Philodendron vs Pothos: How to Tell Them Apart (and Care for Each)
Last updated: October 2026
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) and heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) are different genera in the same aroid family. The fastest way to tell them apart is the leaf stem: pothos petioles have a groove along the top, philodendron petioles are round. Philodendron new leaves also emerge from a papery sheath that browns and falls off, and pothos usually has one thick aerial root per node versus several thin ones.
If you have ever bought a "philodendron" that turned out to be a pothos, or the other way around, you are in good company. These two trailing vines are the most frequently swapped plants in the houseplant trade. Big-box "assorted foliage" pots, scanner tags and even plant ID apps routinely get them backwards, and Reddit's plant ID communities field the same question every day: is this a pothos or a philodendron?
Leaf shape and color are unreliable, especially on young plants and chartreuse cultivars. This guide gives you a ranked set of physical tests that work on every cultivar, a cheat sheet for the specific look-alikes that trip people up (Brasil vs Neon, Lemon Lime vs Neon, Micans), and the real care differences between the two. For full care on each plant, see our pothos care guide and philodendron care guide.
Are Pothos and Philodendron the Same Plant?
No. They are close relatives, both in the aroid family Araceae alongside monstera, peace lily and ZZ plant, but they belong to different genera and cannot interbreed.
- Pothos is Epipremnum aureum. It was first described in 1880 as Pothos aureus from sterile juvenile plants, then shuffled through Scindapsus and Rhaphidophora before botanist G.S. Bunting placed it in Epipremnum in 1964. The common name "pothos" is simply left over from that first placement. It is not a member of the true genus Pothos. Kew's Plants of the World Online gives its native range as Mo'orea in French Polynesia.
- Heartleaf philodendron is Philodendron hederaceum, native to Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Older tag names such as Philodendron scandens, P. oxycardium and P. micans are now treated as synonyms or forms of P. hederaceum. 'Brasil', 'Lemon Lime' and 'Micans' are all cultivars or forms of this one species.
The genus Philodendron contains hundreds of species, from upright self-headers to giant climbers, and our philodendron varieties guide covers them. When people compare "philodendron vs pothos," though, they almost always mean the heartleaf philodendron, because its juvenile leaves look so much like pothos. That is the comparison this article focuses on.
How to Tell Pothos and Philodendron Apart: 5 Tests in Order
Run these checks in order. The first two are close to definitive on their own; the last two are supporting evidence only.
1. The Petiole Test (Fastest)
The petiole is the stalk connecting the leaf blade to the vine. Run a fingernail along the top of it.
- Pothos: the top of the petiole has a groove or channel, so it feels C- or U-shaped.
- Philodendron: the petiole is round and smooth all the way around.
University of Illinois Extension lists this as a core diagnostic character, and it works regardless of leaf color or variegation. A warning: some low-quality comparison pages online have this reversed. Grooved means pothos.
2. The Cataphyll (New Leaf) Test
Look at the newest leaf at the tip of a vine.
- Philodendron: each new leaf emerges from inside a thin, waxy sheath called a cataphyll. The sheath dries brown and papery and eventually falls off, often leaving a dry sliver on the stem. New philodendron leaves frequently open with a pinkish, bronze or brownish tint.
- Pothos: there is no free sheath. The new leaf grows out of the base of the previous leaf and unrolls, usually in a lighter shade of the mature leaf color.
Experienced growers on plant ID forums treat the cataphyll as the most reliable single tell. If you see dry brown sheaths along the vine, you have a philodendron.
3. Aerial Roots
Check the nodes, the bumps on the vine where leaves attach.
- Pothos: usually one short, thick, stubby aerial root per node.
- Philodendron: usually several thinner, wirier roots clustered at each node.
4. Leaf Texture
Pothos leaves are thicker, waxier and more leathery, and the midrib often looks slightly raised. Heartleaf philodendron leaves are thinner, softer and smoother, with a matte to satin finish, and in 'Micans' a distinctly velvety surface. A velvety leaf rules out golden pothos.
