Pothos and philodendrons are two different plants that belong to two different genera. Pothos is a member of the Epipremnum genus, while philodendron is a member of the Philodendron genus. They do, however, belong to the same family, as both pothos and philodendron are aroid plants (Araceae).
Are philodendrons and pothos the same?
I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit two tropical locales during this frigid, snowy winter. In December, I traveled to Costa Rica to pick up my son from his semester abroad, and I recently returned from my husband’s employee incentive trip to the Dominican Republic.
I obviously appreciated the warm, sunny weather in both places, but I really enjoy viewing the tropical vegetation. There are many native plants that we grow as houseplants.
Philodendron and pothos are two plants that always astonish me in their natural setting. Many houseplants are labeled as philodendron, however the majority are most likely pothos. Both have green leaves and are vining plants, yet they are extremely distinct. Allow me to attempt to explain.
Philodendrons are tropical plants with a variety of leaf shapes and colors. The heartleaf philodendron is the most common type of philodendron (Philodendron scandens subsp. oxycardium). This is a vine that grows quickly. It grows on slender, flexible vines with heart-shaped dark green leaves. This plant develops quickly. Because they withstand low light and fluctuating temperatures, all philodendrons are popular.
Pothos are plants that are very distinct from one another. Pothos, commonly known as Devil’s Ivy, is a tropical vine. Crisp, gleaming leaves with gold, white, or yellow patterns distinguish it. The silver pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘Marble Queen’) is the most common. When young, it has smooth, waxy leaves that are mottled with white. Pothos require a little more light and warmth than philodendrons. Pothos, in fact, need more light to generate strong leaf patterns and variegation.
When grown in their natural habitat of the tropics, these plants produce amazing results. Both juvenile and adult leaves can be produced by them. In most cases, we only see the juvenile leaves in our homes. Adult leaves are larger and have a different form from juvenile leaves. Once the vining plant reaches a particular height, the larger adult leaves will appear at the top.
These plants are considered to be two of the best plants for purifying indoor air. NASA research from the late 1980s discovered that a variety of houseplants may eliminate typical indoor contaminants found in carpets, furniture, construction materials, and cleaning chemicals. For a typical 2,000 square foot household, the study suggests having at least 15 air-cleaning houseplants.
Shape and Texture
Both pothos and vining philodendron have heart-shaped leaves, although philodendron leaves are often broader. A philodendron leaf will also have a more dramatic curve where the leaf joins to the stem, called the petiole, similar to the top of a heart.
Pothos has thicker, waxier leaves than heart leaf philodendron in general.
Petioles
The petioles are little stems that connect the leaves to the plant’s main stem. The petiole of a philodendron is spherical, whereas the petiole of a pothos is depressed and curled inwards, similar to the shape of a celery stalk.
Aerial Roots
Aerial roots will sprout on both philodendron and pothos plants, allowing them to climb and vine. Pothos aerial roots, on the other hand, are thick, and there will only be one per node (where the leaf and petiole attach to the stem). Heartleaf philodendron aerial roots, on the other hand, are thinner, with two or more at each node.
New Growth
The way new leaves grow is the final way we’ll distinguish between pothos and heartleaf philodendron today. A fresh pothos leaf is tightly curled and unfurls slowly over time, showing a lighter version of a mature leaf that will deepen with age.
New philodendron leaves, on the other hand, will have sheaths called cataphylls around them. The cataphylls will dry up and fall off once the leaves have opened and grown. A baby philodendron leaf has a pinkish or yellowish hue to it, and as it matures, it becomes more green.
Which is better pothos or philodendron?
Botanical curiosity isn’t the only motivation to figure out what your plant’s true identify is. Despite their close kinship, Pothos and Philodendrons have distinct characteristics. Overall, a Pothos is more hardy and grows more quickly than a Philodendron.
Philodendron leaves are often more evenly green than Pothos leaves, however both include dramatically variegated variations.
Pothos
Though it can adapt to low light, a Pothos enjoys bright, indirect light… and prefers it in greater quantities than a Philodendron. The plant doesn’t like direct sunlight, but it can withstand more than a Philodendron without being sunburned. It’s also a little more drought-resistant.
A Pothos can withstand extreme heat but despises frigid conditions. If it is exposed to cold water, its roots may be shocked.
