Complete Guide to the Different Types of Pothos Plants

Ever spotted a plant with marbled green and white leaves in someone’s home or office? It was probably a pothos plants, one of the most popular houseplants to grow. They don't need much care, grow quickly, and do well in anything from low light to bright, indirect sun.

All kinds of pothos make fantastic houseplants, whether they are hanging from a shelf or climbing a moss pole. They’re also known for helping clean the air. Pothos was included in a NASA study on air-purifying plants, which found that some houseplants can help remove indoor toxins.

In this blog, we will talk about the top 10 varieties of pothos plants, along with what makes each one special.

Quick Comparison of Pothos Types

Here’s a quick comparison to help you see how each pothos variety is different:

What are the Different Types of Pothos Plants

There are many types of pothos plants. Most of them are from the same main species, called Epipremnum aureum. Each type has its own special leaf colors and patterns. Let’s go over the pothos varieties.

1. Golden Pothos

When most people picture pothos, they think of the classic, Golden Pothos. It’s easy to find and is known for its trailing growth.

Key Features:

• Green leaves with white and silvery-gray variegation (around the edges)
• Leaves are smaller and thinner than Golden or Marble Queen
• Grows slowly compared to other pothos types

Explore a handpicked selection of air-purifying indoor plants that not only enhance your décor but also improve air quality perfect for bedrooms, home offices, and spaces with limited natural light where fresh, clean air matters most.

Best Placement: Great for shelves, desks, or smaller spaces where you want a neat, compact plant. 

Buying Tip: Choose a pot with multiple vines. It’ll look fuller and won’t take as long to fill in.

2. Marble Queen Pothos

Marble Queen is a popular type of pothos with pretty white and green marbled leaves. It takes a little longer to mature than other types.

Key Features:

• Creamy white streaks on green leaves
• Grows slower because it has less green (chlorophyll)
• Needs bright (but indirect) light to keep its variegation
• It may lose its color if kept in low light too long

If your space doesn’t get much sunlight, here are some low-light and pet-safe plants that might be a better fit.

Best Placement: A spot near a window with soft light is great for Marble Queen Pothos. It works well on shelves or small tables. For better presentation, let it trail from a hanging basket or sit tall on a plant stand.

Learn how to position your pothos for the best light with our guide to natural indoor lighting.

Buying Tip: Choose plants with leaves that are a beautiful blend of green and white. Don't buy ones that look mostly green; they may have been stored in the dark.

3. Pearl and Jade Pothos

Pearls and Jade is a more decorative pothos with soft white, green, and silvery-gray patterns. Its unique leaf edges give it a more detailed, delicate look.

Key Features:

• Green leaves with white and silvery-gray variegation (around the edges)
• Leaves are smaller and thinner than Golden or Marble Queen
• Grows slowly compared to other pothos types

Best Placement: Great for shelves, desks, or smaller spaces where you want a neat, compact plant.

Buying Tip: Choose a pot with multiple vines. It’ll look fuller and won’t take as long to fill in.

4. Neon Pothos

Neon Pothos looks exactly as it sounds. Its neon electric leaves have the ability to brighten up any space. It's one of the most beautiful kinds of pothos.

Key Features:

• Neon-lime green foliage that’s more vivid in new growth
• Leaves are slightly smaller and longer than Golden Pothos
• Color fades in low light, appearing more dull or lime-toned
• The best color shows in bright light

Best Placement: It pairs well with white walls, darker wood tones, or neutral interiors.

Buying Tip: Go with plants with recent leaf growth. They look neat and aesthetically pleasing.

5. Manjul a Pothos

Manjula Pothos is a beautiful type with swirling patterns and wavy-edged leaves that give it extra character. The University of Florida made this patented cultivar.

Key Features:

• Heart-shaped leaves with curvy edges that don’t lie flat
• Variegation includes shades of cream, white, green, and sometimes silver or gray-blue
• No two leaves look exactly the same
• Less defined variegation with flecks and blends

Check out our visual guide comparing different pothos varieties, including ideal lighting, growth patterns, and how to display unique types like Manjula.

Best Placement: A great statement plant for tabletops or plant stands where the leaf texture and color can really be seen up close. Works well as a feature plant in curated or eclectic spaces.

Buying Tip: Look for that signature wavy leaf shape. It’s a clear sign you’re getting a true Manjula. 

6. N’Joy Pothos

N’Joy Pothos is a tidy-looking variety with crisp white and green leaves. It’s a newer type that’s become popular for fresh appearance and smaller size.

Key Features:

• Bright green leaves with large patches of white variegation
• More defined patterns than Pearls & Jade, without speckled green in the white areas
• Smaller, neat leaves and slower growth
• Variegation increases with bright

Best Placement: Fits perfectly on tabletops, dressers, or windowsills, especially before it starts trailing.

Buying Tip: Avoid plants with overly faded leaves, as strong lighting brings out the best in this variety.

7. Cebu Blue Pothos

Cebu Blue Pothos is a variety recongnized by its blue-green leaves. They have a soft metallic sheen. Plant collectors love this one because its leaves can split as it grows.

Key Features:

• Arrow-shaped leaves 
• Silvery-blue tint
• Grows best with support like a moss pole

Best Placement: Ideal for trailing in bright spots where its color can stand out. Works especially well on plant walls or shelves with vertical space.

Buying Tip: Cebu Blue is toxic to pets, so take measures if you have pets. 

8. Satin Pothos

This variety is also known as Silver Satin Pothos. It has soft leaves with a silver shine that stands out in the light. It is not a true pothos, but it needs the same care and people love it just as much.

