The pothos family tree places this popular houseplant in the genus Epipremnum within the arum family (Araceae), making its closest relatives other aroids like philodendrons, monsteras, and peace lilies. The most common houseplant, Epipremnum aureum, is the species you are most likely growing, but the genus contains about 15 to 20 accepted species native to Southeast Asia and the western Pacific.
What Is a Pothos, Botanically?
Pothos plants are evergreen climbing vines in the family Araceae, a large group of flowering plants known for their distinctive inflorescence called a spadix surrounded by a spathe. The genus Epipremnum was established in 1857 by the botanist Heinrich Wilhelm Schott. The name comes from Greek, meaning “upon the trunk,” referring to how these vines climb trees in their native habitat.
For decades, botanists debated whether Epipremnum aureum was actually a separate species or a variant of Epipremnum pinnatum. Modern taxonomic work, including molecular phylogenetics, has confirmed that E. aureum is distinct, though it is closely related to E. pinnatum and other species in the genus. The plant you buy at a garden center labeled “pothos” is almost always Epipremnum aureum, but the genus also includes less common species such as Epipremnum pinnatum, Epipremnum giganteum, and Epipremnum silvaticum.
The Aroid Family Connection
Pothos belongs to Araceae, a family of about 3,700 species. Within that family, the closest relatives of Epipremnum are in the subfamily Monsteroideae, which includes the genera Monstera, Rhaphidophora, and Scindapsus. This is why pothos, monstera, and philodendron are often confused—they share similar leaf shapes and vining growth habits, but they are not the same plant.
One common misconception is that the plant sold as “satin pothos” (Scindapsus pictus) is a true pothos. It is not; it belongs to a different genus, Scindapsus, though it is in the same family and subfamily. Similarly, the “heartleaf philodendron” (Philodendron hederaceum) is often mistaken for a pothos, but it is in the genus Philodendron, which is more distantly related within Araceae.
How the Pothos Family Tree Was Built
Botanists construct family trees using both morphology (physical traits) and DNA sequencing. For pothos, key morphological traits include the shape of the leaf blade, the number of veins, and the structure of the inflorescence. DNA analysis has been particularly useful because many aroids look alike even when they are not closely related.
The genus Epipremnum is monophyletic, meaning all its species share a common ancestor. Within the genus, E. aureum and E. pinnatum are sister species, meaning they are each other’s closest relatives. E. giganteum and E. silvaticum are more basal, branching off earlier in the genus’s evolutionary history.
Native Range and Wild Relatives
Wild pothos species are native to tropical and subtropical regions from India through Southeast Asia to northern Australia and the western Pacific islands. Epipremnum aureum is native to the Society Islands in French Polynesia, but it has been introduced throughout the tropics and is now naturalized in many places, including Florida, Hawaii, and parts of Africa.
In the wild, pothos can grow to enormous sizes, with leaves reaching 3 feet long, and they climb high into tree canopies. The juvenile leaves are small and heart-shaped; the adult leaves are much larger and may develop holes and splits, similar to a monstera. This dramatic change in leaf shape is why early botanists sometimes thought juvenile and adult plants were different species.
Common Pothos Varieties and Their Names
Most pothos varieties you see in stores are cultivars of Epipremnum aureum, not separate species. These cultivars are selected for leaf color and pattern:
- Golden Pothos – the standard variety with green leaves splashed with yellow or gold.
- Marble Queen – leaves heavily variegated with white and cream.
- Neon Pothos – bright chartreuse-green leaves with little to no variegation.
- Jade Pothos – solid dark green leaves, often sold as a low-light-tolerant variety.
- Manjula Pothos – a patented cultivar with wavy edges and white, green, and silver variegation.
- Pearls and Jade – a mutation of Marble Queen with smaller leaves and more white.
Other species occasionally sold as pothos include Epipremnum pinnatum (sometimes called dragon tail or centipede tongavine) and the “Cebu blue” pothos, which is a form of E. pinnatum with blue-green leaves.
How to Identify a True Pothos
To tell a true pothos from its relatives, look at the petiole (the stem that attaches the leaf to the vine). In Epipremnum, the petiole is grooved and flattened on the upper side. In Philodendron, the petiole is round and smooth. In Scindapsus, the petiole is also grooved, but the leaves are often more silvery and the plant is less tolerant of cold.
Another clue is the leaf texture. Pothos leaves are waxy and slightly thick, while philodendron leaves are thinner and more matte. If you see aerial roots at each node, that is typical of both pothos and philodendron, so it is not a reliable distinguishing feature.
Pothos vs. Philodendron vs. Monstera
These three are the most commonly confused houseplants. Here is a quick comparison:
- Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) – heart-shaped leaves with a waxy sheen, grooved petioles, and a trailing or climbing habit.
- Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) – similar heart-shaped leaves but thinner and more matte, with round petioles.
- Monstera (Monstera deliciosa) – much larger leaves with characteristic holes and splits; petioles are long and smooth, and the plant is not a trailing vine but a climbing shrub.
All three are in Araceae, but they are in different genera. Monstera is actually more closely related to pothos than philodendron is, because both pothos and monstera are in the subfamily Monsteroideae, while philodendron is in the subfamily Aroideae.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a pothos a philodendron? No. Pothos is in the genus Epipremnum, while philodendron is in the genus Philodendron. They are both in the arum family but are different plants.
Why is my pothos called a “devil’s ivy”? That nickname comes from its ability to survive in low light and its aggressive growth, not from any toxic property. It is not a true ivy; it is an aroid.
Are pothos and monstera related? Yes, they are both in the arum family (Araceae) and the subfamily Monsteroideae, making them fairly close cousins. Monstera is not a pothos, though.
Can pothos grow in water forever? Yes, pothos can live indefinitely in water as long as you change the water regularly and provide nutrients. However, it will not reach its full size or produce mature leaves without soil.
Is pothos toxic to pets? Yes, pothos contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting if ingested by cats or dogs. Keep it out of reach of pets.
What is the rarest pothos variety? Rarity changes as new cultivars are introduced, but varieties like the “Hawaiian pothos” (a larger-leaved form of E. aureum) and “Global Green” are often harder to find. The true rarity depends on your region and the current market.
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