Gardening
Houseplants
Types of Houseplants
By
Cori Sears
Cori Sears
Cori Sears is a writer with over a decade of experience, specializing in houseplants, gardening, and home decor. She writes about trending news, interior design, houseplants, and gardening for The Spruce. Her expertise in these areas has led her to contribute to other major publications including Better Homes and Gardens and Apartment Therapy.
Learn more about The Spruce'sEditorial Process
Updated on 08/08/24
Reviewed by
Kathleen Miller
Reviewed byKathleen Miller
Kathleen Miller is a highly-regarded Master Gardener and horticulturist with over 30 years of experience in organic gardening, farming, and landscape design. She founded Gaia's Farm and Gardens,aworking sustainable permaculture farm, and writes for Gaia Grows, a local newspaper column.
Learn more about The Spruce'sReview Board
All types of pothos have one thing in common: They make stellar houseplants. Also known as devil's ivy, they are easy-going and rewarding. These vining plants are popular choices for hanging baskets and can survive in low light.
Pothos plants are typically considered to be varieties of Epipremnum aureum. However, there are several other vining plants commonly referred to as "pothos" with similar care needs. Those plants are included in this list. Read on to discover the many types of pothos you can grow in your home.
Warning
Epipremnum species can be toxic to cats and dogs.
01 of 18
Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Likely the most widely available pothos on the market, the golden pothos is characterized by waxy, heart-shaped green leaves with yellow variegation. It is considered a fast grower and does well in a variety of light conditions—from low light to bright, indirect light.
See AlsoPothos Plants - The Ultimate Indoor Growing GuidePothos-Pflanze – Tipps für eine einfache Pothos-PflegeHow to Grow and Care for PothosSo pflegen Sie Pothos: Eine vollständige Anleitung zu Bewässerung, Licht, Boden, Beschneidung, Schädlingsbekämpfung und Fehlerbehebung | Garvillo- Leaf color: Green with yellow variegation
- Leaf size: 2 to 4 inches
- Light: Low to bright indirect light
02 of 18
Marble Queen Pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘Marble Queen’)
The marble queen pothos can sometimes be mistaken for the golden pothos, as the leaf detail is similar. However, this variety can be distinguished by its white/cream variegation. It is a highly variegated variety that requires a bit more light than the golden pothos in order to keep its variegation bright.
- Leaf color: Green with white variegation
- Leaf size: 2 to 5 inches
- Light: Medium to bright indirect light
03 of 18
Jade Pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘Jade’)
Thanks to its solid jade-green foliage, the jade pothos is a great option for those who have limited natural light. It does well in a range of lighting conditions, from low light to bright, indirect light. The jade pothos leaves are slightly slimmer than the golden and marble queen pothos, but they are similarly heart-shaped and waxy.
- Leaf color: Medium green
- Leaf size: 4 to 8 inches
- Light: Low to bright indirect light
04 of 18
Neon Pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘Neon’)
The neon pothos displays bright green-yellow foliage and is frequently mistaken for the lemon-lime Philodendron as its coloring is nearly identical. It does best in medium to bright, indirect light which helps keep its neon foliage vibrant.
- Leaf color: Bright green-yellow
- Leaf size: 2 to 4 inches
- Light: Medium to bright indirect light
Continue to 5 of 18 below
05 of 18
Dragon's Tail Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum)
The dragon’s tail pothos differs from most pothos varieties in that it is an E. pinnatum rather than E. aureum. Despite this, it is still considered a pothos, and its care is very similar. The dragon’s tail pothos is characterized by small, thin, and jade-green leaves that grow large and develop fenestrations as it matures.
- Leaf color: Jade green
- Leaf size: 3 to 20 inches
- Light: Medium to bright, indirect light
06 of 18
Cebu Blue Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum ‘Cebu Blue’)
Native to Cebu island in the Philippines, the Cebu blue pothos is a unique variety of pothos. Along with the baltic blue pothos, the Cebu blue is a variety of E. pinnatum rather than E. aureum like most other kinds of pothos. It is characterized by thin, silvery green-blue leaves that develop fenestrations as they mature.
- Leaf color: Silvery blue-green
- Leaf size: 4 to 7 inches
- Light: Bright indirect light
07 of 18
Baltic Blue Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum 'Baltic Blue')
The baltic blue pothos is a clone of the E. pinnatum. It is distinguished from the Cebu blue and dragon's tail pothos by its dark green leaves that develop a blue undertone. Its leaves are also larger and tend to develop fenestrations earlier than the Cebu blue pothos.
- Leaf color: Deep green-blue
- Leaf size: 4 to 36 inches
- Light: Medium to bright, indirect light
08 of 18
Global Green Pothos (Epipremnum aureum 'Global Green')
Global green pothos is known for its foliage that is mottled with dark and light green. The distribution of coloring on the leaves is similar to the n’joy or pearls and jade pothos. While this pothos is still considered rare, garden centers and nurseries are starting to carry it more often as it grows in popularity.
- Leaf color: Light green and dark green
- Leaf size: 1 to 4 inches
- Light: Medium to bright, indirect light
Continue to 9 of 18 below
09 of 18
Pearls and Jade Pothos (Epipremnum aureum 'Pearls and Jade')
Developed at the University of Florida, the 'Pearls and Jade' pothos is a patented cultivator of the marble queen pothos. Its foliage is smaller and thinner than the marble queen and features white-edged light green leaves with cream and white variegation that has green streaks throughout it. This pothos is known for being a slow-grower and prefers brighter light than some other pothos varieties.
