Philodendrons and pothos plants are two of the most popular houseplants. While they may look similar, there are some key differences in philodendron vs. pothos. They are both easy to care for and can thrive in various conditions.
A common mix up of the begginer plant enthusiast is confusing a philodendron (botanical name Philodendron hederaceum var. oxycardium) and a pothos (Epipremnum aureum).
In general, philodendrons are typically larger than pothos and have heart-shaped leaves. Pothos tend to have variegated leaves and can climb surfaces with their aerial roots.
Read on for more similarities and differences and how to tell which plant you have (or which type of plant is right for you).
Philodendron vs. Pothos: Similarities
Philodendrons and pothos both climb in the wild. They will naturally grow up the sides of trees and other plants, buildings, telephone poles – whatever they can cling to with their aerial roots.
As indoor plants they will often be found in hanging baskets with vines trailing over the sides. Plant owners also give them trellises or moss poles to climb.
Related Post: Moss Poles for Plants | Why You Need One and Where to Get It
Most philodendrons and pothos have green, glossy leaves and tend to be about the size of an adult’s palm when fully grown.
That’s about where the similarities end. Let’s learn all the differences between these two popular houseplants!
Pothos vs. Philodendron: Differences
Philodendrons and pothos are not the same. There are several critical differences between pothos (commonly called “Devil’s Ivy”) and philodendrons and when you know those differences, the plants are fairly easy to tell apart.
Size and Shape of Leaf
One simple way to tell the difference between pothos and philodendrons is the shape and texture of the leaves. A pothos leaf is thicker, with a waxy feel and a slightly raised/bumpy texture to the leaves.
Pothos has a more obviously indented midrib, and the shape looks like a gardening spade. On the other hand, a philodendron has thinner leaves with a smooth texture.
The philodendron leaf shape is heart-like, with a prominent sinus and tailed apex. The sinus is the space between the two rounded lobes where the leaf meets the petiole. The apex is the point of the leaf. There is even a plant in the philodendron genus called the heart leaf philodendron, which has a particularly heart-shaped leaf, as the name would suggest.
When you glide your fingers across a philodendron leaf, you won’t feel any texture like you would touching a pothos. The pothos leaf is textured, while the philodendron leaf is smooth.
Pothos leaves tend to be more asymmetrical than philodendron leaves.
Growth Habits
Another way to tell the two plants apart is by looking at how it grows (aka growth habit).
A new pothos plant leaf is tightly curled and slowly uncurls as it matures. As it comes uncurled, a lighter version of the leaf is revealed. The leaf will then darken over time.
A young philodendron leaf has a pinkish or yellowish tint before they darken to its true color.
A philodendron leaf extends on a vine in a cataphyll, a thin, waxy, opaque sheath. A cataphyll is a tiny, modified leaf that will bring in light to the plant (through photosynthesis) until it becomes brown and papery and falls off. The cataphylls will dry up and fall off once the leaves have opened and matured.
Pro Tip: Cataphylls are unique to philodendron plants. So if you’re having trouble deciding which plant you have, this is a go-to feature to look for.
Stems
Stems on pothos are thicker than on philodendron plants and are about the same color as the leaves. Philodendron stems are usually greenish-brown, and fresh, extended stems near the bottom are orangey-brown (see photo above).
Aerial Roots
Both philodendron and pothos plants grow aerial roots, which help them climb and vine.
Pothos aerial roots are thick. There is one aerial root per node. A node is where the leaf and petiole attach to the stem.
In contrast, philodendron aerial roots are thin, and you’ll see at least two or more at each node.
Do I Have a Pothos or a Philodrendon?
Two trendy houseplants look strikingly similar: the pothos and the philodendron. So, how can you tell them apart?
For starters, philodendrons have much larger leaves than pothos plants. Philodendron leaves can grow up to 12 inches long, while pothos leaves max out at around 6 inches.
Another key difference is in the shape of the leaves. Philodendron leaves are usually oval-shaped with smooth edges, while pothos leaves are more heart-shaped with jagged edges.
Finally, philodendrons typically have red or greenish-brown stems, while pothos plants have yellow or green stems.
Which is better, philodendron or pothos?
Pothos and philodendrons are two of the most common houseplants. They are both easy to care for and thrive in various conditions. But which one is best for your home?
Pothos is also a good choice if you have pets or small children. The plant is non-toxic and safe to have around the house. Philodendron plants, on the other hand, are poisonous if ingested.
What needs more light, pothos or philodendron?
A philodendron and a pothos are common houseplants that often thrive in low-light conditions. But which one needs more light?
Philodendrons are a type of evergreen plant that is native to the tropical rainforests of South America. They can grow quite large, with some species reaching heights of 20 feet or more. Philodendrons are known for tolerating low light conditions, making them a popular choice as houseplants.
Pothos is one of the most popular indoor plants because they are easy to care for and tolerate a wide range of growing conditions.
Pothos are native to tropical forests, where they grow draped over tree branches and logs. They prefer bright, indirect sunlight but can also tolerate lower light levels.
If you are still determining whether your pothos is getting enough light, look for leaves that are pale or yellowing. This is a sign that your plant is not getting enough light, and you should move it to a brighter location.
Do Pothos Grow Faster Than Philodendrons?
In general, pothos plants tend to grow slightly faster than philodendron plants. The faster growth rate is because pothos is less fussy about their growing conditions and can tolerate a broader range of temperatures and light levels. However, both plants will grow best in warm, humid conditions with bright, indirect light.
Pothos is an excellent option if you’re looking for a fast-growing houseplant. Just be sure to give it plenty of room to spread out – these vining plants can quickly take over a small pot or space!
Can philodendron and pothos be planted together in the same pot?
Assuming you have the space for both plants and can provide the appropriate lighting conditions, there is no reason why you can’t plant philodendrons and pothos together.
Just be sure to give each plant enough room to grow, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations to see what looks best in your space.
Remember that philodendrons like to climb things, while pothos prefers to trail. Finally, philodendrons prefer shady areas, while pothos do better in bright, indirect light.
How to tell the difference between philodendron and pothos:
Here are a few go-to ways to tell the difference between these two popular indoor plants:
- Philodendron leaves are typically larger and more glossy than those of Pothos.
- Philodendron vines tend to be thinner and less fuzzy than Pothos vines.
- The roots of a philodendron plant are typically yellow-tinted, while those of a Pothos plant are white.
- Also, when you look at where the leaf connects to the stem (the petiole), a philodendron leaf has a dramatic curve that will remind you of the top of a heart.
Pro Tip: Many philodendrons, including the very common heartleaf philodendron, have heart-shaped leaves that are thin and soft.
Pothos vs. Philodendron Care
Pothos and philodendron have very similar needs regarding light, soil, water, and temperature. Both are widely considered low-maintenance houseplants. There are a couple of minor differences in care needs that are useful to know.
- The philodendron tends to be less drought tolerant and needs more bright light to grow well.
- Pothos prefer somewhat higher temperatures than philodendrons.
Our Favorite Philodendron Varieties and Pothos Varieties
Related Post: Prettiest Philodendron Varieties
Whether you choose a philodendron or a pothos, both are great for beginner plant parents and more experienced plant keepers.