Pothos plants, belonging to the genus Epipremnum in the Araceae family, are among the most popular houseplants worldwide, cherished for their vibrant, heart-shaped leaves, low-maintenance care, and adaptability to various indoor environments. Native to tropical regions like Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, these evergreen vines are prized for their air-purifying qualities, aesthetic versatility, and ability to thrive in low light, making them ideal for homes, offices, and urban spaces.
Pothos plants, primarily Epipremnum aureum and related species like Epipremnum pinnatum, are tropical vines in the Araceae family, alongside philodendrons, monstera, and peace lilies. Growing 6–40 feet (2–12 meters) in cultivation, they feature glossy, heart-shaped leaves (2–6 inches long) on trailing or climbing stems, with aerial roots for support. Their variegated foliage—ranging from green to gold, white, or neon—varies by cultivar, while small, hooded flowers (spadices) are rare indoors.
Pothos are epiphytic in nature, thriving in humid, shaded forest understories, but adapt to low light and neglect, earning the nickname “devil’s ivy” for their resilience. In 2018, the global houseplant market, including pothos, was valued at $1.7 billion, with demand surging for their aesthetic and health benefits, as they remove indoor pollutants like formaldehyde.
Pothos thrive in USDA Zones 10–12 as outdoor perennials, but are grown indoors globally, tolerating temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C). They prefer bright, indirect light for vibrant variegation, though low light is tolerated, and well-draining, peat-based potting mix (pH 6.0–6.5). Water when the top inch of soil is dry (every 1–2 weeks), avoiding overwatering to prevent root rot.
Fertilize monthly with a balanced 10-10-10 liquid fertilizer during spring and summer, and maintain 40–60% humidity, though they adapt to lower levels. Prune to control length or propagate via stem cuttings in water or soil, rooting in 2–4 weeks. Monitor for pests like spider mites and mealybugs, treating with neem oil or insecticidal soap, and watch for fungal issues in overly wet conditions.
Pothos Plants
Golden Pothos
The Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is the quintessential pothos variety, often considered the gateway plant for novice gardeners. Its heart-shaped, waxy green leaves are splashed with golden-yellow variegation, creating a striking contrast that brightens any space. This fast-growing cultivar can extend its vines 12 to 18 inches per month under ideal conditions, making it perfect for hanging baskets or trailing over shelves.
Golden Pothos thrives in low to bright indirect light, though brighter conditions enhance its variegation. It’s highly forgiving, tolerating irregular watering and low humidity, which makes it ideal for busy households or office settings.
Marble Queen Pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘Marble Queen’) is a stunning cultivar prized for its creamy white and green marbled foliage. Each leaf is unique, with some displaying nearly equal parts white and green, while others lean heavily toward one color. Due to its high variegation, Marble Queen grows more slowly than its greener counterparts, as the white portions contain less chlorophyll.
This variety prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its striking patterns, as low light can cause the leaves to revert to solid green. Water when the soil feels dry to the touch, and ensure good drainage to prevent root rot. Marble Queen’s delicate, sculptural appearance makes it an excellent choice for tabletops or as a centerpiece in modern, minimalist interiors.
Neon Pothos
Neon Pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘Neon’) is a showstopper with its vibrant, chartreuse or lime-green leaves that seem to glow in any setting. Unlike variegated pothos, Neon Pothos has solid-colored foliage, with younger leaves appearing brighter and deepening slightly as they mature. This variety thrives in medium to bright indirect light, which keeps its neon hue vivid, though it can tolerate low light at the cost of duller foliage.
Water when the top inch of soil is dry, and use a well-draining mix to avoid overwatering. Neon Pothos is perfect for adding a pop of color to dimly lit rooms, such as bathrooms or offices, and its vigorous growth makes it ideal for hanging baskets or climbing moss poles.
Jade Pothos
Jade Pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘Jade’) is a classic, non-variegated variety with solid, dark green leaves that exude understated elegance. Its lack of variegation means it has more chlorophyll, allowing it to grow quickly and thrive in low-light conditions, making it ideal for shady corners or fluorescent-lit offices.
Jade Pothos has slightly thinner leaves than Golden or Marble Queen, but its heart-shaped foliage and trailing vines are just as charming. Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry, and use a standard houseplant potting mix. This variety is highly drought-tolerant and forgiving of neglect, perfect for beginners or those with less-than-ideal growing conditions.