5. Leaf Shape (Least Reliable)
Philodendron leaves tend to be a more symmetrical heart with a deeper notch where the stem meets the blade and a longer, pointed tip. Pothos leaves are heart- to egg-shaped, often slightly asymmetric, sometimes a little folded along the midrib, with a shorter tip. Shape shifts with light, age and cultivar, so never rely on it alone.
Side-by-Side ID Table
| Feature | Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) | Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) |
|---|---|---|
| Petiole | Grooved on top | Round, smooth |
| New leaves | Unfurl from the previous leaf, no sheath | Emerge from a cataphyll sheath that browns and drops |
| New leaf color | Lighter version of mature color | Often pink, bronze or brownish at first |
| Aerial roots | One thick root per node | Several thin roots per node |
| Leaf texture | Thick, waxy, leathery | Thin, soft, matte (velvety in Micans) |
| Leaf shape | Heart to egg-shaped, slightly asymmetric | Even heart, deep notch, long pointed tip |
| Stems | Thicker, stiffer | Thinner, more flexible, new stems often reddish |
The Look-Alikes That Fool Everyone
The structural tests above work on every one of these pairs. Color does not.
| Common mix-up | What it actually is | How to tell |
|---|---|---|
| Solid green "philodendron" vine | Often jade pothos (solid green E. aureum) | Grooved petiole and no sheaths = pothos |
| Philodendron 'Brasil' vs Golden or Neon pothos | 'Brasil' is a heartleaf philodendron with a lime-to-yellow center stripe and dark green edges | Round petiole, cataphylls, pinkish new stems = Brasil |
| Neon pothos vs Philodendron 'Lemon Lime' | Both solid chartreuse | Neon is thicker and waxier with a grooved petiole; Lemon Lime is thinner and softer with a round petiole |
| Philodendron 'Micans' vs pothos | Micans is a velvety bronze-green form of P. hederaceum | Velvet texture is never pothos |
| Satin pothos | Scindapsus pictus, a different genus | Matte silver-splashed leaves; neither species above |
| Cebu Blue pothos | Epipremnum pinnatum, a pothos relative | Silvery blue-green, narrow leaves |
Want to dig deeper? Our guides to Philodendron Brasil, Philodendron Micans, satin pothos, golden pothos and every type in our pothos varieties guide show each one up close.
Why Stores Mislabel Them
Growers ship mixed trays of trailing foliage, and the tag that ends up in a pot is not always the plant in it. Some tags still use outdated names like Philodendron scandens or P. cordatum, and jade pothos looks enough like heartleaf philodendron that even staff mix them up. Plant ID apps do too. The practical answer is to trust the petiole and cataphyll, not the label.
Care Differences: Mostly the Same, With Two Real Exceptions
Both plants want bright indirect light, a chunky, well-draining mix, watering when the top inch or so is dry, and no standing water. The differences that actually matter are drought tolerance and low-light tolerance.
| Care factor | Pothos | Heartleaf philodendron |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Bright indirect preferred; variegated types need more light to hold color | Bright indirect preferred; tolerates very low light slightly better |
| Water | More drought tolerant; droops visibly when thirsty, then recovers | Prefers steadier moisture; wilts sooner if left bone dry |
| Humidity | Average home humidity is fine; less fussy in dry winter air | Average is fine; Brasil and Micans look best above about 50% |
| Soil | Standard indoor mix with perlite or bark | Same |
| Temperature | About 65–85°F; protect from cold drafts | Same; Illinois Extension notes it tolerates more variable temperatures |
| Growth rate | Fast in good light; variegated forms slower | Fast in good light; variegated forms slower |
| Toxicity (ASPCA) | Toxic to cats and dogs | Toxic to cats, dogs and horses |
| Main killer | Overwatering | Overwatering |
Light
Both do best in bright, indirect light, such as a few feet back from an east or west window, and direct afternoon sun scorches both. University of Illinois Extension and The Spruce both give heartleaf philodendron the edge in very low light. Many newer blog posts claim the opposite, sometimes with invented foot-candle numbers, but the extension source is the better one. In practice, solid green forms of either plant survive a dim room; they just grow slower with longer gaps between leaves. Variegated pothos like Marble Queen and the striped 'Brasil' lose their pattern in low light. Our low-light houseplant guide covers other options, and a grow light fixes a dark spot fast.