- Leaf color: White-edged light green leaves, white/cream variegation
- Leaf size: 2 to 4 inches
- Light: Medium to bright, indirect light
10 of 18
N'Joy Pothos (Epipremnum aureum 'N'Joy')
To the untrained eye, the n’joy pothos looks almost identical to the pearls and jade pothos with its small, papery-thin green and white leaves decorated with white/cream variegation. However, they are distinct varieties. The easiest way to tell them apart is by the variegation—the white variegation on the n’joy pothos does not have any green, while the pearls and jade pothos has green splotches in its white variegation.
- Leaf color: White-edged light green leaves, white/cream variegation
- Leaf size: 2 to 4 inches
- Light: Medium to bright indirect light
11 of 18
Glacier Pothos (Epipremnum aureum 'Glacier')
Similar in appearance to the jade pothos and n’joy pothos, the glacier pothos can be easiest distinguished by its coloration, which is slightly more silvery. Its leaves are also smaller and rounder. If you manage to get one of these rare plants, provide it with medium to bright, indirect light to encourage healthy growth and stable variegation.
- Leaf color: White-edged light green leaves, white/cream variegation, silvery hue
- Leaf size: 2 to 4 inches
- Light: Medium to bright, indirect light
12 of 18
Manjula Pothos (Epipremnum aureum 'Manjula')
The manjula pothos is a rare pothos variety that is characterized by creamy yellow-white leaves with light and dark green variegation. While this pothos can survive in low light conditions, it prefers bright, indirect light where possible.
- Leaf color: Creamy white leaves, green variegation
- Leaf size: 3 to 5 inches
- Light: Bright, indirect light
Continue to 13 of 18 below
13 of 18
Jessenia Pothos (Epipremnum aureum 'Jessenia')
The jessenia pothos is a stable sport of the marble queen pothos, discovered in 2014 by Costa Farms. It has highly variegated green and yellow-green foliage. In order to support its variegation, the jessenia pothos does best in medium to bright, indirect light—although it can survive in low-light conditions as well if necessary.
- Leaf color: Medium green leaves with yellow-green variegation
- Leaf size: 1 to 5 inches
- Light: Medium to bright, indirect light
14 of 18
Variegated Neon Pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘Neon Variegata’)
While it is normal to see patches of small variegation on a regular neon pothos, the variegated neon pothos is distinguished by stable variegation of bright green/yellow throughout its leaves. In low light conditions, its variegation will begin to revert, so a location that receives bright, indirect light is best for this pothos.
- Leaf color: Variegated bright green/yellow
- Leaf size: 2 to 4 inches
- Light: Bright, indirect light
15 of 18
Snow Queen Pothos (Epipremnum aureum 'Snow Queen')
Not to be confused with the marble queen pothos, the snow queen pothos is a highly variegated pothos variety with stunning white/cream foliage adorned with thin streaks of medium green variegation. Because of the small amount of green on its leaves, it requires a location that receives bright, indirect light in order to prevent the leaves from reverting.
- Leaf color: White with medium green variegation
- Leaf size: 3 to 6 inches
- Light: Bright, indirect light
16 of 18
Harlequin Pothos (Epipremnum aureum 'Harlequin')
One of the rarest pothos available, the harlequin pothos displays highly variegated white and dark green foliage. It looks very similar to the manjula pothos, although it does not have any cream/yellow coloring. It requires bright, indirect light in order to support its bright variegation.
- Leaf color: White with dark green variegation
- Leaf size: 2 to 4 inches
- Light: Bright indirect light
Continue to 17 of 18 below
17 of 18
Satin Pothos (Scindapsus pictus ‘Argyraeus')
Commonly referred to as the satin pothos, Scindapsus pictus 'Argyraeus' is technically not a pothos as it is not a part of the Epipremnum genus. Its appearance and care is similar, so it is worth including here. It is characterized by small, shimmery green and silver leaves and a vining growth habit.
- Leaf color: Green with light green spots and a shimmery hue
- Leaf size: 1 to 3 inches
- Light: Low to bright, indirect light
Fun Fact
Scindapsus species are often referred to as pothos, though Scindapsus and Epipremnum are not the same genus. That said, both genera are in the Araceae family, so all of their species are referred to as "aroids."
18 of 18
Silver Satin Pothos (Scindapsus pictus ‘Exotica’)
Technically another S. pictus variety, the silver satin pothos boasts large, thick leaves that are decorated with silvery splashes. Its foliage differs from the 'Argyraeus' in both size and color—with much larger, darker leaves overall. To avoid leggy growth, place this pothos in a location that receives bright, indirect light.
- Leaf color: Dark green with shimmery silver variegation
- Leaf size: 3 to 4 inches
- Light: Bright, indirect light
FAQ
Which plants are mistaken for pothos?
Philodendron and Scindapsus plants are both commonly mistaken for pothos. Species in these genera are often vining plants of a similar size with spade-shaped leaves that have the same care requirements as pothos.
Which type of pothos grows the fastest?
Jade pothos and golden pothos are known to grow fairly fast. In general, species with more green in their leaves will grow faster, because they are able to conduct photosynthesis more effectively. This means that variegated cultivars, such as 'N’joy,' will grow slower. The speed at which these plants grows depends on multiple factors, including light.
Can you grow two types of pothos together?
Yes, you can grow two types of pothos together—even if they are different cultivars. Just make sure there is enough room for both to grow to maturity.
What is the easiest type of pothos to grow?
The golden pothos, jade pothos, and the neon pothos are all known for being easy to grow.
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Golden Pothos. ASPCA.