Widely identified as the money plant, the pothos plant (Epipremnum aureum) is an angiosperm (flowering plant) native to the French Polynesian islands. Pothos plants have become increasingly popular as houseplants in many different climates.
Another name the pothos plant is known by is Devil’s ivy since it is practically impossible to kill. This characteristic makes it the perfect choice for amateur gardeners. Even better, the plant stays green and healthy even in little to no sunlight.
Pothos is an evergreen plant with long stalks and shiny leaflets. They require minimal looking after and are easy to grow. Moreover, they flourish in bright, oblique sunlight and high humidity levels – making them a great fit for warmer climates.
These plants are a wonderful addition to any plant enthusiast’s collection, especially since there are numerous types of pothos plants to choose from.
The most distinctive trait between the varieties of pothos is the edged or patterned leaves.
In this article, we list and describe 13 different kinds of pothos plants to help you choose the best fit for your indoor or outdoor setting.
13 Eye-Catching Types Of Pothos Plants
1. Jade Pothos
Jade pothos plants are the variety most commonly found in nurseries and gardening stores. Best grown in ceramic or terracotta pots with a drainage hole, these plants can add a flash of green in any spot in the home or office.
The foliage of this plant is dense, meaning it can grow well around floor planters or moss poles. They can grow to reach approximately three to six feet indoors.
Like most pothos plants, it does not need much sunlight and can be placed in shaded areas. High moisture areas like bathrooms are great spots for these plants.
If you choose to grow the plant in hanging baskets, the vines and dark green heart-shaped leaves will cascade down for an elegant look.
The leaves of this type of pothos plant are smaller in comparison to others. However, they do grow considerably and may need trimming and repotting once or twice annually.
2. Golden Pothos
Golden pothos plants are known to be hardy and are easily distinguishable due to the golden-hued variegation found on their emerald green leaves. This type is used the most as houseplants.
Warm areas suit this plant the best, with broad, large leaves. Also referred to as Scindapsus aureus for its golden tones (aurum is Latin for ‘gold’), this plant looks lovely hanging in balconies or trailing over bookshelves.
When this variety grows in the wild, it can overgrow trees owing to its aerial root system. Indoors, it may reach up to ten feet when untrimmed.
Direct sunlight is harmful to these plants and they need to be watered every week. Also remember, the plant sap can be toxic for dogs and cats so it is best to keep it out of reach of any pets.
This type of pothos can thrive in any type of soil, from neutral to acidic.
3. Marble Queen Pothos
Marble Queen pothos gets its name from the creamy-white, marble patterns on its leaves. The foliage of the plant has an exquisite look. It can serve as a great tabletop centerpiece or a furniture accent piece.
Some leaves are highly variegated, having only a few flecks of green. This is because the leaves have lower chlorophyll levels.
Due to the high level of variegation, it does have to be placed in brighter spots. Keep in mind, plants with lower chlorophyll levels cannot photosynthesize with ease as compared to other plants.
The leaves usually tend to be large, almost twelve inches or more depending on the conditions it is kept in.
This plant will grow best on window sills and balconies.
4. Neon Pothos
The neon pothos plant is a vibrant, easy to grow houseplant. Available in a variety of sizes, this plant grows at a moderate speed and needs exposure to bright sunlight.
Pruning or trimming is a great way to control the length and size of the plant. A trick to induce new growth at the top of the plant is to propagate cut stems back into the pot. This way your plant will be replenished and also look healthier.
The leaves are a brilliant chartreuse green. If you see them turning into a more solid shade of green like the Jade pothos plant, that means they aren’t getting enough light.
Too much light, however, makes their color fade and become pale. 65 degrees to 80 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal temperature range for these plants. Beware, cooler temperatures can slow down the growth of the plant for people who do not have much time to devote to maintenance.
5. N’Joy Pothos
A cultivar of the Marble Queen variety, this type of pothos plant also has creamy, whitish variegation against dark green leaves. A ceramic pot can display the stunning leaves well, especially on window sills or patios. Hanging pots or vertical poles also could be an eye-grabbing display setup.
Any type of soil with good drainage and occasional fertilizer usage suits the N’Joy plant best. Watering is only required when the topmost layer of soil looks dry. Placing the plant in darker, low-light areas may result in it losing its variegation. Also, average levels of moisture suit this plant.
Like most types of pothos plants, this too has air purifying properties. It absorbs toxins like formaldehyde in the air.
Placing the N’Joy plant in your living room or on other plant-centric shelves is sure to add a flair to the spot.
6. Manjula Pothos
Another type of pothos with marbled variegation, this particular variety was originally developed and patented in the University of Florida. The distinctive feature of this variety is its undulating, heart-shaped leaves that have curved edges.
Some of these leaves are almost a pure marble shade, and they never lay flat.
The Manjula plants are also called the Epipremnum happy leaf plants.
Manjula plants are rarer than other pothos varieties, making them difficult to find in most gardening stores or nurseries. Slightly more high maintenance, it comes with specific care requirements to make sure the foliage retains its stunning colors.
Stronger direct sunlight can scorch the paler leaves. The biggest indicator of scorched leaves is brown spots on them. Thus, moderate natural light, and of course occasional watering, help the plant thrive.
7. Cebu Blue Pothos
A special type of pothos, the Cebu blue pothos has narrow, metallic bluish-green leaves unlike the traditional heart-shaped leaves of the other pothos plants. These leaves resemble arrowheads in shape.
