroid vine in the family Araceae (a-RAY-see-ee). They can grow in any type of light, even under a fluorescent light, making them perfect for home or office. I personally have them in my bedroom on a shelf, in my kitchen, and family room.
In fact, all pothos plants are considered to be air purifiers and are efficient at cleaning the air of harmful chemicals (formaldehyde, trichloroethene, toluene, xylene, and benzene).
Water
Water every 1-2 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out between watering.
Light
Thrives in medium to bright indirect light, but can tolerate low indirect light.
USDA Zone
2-11
Temperature
Prefers warmer temperatures between 65°F – 85°F (18.3°C-29.4°C).
Soil
Pothos prefer slightly damp soil. Soil should not stay saturated with water.
Fertilizer
Liquid fertilizer diluted at half strength, once a month.
Size
36-60 inches tall/ 22-26 inches wide
Scientific Name
Epipremnum
Common Name
Devil’s Ivy, Solomon Islands Ivy, Hunter’s Robe, Taro Vine, Money Plant, Ceylon creeper, Ivy arum
Pronunciation
ep-ih-PREM-num
Pests
Mealybugs, thrips
Flower
Does not flower in cultivation. In the wild, flower stalks with a cream spathe marked with purple surround the spadix.
Toxicity
Toxic to humans and animals if ingested
Golden pothos is the most common of all the pothos varieties. It features pretty heart-shaped mid-green leaves splashed in creamy gold variegation. This plant will grow in low light or indirect lighting. Alternatively, with plenty of warmth and sunshine, the leaves can grow quite large.
In fact, outdoors in frost-free areas, the leaves can reach 12 inches wide or more. Indeed, a vigorous climber and makes an attractive hanging basket. Definitely looks great climbing a totem moss pole, trellis, or hanging from a shelf.
In low light, Golden pothos will revert to mostly green foliage. However, when more light is given, you will see more yellow or golden variegation. Additionally, frequent pruning encourages a dense, bushy growth habit. Available at local nurseries, garden centers, and online plant retailers.
Pothos in their natural habitats climb. In fact, the higher they climb, the thicker their vines get and the bigger their leaves get. All Pothos and are capable of getting bigger stems, vines and leaves except for dwarf varieties.
Keep in mind that golden pothos can show invasive tendencies. Specifically, in areas like South Florida it is recommended to keep indoors. Or, in pots in Zones 10 and 11. Furthermore, read about more detailed Golden pothos care here.
See Related Article: Golden Pothos Care
The Jade Pothos is an all dark green pothos variety. It is available anywhere houseplants are sold. Although, Golden pothos are actually more common. This green pothos variety also has pretty heart-shaped leaves.
Jade Pothos handle both low light or bright, indirect lighting. Additionally, it looks great in hanging baskets or right at home in a decorative planter. Regular pruning will encourage a bushy and dense growth habit. Buy Jade Pothos here.
The Marble Queen pothos is similar to Golden Pothos. However, Marble Queen Pothos have green, light green, and white variegation. Additionally, they also require bright light to thrive.
Heart-shaped leaves are heavily streaked and splashed with creamy white. Furthermore, the foliage has a lower percentage of green coloration. Consequently, they produce less chlorophyll than other non-variegated plants. Indeed making this plant a slower grower compared to the Golden Pothos.
To increase growth rate, be sure to give it ample bright indirect light. You may even want to boost its lighting with a grow light. The variegation is not consistent in every leaf but there’s a pattern to them. For instance, one half of the leaf may be completely green and the other side mostly white with green splashes.
Learn more about Marble Queen Pothos care here.
Watch our Pothos Care Guide Below or keep reading!
This attractive plant has very wide, brightly variegated leaves. Heart-shaped foliage has wavy margins. It can be challenging to tell Manjula pothos apart from the Marble Queen. They both have similar watercolor painting-like variegation.
The best way to tell the difference between the two is not with their variegation (which is about 90% similar). But, with the shape of their foliage. Leaves on Manjula pothos are wider and more round than the Marble Queen pothos. In fact, almost the same leaf shape as the heart leaf philodendron.
Manjula’s variegation also tends to swirl and follow the shape of the leaves. Foliage is variegated with shades of silver, white, cream, and light green. Each leaf is different. Many leaves will have large patches of green.
Others will be heavily flecked and splashed. With Manjula, there’s typically not a crisp line between the variegated areas. Therefore, the creamy areas tend to have spots or flecks of other colors.
Another way to tell Manjula apart from other pothos varieties is that the leaves have wavy edges. Specifically, they do not lay as flat as other pothos. Furthermore, the Epipremnum ‘Manjula’ is a patented variety produced by the University of Florida.
