Pothos is one of the most popular house plants in the world and for good reason. It is very easy to grow, thrives on neglect, and comes in a wide variety of shapes and colours. Pothos varieties come from all over the globe including Africa, China, Australia, India, Brazil- it’s no wonder pothos has become so popular! In this post, we will talk about 23 types of pothos plants that are great for indoors or outdoors. You’ll learn about their care requirements as well as some common problems you may run into while taking care of pothos plants. We’ll also share tips on how to keep your pothos happy!
Varieties of pothos are now a dime-a-dozen, so it can be hard to tell one from the next. Luckily for you, we’ve got your back with this list of some of our favourite pothos varieties that we think will delight both newbies and pothos pros alike! They range in size, colour and growing preferences so you can find the pothos variety that’s perfect for your space.
Origins of Pothos Varieties
Pothos is a genus of about 70 species. These pothos varieties originate from the warm and moist rain forests on islands in Southeast Asia, India, Sri Lanka, Africa and Madagascar. The pothos plant was popularized by Dr Theodore Fitch Burr who discovered it while working at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Calcutta in 1878. He named the pothos variety Epipremnum aureum (also known as golden pothos).
Pothos varieties are grown for their beautiful heart-shaped leaves and vines that can reach up to 30 feet long when planted outdoors. Pothos is often used in home décor or office settings due to its vine-like vines and ability to grow in many different types of environments.
What are the Pothos Varieties?
Golden Pothos
This is a popular pothos that has been seen on television and in movies. It will grow anywhere and can be used to decorate your home or office, as well as add oxygen purification because it’s growing all over your windows.
Also knows as ‘golden queen pothos’, should be watered once a week, and it should not have any direct sunlight. Golden pothos cannot grow in the cold. Golden pothos is also known as a “mother-in-law’s tongue.”
Marble Queen Pothos
This pothos variety has white, green or purple leaves that are striped with light blue and dark blue streaks. It can be grown outdoors in warmer climates but should be watered frequently. It needs to have a lot of sunlight, so it’s best to grow this pothos in the summertime when you can provide ample sunshine for them. Marble pothos likes warmer temperatures and needs more water than other pothos varieties
Snow Queen Pothos
This pothos variety is a hybrid that has white and purple leaves with light blue streaks. It can grow outdoors in warmer climates but should be watered frequently. Snow pothos likes to have plenty of sunlight, so it’s best grown during the summertime when you can give them ample sunshine. The snow queen pothos needs more water than other pothos varieties. Snow pothos is also known as “The Queen.
Full care guide here: The Care Guide to Snow Queen Pothos: Keeping your Plants Glowing All Year Long
Honey Pothos
The honey pothos has green leaves that are streaked with yellow and white. It can be grown outdoors in warmer climates but needs to have plenty of sunlight and watered frequently because it likes warm temperatures. The Honey pothos is also a hybrid variety, so it prefers warmth over cooler temperatures like many pothos varieties.
Giant Pothos
The giant pothos has brown/green leaves that are dark green with lighter streaks and patterns of purple, white or yellow on the edges. It is a hybrid variety and can only grow outdoors in warmer climates where it will need to be watered frequently because this pothos likes warm temperatures. Giant pothos can grow in the cold but they will need to be watered more frequently and should be grown indoors during wintertime so that they do not lose too much colour or die from being exposed to the cold.
Hawaiian Pothos
Hawaiian pothos is a potted plant that’s grown for its attractive leaves and vines. The Hawaiian pothos can be found in nurseries and garden stores but it grows easily outdoors as well. It spreads quickly so you may need to use plant supports or stakes if you choose to grow it outside unless your pothos is planted on a trellis.
It’s important to note that pothos does not like being overwatered and will wilt if left in standing water. Hawaiian pothos needs high humidity, good air circulation, and indirect sunlight when it’s grown indoors; outside they can take full sun but need protection from the hot afternoon sun.
Harlequin Pothos
The Harlequin pothos is a great pothos variety to grow indoors or outdoors as it can tolerate dry air. It has dark green leaves with white and yellow stripes on the edge of each leaf (hence its name). The plant reaches an average height of two feet but can reach three to four feet in some cases. It prefers to be potted in a well-drained potting mix and needs bright indirect light or low, filtered sunlight.
The harlequin pothos can tolerate temperatures between 50°F (11°C) up to 65°F (18°C). This pothos variety is hardy down to 45 degrees with a constantly moist root zone. However, it should be potted well to avoid overwatering and promotes air circulation around the plant which will help prevent powdery mildew (a common problem for pothos varieties).
The harlequin pothos can also suffer from leaf scorch if potted in a pot that is too deep and potted into well-drained soil. This pothos variety prefers to be potted with its crown at the surface of the soil.
Variegated Pothos (aka Devil’s Ivy)
This pothos is a bit more difficult to take care of than the golden pothos, but it can produce some really beautiful flowers that are unlike any other in terms of colour and shape.
Variegated pothos prefers indirect light, but can be potted in a well-drained potting mix with bright filtered sunlight. It thrives at temperatures between 50°F (11°C) and 65°F (18°C).
It is also tolerant of cold to about 45 degrees Fahrenheit (-15 ° Celsius). This pothos variety will benefit from potting soil that is always moist, but it needs plenty of space to grow.
Pearls and Jade Pothos
Pearls and Jade pothos are two varieties that have been popular for their ability to brighten up a dark space. These pothos can grow from the floor up, or along a trellis in your home. They will need lots of light so they can produce more flowers! Their leaves tend to be green with cream speckles.
Pearl and Jade pothos are very different varieties of pothos with unique textures. People often mistake one for the other, but now you can tell them apart! Let us help by giving a rundown on each variety’s differences.
The Pearl pothos is a variety that has very thick leaves. It can also be mistaken for another type of pothos, but the Pearl pothos usually grows more quickly and will flower quicker than other pothos varieties.
The colour of this pothos varies from light to dark green with purple hints throughout it. The leaves are broader and thicker than other pothos varieties. The flowers on Pearl pothos start light green but turn a pinkish purple colour as they mature.
Jade pothos is the variety of pothos that has thinner, more delicate leaves with an almost velvety texture. The colour of this pothos is usually light green. It has purplish hints throughout it, but the leaves are not as broad or thick as Pearl pothos leaves. Jade pothos takes longer to flower than other varieties and when they do, their flowers are dark purple in colour.
Manjula Pothos
This pothos variety is named after Manjula, a pothos lover and one of the founders of Pothos Jewelry. The plant has silver-green leaves that are shaped like ferns with dark green speckles on them. It’s perfect for an area in your home or yard that doesn’t receive much light.
The pothos variety is a slow grower, and will only reach up to 12-inches in height with an equal spread. It’s perfect for smaller spaces or containers because its roots don’t need much water at all, making it one of the few pothos varieties that can be grown indoors without any problems as well. These pothos are mainly grown for their foliage, but they produce tiny white flowers between June and August.
Cebu Blue Pothos
Cebu blue pothos is a great pothos variety for beginners. It has an easy-care guide and is one of the most popular pothos varieties to grow indoors or outdoors.
Cebu pothos is a beautiful pothos variety with blue-green leaves. It can grow up to six feet tall indoors and outdoors so make sure you have plenty of space for it! Cebu pothos prefers bright indirect light but can also flourish in shade or low sunlight areas. When the plant reaches about three feet tall it’s time to start fertilizing and pruning pothos.
Neon Pothos
This pothos variety has neon green leaves that have darker, more intense streaks. It is a hybrid pothos and can only grow outdoors in warmer climates. The neon pothos needs to be watered frequently because it likes warmer temperatures.
Neon pothos should not receive direct sunlight or too much humidity as this pothos variety is sensitive.
For an in-depth care guide on neon pothos, see: Neon Pothos: The Easy to Care For Plant
Splash Pothos
This pothos is a great plant that will grow in water and doesn’t need soil. It does tend to get mould, so if you live somewhere with high humidity it might be best to keep this pothos inside of your home or office.