Water
This is the real difference. Pothos stores more water in its thicker leaves, tolerates being forgotten, and tells you when it is thirsty with a dramatic droop that perks back up within hours of watering. Heartleaf philodendron prefers more consistent moisture and gets crispy tips or yellowing if repeatedly left bone dry. Both rot if kept soggy, and overwatering kills more of either plant than neglect does. Check with a finger and water when the top inch or two is dry; see our watering guide and overwatered vs underwatered guide if you are unsure.
Humidity, Soil and Feeding
Average household humidity of 30 to 50% is enough for both. In very dry winter heat, philodendron is more likely to brown at the tips, and velvety Micans looks noticeably better with a humidifier nearby; see our humidity guide. Use a standard indoor potting mix loosened with perlite or orchid bark; our soil guide has recipes. Feed both with a balanced liquid fertilizer during spring and summer and pause in winter, per our fertilizer guide.
Growth and Climbing
Both are fast growers in bright light and both are hemiepiphytic climbers in the wild, meaning they can trail from a shelf or climb a moss pole. Giving either one something to climb usually produces bigger leaves. Indoor plants almost always stay in their juvenile form. Mature, climbing golden pothos in the tropics produces huge split leaves, but a hanging-basket plant will not, and heartleaf philodendron does not develop splits at all. Published "inches per week" growth comparisons conflict, so ignore claims that one grows dramatically faster. If you love trailing plants, our best trailing plants guide and indoor hanging plants guide have more ideas.
Are Pothos and Philodendron Toxic to Pets?
Yes, both are toxic, and telling them apart does not make either one pet safe. The ASPCA lists golden pothos as toxic to cats and dogs, and heartleaf philodendron as toxic to cats, dogs and horses. Both contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. Chewing causes oral irritation, intense burning of the mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing. Symptoms are usually limited to the mouth and upper digestive tract, but a large amount can cause swelling. All cultivars carry the same risk, and the sap can irritate human skin, so wear gloves when pruning.
If your pet eats either plant, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. For trailing plants that are safe around cats and dogs, try string of turtles, a spider plant, or browse our pet-safe houseplant guide, non-toxic plants for cats, or shop our pet-friendly houseplants collection.
Propagation: Same Method, Same Difficulty
Both are among the easiest houseplants to propagate, and the method is identical.
- Cut a 4–6 inch piece of vine just below a node. A leaf on its own without a node will not root.
- Remove the leaf closest to the cut end so the node is bare.
- Stand the cutting in a jar of water with the node submerged, or push it into moist, airy potting mix.
- Keep it warm and in bright indirect light. Change the water weekly.
- Roots usually appear within about 1–4 weeks. Move water cuttings to soil once roots are an inch or two long.
Claims that one roots faster than the other are anecdotal. Single-node cuttings are the standard commercial method for heartleaf philodendron, and pothos roots just as reliably. Our step-by-step pothos propagation guide covers water, soil, moss and division methods that work for both, and 5 easy ways to propagate houseplants covers the basics.
Can you grow them in the same pot? Yes. Their light, soil and watering needs overlap enough that a mixed hanging basket of, say, Neon pothos and 'Brasil' philodendron works well. Water to suit the philodendron's preference for steadier moisture without letting the pot sit wet.
Which Is Better for Beginners?
Both are classic starter plants, and you will not go wrong with either. If you have to pick one:
- Choose pothos if you sometimes forget to water, your air is dry in winter, or you want lots of variegated options (Golden, Marble Queen, Neon, N'Joy, Manjula and more). The obvious thirsty droop takes the guesswork out of watering.
- Choose heartleaf philodendron if your spot is genuinely dim, you like thinner, softer, more perfectly heart-shaped leaves, or you want something different like 'Brasil' or velvety 'Micans'.
