Variegated pothos plants are popular houseplants known for their heart-shaped leaves with streaks of yellow, white, or cream. With proper care, these tropical vines can grow quite large and make beautiful trailing plants in hanging baskets.
There are many different cultivars of variegated pothos to choose from, each with their own unique leaf variegation. This guide will cover how to care for variegated pothos and 13 of the most popular types you can find.
Overview of Variegated Pothos Care
Variegated pothos are not difficult to grow indoors when you provide the right care. Here is an overview of what they need to thrive:
Light: Bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun which can scorch leaves.
Water: Allow soil to dry out some between waterings. Water less in winter.
Temperature: Average room temperatures between 65-85°F.
Humidity: Prefers 40-50% humidity. Mist leaves or use pebble tray.
Soil: Well-draining potting mix. Allow to dry out between waterings.
Fertilizer: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength every 2-4 weeks in spring and summer.
Pruning: Trim off leggy growth to encourage bushiness. Prune damaged leaves/stems.
Repotting: Every 2-3 years in spring, size up 1-2” bigger pot.
With the right conditions, variegated pothos can grow up to 10 feet long! Use trellises or hanging baskets to train and show off their beautiful leaves.
Now let’s go over some of the most popular varieties of variegated pothos and how to identify them.
1. Marble Queen Pothos
The marble queen is one of the most common types of variegated pothos. It has green leaves splashed in creamy white marble-like patterns. The variegation tends to be consistent from leaf to leaf. Slow growing, it stays bushy and compact.
2. Neon Pothos
Neon pothos have glowing neon green leaves with vibrant yellow patches. The leaves tend to be smaller but the neon color really pops in this variety. It is a relatively fast growing pothos.
3. Jade Pothos
Jade pothos is known for its solid jade green leaves with minimal to no variegation. It has a lush, full look and larger leaves than other varieties.
4. Manjula Pothos
Manjula pothos feature intricate patterns of light green and white streaks. No two leaves are exactly alike in this variety. The leaves are heart shaped.
5. Jessenia Pothos
Jessenia pothos have oval-shaped leaves that are medium green in color with stunning golden yellow splashes. The variegation is consistent and covers much of each leaf.
6. Glacier Pothos
True to its name, glacier pothos has silvery-blue leaves with bright white variegation. It almost appears frosted or icy. This variety tends to be a slower grower.
7. Pearls and Jade Pothos
The pearls and jade pothos is known for its smaller leaves that are dark green with white splotches. It has a tendency to produce many stems, giving it a full, bushy habit.
8. N’Joy Pothos
N’Joy pothos leaves start off white when young and become greener as they mature, ending with white edges. The variegation gives it a striking two-tone look.
9. Golden Pothos
Perhaps the most popular variety, golden pothos has green heart-shaped leaves generously splashed with vibrant golden yellow. The variegation can vary from leaf to leaf. Fast growing.
10. Silver Satin Pothos
The silver satin pothos variety has olive green leaves brushed with swirls of silver giving the foliage a satiny sheen. The leaves are on the smaller side.
11. Silver Philodendron
Not technically a pothos, silver philodendron looks similar with its heart-shaped silver variegated leaves, but on a smaller scale. Slow growing.
12. Hawaiian Pothos
Hawaiian pothos has large, tropical-looking leaves that are dark green with striking yellow splotches. The variegation is irregular and bright.
13. Cebu Blue Pothos
Cebu blue is prized for its unique silver-blue foliage and is often confused with scindapsus pictus. The solid leaves have no variegation.
Caring for Different Varieties of Variegated Pothos
Though they vary in looks, all the different types of variegated pothos can be cared for in the same way. Provide the growing conditions listed at the beginning and your pothos will thrive.
The main difference is their growth rate. Slower growers like glacier and silver philodendron will take longer to reach lengths of 6-10 feet. Faster growers like neon and golden pothos will trail quicker.
Choose the variety you like best and enjoy their fresh colors and tropical vibe in your home. With the proper care, variegated pothos plants can grow for many years. They make excellent hanging plants or can climb up trellises to create a beautiful display.
FAQ About Growing Variegated Pothos
How do I get my variegated pothos to grow fuller?
Prune your pothos back to encourage bushy new growth. You can also propagate stem cuttings in water to produce more plants to fill out pots and hanging baskets.
Why are the leaves on my pothos turning yellow?
Yellow leaves usually indicate overwatering. Allow the soil to dry out more between waterings. It can also mean too much sunlight if the leaves are scorched.
What causes brown spots on pothos leaves?
Brown spots are typically a sign of bacterial or fungal disease. Improve air circulation, don’t overwater, and treat with neem oil if needed. Remove badly damaged leaves.
How can I revive a limp, drooping pothos?
Drooping leaves mean the plant is getting too much or too little water. Check if the soil is dry or soggy. Water appropriately and move to proper lighting conditions.
Why do pothos leaves turn white or look bleached?
Too much sunlight causes leaves to turn white or bleached. Move the plant to a shadier spot with bright, indirect light instead of direct sun.
Should I mist my variegated pothos?
Misting is beneficial to provide humidity if the air is very dry. But avoid misting at night as wet leaves can encourage disease. A pebble tray works better to provide constant humidity.
How do I propagate pothos cuttings?
Take 4-6 inch cuttings, remove lower leaves, and place in water or moist soil. Roots will sprout at the nodes in a few weeks. Then pot up the new plants.
Why did all the variegation disappear from my pothos leaves?
Lack of light causes variegation loss in pothos. Move to a brighter location, but avoid direct sunlight. New leaves should have proper variegation again.
What are the rocky white deposits on my pothos?
These mineral deposits are caused by hard water or fertilizer salts building up. Wipe leaves, flush soil regularly to prevent, and use distilled or filtered water.
Can I grow different pothos varieties in one pot?
Yes, combining multiple pothos cultivars in one pot creates an attractive mixed planting. Just make sure all the varieties have similar light and water needs.
Conclusion
With their trailing vines and flashy variegated leaves, pothos plants are one of the most popular indoor plants around. Taking the time to identify the different pothos varieties can help you pick the perfect one for your space based on their looks and growth rate.
Caring for pothos is fairly simple – provide the light, water, humidity, and growing conditions they like and these tough plants will thrive for years. Their ability to remove toxins makes them excellent plants for purifying indoor air too.
Adding a variegated pothos as a hanging plant or letting it climb up a bookshelf is an easy way to bring natural beauty and fresh oxygen into your home.