Jessenia Pothos
Jessenia pothos is a Latin American pothos variety. It is an easy-to-grow, fast-growing pothos plant that does well in both indoor and outdoor environments and can be pruned to keep it short for those who want a potted version of this beautiful plant. This pothos variety has glossy leaves that are dark green and variegated with cream stripes.
It has a trailing habit, so it is best to plant in hanging baskets or on top of walls for potted plants. This pothos variety prefers bright indirect light but will still grow well if placed in lower levels of light indoors. The Jessenia pothos does not need much water and is not very sensitive to pothos plant pests.
Trebi Pothos
The trebi pothos is a variety of pothos that has small, dark green leaves and can grow up to 20 feet long. The leaf colour on this pothos variety will alternate between green and brown as the plant gets older and curlier so it’s not uncommon for people to mistake them for an ivy or philodendron pothos. The trebi pothos is a good pothos variety for people who are looking to add some height and depth to their indoor plant collection as they can grow quite high. They don’t make great hanging plants but will need support along the way if you plan on having them take up more than one level of a potted plant.
The trebi pothos is a good pothos variety for people who are looking to add some height and depth to their indoor plant collection as they can grow quite high. They don’t make great hanging plants but will need support along the way if you plan on having them take up more than one level of a potted plant.
N-Joy Pothos
N-Joy Pothos is an attractive pothos variety with glossy leaves. It is a vigorous grower and will develop into an eye-catching vine given the right conditions. In colder climates, it can be grown as a potted plant or in a hanging basket indoors.
N-Joy Pothos loves humidity and is one of the most water-loving pothos varieties. It will thrive in moist, humid environments with cool nights year-round; if you have high heat or lack sufficient cooling at night, it may require more watering to maintain its glossy leaves.
N-Joy Pothos is a pothos variety with no particular horticultural needs that will be happy to grow as an indoor potted plant or outdoor climbing vine near windows, patios, porches, decks, along fences or on trellises – anywhere it can get sunlight and climb. It can grow up to six feet in height and width.
Pogo Pothos
Dwarf pothos is a great option if you have limited vertical room in your home or apartment but still want to enjoy pothos. These potted plants grow up to 12 inches and stay that way.
Siam Pothos
It’s hard to go wrong with this potted plant if you’re looking for lushness. These potted plants reach 18 feet in height, but they grow up fast so it won’t be long before your pothos starts filling out!
Curly Pothos
If you’re looking for pothos that will grow out instead of up, curly pothos is the potted plant for you. These potted plants have a sprawling habit and are great for adding an airy feel to any space! They reach 18 inches in height at their tallest point but continue to spread with age.
Mozart Pothos
For those who want a potted plant that will help them achieve their green thumb dreams, this is the pothos variety for you. Mozart pothos are easy to grow and work well in any environment so beginners won’t feel intimidated by these potted plants! They reach 18 inches in height and bloom with lavender, white or pink flowers sporadically.
Satin Pothos (aka silver pothos)
The silver pothos is also known as ‘silver queen pothos’ has a very smooth leaf, which is what makes them unique. This pothos variety can tolerate cooler temperatures, so it is good for those in the north.
The satin pothos also likes to be watered less often than other pothos varieties because it doesn’t like warmer climates and needs more humidity.
Glacier Pothos
The Glacier pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is one of the most popular pothos varieties. It has leaves that grow to about 20 inches long and can tolerate extreme changes in light. The mix of green, yellow, cream and white colours makes it very attractive as well. You may find this variety growing outdoors in the shade under a tree. It is not susceptible to cold and will flourish in most environments with proper care.
The pothos makes an excellent house plant because it can thrive inside or outside with very little effort on your behalf. The Glacier pothos prefers being out of direct sunlight and tends to get floppy when grown in too much light.
The pothos is propagated by division or cuttings, and it does not grow true to type from leaf cuttings. You will need a pothos plant with roots for the pothos variety to be accurately reproduced when planting more plants. The Glacier pothos is best grown in containers with a drainage hole or pothos baskets.
