Glacier Pothos vs. Snow Queen Pothos

Written by Em Casalena
Published: March 11, 2023
Share on:

Advertisement


Pothos are excellent houseplants due to their gorgeous appearance and general ease of care. In this popularity, plant breeders around the globe have developed and patented a whole group of pothos varieties. Among those varieties, the variegated pothos is definitely at the top of many plant collectors’ lists.

Variegation refers to the color patterns of a plant’s leaves. Usually, variegation involves parts of the leaves that lack chlorophyll, providing the plant with white off-white, cream, gold, or pale green color patterns.

Two extremely popular variegated pothos varieties include the glacier pothos and the snow queen pothos. But is there actually a difference between these two plants? In this guide, we’ll explore the basics of the glacier pothos vs. snow queen pothos, as well as some key differences between the two plants worth noting.

Comparing Glacier Pothos vs. Snow Queen Pothos

Glacier PothosSnow Queen Pothos
ClassificationEpipremnum aureum ‘Glacier’Epipremnum aureum ‘Snow Queen’
Alternative NamesN/AN/A
OriginSouth Pacific IslandsSouth Pacific Islands
DescriptionA variegated pothos cultivar with chunks of white or cream variegation on its rounded heart-shaped leaves.A variegated pothos cultivar that has intense, dense pale green and white markings on its foliage.
UsesOrnamentalOrnamental
Growth TipsIf the variegated leaves of this variety start to curl, they probably are not being watered frequently enough.Ensure this variety gets enough sunshine, as variegated plants are less tolerant of low light than other plants and will revert into non-variegated plants in poor lighting.
Interesting FeaturesThis variety has chunks of white variegation in its leaves, giving it an almost painted look.This variety is known for having extremely pale green or cream-colored leaves due to its strong variegation that outshines its green parts.

The Key Differences Between Glacier Pothos and Snow Queen Pothos

The glacier pothos and snow queen pothos are the exact same species of pothos. However, they are different varieties. And it’s really not that hard to tell their differences.

To start, the snow queen pothos has a much larger volume of white variegation than the glacier pothos, hence its name. One could say the snow queen pothos has around 80% white variegation against 20% green leaves. However, it is worth noting that when it comes to plant variegation, the amount of variegation and colors can vary from plant to plant and even leaf to leaf.

There’s also a major difference in the shapes the variegation of each plant creates. The glacier pothos has chunky, almost paint stroke-like variegation in white and cream. The patterns tend to hug the outer rim of the leaf but can appear closer to the inner leaf as well. Glacier pothos can also have light green paint strokes against the white and deep green of the rest of the leaf.

The snow queen’s variegation is quite different. Not only does it take up most of the leaf, but it has the appearance of veins or speckles rather than paint strokes. Some parts of the leaf can appear light green, but for the most part, the leaf is mainly bright white and dark green.

The leaf shape of each plant tends to vary as well. The glacier pothos boasts the traditional cute heart-shaped, rounded leaves often associated with golden pothos. The snow queen has leaves that are still heart-shaped but tend to be a bit longer and pointier at the tip.

Other than these differences, the glacier pothos and snow queen pothos are extremely similar. They both grow to be six to 10 feet long, require the same amount of care, and are both toxic to pets. As they are both variegated, both varieties need to have consistent access to bright, indirect sunlight to avoid losing their colorful patterns. They are also both cultivars of the marble queen pothos.

Glacier Pothos plant grown in rocks or pebbles without soil

Glacier pothos (pictured) have large paint strokes or chunks of pale green or white variegation on their leaves.

©Willowtreehouse/Shutterstock.com

Glacier Pothos vs. Snow Queen Pothos: Classification

Epipremnum aureum ‘Glacier’ is the botanical name for glacier pothos. Epipremnum aureum ‘Snow Queen’ is the botanical name for snow queen pothos. Both of these plants are of the same genus and species. They are closely related to philodendrons and similar climbing tropical plants.

Glacier Pothos vs. Snow Queen Pothos: Plant Description

The unique glacier pothos is a delicate pothos variation with lovely green and white tones a cultivar of the well-known marble queen pothos. Due to the untrained eye’s tendency to see similarities between all three species, it can occasionally be confused with its two close cousins, the N’joy pothos and the pearls and jade pothos. In contrast to the N’joy and pearls and jade cultivars, the glacier pothos plant has a more silvery-green color. The leaves of this plant are considered to be rounder and rarer-looking than those of other variegated pothos types.

The snow queen pothos is a cultivar of the marble queen pothos with striking variegation. The two are distinct plants; however, it is believed that the snow queen variety is a direct descendant of the marble queen pothos. The variegated leaves of the snow queen pothos are both distinctive and extremely vibrant. White and green flecks make up the marbling-like effect of the plant’s foliage. The white patterns on the plant take up the majority of the leaf, giving it an almost all-white look. As a result, the snow queen cultivar has very little chlorophyll and requires a lot of sunlight to survive. When the snow queen pothos was originally introduced, it quickly gained popularity among fans of indoor plants due to its exceptional ornamental value.

