When you start researching indoor plants, you’ll probably stumble upon two common names that are often used interchangeably. They are the pothos and the philodendron plant.
Both plants belong to the same family with separate species, but most people don’t realize this because they are commonly sold as one entity. Why is there such confusion? Keep reading to learn more.
There are many benefits of having an indoor plant at home and both pothos and philodendron plants help with air purification, reduce stress levels and improve your living space by adding green elements.
However, these two species have a few differences; for instance, their appearance and light requirements differ significantly.
What is a Pothos Plant?
A pothos plant is also known as a friendship vine because it has a long history of being used as a symbol of friendship. This is an indoor plant with heart-shaped leaves with different shades of green and yellow/green markings, making it easy to spot.
You can grow it in a pot or as a hanging basket, provided you give it enough light and water. A pothos plant does not grow very tall but can quickly cover the surface of a hanging plant and fill the entire area. For this reason, it is best to keep this plant near a window where it can receive ample sunlight.
The pothos plant is native to parts of India, Southeast Asia and China. It is a tropical plant, which means that it requires a humid environment to thrive.
As such, the pothos plant is a very common houseplant and grows well in most living conditions. It is hardy and easy to grow, making it a great choice for novice gardeners.
What is a Philodendron Plant?
A philodendron plant is a tropical plant that comes from the same family as the pothos, with the main difference being that this species only grows as a vine in certain parts of the world.
This makes it a great choice if you are looking for something to cover your wall or ceiling. If you want to grow it in a pot, make sure you give it a tall planter, because the vine can grow very long. If you want to grow this plant outdoors, make sure you plant it in a shady area, as direct sunlight will dry it out.
There are many varieties and species of philodendron plants, each with different appearances and light requirements. For example, the common philodendron has green leaves and is suitable for indoor growing.
Meanwhile, the heartleaf philodendron has green and variegated leaves, making it ideal for growing outdoors.
The Difference Between a Pothos and Philodendron
The main difference between the two plants is the way they grow. A philodendron plant is a vine, while a pothos is a trailing plant that can easily fill a hanging basket. Both plants are common houseplants that are available at garden centers or online.
If you’re not sure which one is right for you, follow these basic guidelines:
- If you have a lot of light in your home, consider growing a philodendron plant. It can tolerate direct sunlight and prefers moist soil.
- If you want to cover a large area, such as a wall or ceiling, grow a philodendron plant. It is also a good choice if you have limited sunlight in your home.
- If you have limited light in your home and want to grow a plant that you can easily train to grow in a certain way, try growing a pothos plant. It requires less sunlight and can be easily controlled.
- If you want to grow both plants, try growing them in a shadier area of your home. Both plants can thrive in low-light areas.
- If you want to grow both plants, try growing them in a shadier area of your home. Both plants can thrive in low-light areas.
Which is better: Pothos or Philodendron?
These are two different plants and it is hard to compare them. Philodendron plants are very easy to grow and tolerate many different conditions. They are great for beginners and can be used to cover a wall or ceiling.
They are also great for people who don’t have a lot of sunlight in their homes. On the other hand, pothos plants are very easy to grow and require very little maintenance. They are suitable for low-light areas and are great for beginners.
However, they are not very good at covering large areas like walls. If you want to cover a large area, you’ll have to grow more than one philodendron plant.
On the other hand, if you want to cover a large area with pothos plants, you will need to grow many plants because they don’t grow very tall.
How to Care for a Pothos Plant
- Lighting: Pothos plants can grow indoors or outdoors, but they prefer a shadier area with plenty of sunlight. If you live in a hot, sunny area and the plant is near a window, make sure to water it regularly to avoid wilting.
- Water: Pothos plants enjoy humid environments, but they don’t like to be over- or underwater. You should water the plant whenever the surface feels dry, but you should avoid overwatering as it can lead to root rot.
- Soil: The soil of a pothos plant should drain water quickly and have a neutral pH. Make sure to use soil that is free of fertilizers; otherwise, the plant will become more susceptible to diseases.
- Fertilizer: Pothos plants can be fertilized once a month, but only use a diluted solution.
- Pests: Pothos plants are susceptible to root knot nematodes, aphids and spider mites. If you notice these pests, destroy the pests and their eggs.
How to Care for a Philodendron Plant
- Lighting: Philodendron plants prefer indirect sunlight, which is why they are commonly grown in shadier areas. If you want to grow them indoors, try placing them near a window that receives less sun and water them once a week.
- Water: Philodendron plants do well in humid environments, but they don’t like to be over- or underwater. You should water the plant once a week during spring and summer, and once every two weeks during fall and winter.
- Soil: The soil of a philodendron plant should be rich in nutrients and slightly acidic. Avoid using fertilizers and supplements; otherwise, you risk damaging the plant.
- Fertilizer: You can fertilize the plant once a month, but you should use a diluted solution.
- Pests: Philodendron plants are susceptible to scale, aphids and spider mites. If you notice these pests, destroy the pests and their eggs.
The pothos and philodendron plants are very common indoor houseplants. They are both easy to grow and tolerate many different conditions, making them great for beginners.
Although both plants are very similar, they have some minor differences that can help you decide which one is right for you. When choosing a plant for your home, keep in mind that the more sunlight a plant receives, the more water it will need.
It is always best to choose a plant that fits your conditions and lifestyle so that it can thrive and flourish.
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