Philodendrons and pothos plants are often confused with each other. They look very different from one another (though they’re close relatives). Both are easy to maintain, have similar growth habits, and need similar care. The only real difference between them is their appearance.
Their Origin
Both the Philodendron and Pothos are popular houseplants. You might wonder what they look like or how they’re similar and different.
Philodendrons are native to tropical regions of the Americas. Pothos is native to Asia, Africa, and Australia. Philodendrons can grow as high as 20 feet (6 meters), depending on their environment! Pothos makes a great hanging plant. It doesn’t mind being suspended from hooks or mounted onto walls.
Both these plants come in shades of green with yellowish veins running through them. If you’re looking for something easy-to-care-for, try one today!
They Look Very Different, But The Two Plants Are Related.
Philodendrons and Pothos are members of the Araceae family, native to tropical regions. Both plants produce large heart-shaped leaves that often vary in color. Their colors are usually green and white or red, yellow, and cream. The leaves grow up to 5 inches wide on philodendrons and up to 6 inches wide on pothos plants.
Both philodendrons and Pothos have been popular houseplants for decades. They make excellent specimens when grown outdoors in pots or hanging baskets. They’re also used as cut flowers. They last long after being cut if given proper care after harvesting them from your plant.
Leaves
Philodendron leaves are larger and heart-shaped, while Pothos are small and round. Both plants have a glossy finish to their leaves. Philodendrons are light green, while Pothos are usually darker.
Growth Habits
What’s the difference between Philodendron and Pothos? The answer lies in their growth habits.
Philodendrons are seen as vines or shrubs, while Pothos prefer to be trained as a vine. Both can grow up to 15 feet tall, but Philodendrons can grow up to 60 feet tall! These plants also thrive in different environments. Philodendron is common as indoor plants when given adequate light. Pothos prefers outdoors or in well-lit areas of your home.
Care And Propagation
Both plants are easy to propagate, which makes them great for beginners. You can grow them indoors and outdoors. That means you don’t have to worry about the weather when bringing your new plant home.
You can grow both of these plants in various containers or hanging baskets. They also make a good ground cover for areas that need sprucing up!
Both philodendrons and Pothos are good choices as houseplants. They are also both easy to care for. And it won’t take up too much of your time!
Leaves
Philodendrons have heart-shaped leaves that grow in pairs. The leaves range from 3 inches to 6 inches long. Pothos has pointed oval-shaped leaves, often appearing opposite each other on the stem. These plants have a wide variety of leaf sizes, ranging from 1 to 4 inches long when mature.
Both philodendrons and Pothos have lush green foliage that grows up the side of a vase or jar. You can place them anywhere, from low-light areas to direct sunlight. They’re great for beginners because they’re resilient and versatile.
Stems
There are many differences between Philodendrons and Pothos. One visible difference is that Pothos have shorter stems than philodendrons. Pothos also tend to be bushy, while philodendrons’ stems are more slender and stiffer. Additionally, the leaves of both plants can vary in color from green or yellow to purple or red. Philodendron leaves are oblong, while pothos leaves resemble hearts or fans.
Roots
Remember that you can root these plants from stem or leaf cuttings. You’ll want to take a stem cutting from a healthy vine and leave a little bark at its bottom to root a cutting. Then place the new cutting in some water and watch it grow!
Pothos roots are much easier to create than their philodendron counterparts. But they still need some TLC before transplanting into the soil. It takes three weeks for pothos cuttings to become full-sized plants. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything else you can do while waiting! You can immediately clip off any dead growth or leaves with yellowed tips. It’ll give the remaining leaves more nutrients.
Varieties
Both Philodendron and Pothos are grown for their lush foliage. Pothos is also grown for its variegated leaf edges, which can look very pretty.
Philodendron has about 1,200 species. Pothos has about 100 species, although each species has wide varieties.
Colors
If you’re looking for bright, vibrant colors, Philodendron is your plant. The vast majority of Philodendron species are green or dark green. But, P.hederaceum are purple-veined or variegated white and yellow. Philodendrons with red, orange, and yellow colors stand out from their counterparts. But don’t worry: a lack of color doesn’t mean the plant won’t thrive!
If you want something even more colorful than these two options, then Pothos is what you’re after. It has many colors, including pinkish-purple bases fading into white rings and tips. With its wide variety available in pet stores and on Amazon.
Care And Maintenance
Philodendrons and Pothos are great plants to grow indoors. Here are some tips for keeping them healthy:
- The leaves will burn if you put them in direct sunlight. So keep your plants away from windows or other intense light sources. Please place them in a room with indirect light.
- Keep them warm! A temperature between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. If you’ve got AC running in the summer months, keep your plant near a warm area throughout the day and night. Consider placing it on top of a heating pad under its pot (make sure not too close!) if temperatures drop below 65 degrees Fahrenheit during the day or 60 degrees at night.
- Watering requirements vary depending on where you live and what variety you have. Most need about 1 inch per week when grown outside in soil beds. But they may go longer without water indoors, where their root system still needs to be developed! The best bet is testing each time before watering. To check this, stick your fingers into the soil until after knuckle level. If it feels moist but not soggy, chances are good, this will suffice.”
Their Differences
Philodendrons and Pothos are very similar plants, but some important differences exist. Both are native to tropical regions of the Americas. They have large, heart-shaped leaves that grow as vines on trees and other structures. If you need clarification on whether your plant is a philodendron or a pothos, take a close look at its leaves. If they’re smooth and glossy with no indentations along the edges, it’s a philodendron!
Conclusion
With all this in mind, you can see why these two plants are so similar. They’re members of the Araceae family. They also have similar growth habits but differ in leaf shapes, colors, and sizes. Though some varieties need the same light and water, they are more drought-resistant. The most important difference between Pothos vs. Philodendrons in their care. They need different types of soil, which will affect your plant’s growth!
