The Pothos, scientifically known as Epipremnum aureum, is one of the most popular houseplants globally. Often nicknamed “Devil’s Ivy” for its tenacious ability to thrive in challenging conditions, this tropical aroid is prized by new and experienced plant enthusiasts alike. It is celebrated for its lush, heart-shaped foliage and remarkable adaptability to various indoor environments. Determining the exact number of distinct Pothos types requires understanding plant cultivation and naming conventions.
Understanding the Pothos Family Cultivars
The total number of Pothos varieties is not fixed, as the count continuously evolves due to horticultural development. Most commercially available Pothos types are forms of the single species Epipremnum aureum. New varieties, known as cultivars, typically emerge from a natural genetic mutation that is then selectively bred for desirable traits like unique coloration. These new genetic expressions are often propagated commercially, adding to the official count over time. Misidentification also inflates the perceived number, as distinct species like Epipremnum pinnatum or Scindapsus pictus are often incorrectly grouped under the general “Pothos” label.
Essential Pothos Varieties: The Core Four
Golden Pothos
The foundational varieties of Epipremnum aureum are the ones most frequently encountered and serve as the genetic basis for many newer types. The Golden Pothos is the most common, featuring large, deep green leaves splashed with streaks of bright, golden-yellow variegation. This yellow coloration is usually more pronounced when the plant receives ample bright, indirect light.
Marble Queen and Jade Pothos
The Marble Queen Pothos is distinguished by a high degree of white and cream variegation marbled across its green leaves. Because these white sections lack chlorophyll, the plant grows slower than the Golden Pothos. The Jade Pothos is a similar, but entirely solid, variety featuring uniform, deep forest-green leaves with no variegation. This lack of non-green pigment allows it to be one of the most vigorous growers and most tolerant of lower light conditions.
Neon Pothos
The Neon Pothos stands out due to its striking, vibrant chartreuse to lime-green foliage. Unlike the Golden Pothos, this variety is non-variegated, displaying a uniform, intense yellow-green color across the entire leaf surface. The vivid color is dependent on light exposure, as lower light levels will cause the leaves to deepen to a duller, darker shade of green.
Specialty and Less Common Cultivars
Manjula Pothos
Beyond the easily available types, a range of specialty cultivars exists, often recognized by specific patterns or unique leaf shapes. The Manjula Pothos is a patented cultivar known for its broad, heart-shaped leaves that typically display wavy edges. Its complex variegation features splotches of white, cream, and silvery-green that often bleed together, unlike the distinct separation seen in other white-variegated types.
N’Joy and Global Green Pothos
The N’Joy Pothos presents a crisper variegation pattern, exhibiting distinct patches of dark green and clean white, with the colors sharply delineated. This variety tends to have smaller, more compact foliage compared to the Marble Queen. A newer introduction is the Global Green Pothos, which is unique for its green-on-green variegation, where a dark emerald-green border frames a lighter, central patch of lime-green or chartreuse.
Cebu Blue Pothos
A notable departure is the Cebu Blue Pothos, which is actually a variety of the species Epipremnum pinnatum, not E. aureum. This distinction is important because it results in a visibly different plant with slender, slightly elongated leaves that possess a subtle metallic blue-green sheen. When given vertical support, mature Cebu Blue plants can develop natural splits, or fenestrations, in their leaves, a trait not typically seen in the common E. aureum cultivars.