Pothos and Philodendron are popular vining houseplants frequently mistaken for one another due to their similar appearance and growth habits. Although both are easy-to-care-for tropical plants, the answer to whether a Pothos is a type of Philodendron is definitively no. They belong to entirely separate scientific genera, meaning they are distinct species. Understanding their formal classification and simple visual cues is the best way to determine which plant you are growing.
Understanding Their Botanical Relationship
Pothos and Philodendron share a common ancestry, both belonging to the large plant family Araceae, often called the Aroid family. This family includes many other popular houseplants, such as Monsteras, which explains their comparable growth patterns.
The Pothos plant most commonly cultivated is Epipremnum aureum, placing it in the Epipremnum genus. The vining Philodendron, which is often confused with Pothos, is typically Philodendron hederaceum and belongs to the Philodendron genus. The genus is a specific classification, indicating that while these two plants are cousins, they are not siblings. The Philodendron genus is significantly larger and more diverse, containing hundreds of species, unlike the relatively small Epipremnum genus.
Practical Ways to Tell Pothos and Philodendron Apart
The quickest way to distinguish the two is by examining the petiole, the small stem connecting the leaf blade to the main vine. Philodendron petioles are consistently smooth and rounded. The petiole of a Pothos, however, has a distinct groove or indentation running along the top where it meets the leaf blade, a feature known as a sulcate canal.
Differences in leaf texture also provide a useful identifier. Pothos leaves are generally thicker and possess a waxy, firm feel, often having pronounced variegation in shades of yellow or cream. Philodendron leaves tend to be thinner, softer, and more pliable to the touch. The classic heartleaf variety is typically a uniform, deep green.
Inspection of the growth nodes and aerial roots can also reveal the plant’s identity. Pothos plants produce one thick, prominent aerial root at each node, appearing as a robust nub. Philodendrons typically produce several thinner, finer, and more thread-like aerial roots clustered around the node.
The most reliable way to tell the two apart involves observing how new leaves emerge from the vine. A new Philodendron leaf develops inside a protective, papery sheath called a cataphyll, which dries up and falls away as the leaf unfurls. Pothos leaves do not use a separate protective sheath; instead, the new leaf is tightly rolled and emerges directly from the base of the previous leaf’s petiole.
Why These Plants Are So Often Confused
The confusion stems from their remarkable visual similarity, especially when sold as juvenile plants. Both are tropical aroids that share a vining growth habit and produce heart-shaped leaves. This resemblance leads to them being displayed and sold in similar ways, such as in hanging baskets.
A significant historical error also cemented the name “Pothos” for the Epipremnum plant we know today. When the plant was first described in 1880, it was incorrectly classified as Pothos aureus. This misclassification was later corrected to Epipremnum aureum, but the original common name persisted.
The retail plant industry further complicates identification by using common, non-scientific names that apply to both genera. The name “Devil’s Ivy,” for instance, is frequently used for both Epipremnum aureum and vining Philodendrons because of their hardiness and ability to remain green even in low light. This generic labeling and the historical taxonomic confusion ensure the question of whether a Pothos is a Philodendron remains common.