Pearls and Jade Pothos
Pearls and Jade Pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘Pearls and Jade’) is a patented variety developed by the University of Florida, known for its small, heart-shaped leaves and intricate variegation. The foliage features green leaves with white or silvery-gray patches, often with tiny green speckles within the white areas, distinguishing it from similar varieties like N’Joy. This cultivar is slower-growing due to its high variegation and smaller leaf size, making it perfect for compact spaces like desks or bookshelves.
Manjula Pothos
Manjula Pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘HANSOTI14’), another patented variety from India, is renowned for its large, wavy-edged leaves and dramatic variegation. The heart-shaped foliage displays a mix of creamy white, light green, and dark green, with each leaf showcasing a unique pattern of streaks, swirls, or patches.
Manjula’s leaves are wider and less flat than other pothos, giving it a distinctive, almost painterly appearance. This slow-growing cultivar requires bright, indirect light to preserve its variegation, as low light can reduce the white and cream areas.This slow-growing and pet-toxic, this artistic cultivar shines in hanging baskets, adding tropical flair to contemporary spaces.
Jessenia Pothos
Jessenia Pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘Jessenia’) is a sport of Marble Queen, discovered by Costa Farms in 2014, and is cherished for its green-on-green variegation. Its heart-shaped leaves are predominantly green with chartreuse or lime-green streaks, creating a subtle yet eye-catching effect. Each leaf varies, adding to its charm, but its slower growth rate is due to lower chlorophyll levels. Jessenia thrives in bright, indirect light, which enhances its variegation, and requires watering when the soil is dry halfway down the pot.
N’Joy Pothos
N’Joy Pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘N’Joy’) is a compact, highly variegated cultivar with small, heart-shaped leaves featuring crisp white and green patches. Unlike Pearls and Jade, N’Joy lacks the green speckles in its white variegation, giving it a cleaner, more defined look. This slow-growing variety needs bright, indirect light to maintain its striking patterns, as low light can cause the white areas to fade.
Cebu Blue Pothos
Cebu Blue Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum ‘Cebu Blue’) stands apart from typical pothos, as it belongs to a different species within the same genus. Native to the Philippines, this variety features long, arrow-shaped leaves with a shimmery, silvery-blue hue that sparkles in certain lighting. As it matures, the leaves may develop fenestrations (splits), resembling a Monstera. Cebu Blue prefers medium to bright indirect light to maintain its vibrant color and grows well in well-draining soil, watered when the top inch is dry.
Baltic Blue Pothos
Baltic Blue Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum ‘Baltic Blue’), another pinnatum cultivar, is prized for its dark green, pointed leaves that develop fenestrations earlier than Cebu Blue, giving it a Monstera-like appearance. The foliage shifts to a bluish-green tint in cooler months, adding seasonal interest.
This variety thrives in bright, indirect light, though it adapts to lower light, and requires watering when the soil is dry to the touch. Baltic Blue is highly versatile, excelling as a climbing plant on a trellis or as a trailing vine in a hanging basket.
Global Green Pothos
Global Green Pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘Global Green’), developed in Japan and released by Costa Farms in 2021, is a newer cultivar with medium green leaves edged in lime-green or chartreuse variegation. Occasionally, cream streaks appear, adding to its subtle charm. This variety prefers bright, indirect light to enhance its green-on-green patterns and grows well in well-draining soil, watered when the top inch is dry. Global Green is moderately fast-growing and looks stunning trailing from a shelf or climbing a support.
Satin Pothos
Satin Pothos (Scindapsus pictus ‘Argyraeus’), while not a true pothos, is often included in the pothos family due to its similar vining habit and care needs. This variety features heart-shaped, medium-green leaves with silvery spots and a velvety texture, giving it a metallic sheen. Satin Pothos prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its silver markings and requires watering when the soil is dry to the touch.
It’s slightly more sensitive to overwatering than Epipremnum pothos, so ensure good drainage. Its compact growth and striking foliage make it ideal for hanging baskets or small spaces, and its unique texture adds sophistication to any plant collection.
Glacier Pothos
Glacier Pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘Glacier’) is a charming, compact cultivar known for its small, heart-shaped leaves adorned with intricate variegation. The foliage features a mix of green, creamy white, and silvery-gray, often with subtle speckles that give it a frosted, glacier-like appearance. This slow-growing variety is ideal for small spaces, such as desks, shelves, or terrariums, due to its petite leaves and restrained growth rate.
