Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) and vining Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) are the two most common vining houseplants. Both are popular due to their low-maintenance nature and beautiful, trailing foliage. Because they belong to the same plant family, Araceae, they share a similar look, including heart-shaped leaves and a vining habit, which often leads to misidentification. Specific structural differences provide a straightforward way to distinguish between these two tropical vines.
Leaf Structure and Appearance
Pothos leaves generally possess a thicker, more waxy texture, often giving them an embossed or plastic-like feel. The leaf blade tends to be more spade-shaped than a classic heart, and the leaf base where the petiole attaches is frequently asymmetrical. Pothos often display prominent variegation patterns, such as the streaks of yellow, white, or cream found in popular varieties like ‘Golden Pothos’ or ‘Marble Queen’.
Philodendron leaves, by contrast, are typically thinner and softer to the touch, lacking the noticeable waxy coating. Their shape is a more classic, pronounced heart, maintaining a greater degree of symmetry around the midrib. The leaf tips on a Philodendron are softer and come to a gentle point, whereas the tips on a Pothos are often more rigid and sharply pointed.
The Petiole and Sheath
The petiole, the small stalk connecting the leaf blade to the main stem, offers one of the most reliable identification markers. A Pothos petiole has a distinct, prominent groove or indentation running down the length of the stalk facing the stem. This groove makes the petiole appear less than fully rounded. Conversely, the Philodendron petiole is completely smooth and rounded, lacking any significant groove or indentation along its surface.
Node and Aerial Root Characteristics
The node, the point on the stem where the leaf and aerial roots emerge, shows further structural differences. Pothos nodes are thicker and more pronounced, producing a single, relatively thick, stubby aerial root per node. Philodendron nodes are typically thinner and less bulky, and they produce a cluster of multiple, thinner, and more spindly aerial roots.
A key difference is how new leaves emerge: a new Pothos leaf unfurls directly from the previous leaf or node. A new Philodendron leaf, however, is protected by a thin, papery sheath known as a cataphyll, which dries up and falls away once the leaf has expanded.