10 Difference Between Pothos And Philodendron Plants

Pothos

Pothos is a common houseplant for improving indoor air quality, making home and office environments beautiful. The plant native to western Pacific Islands, pothos is known by an array of common names including devil’s vine, Ceylon creeper, taro vine or silver vine.

The long stems of pothos trail or climb by aerial roots that attach to surfaces hence making pothos choice for hanging baskets, plant stands and bookshelves.  This trailing vine has pointed, heart-shaped green leaves, sometimes variegated with white, yellow or pale green. While pothos loves bright, indirect light, it can grow very well in areas that don’t get a lot of sunlight or have only fluorescence lighting such as offices, bathrooms and bed rooms.

Pothos

What You Need To Know About Pothos

  • A Pothos has leaves with thicker, waxy feel and slightly raised/bumpy texture with an indented midrib. Pothos leaves can sometime be typically more asymmetrical than philodendron leaves.
  • Pothos plants have leaves with a silver or white coloration.
  • The Petiole of the Pothos plants have a slight identification as well as brown edge appearance.
  • Pothos tolerate low light more readily than philodendrons. Pothos get leggy more slowly and their leaf size remains relatively unaffected by low light.
  • Pothos aerial roots are thick nubs with essentially one root extending from a node.
  • When grown indoors, the Pothos plant can grow up to 3 feet long with leaves measuring 3-4 inches across in length.
  • Pothos flowers are green, purple and yellow in color.
  • Some of the different pothos varieties include Jade, Pearls Cebu blue and marble.
  • Pothos can retain water longer, making it more drought-tolerant as compared to Philodendron.
  • Cataphylls are absent in pothos.

Also Read: Different Types of Pothos

Philodendron

Philodendron is a classic houseplant which is native to tropical rainforests where they ruggedly climb up trees. The leaves are usually large and imposing, often lobed or deeply cut and may be more or less pinnate. They can also be oval, spear-shaped or in many other possible shape variations. The leaves are borne alternately on the stem.  One of the most distinguishing feature of philodendron is that they do not have a single type of leaf on the same plant, instead they have juvenile leaves and adult leaves, which can be conspicuously different from one another.  The leaves of seedling philodendron are usually heart-shaped.

Philodendrons have both aerial and subterranean roots. The aerial roots occur in many shapes and sizes and originate from most of the plant’s nodes or occasionally from an internode.  These aerial roots allow philodendron to attach itself to a tree or any structure around them.  For indoor use, there are two basic types of philodendrons: the climbing varieties and the self-heading (non-climbing) types.

Philodendron

What You Need To Know About Philodendron

  • A Philodendron has thinner leaves with a smooth texture.
  • Philodendron leaves are completely green.
  • Philodendrons have petioles that are more round and uniform.
  • Philodendrons will get leggy more quickly than Pothos and will begin to grow very small leaves if they don’t receive enough light.
  • Philodendron aerial roots can grow in groups of between 2 to 6 and are thin and spindly.
  • Most varieties of Philodendron can be between 5-6 feet when grown indoors.
  • Philodendron has green color flowers all year round.
  • Some of the varieties of philodendron include Heart leaf and philodendron brasil etc.
  • Philodendron does not retain water for a longer time, making it less drought tolerant.
  • Philodendron produce cataphylls which are modified leaves that surround and protect the newly forming leaves. Cataphylls are usually green, leaf-like and rigid.

Also Read: Philodendron Pink Princess

Pothos vs Philodendron In Tabular Form

BASIS OF COMPARISON

 

 

POTHOSPHILODENDRON
Leaf ThicknessA Pothos has leaves with thicker, waxy feel and slightly raised/bumpy texture with an indented midrib.A Philodendron has thinner leaves with a smooth texture.

 

 

Leaf ColorPothos plants have leaves with a silver or white coloration.Philodendron leaves are completely green.
PetioleThe Petiole of the Pothos plants have a slight identification as well as brown edge appearance.Philodendrons have petioles that are more round and uniform.
Low Light Tolerance Pothos tolerate low light more readily than philodendrons. Pothos get leggy more slowly and their leaf size remains relatively unaffected by low light.Philodendrons will get leggy more quickly than Pothos and will begin to grow very small leaves if they don’t receive enough light.

 

 

Aerial Roots Pothos aerial roots are thick nubs with essentially one root extending from a node.Philodendron aerial roots can grow in groups of between 2 to 6 and are thin and spindly.
Height/SizeWhen grown indoors, the Pothos plant can grow up to 3 feet long with leaves measuring 3-4 inches across in length.Most varieties of Philodendron can be between 5-6 feet when grown indoors.

 

 

FlowerPothos flowers are green, purple and yellow in color.Philodendron has green color flowers all year round.
Varieties Some of the different pothos varieties include Jade, Pearls Cebu blue and marble.Some of the varieties of philodendron include Heart leaf and philodendron brasil etc.
Water Retention Pothos can retain water longer, making it more drought-tolerant as compared to Philodendron.Philodendron does not retain water for a longer time, making it less drought tolerant.

 

 

Similarities Between Pathos And Philodendron

  • Both plants produce flowers that resemble a smaller version of the peace lily.
  • Both houseplants are actually pretty and offer enriching aesthetics.
  • Both house plants tend to thrive in tropical climates.
  • Both Philodendron and pathos act as living air-purifiers quietly removing household toxins such as benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene.
  • Both Pothos and philodendrons have a heart-shaped leaves.
  • Both species prefer bright, indirect light but can also tolerate darker conditions.
  • Both require to be fed fertilizer during their periods of active growth.
  • Both Pothos and philodendron do well in moist soil.
  • Pothos and Philodendrons have aerial roots that are used to climb and absorb nutrients and moisture from the air.

Also Read: Philodendron Martianum