Emerald Pothos
Emerald Pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘Emerald’) is a lesser-known variety prized for its rich, dark green leaves with subtle, emerald-green variegation. Unlike highly variegated cultivars, its foliage displays a soft, mottled pattern of lighter and darker green, creating a lush, monochromatic effect. This fast-growing pothos thrives in low to bright indirect light, making it one of the most adaptable varieties for dim corners or fluorescent-lit offices.
Silver Satin Pothos
Silver Satin Pothos (Scindapsus pictus ‘Silvery Ann’), often grouped with pothos due to its similar care and appearance, is a striking variety with large, heart-shaped leaves covered in silvery-gray patches. The green foliage has a matte, velvety texture, and the silver variegation varies from leaf to leaf, creating a dynamic, almost metallic look.
Silver Satin prefers bright, indirect light to enhance its silver markings, though it tolerates medium light at the cost of reduced variegation. Water when the top inch of soil is dry, and ensure excellent drainage, as this variety is more sensitive to overwatering than Epipremnum pothos.
Harlequin Pothos
Harlequin Pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘Harlequin’) is a rare, highly variegated cultivar often considered a more extreme version of Manjula or Marble Queen. Its heart-shaped leaves are predominantly creamy white with patches of green, sometimes appearing almost entirely white, making it one of the most striking pothos varieties.
Due to its high variegation and low chlorophyll, Harlequin grows slowly and requires bright, indirect light to sustain its coloration. Insufficient light can cause the leaves to revert to green, while direct sun may scorch them. This Slow-growing and pet-toxic, this collector’s gem shines in small spaces or minimalist decor.
Snow Queen Pothos
Snow Queen Pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘Snow Queen’) is a close relative of Marble Queen, distinguished by its higher proportion of creamy white variegation, often covering 70–80% of each leaf. The heart-shaped foliage features green streaks or patches, creating a bright, snowy appearance that lives up to its name. This slow-growing cultivar needs bright, indirect light to preserve its heavy variegation, as low light can reduce the white areas and slow growth further.
It needs watering when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. Pet-toxic and slow-growing, this elegant cultivar is perfect for shelves, enhancing light-colored or contemporary interiors.
Shangri La Pothos
Shangri La Pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘Shangri La’), also known as Sleeping Pothos, is a unique cultivar with a distinctive growth habit. Unlike typical pothos, its leaves are crinkled, puckered, and slightly curled, giving the plant a dense, almost shrub-like appearance. The foliage is solid green or lightly variegated with golden streaks, and the vines grow in a more upright, compact manner before trailing.
It thrives in medium to bright indirect light and needs watering when the top inch is dry. Pet-toxic and unique, it suits tabletops or eclectic rooms, adding quirky texture.
Trebi Pothos
Trebi Pothos (Scindapsus pictus ‘Trebi’) Trebi Pothos (Scindapsus pictus ‘Trebi’), another Scindapsus variety grouped with pothos, is celebrated for its large, heart-shaped leaves with heavy silver variegation. The green foliage is splashed with silvery-gray, often covering most of the leaf surface, creating a shimmering, almost mirror-like effect.
It prefers bright, indirect light and watering when the top inch of soil is dry, needing good drainage. Pet-toxic and trailing, this luxurious plant elevates modern decor in hanging planters.
Lime Pothos
Lime Pothos (Epipremnum aureum ‘Lime’) is a vibrant, non-variegated cultivar with solid, lime-green leaves that echo the brightness of Neon Pothos but with a slightly softer tone. Its heart-shaped foliage is glossy and uniform, making it a cheerful addition to any space.
Lime Pothos thrives in low to bright indirect light, with brighter conditions intensifying its vivid color. It requires watering when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. Fast-growing and pet-toxic, it’s ideal for vibrant, neutral decor, thriving in baskets or on trellises.
Exotica Pothos
Exotica Pothos (Scindapsus pictus ‘Exotica’) is a bold Scindapsus variety with large, heart-shaped leaves featuring extensive silver variegation over a green base. The silver patches are more pronounced than in Silver Satin or Trebi, often covering most of the leaf.
It needs bright, indirect light and watering when the top inch is dry, preferring higher humidity. Pet-toxic and vigorous, it’s perfect for climbing or hanging, enhancing bohemian or modern spaces.