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Home , Epipremnum aureum, Monstera, Philodendron, Philodendron hederaceum, Zamioculcas

Know and Grow and Why We Love and Pothos

Philodendron and pothos are two of the most popular around. It’s no wonder why. They’re delightfully versatile and most common varieties adapt well to average household conditions. They’re a cinch to care for!

While both offer nostalgic charm, having been loved by growers for generations, there are also plenty of fresh, new varieties to seek out and collect.

Dig in for tips on growing and displaying gorgeous, healthy philodendron and pothos plants in your home.

—The Costa Farms GARDEN GURU™ Team Philodendron and Pothos: What’s the Difference?

Take a look at a pothos So what are the differences? New offer a telltale sign, ( aureum) and too: Philodendrons emerge in heartleaf philodendron. Look at the Texture a protective wrapper. Pothos They look similar: Both If you compare the two, leaves unfurl without are climbing with you’ll see pothos tends to a covering. heart-shaped leaves. They have more textural leaves form knobby adventitious (and thicker). Philodendron Pay Attention to the roots along the stems. leaves tend to be smoother The petiole (leaf stem) also And they’re closely related. (and not as thick). gives a clue. Pothos petioles Members of the aroid family, usually have a groove running they’re kin to many other Philodendron foliage tends to between the leaf and the common houseplants. lay flat; most pothos varieties ’s stem. Philodendron Other aroid cousins you look like the leaf has been petioles are typically round may be familiar with folded up the middle. and smooth. include Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema), elephant’s Brasil heartleaf ‘Marble Queen’ ear (Alocasia), , philodendron (top left), Pothos Dieffenbachia, , grows beautifully with peace lily (Spathiphyllum), golden pothos (middle arrowhead (), right), and Cebu Blue and ZZ plant ( pothos (bottom left). zamiifolia). Photo courtesy @plantdaddypgh Growing Philodendron and Pothos

Philodendron and pothos rot. Water as the top inch of tolerate a wide range of the potting mix dries to the growing conditions. The right touch. That way the potting spot to makes the difference mix never stays wet or soggy between a good- and great- for extended periods. looking plant. Humidity Light Native to tropical regions, When it comes to light, the these plants enjoy high basic rule is the more, the relative humidity levels. better. Both tolerate low light, (Pothos hail from the but grow faster and better in in Southeast medium to bright spots. It’s ; philodendron from best, generally, to avoid spots Central America). Happily, with direct sun—especially in both tolerate average to the afternoon hours. It can low humidity. If the air in cause unsightly sunburn on your home is dry, boosting the foliage. humidity with a small humidifier is beneficial. Water As with most houseplants, Drafts it’s better to underwater your Avoid placing your plants near philodendron and pothos a drafty window or heating/ than to overwater them. air-conditioning vent. Drafts When the plants stay too wet, can cause the foliage to go the roots suffocate, die, and yellow prematurely. No matter what type of of roots tightly circling the You can repot at any time of fertilizer you use, don’t inside of the pot, it’s time to the year. Many people prefer exceed the directions on the repot them. early spring, just as the plants product packaging. start to push out new growth. When repotting, select Repotting a container that’s 2 to 3 Potting Mix Repot philodendron and inches than the container it’s When repotting, select a pothos as they become currently in. Then spread out high-quality mix designed for rootbound. This keeps the roots as much as you can. use on indoor or container them vigorous and healthy. Avoid the urge to go from plants. Philodendron and Not sure when they’re a small pot to a large one. A pothos don’t like wet roots. rootbound? The easiest way pot that’s too big can hold A well-draining mix is better is to slip them out of the pot. moisture too long and cause than formulated for extra If you see a tangled mass overwatering issues. moisture retention.