The Epipremnum Pearls & Jade was also produced and patented by the University of Florida (patented sport of the variety ‘Marble Queen’). An eye-catching and interesting slow-grower. This variety has smaller green leaves variegated with white and silvery-gray. In fact, variegation tends to be along the margins of the leaves, rather than the center.
Centers of the leaves of Pearls and Jade pothos tend to be solid green. White sections of the foliage are often mottled with green and silvery gray tones. Pearls & Jade varieties have firmer stems than most pothos. Therefore, making this plant ideal for interiorscapes. Definitely a must have for all pothos collectors.
The N’Joy Pothos have green and white variegation. But, in solid color blocks instead of splashes or swirls (like Marble Queen and Manjula pothos). In fact, the solid green color is often darker and tends to start from the inside of the leaf.
Solid white is displayed on the outer corner of the leaves. The separation between the two colors does not follow the shape of the leaf. It has no uniform pattern as it forms its own curvy shape.
Due to the high amount of white on the leaves it produces less chlorophyll. Hence, making it a slower grower. Provide sufficient bright light to encourage growth and increase variegation.
Epipremnum N’Joy often gets confused with Pearls and Jade or Glacier pothos. Pearls and Jade share the same shape and pattern of variegation as N’Joy pothos. However, on white portions of the leaf you don’t see splashes of green (similar to Marble Queen pothos) that are present on Pearls and Jade or Glacier pothos. NJoy leaves are painted with brush stroke-like color rather than speckled.
Pothos NJoy is a patented cultivar of ‘Marble Queen’. Although, it has smaller ovate, broad leaves. It also grows more compactly with very short internodes. Many shades of green can also be present on a single leaf of N’Joy.
Epipremnum aureum ‘Jessenia’ is a highly variegated pothos, with heart-shaped leaves. Foliage is medium green with chartreuse variegation. Speckled with splashes of bright lime green and yellow. As with all heavily variegated plants, they prefer bright light to thrive. Increased light will produce the most attractive coloration.
The Jessenia is quite similar to Marble Queen pothos. Although, it is not hard to tell the difference between the two. They vary by coloration and the degree of variegation. The Marble Queen variegation is much lighter than the lime green variegation of Jessenia. Epipremnum ‘Jessenia’ is a much brighter plant.
The Epipremnum Snow Queen is very similar to Marble Queen pothos. However, the pattern of variegation is more consistent. Snow Queen foliage is mainly white with fine splashes of green. With so much white on the foliage, it will need more light to maintain its gorgeous variegation.
White leaves are more prone to browning. Giving your Snow Queen plenty of bright, indirect light will keep her happy. Avoid direct sunlight to avoid sunburn.
Flashy heart-shaped leaves can trail down from a plant placed on a shelf or in a hanging basket. It can also be trained on a moss pole or stake. Propagation is easy and can help grow your collection. Remember these babies love high humidity. In fact, low humidity can cause browning on the tips of the leaves.
The Epipremnum aureum ‘Neon’ is one of the most distinctive pothos varieties. Narrow heart shaped leaves shine in bright lime or neon green. In fact, younger leaves tend to be more neon yellow.
As they grow, they will darken as they mature. But, they still retain the bright chartreuse color. To get the best color, grow Neon pothos in bright light. In low-light spots, the color will be more dull and darker.
Read more about Neon pothos care in our post here.
Variegated Neon Pothos
Variegated neon pothos have been spotted the past few years. These beauties are Neon pothos that have darker green or yellow variegation in them. In fact, the variegation with dark green striations is due to a specific gene mutation. As they age the variegation can get slightly darker.
Additionally, Neon Pothos prefers bright indirect light. But, can tolerate some low light too. Definitely a perfect addition to any plant lover’s collection.
Cebu Blue Pothos is an Epipremnum. However, it is classified as an Epipremnum pinnatum (not an Epipremnum aureum). Native to the Philippines and named after the city of its origin, Cebu.
The foliage often has a bit of a metallic sheen. In fact, this makes it distinct from other pothos varieties. Specifically, young leaves are long and arrow-shaped. Additionally, as the they mature, leaves split making it look like a palm. Furthermore, warm, bright conditions help develop this adult-type leaf.
Leaves are green with a silvery bluish undertone. It has the same narrow heart shaped leaves as other pothos. But, the leaves are longer. Indeed an easy-care houseplant that grows well with other pothos varieties. However, Cebu Blue is a bit more delicate than the other Pothos varieties.
This slow-growing plant needs a sheltered setting. Finally, plenty of warmth and bright indirect lighting help it thrive and produce its most beautiful foliage.
The appearance of Golden Pothos and Hawaiian Pothos are quite similar. However, some of the care tips and requirements differ. Golden pothos leaves have dark green, yellow, and white streaks. Alternatively, Hawaiian pothos have a more intense yellow color. They can also vary by shape and size.
