Know and Grow Pothos and Philodendrons Why We Love Philodendron and Pothos Philodendron and pothos are two of the most popular houseplants 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 plants offer nostalgic charm, having been loved by houseplant 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 leaves offer a telltale sign, (Epipremnum aureum) and too: Philodendrons emerge in heartleaf philodendron. Look at the Leaf Texture a protective wrapper. Pothos They look similar: Both If you compare the two, leaves unfurl without are climbing vines 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 Petiole 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 plant’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), Anthurium, philodendron (top left), Pothos Dieffenbachia, Monstera, grows beautifully with peace lily (Spathiphyllum), golden pothos (middle arrowhead vine (Syngonium), right), and Cebu Blue and ZZ plant (Zamioculcas 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 Solomon Islands in Southeast medium to bright spots. It’s Asia; 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 species 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 cultivars, 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 (Philodendron hederaceum ‘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.