They tend to revert to all-green leaves to boost photosynthesis in dim light. Much like heart-leaf philodendron, scindapsus pictus is often confused with pothos plants because of having a similar leaf shape. Botanical curiosity is only one reason to find out the true identity of your plant. The green heartleaf Philodendron is a vining type of plant with dark-green leaves in a heart’s shape. Pothos an incredibly popular houseplant with heart shaped leaves, is considered by many to be one of the easiest plants to care for. Although it can still grow in indirect sunlight, it loses its vibrancy when grown in very dim light away from the sun. The biggest difference is that pothos have larger, thicker leaves and grooved stems. Their leaves never get as big as monstera leaves and they grow much more like a pothos. Check the middle span of the leaf: Heartleaf Philodendrons are typically more rounded and heart-shaped with a longer spout-like tip. The 2nd picture is what things look like when I lift up the leaves. Heartleaf Philodendron definitely has some quirks. One of the most unusual varieties is the Ace of Spades: its leaves have dark undersides that start out as reddish-orange. Whats people lookup in this blog: The petiole of a Pothos has a grooved ridge that runs in parallel along the leaf stem. Both require to be fed fertilizer during their periods of active growth. The Marble Queen Pothos features striking “shattered” variegation. Pothos vs. Philodendron. To most inexperienced home gardeners, it can be very easy to confuse both plants. The most common pothos is the silver pothos (Epipremnum aureum 'Marble Queen'). Finally, variegated forms of Philodendrons generally have crisper delineations and hold their color better than Pothos in lower light conditions. Philodendron Lemon Lime Care. December 2019 5+ easy ways to tell the difference between a Pothos and a Philodendron, including one difference that no one mentions! And here’s where it gets tricky. Enjoy your stay at Smart Garden Guide. On the other hand, the leaves of the philodendron can grow to a maximum of 12 inches in length. Philodendron leaves tend to be darker and less likely to be variegated. Unsurprisingly, these popular houseplants go by many common names. The pothos (also called Devil's Ivy) is also a tropical vine. Wandering Jew (Tradescantia zebrina) An easier plant to care for and love cannot be found except … Most of the pothos cultivars have variegated leaves, but some are solid colored. However lemon lime is preferable because it is easier to grow and leaves are more attractively colored. It is also known as the devil’s ivy. Its leaves are not shiny and the leaves can be as long as 3-4 inches when grown indoors. Since it has thicker and more substantial leaves, the golden pothos can be grow in rocky soil with very less water. Philodendron Neon or Lime A Pothos leaf also has the look and feel of being lightly waxed. To Rake, or Not To Rake: Should You Leave Your Leaf Litter In Place? I’m here to share my experience and help you have more success and enjoyment growing plants. The cataphyll eventually turns papery thin and brown before it dries up and falls off. Philodendron stems are often a green-ish brown, and fresh, extended stems near the bottom are an orangey-brown (see photo above). It can be grown in dark corners but I think that it is best grown in moderately bright areas. The golden pothos on the other hand, has heart-shaped leaves which are medium-green in color. You’ll have to become aware of some lesser-known plant parts to use this method, but it offers surefire identification. Plants that Detoxify the Air. Philodendrons are trailing vines in the same family as pothos. The name pothos however, refers specifically to the Epipremnum aureum. Pothos vs. Philodendron: What's the Difference? Important differences that set them apart: Though it can adapt to low light, a Pothos prefers bright, indirect light … and they generally want more of it than a Philodendron does. The appearance is a bit different for each variety. The name philodendron actually translates into “love tree,” perhaps because of their heart-shaped leaves. The philodendron belongs to the Araceae family. The petiole is the short stem that attaches a leaf to the main vine. The heartleaf philodendron on the other hand, needs to be grown in moist soil and it can tolerate fluctuations in household humidity. All these names refer to the same plant, known by the scientific name Epipremnum aureum. Pothos are really quite different plants. Philodendron stems are often a green-ish brown, and fresh, extended stems near the bottom are an orangey-brown (see photo above). A Pothos has solitary aerial roots and grooved petioles, whereas Philodendrons have thin, clustered aerial roots, smooth petioles, distinctive cataphylls, and variation of new growth color. The most common source of confusion is the Satin Pothos, which is actually a Scindapsus pictus, and not in the same genus as either Philodendron hederaceum or Epipremnum aureum. Both plants have green or variegated broad leaves