Philodendron
A Heartleaf Philodendron, unlike a Pothos, can flourish in lower light circumstances. They also keep their variegation in low light better.
A Philodendron is a little easier to propagate (though both species are easy). They are also more resistant to the cold. Philodendrons do not withstand frost and stop growing in cold environments, however they are less susceptible to cold stress than Pothos.
How do you identify a philodendron?
Philodendron foliage is normally green, but it can also be coppery, crimson, or purplish; parallel leaf veins are usually green, but they can also be red or white. The shape, size, and texture of the leaves vary greatly depending on the plant’s species and maturity. The berry is white to orange in color. The differences between the juvenile and adult phases make it nearly hard to distinguish between distinct kinds of tiny plants.
Are Monstera and Philodendron the same?
Because there are so many diverse species, it’s only natural that some of them may exhibit characteristics that are more frequently associated with Monsteras.
- Split-leaf philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum): this plant is frequently sold under the name Monstera deliciosa, and it’s easy to confuse the two. The shape and size of the leaves are what distinguishes the two. The leaves of the philodendron are narrower and divided rather than fenestrated. Monstera leaves are spherical and heart-shaped, and they have a feather-like appearance.
- Philodendron minimum is a difficult plant to grow. It has oval-shaped, split leaves that resemble those of a Monstera, and as a result, it’s sometimes referred to as a’mini monstera’ in the plant trade. It’s not a Philodendron with holes or a Monstera, though. Rhaphidophora tetrasperma belongs to the Rhaphidophora genus and is an entirely different species.
Is Monstera a philodendron?
Even though it isn’t classed as a philodendron, the monstera looks and acts like one. Split-leaf philodendron refers to two distinct philodendron species: Philodendron bipinnatifidum and Philodendron selloum.
Is Philodendron the same as devil’s ivy?
Is there Devil’s Ivy in your house? It’s one of the most attractive houseplants that takes little maintenance. However, you might be startled to realize that you have an imposter on your hands! Both Devil’s Ivy (pothos) and philodendron are grown for their gorgeous foliage, but their leaves and growth habits are so similar that they are sometimes confused. So, how do you distinguish between them? Here are some things to watch for, as well as some pointers on how to keep plants growing in your house for years to come.
Which is Which? Look At The Leaves
Both have heart-shaped leaves, but Devil’s Ivy’s foliage is always white or yellow in color, and the leaves are lustrous and waxy, with a distinct midrib line through the middle.
What plant looks like a Philodendron?
Of course, there always appears to be a species or two in the plant world that defies description. Take, for example, Silver or Satin pothos. Although they are known as pothos, these lovely plants are actually members of the Scindapsus genus. They have heart-shaped foliage with silver patterns that looks a lot like philodendron at first glance.
Apart from their look, philodendrons and pothos have comparable requirements. Both species like bright, indirect light but can survive under lower light levels. If the soil surface seems dry to the touch, water them and cut the plants back if they get too lanky. This will encourage the formation of new leaves and a more compact growth pattern.
Neither plant requires a lot of food. They’ll be quite happy if you feed them a little houseplant fertilizer once or twice a year. Philodendron and pothos can also be trained to grow up a bark-covered structure or used in hanging baskets with their long vines draped over the side to create a colorful curtain.
Philodendrons and pothos are also live air filters, gently eliminating toxins like benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air in your home. According to NASA studies, putting one plant per 100 square feet of home or workplace space is the most efficient way to filter the air.
When you think about it, the differences between pothos and philodendron probably don’t matter all that much, but knowing which is which at the garden center is still entertaining. Or, at your next dinner party, when there’s a lull in the discussion!
Is Devils ivy a pothos?
The tropical vine Pothos (Epipremnum aureum), often known as Devil’s Ivy, is native to French Polynesia. The pothos plant is one of the most popular houseplants in temperate countries because to its gorgeous leaf, low maintenance requirements, and near-indestructibility.
Can you mix pothos and Philodendron together?
Pothos and philodendrons can be grown together securely due to their similar care requirements.
Despite the fact that both plants belong to the aroid family, they are not the same genus, and there are a few changes in leaf form, size, texture, and other characteristics that identify them.
If you’re interested in learning how to grow two plants that are similar yet distinct in the same pot, I’ve put up a guide on how to plant pothos and philodendrons together.