Key Features:

• Green leaves with silvery splashes
• Leaves are smaller and slightly more oblong than typical pothos
• Get leggy if not enough light is provided

Learn how to style pothos and other draping plants in decorative planters, shelves, and hanging displays for maximum visual impact.

Best Placement: Looks pretty in hanging planters or draped over shelving.

Buying Tip: Satin pothos can be a bit fussier than others, so pick a healthy one to start with.

9. Jessenia Pothos

Jessenia Pothos is widely adored for its blend of deep green and chartreuse tone.

Key Features:

• Variegation is darker and more lime in color than Marble Queen
• Each leaf has a unique pattern 

Best Placement: Works nicely on desks, side tables, or shelves where you can admire the leaf detail up close.

Buying Tip: It's mostly confused with Marble Queen. Avoid this doubt by looking for lime-green patterns rather than creamy white. 

10. Harlequin Pothos

Harlequin Pothos is a rare variegated cultivar. It is believed to be a more dramatic version of the Manjula. 

Key Features:

• Intensely variegated leaves with strong white and dark green contrast
• Similar in shape to Manjula, but with much more white
• Limited chlorophyll

Best Placement: Best suited for well-lit areas like bright shelves or display tables.

Buying Tip: It’s ideal for plant parents who prefer to focus on one special specimen or enjoy a bit of a challenge. If you spot one available, don’t hesitate, it’s one of the rarest pothos varieties out there.

Care Guide for All Types of Pothos Plants

No matter which type of pothos you have, Golden, Marble Queen, or something rarer like Harlequin, they all need similar care. 

Here’s what they need to stay healthy:

• Light: Bright, indirect light is best. Most can handle low light, but too little light can fade the variegation (color patterns).
• Water: Let the top inch of soil dry out before watering again. Don’t let the soil stay soggy.
• Humidity: They’re fine in normal room humidity, but will enjoy a little extra if the air is dry.
• Soil: Use a regular indoor potting mix that drains well.
• Fertilizer: Feed them once a month in spring and summer with a basic houseplant fertilizer.
• Pruning: You can trim the vines if they get too long or leggy.

For a more in-depth guide with practical tips and troubleshooting advice, check out our guide on how to care for a Pothos plant.

The full guide discusses how different water sources impact your houseplants' long-term health.

Not everyone starts as a plant expert. Take a look at this honest question from a fellow plant parent:

Can anyone tell me how to best take care of a Pothos? At least better than the tag on it saying plants need water
byu/Jeepgrace inIndoorGarden

Propagation Methods For Pothos Plants

Pothos plants are very easy to grow from cuttings. Just snip a piece of vine right below a small bump on the stem (this is called a node). Then place it in a glass of water or directly into the soil.

If using water, roots usually start growing in 1 to 2 weeks. Once the roots are a few inches long, you can move the cutting to a pot with soil.

Make sure your cutting has at least one leaf and one node. Cuttings without a node won’t grow roots.

The best time to do this is in spring or summer when the plant is growing fast. It’s a fun way to grow more pothos or make your plant look fuller.

Learn proven techniques for propagating pothos and other houseplants with our step-by-step cuttings guide.

Common Problems With Pothos Plants

Common problems with pothos plants mainly come from wrong watering and poor lighting. Here are the main problems and how to solve them:

Yellow Leaves

Watering more or less than what’s required (every 1-2 weeks) can cause the leaves to turn yellow and the stems to soften.

Fix: Make sure the pot you are using for pothos has drainage holes. Don’t overfeed the plant.

Root Rot: Root rot happens when there’s poor drainage in the pot. As a result, the soil stays wet for too long and initiates drooping growth. 

Fix: Replanting in healthy soil after cutting any mushy roots can solve the problem of root rot.

Pests: Bugs like spider mites, mealybugs, scale, whiteflies, or fungus gnats. You might see yellow leaves, sticky spots, tiny webs, or powdery bugs.

Fix: Wipe the leaves clean, and use neem oil or insect soap. Sticky traps can help with flying bugs.

Get detailed instructions on repotting Marble Queen pothos and learn how to prevent root rot caused by overwatering or poor drainage.

Thin Growth or Faded Leaves

You can see thin growth and faded leaves because the plant isn’t getting enough light.

Fix: Move it to a spot with indirect sunlight. This helps it grow fuller and keeps the leaf colors strong.

Conclusion 

Pothos plants are best suited for those who want a houseplant that doesn't need a lot of care and has a lot of personality. There are several different types, such as Golden, Marble Queen, Neon, and Cebu Blue. They fit well with any style and area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which pothos plant grows the quickest?

The Golden Pothos normally grows the fastest. It can effortlessly adapt to varied amounts of light and can fast trail or ascend when the conditions are ideal.

What is a good fertilizer for pothos?

A regular houseplant fertilizer, like 10-10-10 or 20-20-20, works well for pothos. Use it once a month during spring and summer.

Read our complete indoor plant fertilizer guide to understand NPK ratios and how to choose the right blend for your pothos.

Are pothos plants poisonous?

Yes, eating pothos plants is bad for people and pets. They can make your mouth hurt, make you vomit, or make your stomach hurt. Don't let cats, dogs, or children get to them.

Which pothos is best for low light?

Jade and Golden Pothos do well in low light. Varieties with more white usually need brighter light to stay healthy.

Can I mix different types of pothos in one pot?

Yes, you can! Just make sure they have similar light and water needs. Grouping slow growers with fast growers may lead to uneven growth.