The Pothos petiole has a grooved ridge running parallel to the leaf stem. It is also slightly thicker and woodier, with a colour that is the same as the foliage. A Philodendron petiole is smooth and round with brown colour or green, but lighter-shaded than the foliage.
Pothos: Their petioles curve slightly toward the stem to which they are connected. They have a singular aerial root growing from one node as a thick and slow-growing nub. Philodendron: Their petioles are thin and rounded. Their aerial roots are also thin, growing in groups of 4-6 from a single node.
Philodendrons are characterized by their lush, vibrant foliage which comes in various shapes, sizes, and colors. Some leaves are heart-shaped, while others are deeply lobed or pinnate.
Philodendrons tolerate low light levels, but they do grow faster in bright, indirect sunlight. You must avoid placing your philodendron in direct sunlight because this could burn the leaves quickly.
Climbing types, including Philodendron hederaceum var. oxycardium, make popular hanging basket plants. They produce rootlets along the length of their stems that help them climb, but they're also happy trailing out of a container. Non-climbing types sprout leaves from a growing tip at the base of the plant.
Bright, Indirect Light: Pothos plants do best in bright, indirect light. Place your Pothos near a window with a sheer curtain, or in a spot that receives bright but filtered light. Avoid placing the plant in direct sunlight, as this can burn the leaves and cause them to wilt.
Philodendron plants prefer an indirect light environment—not too difficult to locate in most homes. A location near a window but out of any direct sunlight works well. Philodendron with leaves that aren't all green can handle a little more indirect light than those with all-green leaves.
Your Philodendron enjoys weekly watering sessions, allowing its soil to completely dry out between waterings to prevent overwatering and root rot. During the winter months feel free to water your Philodendron less frequently, adjusting to let it dry out fully.
Pruning: Pinch back the stems of your heartleaf to keep them from getting too leggy or stringy. This triggers growth from growing points at the nodes on the stem, creating a fuller, bushier plant.
Two houseplants that are often confused with each other are philodendron and pothos. Many houseplants are referred to as philodendron, but most are probably actually pothos.
A pothos (top photo) has leaves with a thicker, waxy feel and slightly raised/bumpy texture to the leaves. There is also an obviously indented midrib and the shape tends to look something like a gardening spade.
Philodendron leaves are thin, soft, and papery, whereas pothos leaves feel thicker and waxier. You can also eyeball the leaf shape to tell the difference: Philodendrons have heart-shaped leaves, while pothos plants bow out in a more traditional way.
Water your Pothos every 1-2 weeks, allowing soil to dry out between waterings. Expect to water more often in brighter light and less often in lower light. If the plant's leaves begin curling inward or the potting mix is dry, this is a sign you need to water it more often.
Overwatering your golden pothos highly contributes to its leaves turning yellow. Overly wet soil causes root rot, which, in turn, causes yellowing foliage. Poor drainage, which leads to waterlogged roots, can also trigger yellowing in your plant's leaves. Golden pothos prefers partial shade or indirect sunlight.
It can thrive indoors year round, and grows well in a west or southeast window. Light: Philodendrons grow best in medium light and bright indirect sunlight. Older leaves turn yellow naturally. However, if you notice several yellow leaves at once, it could be an indicator that the plant is getting too much sun.
An overwatered plant will have yellowing, drooping leaves, and you will find that the soil is oversaturated with water.
Watering from the bottom - You should ideally water your Philodendron from below. To do this, set your plant in a container of water for about an hour and remove it, and place it on a saucer or tray to allow the water to drain out slowly. Watering this way allows the plant to develop a deeper and stronger root system.
PHILODENDRON CARE & GROWING
Avoid placing your plants near cold drafts or heating and air-conditioning vents. You can also treat them to a summer vacation outdoors as long as you keep them in a spot shaded from direct sunlight.
Insects also may be responsible for dispersing seeds, as beetles and wasps have been seen feeding on philodendron berries. Eurytomid wasps also seek out philodendrons and are known to lay their eggs in the ovaries of many Philodendron species, resulting in galled inflorescences.
Do Pothos Plants Like Coffee Grounds? Yes, Golden Pothos tends to thrive in soil with coffee grounds.
Does my pothos need a humid environment? Pothos like humid environments, so you may want to mist the leaves or place the pot on a humidity tray. Alternatively, you can keep your pothos in a naturally humid spot, like a kitchen or bathroom.