Pothos vs Philodendron: How to Tell Them Apart
Pothos and heart-leaf philodendron are frequently confused — both trailing vines with heart-shaped leaves that thrive in the same conditions[1][2]. This guide covers how to tell them apart and which one might suit your situation better.
Pothos vs philodendron identification: Pothos leaves are thicker with a matte finish and a slight ridge along the midrib; philodendron leaves are thinner, glossier, and more uniformly smooth. Pothos aerial roots are single per node; philodendron aerial roots are often multiple. Pothos vines are stiffer; philodendron vines are more flexible. Care is nearly identical.
01 · VISUAL DIFFERENCES
How to tell them apart
The two plants share heart-shaped leaves and trailing vines, but examined closely, distinct differences emerge.
Pothos leaves: Thicker feel, matte or waxy finish (not shiny). A slight ridge along the midrib. Slightly asymmetrical — one side of the leaf is often subtly wider than the other. Point at the tip more pronounced.
Philodendron leaves: Thinner and lighter in weight. Smoother, glossier finish. Perfectly symmetrical — both halves mirror each other. Rounder heart shape with less pronounced point.
TEXTURE
Pothos thick
Pothos leaves thicker and heavier than philodendron leaves.
FINISH
Philo shiny
Philodendron has glossier finish. Pothos is more matte.
SYMMETRY
Pothos asymm
Pothos leaves slightly asymmetrical; philodendron perfectly symmetrical.
AERIAL ROOTS
Philo multi
Pothos has single aerial root per node; philodendron has multiple.
02 · MORE ID DETAILS
Growth and stem differences
Vine flexibility: Pothos vines are stiffer. Philodendron vines are more flexible and drape more fluidly.
New leaf emergence: Philodendron new leaves emerge from a protective sheath called a cataphyll — a small brown or reddish leaf-like structure that eventually falls off. Pothos new leaves emerge directly without a cataphyll.
Vine color: Pothos vines are green throughout. Philodendron vines often have a pinkish or reddish tint, especially at the base of the leaves.
Growth rate: Both fast-growers. Philodendron slightly faster in optimal conditions; pothos slightly more tolerant of imperfect conditions.
03 · CULTIVAR NOTES
The colorful variations
Both species have many popular cultivars with distinctive colors:
Popular pothos: Golden Pothos (yellow variegation), Marble Queen (white variegation), Neon Pothos (bright chartreuse), Manjula (irregular cream and green), Cebu Blue (blue-gray).
Popular philodendron: Heart-Leaf (classic green), Brasil (yellow center stripe), Micans (velvety dark leaves with reddish undersides), Silver Sword, Pink Princess (pink and cream variegation).
Look for the underlying features (leaf thickness, symmetry, aerial root patterns) rather than color to distinguish species.
04 · CARE COMPARISON
How care differs (barely)
The two plants have nearly identical care requirements. If you can grow one, you can grow the other.
Light: Both prefer bright indirect. Both tolerate low light with slower growth. See how often to water a pothos and how often to water a philodendron.
Water: Both water when top 1–2 inches dry. Pothos slightly more drought-tolerant.
Humidity: Both are humidity-tolerant. Philodendron slightly prefers higher humidity.
Growth support: Both trail beautifully but can be trained upward on moss poles for larger leaves.
Propagation: Both propagate readily from stem cuttings with nodes. See how to propagate pothos in water vs soil.
05 · CHOOSING
Which to pick?
Choose pothos if you want: The most forgiving trailing plant, more drought tolerance, better tolerance for imperfect conditions, matte/textural look.
Choose philodendron if you want: Slightly faster growth, glossier finish, more elegant appearance, more color variety in cultivars.
Get both: They combine beautifully in mixed baskets. The visual difference is subtle but attractive.
For low-light apartments, both work well. See best plants for low-light apartments for the complete low-light species list.
ACQUATERRA
Both plants respond identically to consistent moisture from slow-release watering.
Shop AcquaTerra →06 · SUMMARY
The bottom line
Identification tricks: Pothos is thicker, matte, slightly asymmetrical. Philodendron is thinner, glossier, symmetrical.
Care differences: Nearly identical.
Personal preference: Pothos for the more forgiving option; philodendron for slightly faster growth and more color variety.
For related care and troubleshooting see how often to water a pothos, how often to water a philodendron, why is my pothos turning yellow, how to propagate pothos in water vs soil, how to fertilize a pothos.
Pothos and philodendron are visually similar but distinguishable by leaf thickness, finish, and symmetry. Care is nearly identical — both are easy trailing houseplants for beginners. Pothos is slightly more forgiving; philodendron slightly faster-growing. For related care see how often to water a pothos.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell pothos and philodendron apart?
Pothos leaves are thicker, matte, slightly asymmetrical, with a ridge along the midrib. Philodendron leaves are thinner, glossier, perfectly symmetrical. Philodendron has multiple aerial roots per node; pothos has single.
Are pothos and philodendron the same plant?
No — they’re different genera. Pothos is Epipremnum; philodendron is Philodendron. Both are in the Araceae family which is why they look similar.
Which is easier to grow?
Both are extremely easy. Pothos is slightly more forgiving of imperfect conditions. Either is beginner-friendly.
Do they need the same care?
Nearly identical: bright indirect light, water when top 1–2 inches dry, moderate humidity, well-draining potting mix.
Which grows faster?
Philodendron slightly faster in optimal conditions. Both are fast growers when happy.
Can I mix them in one pot?
Yes — they thrive together and the subtle visual difference adds interest.
Are they toxic to pets?
Yes, both are mildly toxic to cats and dogs due to calcium oxalate crystals. Can cause mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting if chewed.
Which is better for a hanging basket?
Both work equally well. Philodendron drapes more fluidly; pothos holds its shape more rigidly.
References
- [1] Royal Horticultural Society. Epipremnum aureum and Philodendron hederaceum. https://www.rhs.org.uk
- [2] Missouri Botanical Garden. Epipremnum and Philodendron. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org
- [3] Boyce, P.C. (2004). A review of Epipremnum. Aroideana, 27. https://www.aroid.org
- [4] Mayo, S.J., Bogner, J., & Boyce, P.C. (1997). The Genera of Araceae. Kew. https://www.kew.org
- [5] Croat, T.B. (1997). A revision of Philodendron subgenus Philodendron. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, 84. https://www.jstor.org
- [6] University of Florida IFAS Extension. Aroid production. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu
- [7] Penn State Extension. Houseplants: Water and Care. https://extension.psu.edu
- [8] University of Minnesota Extension. Growing pothos and philodendron. https://extension.umn.edu
- [9] Cornell Cooperative Extension. Aroid houseplants. https://cce.cornell.edu
- [10] North Carolina State Extension. Epipremnum aureum. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu
- [11] North Carolina State Extension. Philodendron hederaceum. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu
- [12] Wolverton, B.C. (1996). How to Grow Fresh Air. Penguin. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com
- [13] Wolverton, B.C., et al. (1989). NASA TM-101766. https://ntrs.nasa.gov
- [14] Kew. Epipremnum aureum and Philodendron hederaceum. https://powo.science.kew.org
- [15] USDA GRIN. Epipremnum and Philodendron. https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov