Hawaiian Pothos vs Golden Pothos: Are These The Same Plants?
Last Updated on February 1, 2024
Exploring the choice between the elegant Hawaiian pothos and the radiant golden pothos for your indoor greenery is a journey many plant enthusiasts embark upon.
These two botanical companions share an enchanting resemblance, with subtle nuances in their appearance serving as the only clues to discern one from the other.
When it comes to spotting the dissimilarity between Golden Pothos and Hawaiian Pothos, it all comes down to their colors. Golden Pothos steals the show with its vibrant and bold yellow tones, especially in the stems and leaves. Meanwhile, Hawaiian Pothos takes on a variegated look, showcasing a mix of dark green, yellow, and white streaks in its foliage.
| Specification | Golden Pothos | Hawaiian Pothos |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Epipremnum aureum | Epipremnum aureum ‘Hawaiian’ |
| Mature Size | 10+ feet | 4 feet Indoors |
| Native Region | Central and South America | Central and South America |
| Leaf Appearance | Heart-shaped | Heart-shaped |
| Leaf Color | Green With Yellow Flecks | Green With Creamy Yellow Flecks |
| Growth Difficulty | Beginner-friendly | Beginner-friendly |
| Soil Preference | Light, Well-draining | Light, Well-draining |
| Sun Exposure | Bright, Indirect Light | Bright, Indirect Light |
| Lighting Tolerance | Low-light Tolerant | Low-light Tolerant |
Visual Traits of Golden & Hawaiian Pothos
When you check out these plants, you’ll notice their colors first. But if you look a bit closer, you’ll see that their leaves aren’t the same shape. They also vary a bit in size. So, let’s take a closer look at all these details to understand what makes each of them special.
Leaf
Pothos plants usually have leaves that look like hearts – you know, round at the bottom and pointy at the top. The part where the leaf meets the stem kinda makes a little dip, shaping it like a heart. Some types of Pothos show this heart shape more clearly.
Now, when we compare Hawaiian Pothos and Golden Pothos, their leaves are almost the same. The tiny difference is in the tips – Hawaiian Pothos leaves are a bit rounder compared to the Golden Pothos. But, here’s the tricky part – this can change from one plant to another.
Leaf Color
The Golden Pothos gets its name from the little golden specks on its leaves. Each leaf has a unique pattern, with some having green spots mixed with gold, while others shine brightly with a lot of yellow.
Now, the Hawaiian Pothos has a similar look. At first glance, they seem like twins! But, if you look really close, you’ll see that the Hawaiian Pothos has a lighter yellow, almost creamy, or even white speck pattern.
When Hawaiian Pothos gets more sunlight, it can turn into a darker, more golden yellow. But still, the specks will generally stay lighter and not as intense as the ones on the Golden Pothos. So, it’s like they share a pattern but have their own unique shades.
Size
If you’re playing detective to distinguish between these two plants, the size is your best clue, although it’s not foolproof.
Here’s the scoop: Golden Pothos tends to stay quite compact when kept indoors. On the other hand, Hawaiian Pothos is an overachiever in size, with leaves that can outgrow your hand under the right light conditions.
Overall, Hawaiian Pothos is the bigger sibling, and it tends to grow a bit faster because of its larger leaves that catch more sunlight. But let’s be real, the difference in size is tiny, almost like splitting hairs.
Similarities Between Golden Pothos Vs Hawaiian Pothos
Here’s the data arranged into a tabular format with simplified language:
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Taxonomy | Golden Pothos and Hawaiian Pothos both belong to the Epipremnum aureum species, known as the pothos family. |
| Availability | These plants are commonly found in tropical countries because they thrive as tropical vines. |
| Sheath | Unlike plants like philodendron, pothos leaves don’t have a waxy sheath called a cataphyll covering new leaves. |
| Growth Habit | Pothos plants are vines that trail downwards. In their natural habitat, they can grow up to 30-50 feet by trailing on trees. |
| Height & Structure | Pothos leaves grow alternately on the stem, with one leaf per node. They have simple leaves ranging from 4 to 36 inches. |
| The height of pothos depends on its support structure. Longer structures result in longer trails. | |
| Pothos can spread continuously along the ground, growing quickly, so it’s important to have the right support structure. |
The Finals Words
Choosing between a Golden Pothos and a Hawaiian Pothos is like choosing between two superheroes – you really can’t go wrong with either!
Both of these plants are tough cookies, handling a bit of forgetfulness like champs. They’re like the perfect companions for anyone new to the world of indoor plants.
And hey, since they look so much alike, except for the tiny leaf size difference, they make an awesome duo in your houseplant squad. So, no matter which one you go for, you’re adding a fantastic buddy to your plant collection.
