Pothos vs Philodendron: Which Houseplant is Better for You?

Last Updated on July 12, 2022 by Kimberly Crawford

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance houseplant, you can’t go wrong with a pothos or philodendron. Both plants are easy to care for and can thrive in most environments. But which plant is right for you? In this blog post, we will compare the two plants and help you decide which one is best suited for your home!

What is a pothos?

Pothos is a common houseplant that can be found in many homes and offices. It is easily recognized by its long, heart-shaped leaves that are variegated with green, white, and yellow. Pothos is a member of the Araceae family and is native to southeastern Asia.

Pothos is a fast-growing plant and can reach lengths of up to 20 feet. It is a vine that typically climbs up trees or trellises, but it can also trail along the ground.

Pothos is not particular about its soil and will do well in most potting mixes. It prefers moderate to bright indirect light but can tolerate low light conditions.

What is a philodendron?

Philodendrons are a type of tropical plant that is native to the Americas. They are commonly found in rainforests, but can also be found in other humid habitats.

Philodendrons are known for their large, glossy leaves and their ability to climb trees. Some philodendrons even have flowers, although these are not often seen.

Pothos vs Philodendron: Similarities

Both pothos and philodendron plants are very popular houseplants. They are both easy to care for and can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions.

Pothos vs philodendron: identification

Pothos and philodendron plants can both be found in many homes as they are easy to care for. While they may look similar, there are a few key ways to tell them apart. Pothos leaves are typically wider than philodendron leaves and the veins on pothos leaves are more visible.

Philodendron leaves are usually a deep green, while pothos leaves can be a variety of colors including green, yellow, and white. Pothos plants also typically have aerial roots that philodendron plants do not have.

Pothos vs. Philodendron: Scientific Classification

You might think that all green, leafy plants are the same, but there are actually many different types of plants out there. If you’re looking to add some greenery to your home, you might be wondering what the difference is between pothos and philodendron.

Pothos and philodendron are both members of the Araceae family, but they are different species. Pothos is in the Epipremnum genus, while philodendron is in the Philodendron genus.

Pothos plants are often mistaken for philodendrons because they can look similar. Both plants have heart-shaped leaves and trailing vines, but pothos leaves are usually a bit larger than philodendron leaves.

Pothos plants are also known as devil’s ivy because they are so easy to care for. They can survive in low-light conditions and only need to be watered once a week. Philodendrons, on the other hand, need bright, indirect light and should be watered more often, about once a week or when the soil feels dry to the touch.

Pothos vs. Philodendron: Taxonomy

The two plants are often confused because they share many similarities. Both plants are members of the Araceae family, which is also known as the aroid family.

This family contains about 110 genera and more than 3700 species of flowering plants that are found in moist tropical areas around the world.

Plants in this family are characterized by having petiolate leaves with parallel veins and an inflorescence that is borne on a spadix. The spadix is typically surrounded by a leaf-like bract called a spathe.

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a genus of about 60 species of flowering plants that are native to tropical areas of the Old World. The genus name Epipremnum is derived from the Greek words epi, meaning “upon”, and premnon, meaning “trunk”.

The species name aureum is Latin for “golden”. Pothos are climbers that have heart-shaped or arrowhead-shaped leaves. The leaves are typically green, but there are also variegated cultivars that have white, yellow, or cream-colored leaves. The flowers are small and borne on spikes.

Philodendron (Philodendron spp.) is a genus of about 500 species of flowering plants that are native to tropical areas of the Americas. The genus name Philodendron is derived from the Greek words philo, meaning “love”, and dendron, meaning “tree”.

Philodendrons are climbers that have large, lobed leaves. The flowers are small and borne on spadices that are surrounded by spathes.

Pothos vs philodendron: leaves

Pothos and philodendrons are two of the most popular houseplants. They both have beautiful, lush leaves that make them great additions to any home. But how do these two plants compare when it comes to their leaves?

Pothos vs philodendron: leaf shape

When it comes to leaf shape, pothos and philodendron plants are quite different. Pothos leaves are typically narrow and pointed, while philodendron leaves are more oval-shaped. This difference in leaf shape can help you tell these two plant species apart.

