Marble Queen Pothos vs. Snow Queen Pothos

How diverse and beautiful the plant kingdom is! This is especially true when it comes to the many variegated cultivars of the golden pothos plant, a popular staple among tropical plant collectors. Pothos, or Epipremnum aureum, come in varieties called snow queen and marble queen. