How to Tell the Difference between Philodendrons and Pothos
Both heart-shaped beauties vine and make lovely décor accents. Here’s the differentiators:
POTHOS
PHILIODENDRON
Color names
Leaf tip shape
Overall leaf shape
Finish texture
Where leaf meets petiole
Colors,
Varieties,
Variegations
Length between nodes on stem
Aerial root shape & growth
Pruning for plant health
Pruning and Training for overall shaping and look
Light
Water
Fertilizers
Propagation Tip
Light colored Philodendrons are called Lemon Philodendrons
Sharp tip
More slender heart shape
Smooth and glossy
Stronger definition
More exaggerated angle
Jade, neon, lemon, mixed defined contrast clear overlapping areas of mixed neon and Jade; for example, the Brasil
Available in solid and multi-colored
Dramatic, bold and clearly defined color boarders, even when colors overlap
Much longer and leggy between leaves
Are a little longer and tend to form in clusters
Affixing the plant to supporting structures such as trellises, rocks and walls.
Cut off the longest, oldest stems, or any leggy stems or those with a lot of yellowing or dead leaves, and all leafless stems.
Philodendron have tighter fuller bushiness.
Look at the plant from the vantage point most often seen. Shape the plant to desirable shape by moving stems and leaves and trimming unwanted parts away.
Philodendrons grow best when the roots are higher, as in a hanging basket and the leaves flow in a downward direction. This can be an elegant look cascading down bookshelf. For a fuller plant fill in a bald spot in the soil by taking a long arm; find the halfway mark and pin it in place with an open paper clip or bobby pin to hold it down. It grows new routes and foliage.
Note both Pothos and Philodendron tolerate low light, but they do not thrive in it.
Be careful not to overwater. Let philodendrons get to a critical stage of dryness and then water completely. Let roots get root bound as they drive up more foliage at that time.
Fertilize 6-months after arriving from the nursery. Use Fish emulsion ¼ strength or put a top dressing of worm castings on the soil surface ¼ deep which will feed with each watering. Commercial plant food is also good; use as directed.
Cut off leaves were the stem meets the stalk. Dip the end of the stem in a root hormone to enhance growth and gently press it into the soil at least 1/2 inch deep. Keep the soil wet for the first few weeks until it develops a few roots so your new plant doesn't have a panic attack or die of thirst. Keep in mind it has gone through the shock of losing its water source anticipate its fear of dehydration because you cut off its only means of water.
Light green Pothos are called Neon Pothos
More blunted point
Wider and more-rounded heart leaf shape
Flat color with depth
More subtle
More inline
Jade, white, neon, variegated
Available in solid and multi-colored
Undefined color boarders, splattered, scattered and speckled
Have longer internode distance between leaves; more so when in the shade or a dark room
Are nubby and thicker
Affixing the plant to supporting structures such as trellises, rocks and walls
Trim back the longest, oldest arms, or any long stems showing not covered by leaves. Remove yellowing and dead leaves and leafless stems.
Pothos are more streamlined & tend to be a looser flowing type of plant. Their arms flow like separate branches of a river all coming from the same source.
Standing where you most often view the plant, imaging how you want the plant to look and place stems and leaves there, cutting off unwanted foliage. The longer vining plants grow the greater the distance between leaves.
To grow Pothos into a fuller big bush stake it up and train it to grow upward toward the light. This causes leaves to be bigger in general and the plant to be fuller and bushier.
Note both Pothos and Philodendron tolerate low light, but they do not thrive in it.
Don't overwater. Let Pothos get to a serious stage of dryness and then water thoroughly. Let roots get root bound because they push up more foliage at that point.
Fertilizer after their 6-month birthday. Use Fish emulsion ¼ strength or put a top dressing of worm castings on the soil surface ¼ deep which will feed with each watering. Commercial plant food is also good; use as directed.
Trim off leaves were the pediculi, (leaf stem) meet the stem plant stalk). Dip the end of the pediculi in a root enhancing compound powder or gel and gently tuck it into the soil at least 1/2 inch deep. Keep the soil wet for the first few weeks until it develops a few roots so your new plant doesn't have a panic attack or die of thirst. Keep in mind it has gone through the shock of losing its water source anticipate its fear of dehydration because you cut off its only means of water.