Identification Aid: Pothos Edition

Have you received a new plant lately and it had a label but you’re unsure if it’s correct or not? Have no fear, Houseplant Addicts is here to help! In this article we will help you with identifying your Pothos. We will include a picture example and character traits of your basic plant. We will also include certain identifying characteristics that’ll help you to identify plants while you’re out looking for your next beauty to bring home! Also be on the lookout for more identification editions!

Now, Let’s get started with Pothos!

Let’s start with some background information on the name Pothos. Epipremnum aureum is the correct name for this plant. In the 1880s this plant went by the name, Pothos aureus, and the name Pothos just stuck with it. I’m sure you’ve seen the debate between the names already. Most major stores, and your local nurseries have these plants labeled as Pothos, so to the common plant customer, this is the name we often use.

Epipremnum aureum ‘Golden’ Green and yellow variegation, very hardy, can hold its variegation in low light settings. Leaves are usually large in size.

Epipremnum aureum ‘Marble Queen’ vs ‘Snow Queen’ Green and creamy white variegation, absolutely NO yellow coloring at all. Snow Queen has a much heavier less creamy white variegation than that of the Marble Queen, but keep in mind, the Marble Queen and Snow queen are the SAME plant. You can have both Marble and Snow queen variations in the same plant. Also note, some Marble Queens do have solid green leaves, which is totally normal.

Epipremnum aureum ‘Neon’ Bright vivid lime green almost yellow leaves. Can also have darker green variegation, but do not get this confused with the Variegated Neon as they are not the same.

Epipremnum aureum ‘Variegated Neon’ Has the same bright neon yellow as the regular neon except it has cream variegation to the leaves. The variegation can darken as the leaves mature.

Epipremnum aureum ‘Pearls and Jade’ Green and white variegation with green speckles (mottling). Smaller with more dainty leaves. Slow growing. The white on this variety can sometimes be less pronounced than that of the Njoy variety. Fun fact: The Pearls and Jade Pothos was patented and produced by the University Of Florida from the parent plant, a Marble Queen.

Epipremnum aureum ‘Njoy’ Green and white variegation and can sometimes have a small amount of green speckles (mottling). The white variegation is usually very bright. Smaller with more dainty leaves, also a slow grower.

Epipremnum aureum ‘Manjula’ Has wide, heart-shaped green leaves. The leaves are variegated with shades of silver, white, cream, and light green. Some leaves have large green patches. Each leaf is usually different. Fun Fact: The Manjula was also patented and produced by the University Of Florida.

Epipremnum aureum ‘Jade’ Uniform lush green without variegation.

Epipremnum aureum ‘Jessenia’ Green leaves with a yellowish variegation (chartreuse) similar to the Marble Queen. You can easily tell the difference between the 2 when side by side. The Marble queen is much lighter in color and doesn’t have the limey-green variegation that the Jessenia has.

Epipremnum pinnatum ‘Cebu blue’ Has shiny, silvery-blue leaves. (can appear more “blue” in shady conditions) One of the things that is so neat about the Cebu Blue is how its leaves change shape as they start to climb and resemble a split leaf philodendron.

Epipremnum aureum ‘Global Green’ Chartreuse (lighter green) centers and dark green edges. Bold coloring and defined borders between the colors.

Epipremnum aureum ‘Emerald’ Has dark green centers and light green edges in addition to some of the opposite. Coloring is less bold and borders between the colors are more blurred.

Be sure to stop by our Identification Aid: Scindapsus Edition