on vines that can trail or climb. This color variance is more pronounced on some varieties: a deep green mother plant may have olive-colored new foliage, or its fresh growth may come in with orange or reddish hues. They are also more tolerant of cold weather. Golden pothos and heartleaf philodendron have similar, heart-shaped leaves. What Are Their Differences In Appearance? This plant goes by the scientific name Philodendron hederaceum, but it is very commonly seen under the synonym Philodendron scandens. The leaves of a Heartleaf Philodendron have a matte-like finish that absorbs light. Although they might look similar at first glance, you need to understand that if you look closely, they actually have so many unique characteristics to boast of. Although even this is confused a little further, as you will sometimes see it listed as Scindapsus aureus. Many growers own a plant for years before learning its correct identity – but they have important differences. The Best Fire Pit Kit for All Seasons: Everything You Need to Know, How to Stain a New Deck: 9 Helpful Tips to Get It Done Right. Pothos leaves tend to be more irregularly shaped with ends that are shorter and less pointed. Pothos vs. Philodendron: 5 Easy Ways to Tell the Difference! A Pothos has solitary aerial roots and grooved petioles, whereas Philodendrons have thin, clustered aerial roots, smooth petioles, distinctive cataphylls, and variation of new growth color. Don’t be confused by the many varieties of Pothos and Heartleaf Philodendron – which, predictably, often come with indeterminate names that are assigned willy-nilly by retailers. But if you want to bring out their best qualities, I highly recommend that you give them what they need. Philodendrons have a specialized sheath called a cataphyll. The difference is that it has crisp, shiny leaves with gold, white, or yellow markings. The heartleaf philodendron, which is typically used at home has heart-shaped leaves which are dark green in color and matte-toned. Comparison Table (Pothos vs Philodendron Plants) What Are Pothos Plants? When it comes to pothos VS philodendron, you need to understand that these two are vining plants that thrive in warm or tropical climates. Both Pothos and philodendron do well in moist soil. Pothos aerial roots are thick nubs, with just one root extending from a node. They are thinner and more spindly than those of a Pothos, emerging in groups of two to six, or even more. Both plants also have heart-shaped leaves. Golden Pothos vs. Heartleaf philodendron The leaves of the golden pothos are larger than those of the heartleaf philodendron. Emerging Philodendron foliage can have a brownish or pink tint. It also has a well-defined ridge down the center midrib that a Philodendron lacks. Both Pothos and Philodendrons have aerial roots. Pothos Pothos leaves are heart-shaped, green, and pointed, somewhat resembling philodendron. The pothos are tough, adaptable plants. Pothos and philodendrons both have aerial (air) roots that are used to climb and absorb nutrients and moisture from the air. The cataphyll is actually a modified leaf of its own. The petiole is a bit thicker than a Philodendron’s, too. Heartleaf Philodendron leaves will be more matte, elongated, and heart-shaped, with a smooth petiole. Because they love humidity, green heartleaf Philodendron are excellent plants for bathrooms. If grown outdoors, its leaves can grow 18-24 inches long. So it makes sense to assume that scindapsus pictus is simply a variety of the more common pothos. It’s a little more drought-tolerant, too. There are lots of different philodendron species, including Heart Leaf, which grows very long but not wide. This difference that I’m about to describe makes it really easy to tell the difference between … Pothos is often known as Devil’s Ivy, Money Plant, Taro vine, and Silver Vine. Pothos vs Philodendron Summary: A Pothos’s glossy leaves are thicker than a Heartleaf Philodendron’s matte, elongated, heart-shaped leaves. But the leaves of the heartleaf philodendron are flat and its color patterns typically appear in clean lines without being too intricate or unique from each other. Both Pothos and philodendrons have a heart-shaped leaves. The golden pothos typically do not produce any flowers when grown indoors. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Common varieties include 'Marble Queen,' 'Neon,' and 'Pearls and Jade.' For example, the pothos, or the golden pothos have shiny, thick leaves as well as yellowish-white flowers that can be seen if you grow the plant outdoors. If you want them to have variegation as well as visible leaf markings, they should also be grown in warm temperatures. In addition, a heartleaf philodendron has a richer green color and an almost velvety appearance. Pothos, below, is occasionally called Devil’s Ivy and has larger, waxy leaves, often with gold, white, or yellow markings. It’s not actually too difficult to tell the two plants apart, and this article will compare pothos vs philodendron so you can always identify each one. 2. Look inside the