Also referred to as Blue pothos or Dragon-tail, this plant needs medium light and water. The leaves have a silvery sheen to them, giving them a gorgeous accent.
Many people confuse the Cebu Blue for a Monstera, the Swiss-cheese plant. Though both plants belong to the same family (Araceae), they can be differentiated by identifying their stems.
If these plants are not pruned and trimmed regularly, they begin to look straggly and unkempt. Pruning and propagating them helps the growth look fresher and healthier.
In winter, however, the growth is bound to slow down and may even become dormant. Placing them in hanging baskets is a great way to keep the plant in its juvenile phase for longer periods, making them easier to maintain.
8. Satin/Silver Pothos
As the name suggests, the leaves of this plant are a shade of emerald green with sparkling strokes of silver. The way to get the best shades of variegation is to keep it in bright but indirect sunlight.
This plant has a silky sheen in combination with unique patterns, making it a fantastic choice for a terrarium.
Their leaves tend to be relatively smaller in size. The growth of this plant is less widespread and stays compact, making it a great option for those who want low-growth plants in one of several hanging baskets. Repotting is required when it begins to overgrow the pot, but the plant is easy to propagate.
Brown leaf tips signify low moisture levels. Whereas yellowish leaves mean the plant is being overwatered. But both, brownish-yellow spotting is an indicator of bacterial leaf spot, a plant disease. Removing affected leaves and using a copper fungicide may help.
9. Jessenia Pothos
This cultivar is a new one. Similar to the other marbled plants, Jessenia has green leaves with lime-green, cream-colored variegation. Some leaves are marbled while some can be a greenish golden hue. Recently, it has been purchased more than ever, making it a rare, hard-to-find variety of houseplant.
Jessenia plants are slow growers, meaning they need less maintenance and pruning.
The plant does not need to be watered frequently. The best way to check is by putting a finger in the soil. If the soil feels damp, there is no need to water it. Only when one to two inches of the soil is dry does it need to be watered.
If you do not want a vine-like, overgrown appearance, you may need to trim the plant to make it appear bushier and compact.
10. Trebi Pothos
As the Trebi pothos also belongs to the genus Scindapsus, it is related to the Satin pothos. Though it is greener and more patterned, the silver variegation resembles the Satin pothos. In certain types of lighting, it may even appear silvery-blue.
The green is more on the matte side, making it duller than the other types of pothos plants. However, the Trebi’s long vines make it a stunning addition to bookshelves or cupboards.
Often confused with the Silver Philodendron, the Trebi pothos has much larger leaves.
Other cultivars related to the ‘Trebi’ pothos are:
- Scindapsus Pictus ‘Argyraeus’: Smaller leaves with less variegation
- Scindapsus Pictus ‘Exotica’: Curly, large leaves with more variegation
- Scindapsus Pictus ‘Silver Ann’: Highly variegated leaves
In all of these varieties, the variegation is a sparkling silvery-white in color.
11. Glacier Pothos
Another slow-growing type of pothos plant, this delicate variety has small heart-shaped leaves. The foliage is a glossy green shade with creamy white variegation. The appearance tends to be bushy yet beautiful, which makes it a wonderful choice for dining, coffee, and study tables.
Comparable to the Pearl and Jade pothos and the N’Joy pothos, this plant can flourish even in average humidity. The plant grows well around vertical moss poles and hanging pots. To balance the look, regular pruning can be done.
Ideal for beginners, this plant requires minimal attention and maintenance. It can grow up to 20 inches. Be sure to place it in a setting where other plants do not overshadow it or interfere with the growth of the vines.
12. Hawaiian Pothos
One of the most exotic-looking varieties of pothos plants, the Hawaiian pothos has a glossy green color with yellowish mottling on it. This plant is a cultivar of the Golden pothos plant, which is why the variegation is a similar color.
Pruning this plant at regular intervals will enhance its gorgeous forest vine look. The stem length creates a lovely effect when placed in baskets or around a pole. Additionally, the lush, tropical look is a great addition to any collection of houseplants.
The leaves are large, thick, waxy, and tend to have curved edges.
Though alike to the Golden pothos, this plant needs more sunlight to retain its bright colors.
13. Pearls and Jade Pothos
Like the Manjula plant, this variety was also produced and is patented by the University of Florida.
The leaves of the Pearls and Jade are relatively smaller and the variegation is silvery grey. It may seem similar to the Manjula in many ways but in this variety, the silvery sheen occurs near the edges and is not spread all over.
Owing to lower levels of chlorophyll, this plant grows slow and needs to be placed in spots with bright sunlight to flourish. If the plant does begin to overgrow the pot, it can be repotted when the roots have grown out. Gardening enthusiasts must remember, the plant favors slightly moist soil and high moisture.
To keep the plant healthy, temperatures should not be less than fifty degrees Fahrenheit. Also, in winter it is recommended to try and keep the plant warm.
CONCLUSION
The Royal Horticultural Society has awarded the pothos plant the Award of Garden Merit owing to their low-maintenance nature and ability to flourish in almost any condition.
Several cultivars have been produced by horticulturists by employing random mutations. These cultivars have different appearances and are usually patented, like the Manjula plant.
What makes Pothos plants a great choice for home and backyard settings is their versatility and variety. They can even be grown in fluorescent light instead of sunlight which is why they are often spotted in shopping malls and offices.
Pothos plants are easy to care for, do not need to be watered often, and grow well in a range of climates. If you are a beginner in plant-enthusiasm, this plant is perfect for you.
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