The Glacier pothos is not prone to many different problems, but if it gets too much wetness, the leaves may start to turn brown and fall off. This pothos variety can handle cold temperatures well as long as they are not below freezing for any length of time.
The pothos variety is very easy to care for. The most common thing people do wrong with pothos plants is overwatering them, which can cause the leaves to turn brown and fall off or rot. A good rule of thumb for watering pothos varieties is to let them dry out between waterings before getting more water.
Red Pothos
Red pothos is one of the most popular pothos varieties. Red pothos has small, dark green leaves with variegated stripes and white highlights that grow to about a foot long in length. They are very easy to care for but do not require much water or sunlight. Care should be taken when watering them so that they do not end up with pothos disease.
Red pothos is best grown indoors or in a shady area of the garden outside. They can be found at local nurseries, but are also easy to propagate by dividing clumps.
Pothos Varieties Care Guide
Soil
Pothos varieties prefer moist, rich soil that is well-drained. A soil rich in organic matter, peat moss and perlite that drains well is the best type of potting mix to use for pothos varieties.
Light
Pothos varieties require indirect or filtered sunlight. Sunny windowsills are the perfect place to put pothos plants and will provide them with enough light without drying out their leaves.
Pothos plants do not need a lot of light but will grow more quickly when they have enough.
Watering
pothos plants need to be watered every few weeks. When pothos plants are in the water, they will grow larger and healthier leaves.
Pothos varieties like moist soil but do not need a lot of watering unless the plant is dry or wilting from exposure to sunlight. Too much moisture can cause pothos diseases such as pythium root rot.
Temperature
Pothos is a plant that can be grown in climates all over the world. In general, pothos tends to prefer warmer weather, but some varieties will grow better with cooler temperatures and some pothos vines may survive outdoors year-round in southern US states like Florida or Texas. Pothos plants typically do not tolerate a temperature below 50 degrees Fahrenheit and will begin to show signs of damage at around 32F.
Humidity
Pothos varieties can be grown in a potted plant or as ground cover and are often used to grow on top of brick walls. They love humidity, but also need indirect light that is not direct sunlight so they do not dry out their leaves. Pothos plants like humid environments because the moist air helps them to grow.
Fertiliser
Pothos plants will grow well with minimal fertilization, and potted pothos can even survive without any at all. If you do choose to feed your pothos plant it is recommended that you mix one teaspoon of a high nitrogen liquid fertilizer per quart of water.
The best time for fertilizing pothos plants is in the spring, but you can fertilize pothos plants at any time of the year.
Toxicity
Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum) is toxic to both humans and animals, but because it has a mild effect on cats and dogs, pothos should be considered safe for pets in small quantities. If ingested by pets or children the plant can cause stomach problems as well as nausea.
The toxins from pothos can cause skin irritation and symptoms of allergic contact dermatitis.
If pothos is ingested by a human, it may lead to gastrointestinal issues including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea.
For pothos that will be grown indoors or outdoors in the ground; plant far away from children’s play areas, drains (or plumbing), and gutters.
If pothos will be grown in containers; pothos should have a barrier of at least 25 inches from any other plant.
Pothos also produce tiny white flowers that can release pollen into the air so they should not to be planted near deck, patio or picnic areas where it may get into the food or drink.
Pothos should be kept away from people and pets with allergies to plants including pothos, ivy and oak.
Pruning
Pothos plants also respond well to pruning with potted pothos vines cutting back their length by about one-third every year or so to maintain the plant’s size.
Propagation and Growth
propagating pothos is fairly straightforward. It can be done by cutting pothos stems into small pieces and then planting them in moist media like dirt or potting soil. There are also pothos varieties that produce pups on the sides of their leaves, which can be removed with care to create clones of themselves
Repotting
The potted pothos vine may be potted into a larger pot, or simply left to trail over the edge of its container.
Common Issues with Pothos Plant
Pothos plant is one of the easiest houseplants to grow. It thrives when given a little water, sun or shade and average soil that’s not too dry.
However, pothos plants are susceptible to some common issues including:
Spider mites – Clusters of small yellowish spots on leaves with webs underneath.
