Pothos vs philodendron: how to tell them apart

Weaker hints: texture, size and aerial roots

Most online comparisons add three more tests. They help, but none is as reliable as the two above.

Leaf texture and thickness. Grower guides often describe pothos leaves as thicker and waxier and philodendron leaves as thinner and softer. NC State, however, describes both species' leaves as glossy and leathery (coriaceous), so texture is a judgment call, not a test. One detail is better documented: Penn State notes that pothos leaves fold inward along the midrib.

Leaf size and shape. On houseplants, NC State gives pothos leaves 3 to 6 inches long and wide, and heartleaf philodendron leaves 3 to 6 inches long but only 1 to 3 inches wide; UF/IFAS gives 2 to 4 inches for heartleaf philodendron. So a noticeably narrow leaf leans philodendron and a broad one leans pothos, but the ranges overlap. Both plants make much bigger leaves when they climb: UF/IFAS says heartleaf philodendron leaves can reach 12 inches or more on a tree, and the Missouri Botanical Garden gives up to 30 inches, with deep lobes, for mature pothos.

Aerial roots per node. A popular hobbyist rule says pothos has one thick aerial root per node and philodendron several thinner ones. Penn State confirms that pothos aerial roots develop at each node, and NC State describes heartleaf philodendron stems with adventitious roots, but neither gives a count. We found no extension or botanical-garden source that confirms the one-versus-several rule, so treat it as a hint at best.

Cultivars that look the most alike

Color is where most mix-ups happen, because both plants have been bred into similar shades. NC State lists these cultivars:

• Neon pothos vs Philodendron 'Lemon Lime'. Neon has yellow leaves (NC State), bright chartreuse in Penn State's words; 'Lemon Lime' has bright yellow to chartreuse foliage. By color alone they can be identical. The stalk groove and the sheath settle it.
• Golden pothos vs Philodendron 'Brasil'. Golden pothos has golden, yellow-green variegated leaves; 'Brasil' has a yellow to light-green stripe down the center with dark green borders. A central stripe points to 'Brasil', but variegation is unstable on both, so check the stalk.
• Marble Queen pothos vs Philodendron 'Cream Splash' or 'Silver Stripe'. Marble Queen has green leaves and stems marbled with white; the philodendrons carry cream to light-green centers or a silver stripe with dark green edges.
• Jade pothos vs plain heartleaf philodendron. Both are solid green. Here the bronze color of a newly opened philodendron leaf, plus the sheath, are the quickest clues.

Penn State and NC State both note that low light fades pothos variegation, and NC State notes that 'Brasil' variegation is unstable, so a plant that has gone greener is not proof of either identity. For the full list of pothos cultivars, see the pothos page.

Other plants sold as pothos or philodendron

Satin pothos (Scindapsus pictus) is a third genus. Its leaves are matte and satiny with silver-gray blotches on the upper side; neither pothos nor heartleaf philodendron has silver blotches.

Split-leaf philodendron usually means Monstera deliciosa, which is not a philodendron at all, or the shrubby Philodendron bipinnatifidum. UF/IFAS notes that philodendrons range from vining types for hanging baskets to "tree" philodendrons, and that identifying the many species is complicated by juvenile and adult leaf differences and the vast number of commercial hybrids.

Toxicity, and why the name still matters

The ASPCA lists golden pothos as toxic to cats and dogs, and lists heartleaf philodendron as toxic to dogs, cats and horses; both contain insoluble calcium oxalates. Telling them apart does not change what to do: if a pet has chewed either plant, call your vet or the ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply); for a person, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

The name matters for care. UF/IFAS advises watering heartleaf philodendron when the top inch of soil is dry and keeping it above 50°F; Penn State says pothos is better kept too dry than too wet. Both want bright, indirect light and tolerate less. The houseplant identification key covers other heart-leaved vines, and how to identify plants explains the general method of checking leaves, stems and growth points in order.