Pruning Philodendron and Pothos

In good growing conditions, many vining varieties of philodendron and pothos can grow out of bounds, giving you reason to prune them back. You can do this at any time of year. Give them a Fertilizing Time-release fertilizers are You need to mix up water- haircut to either prevent the vines from getting too long or to help keep them full and bushy. Fertilize philodendron and the easiest. They are designed soluble fertilizers each time pothos regularly during the to slowly release nutrients you want to apply them. But The best way to prune is to cut the stem just above a leaf. (That way you don’t end up with a growing season to keep over time, constantly feeding many people prefer them dead stub between the last leaf and where you cut.) When pruning, keep in mind that your them looking their best. plants. Just add some in because they deliver nutrients plant will push out new growth from junction of the top leaf or two remaining on the stem. There are two basic ways to the spring and you’re set for in greater quantities. It’s easier fertilize: with a time-release the year. A variety of brands to see a burst of new growth You don’t need to worry about non-vining varieties of philodendron (like ‘Super Atom’) because product or with a water- should be available at your or better plant coloration after these types of plants don’t have long sections of stem (called internodes) between the leaves. soluble product. local garden center. using these products. Leaves Go Limp Plants Seem Weak with Little When these tropical plants are New Growth Why Are My Leaves Troubleshooting Tips exposed to cold temperatures A lack of vigor can represent a Dripping Water? (40ºF/4ºC), the cold can wilt few factors, including: the leaves. And they fail to  Being Rootbound. Most If you see your Philodendron and pothos Leaves that Have Pale, You See Brown Spots on recover. The plants may put philodendron and pothos philodendron or pothos experience few problems. Bleached Spots the Leaves out new growth again. It tolerate being rootbound. plant drip water from Here are a few issues you Philodendron and pothos can A couple of diseases can depends on how cold they But being severely the tips of the foliage, it’s may run into. take quite a bit of light when infect philodendron and were and how long they rootbound for extended easy to be concerned. But grown indoors. But if they’ve pothos causing yellow-ringed were exposed to those periods weakens them. happily, this is nothing to  Yellow Leaves been in low-light conditions brown spots. Cut infected temperatures. If you live in a Nutrient Deficiency. worry about. No matter how well you grow (either at the grower or in leaves from the plant. Dip cold-winter climate, tightly These are relatively philodendron and pothos, your home) and move to a your pruning shears in wrap tropical plants in plastic fast growers, and do best It’s a physiological you’ll see some yellow leaves. spot where they get some rubbing alcohol between bags before leaving the store. when fertilized regularly condition called guttation. Yellowing and dropping of direct sun, they can suffer each cut to prevent the This prevents your plants from in the growing season. If It occurs when the the oldest leaves is natural from sunburn. Sunburned spread of the disease. Avoid getting frostbite between the they go too long without plant’s roots absorb more and nothing to worry about. patches won’t heal, but misting your plants, as well. store and your car. added fertilization, new moisture than the leaves happily, they don’t spread. this can help spread disease. growth will come slowly release during the day. The If more than a leaf or two at a The plants will also wilt when and weakly. result is that your plant time yellow, or it’s not just the they dry out severely. They sheds the excess moisture oldest leaves, look for: should recover quickly after a Leaves with Holes from the leaf.  Overwatering. If the good watering. Most insect pests leave potting mix stays too moist philodendron and pothos It’s a common for too long, the roots start New Growth is Green alone. Holes, especially when misconception that to suffocate. Instead of Variegated they have brown edges, are guttation is caused by  Drafts. Exposure to If variegated , such usually caused by physical overwatering. Happily, this air that’s considerably as ‘Brasil’ philodendron and damage, either in shipping or isn’t the case. But too little cooler or warmer than ‘Marble Queen’ pothos don’t in the store. While damage light can encourage its the ambient temperature get enough light, they can like this won’t heal, it doesn’t occurrence. causes leaves to yellow. sacrifice variegation on their get worse. You can simply new growth. remove the damaged foliage. Brasil Philodendron Top Philodendron Varieties ( ‘Brasil’) A variegated form of classic heartleaf philodendron, ‘Brasil’ earned its name for the Heartleaf Philodendron similarity in coloration to the Brazilian flag (Philodendron hederaceum) (green with a yellow center).

The classic variety, this tried- It’s as easy to grow as heartleaf philodendron, and true favorite features rich tolerating as wide of a range of growing green, heart-shaped leaves conditions. and an easy-growing nature. It’s generally one of the most agreeable houseplants around. It tolerates and adapts to a wide range of environmental conditions. Brandi Philodendron (Philodendron brandtianum) Grow it in hanging baskets, horizontally, or let it climb a This ultra-trendy species features heart- totem pole. shaped leaves variegated with metallic silver tones. Like other climbing philodendrons, its Heartleaf philodendron has leaves will grow much larger in warm, bright gone by several botanical conditions and when the plant climbs up names over the years; vertically. if you see reference to , It tends to be more sensitive to overwatering Philodendron oxycardium, or than heartleaf philodendron. Philodendron scandens, they Photo courtesy all refer to this same plant. @plantdaddypgh Philodendron Selloum Super Atom Philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum) (Philodendron ‘Super Atom’)

Unlike many of the many of the common An extra-small selection, Super Atom is a form philodendron species, Philodendron selloum of Philodendron selloum that stays under a doesn’t climb. A larger, shrub-like plant, it couple of feet in height. It features dark green, prefers medium to bright light and higher somewhat crinkled leaves, and a tight, vase- humidity levels than heartleaf philodendron. like form.

It’s often confused with , Super Atom is more durable, too, holding up and is also called Thaumatophyllum to low light, low humidity, and inconsistent bipinnatifidum. It’s often grown as a watering. landscape shrub in the tropics.