Mealybugs – Tiny white, cottony looking patches on leaves and pith that can easily be peeled off the plant.
Root rot or damping-off – Brown spots at leaf tips with yellow pith; wilting of stems from roots up to the top of the pot as if everything is just too wet; brown mould on pith.
Leaf spot – Brown spots with yellow piths on leaves; black or brown dots within the spotted area that are not raised bumps.
Alternaria leaf blight – Yellow, tan and green spots on foliage which eventually turn brown and cause plants to wilt and die; usually affects pothos plants during hot weather conditions.
Leaf scorch – Yellowing and brown pith from sunburn.
Tips for Keeping a Pothos Varieties Happy
Varieties of pothos are low-maintenance plants that can be potted indoors or garden outdoors. Pothos has been used for centuries as a symbol of good luck and prosperity, but they also make great indoor houseplants as well. Here’s how to keep pothos happy:
- Choose the right location for pothos varieties. Pothos need either a bright but indirect location or full sun to thrive, so make sure they are placed in the right place before planting them.
- Water pothos once per week and fertilize monthly with a liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted according to instructions on the package label
- Prune pothos every three months to keep them healthy
- Keep pothos varieties away from drafts and cold spots that could cause the leaves to turn brown and fall off.
- Pothos can also be grown outside in a shady garden or one with filtered sunlight, but they will need more water so plan accordingly.
Pothos Varieties Frequently Asked Questions
How many pothos varieties are there?
There are over a hundred pothos varieties that have been discovered so far.
The pothos plant is in the Araceae family and falls within the genus Epipremnum, which means “upon flowering.” The pothos has many different lookalike cousins such as philodendrons, dieffenbachias, and plectranthus.
What is the best pothos?
No pothos is the best, but there are pothos varieties with certain qualities.
The most popular and easiest to grow pothos plant, Giant Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum Aureum), thrives in temperate climates year-round without any special care. In wintertime, it can grow up to six inches a day.
A pothos variety that is more difficult to grow and takes up more space, the Golden Pothos (Epipremnum Chrysodema) grows three feet long with golden-yellow leaves and silver veins. It can be grown outside in tropical climates or indoors where it prefers high humidity. The pothos varieties with the best foliage are pothos varieties such as Queen Victoria (Epipremnum Alexandri) and pothos variety named after their country of origin.
What are the different varieties of pothos plants?
Different types of pothos include pothos varieties that are grown only outside (Epipremnum Ternantii), pothos varieties that prefer high light levels and humidity such as the Pothos Gold Dust or Golden Glow, pothos plants with a trailing habit like Empress of India.
What is a solid green pothos called?
A pothos that is grown only outside, such as Epipremnum Ternantii has a solid green colour.
There are pothos varieties with variegated foliage like the Pothos Gold Dust or Golden Glow which have yellow and gold leaves in their topmost layer of leaf tissue. The pothos variety Empress of India is a pothos with red and green variegated foliage.
What is the rarest pothos?
The pothos varieties below are some of the most rare pothos varieties
Porcelain pothos- is a hybrid pothos variety and this plant does not grow very high, but it can be planted in hanging baskets or even on trees.
Royal Empress pothos – has dark green leaves with a white stripe and is one of the pothos varieties that can grow up to 15 feet.
Painted pothos – has green leaves with little red or pink spots on them, which makes it a colourful pothos variety.
Purple pothos- this plant does not get very tall but the flowers are purple in colour.
Maroon pothos- has green leaves that are reddish in colour, making this pothos variety a beautiful choice.
Do pothos like to be misted?
It is a good idea to mist pothos plants. They will need more water when they are in a dry environment or during the wintertime.
Pothos can be taken care of by watering them once every week, fertilizing them with compost about four times per year and doing all other regular potted plant maintenance like pruning, rotating pothos varieties and so on.
Conclusion
Pothos plants are easy to take care of and can be grown indoors or outdoors. They do like being misted, watered, fertilized and potted plant maintenance is all that they need! Also, it is important to know what pothos variety you have so you can take the proper care of it.