Pothos vs philodendron: texture

The two plants have very different textures. Pothos leaves are smooth, while philodendron leaves are rough. This difference is due to the way the plants grow. Pothos grows in a vine-like fashion, with long, slender stems.

Philodendron grows in an upright fashion, with thick, sturdy stems. The difference in texture can also be seen in the leaves of the two plants. Pothos leaves are smooth and glossy, while philodendron leaves are rough and dull.

Pothos vs philodendron: Petioles

Petioles are typically longer on a philodendron than on a pothos. The leaves of a pothos are usually more variegated than those of a philodendron. Philodendrons also tend to be heart-shaped, while pothos leaves are more arrowhead-shaped.

When it comes to flowers, both pothos and philodendrons are typically green. Philodendron flowers are small and clustered together, while pothos flowers are larger and more spread out.

Pothos vs philodendron: Aerial Roots

Aerial roots are one of the major distinguishing features between pothos and philodendron plants. Pothos plants have aerial roots that help them climb and attach to surfaces, while philodendron plants do not have any aerial roots.

This means that if you’re looking for a plant to help add some greenery to your home, but don’t want to worry about it taking over your space, a pothos plant may be a better option for you.

Pothos vs philodendron: Growth habit

Pothos and philodendrons can both be found in many homes as they are easy to care for houseplants. They can both climb or trail, making them versatile plants that can be used in a number of ways in your home décor.

Pothos vs philodendron: new foliage

As houseplants go, pothos and philodendrons are two of the most popular choices. Both plants are easy to care for, and they’re known for their ability to thrive in a variety of conditions. But what sets these two plants apart?

Pothos vs philodendron: Sheath

Pothos and philodendrons are two of the most popular houseplants. They are both easy to care for, and they look great in any setting. But what sets these two plants apart? One key difference is their sheaths. Pothos plants have a green sheath that covers the stem, while philodendrons have a brown sheath.

The sheath is important because it protects the plant from pests and diseases. It also helps the plant retain water, which is essential for growth. Pothos plants are known for being drought-tolerant, while philodendrons need regular watering to stay healthy.

Pothos vs philodendron: light requirements

Pothos and philodendrons are two of the most popular houseplants. They are both easy to care for, and they can thrive in a wide range of conditions. But when it comes to light requirements, these two plants have very different needs.

Pothos is a low-light plant. It can tolerate bright light, but it will do just fine in a spot that gets only indirect sunlight. Philodendron, on the other hand, is a high-light plant. It needs bright, filtered light to thrive.

Pothos vs philodendron: Soil

Pothos and philodendrons are both aroid plants, meaning they have similar soil requirements. Both plants prefer loose, well-draining soil with a moderate amount of organic matter.

While pothos will tolerate a wider range of soils than philodendrons, both plants will suffer if the soil is too heavy or poorly drained. A good potting mix for both pothos and philodendrons is two parts peat moss to one part perlite or vermiculite.

Pothos vs philodendron: Water

Pothos and philodendron plants are both tropical species that require humid conditions to thrive. While they share many similarities, there are a few key differences between these two popular houseplants.

One of the biggest distinctions is in their watering needs. Pothos are much more tolerant of dry conditions than philodendrons. These plants are often found in humid jungles, so they’re used to getting by with less water.

If you’re growing pothos in a pot, allow the top layer of soil to dry out completely before watering again. With philodendrons, on the other hand, it’s best to keep the soil moist at all times. These plants grow in constantly damp conditions and will quickly start to suffer if the soil is allowed to dry out.

Pothos vs philodendron: Temperature

Pothos and philodendrons are both tropical plants, so they prefer warm temperatures. However, pothos can tolerate a wider range of temperatures than philodendrons. Philodendrons prefer temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, while pothos can tolerate temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

When it comes to temperature, pothos is the more versatile plant. If you’re not sure what temperature to keep your plants at, err on the side of cooler temperatures for philodendrons and warmer temperatures for pothos.

Pothos vs philodendron: toxicity

Pothos and philodendron plants are both common houseplants that are known for their easy care. But did you know that these two plants can actually be toxic to pets?