Glacier Pothos vs. Snow Queen Pothos: Uses

Both the glacier pothos and the snow queen pothos are mainly used as ornamental houseplants. In tropical parts of the world, they can also be used as landscaping plants for tree or ground cover. Pothos, in general, have excellent air purification abilities and are often used in air-purifying plant collections.

Glacier Pothos vs. Snow Queen Pothos: Origin

All pothos varieties are derived from golden pothos. The golden pothos is native to the South Pacific and many parts of southern or southeastern Asia. The plant has been naturalized in tropical forests and climates around the globe.

It’s uncertain where glacier pothos actually came from. Sadly, this cultivar has no patent, making it difficult to determine who originally cultivated it and when. We do know that this variety was released in 2014. In the same year, Costa Farms purchased Hermann Engelmann Greenhouses, a Florida-based plant-breeding business that, in accordance with unconfirmed reports, was the original source of the glacier pothos as well as the N’joy pothos. The plant collection from Hermann Engelmann Greenhouses was acquired and added to Costa Farms. Since then, Costa Farms has stopped producing glacier pothos. However, that doesn’t mean this variety is impossible to find.

The history of the snow queen is quite obscure as well. There is not a lot of reliable information online about who first bred the snow queen cultivar or even who first patented it. Because of the genetic resemblance between the two plants, it is widely accepted that the snow queen was probably developed using the marble queen pothos’ natural genetic mutation.

Pothos 'Marble Queen'

The marble queen pothos (pictured) is widely believed to be the parent plant of the glacier pothos and snow queen pothos.

©DJD_Media/Shutterstock.com

Glacier Pothos vs. Snow Queen Pothos: How to Grow

The growing requirements and needs of both of these plants are the same. As such, it would be very easy to grow both varieties together, as their care requirements have almost no differences.

The glacier pothos and snow queen pothos are both attractive and easy to keep healthy, making them ideal for both brand-new novice and very experienced gardeners. Pretty much all you need to keep these plants happy is semi-regular watering and a sunny window. These variegated cultivars won’t pose a difficulty for you if you’ve previously taken care of any other variety of pothos. Don’t be concerned if your plant isn’t erupting with new growth, though, since these pothos cultivars are said to develop more slowly than some of their relatives in the pothos family. This is likely due to their lack of normal chlorophyll levels.

When the top half of the soil is dry, water should be applied to pothos since they prefer to dry out a little between waterings. When the plant’s leaves are soft and drooping, it’s time to water it. If you forget to water it on schedule, don’t worry. The snow queen and glacier pothos are usually very resistant to lack of water, like other tropical plants. Throughout the winter, when the plant is dormant, reduce watering.

Pothos are tropical plants that thrive in warm, muggy weather. This special plant is best kept in a pot inside, where its ideal temperatures are between 80 and 65 degrees F. It is also not cold-hardy or frost-hardy. USDA hardiness zones 10 to 11 allow for year-round outdoor cultivation and landscaping uses. Normal home humidity levels are also sufficient, while more humidity will make your variegated pothos thrive. Your plant might want additional humidity if you see the edges of the leaves beginning to go crispy and brown.

Pothos like plenty of bright light. Although the glacier pothos and snow queen pothos can thrive in mild light, a position with several hours of bright, indirect light is optimal. These are not pothos varieties that thrive in low light, though many non-variegated varieties do. The glacier pothos and snow queen pothos may become leggy and start to lose their variegation if they don’t get enough light.

Pothos should be grown in a mixture of soil that drains well but still holds some moisture. Although the vast majority of indoor potting soil you can find at garden centers has some perlite in it, adding a bit more perlite before planting your glacier pothos or snow queen pothos will make it so that the soil doesn’t get too dense over time and will offer the roots enough room for adequate drainage. Consider adding a balanced fertilizer product once every month throughout springtime and summer.

Glacier Pothos vs. Snow Queen Pothos: Protections and Conservation

Neither the glacier pothos nor the snow queen pothos is endangered or in danger of becoming endangered. However, golden pothos varieties are considered an invasive species in many parts of the world, including Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

What’s not to love about either of these pothos varieties? If you see plants as art pieces that you want to collect, both of these plants would do wonderfully as part of your houseplant collection. And with virtually the same care requirements, you can even grow these cultivars 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 ©


Share on:
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 glacier pothos rare?

This variety is somewhat rare, but can be easily found via nurseries and specialty stores online.

Are glacier pothos and snow queen pothos the same?

These two plants are the same species but very different varieties, though both are considered variegated.

What makes the glacier pothos special?

This variety has smaller leaves than many other pothos, as well as white, light green, and dark green chunks of variegation in its leaves.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.