Types of Pothos
Pothos is a vining tropical aroid in the family Araceae, native to French Polynesia. The most common pothos sold in North America is Epipremnum aureum, but the trade name "Pothos" is also used for some Epipremnum pinnatum cultivars (Cebu Blue, Baltic Blue) and — confusingly — for Scindapsus pictus (Satin Pothos), which is in a different genus.
How to tell Pothos varieties apart
Varieties differ primarily in leaf variegation pattern (solid green, marbled, speckled, neon, blue), leaf shape (heart-shaped vs. lance-shaped in Cebu Blue), and how tolerant they are of low light. Variegated cultivars (Marble Queen, N'Joy, Manjula, Snow Queen) need bright indirect light to maintain their patterns; solid-color cultivars (Golden, Neon, Jade) tolerate medium to low light.
Which Pothos should you buy?
For beginners: Golden Pothos or Jade Pothos (most forgiving). For variegation lovers in bright light: Marble Queen or Manjula. For bright neon color: Neon Pothos. For unusual leaf shape and fenestrations at maturity: Cebu Blue or Baltic Blue. For dark, dramatic foliage: Satin Pothos (technically a Scindapsus).
Every Pothos variety in this guide
- Marble Queen PothosEpipremnum aureum 'Marble Queen' · cultivar
Heart-shaped leaves with heavy, marbled variegation in cream-white and green, often with white as the dominant color.
- Neon PothosEpipremnum aureum 'Neon' · cultivar
Solid bright chartreuse / neon-green heart-shaped leaves with no variegation.
- Manjula PothosEpipremnum aureum 'HANSOTI14' (Manjula) · cultivar
Heart-shaped, slightly wavy leaves with swirled variegation in white, cream, silver, and green.
- Snow Queen PothosEpipremnum aureum 'Snow Queen' · cultivar
Heart-shaped leaves with extremely heavy white variegation — often 70–90% white with thin green margins or streaks.
- Cebu Blue PothosEpipremnum pinnatum 'Cebu Blue' · cultivar
Lance-shaped, blue-green leaves with a slight metallic sheen.
- Baltic Blue PothosEpipremnum pinnatum 'Baltic Blue' · cultivar
Like Cebu Blue but with a deeper blue-green hue and faster development of fenestrations — leaves often split within the first year vs.
- Satin Pothos (Scindapsus Pictus)Scindapsus pictus · species
Heart-shaped, thick, matte-finished leaves with silvery-white speckled variegation on a deep green base.
Botanical reference: NC State Extension — Epipremnum aureum
For care that applies to all Pothos varieties — watering, light, repotting, pests — see the Pothos care guide.