If you have a pet, it’s important to know which plants in your home could potentially be harmful. Here’s a look at the toxicity of pothos and philodendron plants.

Pothos plants are part of the Araceae family, which is a group of plants that contain calcium oxalate crystals. These crystals can cause irritation to the mouth and throat, as well as diarrhea and vomiting if ingested by pets. Philodendron plants also contain these calcium oxalate crystals, and they can cause the same symptoms in pets.

In general, it’s best to keep both pothos and philodendron plants out of reach of pets. If you think your pet has ingested either plant, contact your veterinarian right away.

neon pothos vs philodendron lemon lime

There are a lot of similarities between neon pothos and philodendron lemon lime. They are both vining plants with heart-shaped leaves, and they can both tolerate low light conditions. However, there are also some important differences between these two plants.

One of the most obvious differences is the color of their leaves. Neon pothos has bright green leaves, while philodendron lemon lime has yellow-green leaves. Another difference is that neon pothos is a succulent, while philodendron lemon lime is not. This means that neon pothos can store water in its leaves, while philodendron lemon lime cannot.

Brazil pothos vs philodendron.

While both of these plants are often used as houseplants, there are some key differences between them. Brazil pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a fast-growing vine that can reach up to 20 feet in length. Philodendron (Philodendron spp.) on the other hand, is a slower-growing plant that typically only reaches about three feet in height. Brazil pothos is also known for its variegated leaves, which can range in color from green to yellow to white. Philodendron leaves are usually just green.

Golden pothos vs philodendron.

Both plants are easy to care for and make great houseplants, but there are some key differences between them.

Golden pothos are more tolerant of lower light levels than philodendron, making them a good choice for locations that don’t get a lot of natural light. They also have heart-shaped leaves, whereas philodendron leaves are more oval in shape.

Philodendron are faster growers than golden pothos and can reach up to 20 feet in length, whereas golden pothos max out at around six feet.

Cebu blue pothos vs philodendron.

The Cebu blue pothos is a beautiful, easy-to-care-for houseplant that can brighten up any room. The philodendron is also a popular houseplant that is known for its easy care. So, which one should you choose?

Here are some things to consider when choosing between a Cebu blue pothos and a philodendron:

-The Cebu blue pothos is more tolerant of lower light levels than the philodendron.

-The philodendron is more tolerant of higher humidity levels than the Cebu blue pothos.

-The Cebu blue pothos is more likely to climb than the philodendron.

-The Cebu blue pothos has variegated leaves, while the philodendron has solid green leaves.

Marble queen pothos vs philodendron

The two plants are often confused because they can look very similar. Both have large, dark green leaves with splashes of white or yellow. However, there are some key differences between the two.

Marble queen pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘Marble Queen’) is a fast-growing climber that can reach up to 20 feet. It’s a popular houseplant because it’s easy to care for and can tolerate low light.

Philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum) is also a fast-growing climber, but it can get even larger than the marble queen pothos, reaching up to 30 feet. It’s also a popular houseplant, but it prefers brighter light than the marble queen pothos.

Silver pothos vs philodendron

There are a few key differences between silver pothos and philodendron plants. Silver pothos have heart-shaped leaves with silvery streaks, while philodendron leaves are more oval-shaped with greenish-yellow hues. Philodendron plants also tend to be much larger than silver pothos.

Pothos vine vs philodendron

So, which plant is better for you? If you’re looking for a fast-growing, easy-care plant, then the pothos vine is a great choice. If you want a larger plant with more interesting foliage, then the philodendron might be a better option. Whichever plant you choose, make sure to do your research and provide the proper care to ensure a healthy, happy plant!

Conclusion

So, which one should you choose? Pothos or philodendron?

If you’re looking for a tough, low-maintenance plant that can tolerate neglect, then pothos is the way to go. On the other hand, if you want a plant with beautiful foliage that adds a touch of elegance to your home, then philodendron is the better choice. Whichever plant you choose, make sure to do your research and provide the proper care to ensure a healthy, happy plant. Thanks for reading!