Pothos vs. Philodendron: What's the Difference?

Learn how to tell these two common houseplants apart

Potassium and vine philodendron varieties are the most popular houseplants, and paradoxically they are often mistaken for each other. Although they are identical and have the same growth needs and habits, they are different plants with unique characteristics and needs. Once you know what to look for, they are easily differentiated from each other.

Differences between pothos and philodendron

There are several key differences between pothos (commonly referred to as "devil's ivy") and wine philodendrons, which help to differentiate them. These include taxonomy, leaf shape and structure, aerial roots and stems, their growth habits and new leaves, and their growing needs.

Classification

Taxonomy is a branch of science concerned with the classification of groups of biological organisms, and how plants are named and organized into genes and families. It is basically associated with botanical nomenclature.

Leaf shape and structure

One of the easiest ways to tell the difference between potassium and philodendron is by the leaves. Philodendrons have heart-shaped leaves that are slender with a smooth structure. Potassium, on the other hand, has large, thick, and waxy leaves.

These leaf differences are particularly noticeable in the area where the petiole joins at the base of the leaves. When the base of a pothos leaf is relatively straight, the base of a philodendron leaf bends dramatically inward and forms the top of the heart.

Aerial roots and petioles

Differences between aerial roots and petioles can also be noted. Both potholes and philodendrons have invasive aerial roots that allow them to climb and fly around surfaces. However, pothos (pictured right) has only one large aerial root per node, while philodendrons (pictured left) may have several smaller aerial roots per node, and they are more wild and unobstructed.

Leaf stalks are small stems that attach the leaves to the main stems of the plant. Due to differences in growth habits, potholes have embedded petioles attached to them, while philodendrons have fully rounded petioles. Philodendron petioles are also thinner than Potosin petioles.

Growth habits and new leaves

Another way to tell the difference between photos and philodendron is to look for the presence of cadavers. As new leaves grow on the subsequent philodendron, they emerge from the small leaf caterpillars that protect them when new leaves grow. After the new leaf has fallen they are usually on the plant, eventually drying out. Pothos do not grow new leaves in this way. Instead of emerging from the caterpillars, new leaves on the potholes simply grow and fall off the previous leaf.

Growing differences

Admittedly, potassium and philodendrons have similar requirements when it comes to light, soil, water, and temperature, and both are considered low-maintenance houseplants. However, there are some small differences that are useful to know.

While both potholes and philodendrons tolerate low light, pothos can easily tolerate less light than philodendrons. Philodendrons gain legs faster than potholes and begin to grow very small leaves if they do not get enough light. Potholes, on the other hand, get their feet slowly, and their leaf size is not affected by low light.

Pothos are slightly easier to propagate by cuttings than philodendrons, and they are drought tolerant.

There is another plant that is often confused with both botox and philodendrons. Scondypsus pictures is another plant in the Arroyo family that goes by the common name of satin pothos, although it is not actually a pothos. It is characterized by the habit of growing a plant, and the shiny silver patches on all its leaves give it a glossy sheen and have similar growth requirements for both potash and philodendron. However, the characteristic leaf pattern of satin photos generally makes it easier to identify.

There are many types of phytonutrients and philodendrons that are similar to each other. The general guidelines outlined here will help you easily identify any type of potash or philodendron.