- Choose both if you cannot decide. They look great trailing side by side, and identifying them becomes second nature once you know the petiole trick.
| If you… | Pick |
|---|---|
| Forget to water | Pothos |
| Have a very low-light room | Heartleaf philodendron (solid green) |
| Have very dry winter air | Pothos |
| Want the most variegated choices | Pothos |
| Want soft, velvety or striped leaves | Philodendron (Micans, Brasil) |
| Have pets that chew plants | Neither; choose a pet-safe trailer |
Still deciding what to grow? Our best indoor plants for beginners and easy-care houseplants guides list more forgiving picks, and if you want a small indoor tree to pair with your vines, see our new umbrella plant care guide.
Common Problems on Both Plants
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow lower leaves, soil wet | Overwatering | Let the top 1–2 in dry; check roots |
| Long bare stems, small leaves | Low light | Move brighter, prune back to a node, replant cuttings for a fuller pot |
| Variegation fading or reverting | Low light | More bright indirect light; cut out all-green stems |
| Crispy brown tips | Dry air, irregular watering or salt buildup | Steady watering, flush the pot, raise humidity |
| Brown patches or bleaching | Direct sun scorch | Move out of hot afternoon sun |
| Sticky leaves, webbing or cottony spots | Mealybugs, spider mites or scale | Isolate, wipe, treat with insecticidal soap |
For deeper troubleshooting, see why leaves turn yellow, root rot treatment and the houseplant pest ID guide.
Ready to grow your own? Browse our philodendron collection, the low-maintenance Beauty Without the Fuss collection, our best sellers, new arrivals, or shop all plants. Every plant arrives with care tips, so whichever vine you choose, you will know exactly what you have.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between pothos and philodendron?
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) and heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) are different genera in the aroid family. Pothos has a grooved petiole, thicker waxy leaves and one aerial root per node. Philodendron has a round petiole, thinner softer leaves, several aerial roots per node, and new leaves that emerge from a papery sheath.
How can you tell a pothos from a philodendron quickly?
Check the leaf stalk first. A pothos petiole has a groove running along the top, while a philodendron petiole is round and smooth. Then look at the newest leaf: philodendron leaves emerge from a thin sheath that turns brown and falls off, while pothos leaves unroll directly from the previous leaf with no sheath.
Is Philodendron Brasil a pothos?
No, Philodendron Brasil is a cultivar of heartleaf philodendron, Philodendron hederaceum, not a pothos. It has dark green leaves with an irregular lime-to-yellow center stripe. Its round petiole, papery cataphyll sheaths and often pinkish new stems separate it from golden or neon pothos, which have grooved petioles and no sheaths.
Which is better in low light, pothos or philodendron?
Heartleaf philodendron tolerates very low light slightly better, according to University of Illinois Extension and The Spruce. Solid green forms of both survive dim rooms but grow slowly with longer gaps between leaves. Variegated pothos and Philodendron Brasil need brighter indirect light to keep their color and may revert in shade.
Are pothos and philodendron toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes, both are toxic. The ASPCA lists golden pothos as toxic to cats and dogs and heartleaf philodendron as toxic to cats, dogs and horses. Both contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause mouth burning, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing. Call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control at 888-426-4435 if a pet eats either.
Which is easier to care for, pothos or philodendron?
Pothos is slightly easier for most beginners because it tolerates missed waterings and dry air better, and it droops visibly when thirsty, then recovers. Heartleaf philodendron prefers steadier moisture but handles very low light a little better. Both are forgiving starter plants, and overwatering kills more of either than neglect does.
Can pothos and philodendron be planted together?
Yes, pothos and philodendron can share a pot because their light, soil and watering needs overlap. Use a well-draining indoor mix and a pot with a drainage hole, give them bright indirect light, and water when the top inch is dry. Avoid letting the pot dry out completely, since philodendron prefers steadier moisture.
Is Philodendron Micans a pothos?
No, Philodendron Micans is a velvety form of heartleaf philodendron, Philodendron hederaceum, sometimes still sold under the old name Philodendron micans. Its soft, velvety, bronze-to-deep-green leaves rule out pothos, whose leaves are always glossy and waxy. It also has the round petiole and cataphyll sheaths typical of philodendron.
Written and reviewed by Robert, Founder of Divine Roots — he grows, propagates and ships the plants we sell, and the care advice here reflects what actually works in our own greenhouse.