Thoughthole to learn more about proper care of this staple of the houseplant community. Philodendrons stop growing in a cold environment and don’t tolerate frost, but they’re less prone to stress from cooler temperatures than a Pothos. I think pothos are trickier to grow than Philodendron and aren't quite as pretty....I much prefer Philodendron. The heartleaf philodendron however, produces green flowers throughout the year. Sometimes Pothos and Heartleaf Philodendron are even mislabelled by retailers, which only adds to the confusion. These roots sprout from leaf nodes and can absorb moisture and nutrients – they act like little local power plants along the vining stem. This plant is often wrongly labeled as the philodendron in many plant stores. One idiosyncrasy is that the new leaves are often a different color than the main plant. First off, make sure you’ve got a pothos plant vs. a heartleaf philodendron. Some gardeners even say that this plant is drought tolerant. The waxy surface of a Pothos leaf gives off a glossy glow. When grown in the right conditions, the Golden pothos can also grow as long as 40 feet. The most popular type is the rapid growing vine called heartleaf philodendron. Philodendron. In terms of care, they are basically the same. Keep in mind that each variety has a slightly different appearance, so it is important that you are familiar with each one. But if grow outside, it can produce yellowish-white blooms. Tell us more about how you can differentiate one from the other in the comment section. The Lemon lime heartleaf philodendron is an easy to grow and low maintenance plant. Hi, I’m Andrew, and Smart Garden Guide is my website all about indoor gardening and houseplants. The most popular is the gold-hued Golden Pothos, but even the mostly green Jade Pothos can have cream patches. smartgardenguide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other Amazon stores worldwide. The main difference between pothos and philodendron is that the former have larger, thicker, and waxier foliage while the latter have thinner and more heart-shaped leaves. Its leaves can be seen with yellow patches and they can also grow 3-4 inches long. Trim them during the off season. It’s amazing how two plants that look pretty similar at first glance, can all of a sudden be easily identified with just a few key features. What Are Their Differences In Growth Requirements. Terrarium Soil Layers And Their Functions (With Pictures), Cast Iron Plant Care - How To Grow Aspidistra Elatior. This is because the two of them share very close characteristics. An important aspect of identifying plants is to notice the details. There are a few easily discerned differences in the petiole of the two plants. So even before we get to the appearance of these plants, you can see that identifying them by name can cause a lot of confusion. There is one root per node. They are both vining plants that look similar. However, if you take a closer look, you will actually see that these two plants have a lot of differences. Philodendron leaves are thinner and have a smooth surface. The leaves of a Philodendron are usually more uniformly green than the Pothos, though each has strikingly variegated varieties. Note: Aerial roots can grow long and unsightly, but don’t prune them during their high-growth period because they typically respond by multiplying. The botanical differences we’ve covered will still be applicable. The most common type is golden pothos, having medium green leaves with yellow patches and a waxy text… Heart leaf philodendron or philodendron scandens are similar to jade pothos, all of its leaves are green when they are mature and there’s no variegation to them. In essence, the golden pothos’ leaves can grow up to 30 inches in length. Both Philodendrons and Pothos belong to the same family, Araceae, but Pothos are in the genus Epipremnum, and Philodendrons are of the genus Philodendron. Since the two of them belong to the same family, they can both produce spathe flowers. The Philodendron lemon lime plant is sometimes confused with a pothos Epipremnum aureum because of its somewhat resembling appearance. Two plants that often get confused as the same. Aerial roots grow above the soil. The topside has an even, almost velvety feel. It looks less like a standard Philodendron than a common Pothos does! It has been called the money tree in India and Bangladesh because it is known to grow and produce leaves abundantly inside the home. As a matter of fact, only a few house plants can tolerate low light conditions than this vine. Philodendron Lemon Lime is an extremely easy houseplant, tolerant of low-bright light. But if grow outside, it can produce yellowish-white blooms. Their climbing/trailing habit makes them extremely decorative and useful in a variety of settings, and their variegated forms add a type of interest not available with true philodendron. My name is Emily Taylor, gardening is my passion and I’m looking forward to sharing it with everyone. It has smooth, waxy leaves variegated with white, especially when young.