Hawaiian pothos is one of the best varieties if you’re looking for large foliage. Additionally, Epipremnum Hawaiian leaves are huge compared to other types of pothos. In fact, its texture has a glassy glow similar to a wax. Furthermore, leaves are thicker with raised or bumpy leaves. Great for beginners and immune to diseases.
Epipremnum aureum ‘Harlequin’ is a very rare pothos variety. It looks a lot like Manjula pothos. A mix of Marble and Snow Queen pothos with a little more variegation on the leaves. Harlequin pothos are highly variegated with plenty of white variegation. However, Manjula pothos tend to also have some neon, light green, lime yellow color in their variegation. Furthermore, Harlequin’s variegation is strictly green and white.
It can be quite difficult to tell them apart. In fact many in the plant community think they are often the same plant. Specifically, the only difference is the degree of white variegation, which is more prevalent in Harlequin pothos. Consider yourself lucky if you can get your hands on one of these beauties. Indeed rare and expensive.
The Glacier pothos have green foliage accented with crisp white variegation. They are splashed and flecked with silver and gray. Epipremnum Aureum ‘Glacier’ is commonly confused with N’Joy Pothos and Pearls and Jade Pothos. Specifically because their variegations look similar. However, when placed side by side, you’ll notice a few distinctions.
Glacier pothos have smaller leaves. In fact, it is one of the more rare smaller pothos varieties. Additionally, if you compare their variegation, you’ll also see some differences. Glacier pothos’ white sections look more like streaks. On the other hand, the other two have patches of white adorning their mainly green foliage. Furthermore Pearls and Jade has variegation in the green and white sections.
A new pothos was released and patented in 2020 by Costa Farms. Epipremnum aureum ‘Global Green’ is mottled in light and dark green variegation. Typically a distinct delineation between the different colors. Additionally, the light green generally begins in the middle of the leaf.
Often confused with Emerald pothos as they have very similar coloring, leaf shape and size. In fact, Global Green pothos will usually have dark green on the outside of the leaf with light green in the middle. As well as a more distinct delineation between the two colors. Furthermore, a hardy and easy plant to care for.
Epipremnum Aureum ‘Shangri La’ is a very unique evergreen perennial. Commonly known as Pothos ‘Shangri La’ or Devil’s Ivy ‘Shangri La’. This cultivar produces dark green, oval-shaped leaves. In fact, they remain curled up and appear wrinkled. Almost as if there is something wrong with the leaf. As they mature they may need help with support. Extensions or moss totem poles work great.
This unusual beauty is a climbing vine. Capable of growing to over 3 feet (1m) tall. Bright indirect light to partial shade is preferred. However, it is highly tolerant of low light conditions. Reduced light will result in slower growth and more sparse leaves. Keep out of direct light as it may sunburn the leaves. Ideal temperatures are 50°F (10°C) to 75°F (24°C).
The Epipremnum amplissimum is also known as Silver Leaf, Pothos amplifolia, Rhaphidophora amplissima, or Epipremnum Amplissimum “Silver Streak”. Featuring long spear-shaped leaves that cover the vine close together. Each leaf becomes lined with silvery stripes oriented with the leafs vein.
This variety is hard to find and sought after by collectors. Grown for the leaves over the flowers, which rarely occur in cultivation. An attractive foliage houseplant native to parts of Australia and New Guinea.
Prefers bright locations with lots of diffused light. With insufficient lighting, it can revert to plain green and leaves become round and/or short. Shimmering leaves can reach up to 12” (30cm). Additionally, it prefers slightly more moist soil than the popular golden epipremnum. Furthermore, an easy to grow climbing vine.
Baltic Blue is a clone of Epipremnum pinnatum. Features the darkest greenish-blue foliage color of all the pothos varieties. While the name might be confused with Cebu Blue pothos, this selection shows off larger leaves that fenestrate earlier and don’t have a silver cast. Grow Baltic Blue Pothos in medium, indirect light for the best growth.
Scindapsus Plants that look like Pothos:
Scindapsus pictus ‘Argyraeus’ is commonly called Silver Splash pothos or Satin pothos. It actually isn’t a pothos at all. Although a botanical cousin of pothos (Epipremnum aureum). It prefers warm temperatures and loves humidity. Be sure not to overwater this beauty. Furthermore, she hates cold drafts and soggy soil.
Keep in bright light to really let this baby shine. In fact, the best leaf color and variegation will present itself in bright, indirect light. Buy Silver splash Pothos here.
Scindapsus Pictus ‘Exotica’ has gorgeous variegation on its leaves. Specifically, it has way more silver on it than the Argyraeus variety. Furthermore, it usually has slightly larger leaves with more variegation around the edging on each leaf.
