Brazil Pothos vs. Philodendron

Written by Em Casalena
Updated: March 14, 2023
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Heartleaf philodendrons are excellent houseplants, and often the first plant one might think of when tropical houseplants are mentioned. With their big, glossy leaves and lovely heart-shaped appearance, these plants are excellent for any home that needs a bit of tropical flare.

Philodendrons are often confused for pothos plants, as they are part of the same plant family and have very similar care requirements. But did you know the Brazil pothos is actually a variety of heartleaf philodendron? In this guide, we’ll compare Brazil pothos plants and philodendron plants and break down how to care for your own.

Comparing Brazil Pothos vs. Philodendron

Brazil PothosPhilodendron
ClassificationPhilodendron hederaceum ‘Brasil’Philodendron hederaceum
Alternative NamesBrasil Pothos, Brazil Heartleaf PhilodendronHeartleaf Philodendron
OriginMexico, Brazil, West IndiesMexico, Brazil, West Indies
DescriptionA variegated sub-variety of the flowering evergreen Araceae plant that grows heart-shaped leaves, grows in rainforests, and is used as a houseplant.A flowering evergreen Araceae plant that grows heart-shaped leaves, grows in rainforests, and is used as a houseplant.
UsesHouseplantHouseplant
Growth TipsThis variety keeps its color when fertilized once each month through the growing season.Requires regular waterings and its soil must be kept thoroughly moist but not sopping wet, as this can cause root rot.
Interesting FeaturesThis variety has lime-green variegation that appears in the form of stripes and strokes along the leaf.This is the base variety of the heartleaf philodendron and the most common one seen in nurseries and plant stores.

The Key Differences Between Brazil Pothos and Philodendron

The Brazil pothos is actually a variety or cultivar of the heartleaf philodendron. It is not actually a pothos at all. Thus, the Brazil pothos and the heartleaf philodendron are the same species of plant, classified as Philodendron hederaceum. However, the Brazil pothos has some notable differences from the base heartleaf philodendron variety.

The philodendron Brazil is a cultivar of the well-known heartleaf philodendron, which is just as easy to grow. Philodendron hederaceum ‘Brasil’ was given its common name because of its likeness to the Brazilian flag. It features yellow, light green, and dark green leaves with lime green variegation. There is no variegation on the common heartleaf philodendron. Moreover, the Brazil pothos has longer leaf apices and stems that change color over time from pink to red to pale green. The common heartleaf does not have either of these qualities.

Just as well, the Brazil pothos will be much less tolerant of low light than the typical heartleaf philodendron. Because it is a variegated plant, it requires ample sunlight or else it will lose its special coloring. The common heartleaf can tolerate some sunshine neglect as it does not have any variegation.

Other than the above differences, the care and uses of these plants are almost identical.

Brazil Pothos vs. Philodendron: Classification

The heartleaf philodendron is classified as Philodendron hederaceum. The Brazil pothos is classified as Philodendron hederaceum ‘Brasil’. These plants are part of the Araceae family, which makes them close relatives of the peace lily, the snake plant, and the Jack-in-the-pulpit plant.

Brazil Pothos vs. Philodendron: Description

The heartleaf philodendron, also known as Philodendron hederaceum, is an evergreen foliage plant that is indigenous to tropical South and Central America and the West Indies. It is a very popular houseplant that provides all-year beauty and is very easy to care for, even for beginner plant parents. While the leaves are dark green, when they initially appear, they are usually golden in color, which adds aesthetic appeal to the plant. A mature plant of this species can occasionally produce tiny, greenish-white blooms.

The heartleaf philodendron cultivar known as Philodendron hederaceum ‘Brasil’ or simply the Brazil pothos is an evergreen foliage plant that can occasionally be found in the wild in South and Central America. With strokes of yellow and lime green over the deep green foliage, its variegated leaves nearly have the appearance of being painted. Even more tropical than that, the stems of this cultivar have a reddish-orange tint that gives it that rainforest flair. This plant is a very good grower, as it can produce long, flowing vines that can quickly reach the floor of your home. It can also tolerate a pretty big range of lighting conditions, though it will need at least some light. The philodendron Brazil is just as easy to grow and keep as its relative, the common green heartleaf philodendron.

Closeup of a yellow and green variegated leaf of Philodendron 'Brazil'

The Brazil pothos (pictured) has leaves that boast similar colors to the Brazilian flag.

©Khairil Azhar Junos/Shutterstock.com

Brazil Pothos vs. Philodendron: Uses

Both varieties of heartleaf philodendron are primarily used as houseplants. They are quite popular due to their ease of care and ability to grow very long in a short amount of time. However, they may not be ideal for homes with children or pets, as both varieties are slightly toxic to humans, cats, and dogs.

Brazil Pothos vs. Philodendron: Origin

The heartleaf philodendron species is native to Brazil, Mexico, and the West Indies. The Brazil variety can occasionally be found in those places. This variety of heartleaf philodendron is believed to have been found by Ruben Ernesto Acosta in 1991 as a solitary plant inside a planting of a nameless selection in a controlled setting in Holambra, Brazil. This plant was chosen for cultivation because of its distinctive green and yellow-green variegated leaves.

Brazil Pothos vs. Philodendron: How to Grow

The care requirements for the Brazil pothos and heartleaf philodendron are almost identical. The only real difference is that the Brazil pothos should not be kept in very low light, as it could lose its variegation without sufficient sun.