Xanadu Philodendron Red Congo Philodendron (Philodendron ‘Winterbourn’) (Philodendron ‘Red Congo’)

Xanadu is a dwarf, slower-growing version Red Congo is another bushy philodendron of Philodendron selloum. It features thicker that doesn’t climb. It has large, tropical- leaves that stay smaller, as well. looking dark green leaves. It’s earned its common name because the new foliage Like Philodendron selloum, it likes medium emerges a rich burgundy-red color. to bright light indoors and average to high relative humidity levels. Though it’s commonly Red Congo prefers bright light, warm employed as a shrub in tropical landscapes, temperatures, and average to above-average Xanadu also a fine houseplant. relative humidity indoors. Prince of Orange Philodendron Philodendron grazielae (Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’) The least-common philodendron in our This variety is like Red Congo, except the new collection, Philodendron grazielae is the most growth emerges a rich, coppery-orange color demanding. It features elegant, heart-shaped before fading to green. leaves on weak stems that want to climb, making it perfect for growing on a totem. Like Red Congo, Prince of Orange can grow 2 feet tall and wide over time, though it’s a Very slow growing, it likes a medium to bright relatively slow-growing variety indoors as a spot with indirect light and above-average houseplant. humidity. It’s more susceptible to root rot than other varieties if it stays too wet.

Moonlight Philodendron (Philodendron ‘Moonlight’)

Perfect for brightening your home, Moonlight philodendron features foliage that unfurls in a bright chartreuse color, then aging to mid green.

Give it bright light for best coloring, and average to high humidity to prevent brown leaf tips and edges curing the winter. Neon Pothos Top Pothos Varieties (Epipremnum ‘Neon’) Perhaps the boldest and brightest pothos around, Golden Pothos variegation, too—but like with totem, or growing horizontally Neon features bright () many plants, the genetics of on a mantle, tabletop, or even chartreuse-green new the individual play as around the perimeter of your growth that usually fades to Easy and fast-growing, golden much of a role in how much favorite window. a lime-green shade. pothos is one of the most variegation is expressed as identifiable houseplants. It the growing conditions. Its versatility and easy- In low-light situations, you’ll features heart-shaped mid- Golden pothos is ideal for growing nature make golden often find the foliage’s green leaves variegated with hanging baskets, growing up a pothos an ideal houseplant bright color fades a bit to a streaks of gold. for beginners. deeper or richer green. If this happens, adding more light Golden pothos grows (natural or artificial) should fastest—and is happiest, in bring back the brightness. medium to bright light. You That said, it is natural for may find that in brighter Neon pothos to produce light, the leaves show more some leaves from time to time that have a streak or splash of dark green. It’s nothing to worry about, nor a sign that there’s anything wrong with your plant.

It thrives in the same range of growing conditions as golden pothos and doesn’t require any special care.

Photo courtesy Lynda Sanchez, Pexels Marble Queen Pothos Manjula Pothos Queen), edged in green with Manjula foliage is often larger (Epipremnum ‘Marble (Epipremnum ‘Manjula’) a creamy-white center, and than other varieties when its Queen’) combinations the two. growing happily, but despite Manjula is a newer variety this fact, the plant tends The most readily available of pothos that produces The easiest way to discern to grow more slowly than variety (after golden pothos), highly variegated, often Manjula from other varieties is golden and Marble Queen. it’s easy to see why Marble variable leaves. On a single that its leaves are wider at the Queen is so popular. plant, you may see leaves base than the others. The leaf Its care needs are the same that are entirely streaked bases also tend to undulate, as other varieties, making it a This no-fuss selection has the in cream (similar to Marble so the leaves don’t lay flat. good choice for beginners. same care needs as golden pothos, but features fabulous mid-green foliage streaked with creamy white.

Though vigorous, Marble Queen is a bit slower of a grower than golden and Neon pothos because of its variegation. The less green in the leaves, the less chlorophyll there is—so the slower it grows.

In brighter spots, Marble Queen typically sports more variegation than in low light. Cuttings taken from highly variegated stems yield plants with more cream and white. Jessenia Pothos (Epipremnum ‘Jessenia’)

Jessenia is a recent variety that features mid-green leaves variegated with streaks of chartreuse. Its leaf pattern is similar to Marble Queen and grows like it.

Jessenia is not as commonly available as other varieties.

Pearls and jade Pothos (Epipremnum Pearls and Jade) Cebu Blue Pothos ( Pearls and Jade features ‘Cebu Blue’) smaller foliage than most other varieties. It also grows While not variegated, Cebu more slowly. Each leaf is Blue is exciting because irregularly variegated with it has blue-green foliage streaks, splashes, and blotches with a metallic sheen. Over of cream, silver, and white. time, if grown vertically, the leaves can develop bold cuts, like Monstera. Behind the Scenes

Here at Costa Farms, at your local retailer. Our mother plants (below) and we grow millions of growers tend each plant by the most highly variegated philodendron and pothos hand, nurturing each from pothos shoots. plants each year. Our a tiny cutting. At our Exotic growers are always testing Angel® Plants greenhouses, If you have questions or new ways to grow our all of our philodendron and issues about your Costa current varieties. Plus, we’re pothos are propagated Farms philodendrons or on the lookout for new from our own cuttings. Our pothos, reach out to us at varieties so ensure we can growers only select the [email protected]. offer the very best options healthiest shoots from our We’re happy to help.

How to Get Big Leaves

Climbing varieties of philodendrons and pothos can develop larger leaves (more than a foot long!) when grown vertically, such as up a totem, and in warm, bright conditions. The older the plant and the better it likes the spot, the larger the leaves will be. Photo courtesy @plantdaddypgh