Exotica looks like a larger version of the Silvery Ann. Additionally, it also has a lot of silver variegation in it. In my opinion, it is more consistent with its pattern compared to the Silvery Ann. Buy Exotica here.
Scindapsus Silvery Ann has light green leaves that are highly variegated with silvery, reflective patches. Additionally, the heart-shaped leaves have a velvety, matte texture. Silvery Ann has the same size leaves as the Scindapsus pictus argyreus. But, has more silver variegation in it. Leaves have more silver than green in them.
Furthermore, this so-called “Satin Pothos” shares the reputation for being easy to care for and low light tolerant. Eventually, its vines grow quite long and readily cascade. Definitely a great choice for hanging planters.
Scindapsus pictus ‘Silver Satin’ has a leaf shape that is very similar to ‘Exotica’. However, the amount of variegation on each leaf is less. Exotica’s leaves have more splash than not down the center with a variegated edging.
Additionally, Silver Satin looks like a larger version of the Scindapsus pictus Argyraeus. And, the pattern of its silver variegation is more mosaic and pixelated compared to the one in the Scindapsus pictus argyraeus. The Silver Satin has more erratic splashes and speckles across each leaf, with no variegated edging. Buy Silver Satin Pothos here.
Sterling Silver scindapsus or Scindapsus treubii ‘Moonlight’ is a close relative of both Epipremnum pothos and philodendrons. Although, it’s much less common. And leaves are much more narrow than the pictus varieties.
This trendy houseplant has thick, dark green leaves. Even more, its leaves have a lovely silver sheen with a satin-like finish. A vining scindapsus that is easy-to-grow.
Scindapsus treubii ‘Dark form’
Another Scindapsus Treubii that is super rare is Scindapsus Treubii Dark Form. Indeed the leaves are quite dark. Similar to the color of one of my favorite plants ever, the ZZ Raven. Additionaly, this climbing vine has glossy, thick, lance-shaped leaves. A bit Narrow and without a silver tint.
Scindapsus pictus Silver Lady
Silver Lady Scindapsus is a very rare aroid plant. Stunning large leaves are narrow and covered with a green sheen. Silver splashes or speckling are on the remaining portion of the leaf. Definitely a solid delineation between the silver and green. I find it grows a bit faster than my other Scindapsus plants. Indeed, a very rare find.
Scindapsus pictus Jade Satin
Jade Satin Pothos are rare & expensive. Solid green leaves have a bit of shimmer to them. Although a close relative of the Epipremnum aureum pothos, Jade Satin Pothos is not a pothos at all. Specifically a Scindapsus pictus. However, both are members of the Arum family. A slower grower and takes longer to root than other Scindapsus varieties. Hence the scarcity and price tag.
Scindapsus pictus Platinum/Silver Hero
A climbing scindapsus with beautiful silvery green leaves. Scindapsus pictus platinum/silver hero looks like an exotica, except the leaves are fully silver. The satin leaves occasionally produce some dark green coloring along the midrib. Indeed hard to find and expensive.
Philodendron plants that look like Pothos:
Philodendron cordatum (fil-oh-DEN-dron kor-DAY-tum) or Heartleaf philodendron is basically the same as the Jade pothos. It’s all green and it has no variegation in it. The only difference is in the shape of their leaves.
The Neon Philodendron looks very similar to the Neon Pothos. In fact, its color looks exactly like the Neon Pothos. However, has the same shape of leaves as the heartleaf philodendron.
With her golden-lime leaves, the Philodendron Neon will tolerate lower light than other philodendrons. But, give her brighter light and she’ll reward you with more of those gorgeous blush-gold baby leaves during growing season. Furthermore, keep her out of direct sunlight though or she’ll sunburn.
The Philodendron micans looks just like the heartleaf philodendron as well. But, its leaves are darker green in color. Sometimes even burgundy. In fact, new growth starts off pink, maturing into a dark, coppery-green.
Additionally, leaves have a velvety texture to them. Not only are the leaves soft to the touch, but they also shimmer in the right light. Prefers medium to bright indirect light. Furthermore, it makes a gorgeous trailing plant, growing up to 2 feet tall.
Brasil Philodendron is green with yellow lime variegation in it that is not always consistent. More often the variegation comes in from the middle. Sometimes they’ll get leaves that are completely lemon-lime and narrow.
An original sport of the Brasil Philodendron. Named “Rio” after the city in Brazil by Gabriella Plants. Its variegation is a bright silver and white that comes from the center instead of the lemon-lime.
Philodendron Gabby or philodendron cream splash looks exactly like the philodendron Brasil. But instead of the lemon-lime variegation, it has white or cream variegation on the leaves. Sold and cultivated by Gabriella Plants.
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