These magnificent vining plants, which are native to South American tropical rainforests, are surprisingly low-maintenance and stupidly easy to grow indoors. It will flourish if you provide it access to plenty of bright light, consistent watering, and a well-draining environment. While philodendron Brazil blooms, its flowers are quite tiny and uncommon when planted indoors, therefore they are generally grown for their colorful foliage. But if you see a green and white spathe emerging from your plant, that means your Brazil is blooming! Likewise, the common heartleaf philodendron can occasionally bloom indoors as well.

While not particularly susceptible to any specific pests or illnesses, mealybugs, scale, spider mites, and fungus gnats are some common houseplant pests to watch out for when it comes to your heartleaf philodendron. The best way to avoid infestations is to regularly examine your plants for pests and take preventative action.

Between waterings, let the top three inches of soil dry out, and then water well. Overwatering can damage heartleaf philodendrons of any variety, so it’s never a good idea to keep them in moist soil for too long.

The heartleaf philodendron thrives in warm, humid weather. But, giving your heartleaf more humidity can stimulate bigger and more robust development. They grow nicely indoors in ordinary home temperatures and humidity levels. Never leave these philodendrons in temperatures below 55 to 60 degrees F since they are not cold-tolerant.

Although philodendron Brazil can tolerate a variety of lighting situations, bright, indirect light is excellent for displaying the plant’s variegation. Low light levels will start the variegation reversing and might lead to lanky growth. The leaves of your philodendron Brazil should not be left in the sun for extended periods of time as this might burn them. Just as well, the common heartleaf philodendron does best in bright, indirect light. 

These tropical aroids prefer a loamy, well-draining soil mixture that is somewhat acidic. Heartleaf philodendrons of any variety will flourish in an aroid-specific mix, while they can live in typical indoor potting soil. You can create a well-draining combination that will be perfect for your heartleaf philodendron by combining one part potting soil, one part perlite, and one part orchid bark. Although they can thrive without fertilizer as well, heartleaf philodendron varieties benefit from routine doses of a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season. Throughout the spring and summer, apply the fertilizer once a month. In the fall and winter, when the plant becomes dormant, cease fertilizing completely.

Philodendron Brazil and the common heartleaf philodendron grow quickly in the correct conditions and will often need to be pruned to keep them at a reasonable size inside. Pruning also promotes bigger leaves and more robust development. While your heartleaf philodendron is actively developing, springtime or early summer is the best time to prune it. If a stem is unusually long or unruly, or if it has begun to sprout little leaves, it should be pruned using a pair of clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears. Save the stem cuttings aside; you can propagate plants with them.

On that note, propagating either of these philodendron varieties is very easy to do. Stem cuttings can be used to grow heartleaf philodendrons of all varieties, as they can for many other philodendron species. By rooting the cuttings and then replanting them in the original container, you can grow a fuller plant through the process of propagation. Simply take a few stem cuttings, remove the bottom three or so leaves, place the cuttings in water, and wait a few weeks for the roots to grow. From there, your propagated philodendrons can then be planted anywhere you want!

Heartleaf Philodendron

Mature common heartleaf philodendrons (pictured) will not have any color variegation.

©iStock.com/Bilal photos

Brazil Pothos vs. Philodendron: Special Features

The only real special feature of the Brazil pothos is its coloring. No two leaves on the same plant are ever the same when it comes to the Brazil variety! This cultivar boasts leaves with yellow, lime green, and light green variegation against green leaves in brushstroke shapes. As noted earlier, their stems tend to be pink or red during early development as well.

That being said, the good old common heartleaf philodendron has many special features. All heartleaf philodendron species have long and winding vines, though they lack the typical “suckers” of vining plants that allow them to grip onto surfaces. Just as well, philodendrons put out pheromones that can attract beetles to entice them into pollination. Insects are a major factor in philodendron pollination. Just as well, where they grow in the wild, these plants are a major source of food for everyone from the monkeys to the bats that live in South and Central American rainforests. And, of course, we can’t forget those leaves; the heartleaf philodendron’s namesake is its large, heart-shaped leaves that look lovely in any indoor or outdoor situation.

If you love heartleaf philodendrons, it is certainly worth having a regular heartleaf philodendron and a Brazil pothos as part of your collection. Their care needs are identical, with one being more variegated than the other. And they both look lovely in pots side by side.

Want to learn more about the eye-catching pothos houseplant? Check out our in-depth guide to everything you need to know about pothos!

The photo featured at the top of this post is ©


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About the Author

Em Casalena is a writer at A-Z Animals where their primary focus is on plants, gardening, and sustainability. Em has been writing and researching about plants for nearly a decade and is a proud Southwest Institute of Healing Arts graduate and certified Urban Farming instructor. Em is a resident of Arizona and enjoys learning about eco-conscious living, thrifting at local shops, and caring for their Siamese cat Vladimir.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Are Brazil pothos and philodendrons the same?

These plants are the same species with the Brazil pothos being a specific variety or cultivar of the original species.

What makes the Brazil pothos special?

This variety is known for being even more tolerant of neglect than other pothos, making it perfect for beginners.

Are Brazil pothos rare?

The Brazil pothos is not rare and pretty easy to find.

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