Pothos and Philodendron are the two most commonly confused houseplant genera, and for good reason — they are both tropical vines with heart-shaped green leaves that trail beautifully from shelves and hanging baskets. Many plant shops mislabel them, and even experienced growers mix them up.
But they are actually quite different plants. Here is how to tell them apart.
Leaf Shape and Texture
The fastest way to distinguish Pothos from Philodendron is to look at the leaves and feel their texture.
Pothos leaves are thicker and slightly waxy to the touch. They have a subtle ridge along the midrib, making the leaf surface feel slightly bumpy. The leaf shape tends to be more rounded and less symmetrical.
Philodendron leaves are thinner, softer, and more uniform. Heart-leaf Philodendrons (the most common type) have a distinct heart shape with a deeper, more defined sinus — the indentation where the leaf meets the stem.
Aerial Roots
Both plants produce aerial roots along their stems, but they look quite different.
Pothos produces thick, stubby aerial roots — usually one per node. They are short nubs that do not branch.
Philodendrons produce thinner, more numerous aerial roots that often grow in small clusters and can appear stringy or wispy.
New Growth
Watch how new leaves emerge — this is a dead giveaway.
Pothos unfurl new leaves that are slightly lighter in colour and curl open from the existing stem.
Philodendrons push out new leaves encased in a thin protective sheath called a cataphyll. This papery covering dries up and falls off after the leaf unfurls. If you see small dried brown sheaths on the stem, it is almost certainly a Philodendron.
Stem Shape
Run your finger along the stem. Pothos stems tend to be thicker and have a slightly grooved or indented appearance. Philodendron stems are rounder and smoother.
Growth Habit
Both plants trail, but they prefer different support structures.
- Pothos are more vigorous climbers and produce larger leaves when given a moss pole or trellis to climb.
- Heartleaf Philodendrons tend to stay more compact and trail more naturally, though they also climb when given support.
Variegation Patterns
Both genera include many variegated cultivars, but the patterns differ. Pothos variegation tends to be more irregular and splashy (like Golden Pothos or Marble Queen Pothos), while Philodendron variegation is often more striped or sectoral (like Philodendron Brasil).
Care Differences
Despite their similarities, there are a few care differences worth noting:
| Aspect | Pothos | Philodendron |
|---|---|---|
| Light tolerance | Handles low light well | Prefers a bit more light |
| Watering | More drought tolerant | Slightly more sensitive to drying out |
| Growth speed | Very fast | Moderate to fast |
| Soil preference | Tolerates many mixes | Prefers airy, well-draining mix |
The Bottom Line
Both are excellent beginner plants and will thrive in similar conditions. If you are choosing between the two, pick based on the look you prefer. Pothos give you bolder, splashier variegation; Philodendrons offer elegant heart-shaped simplicity.
Browse our complete collections:
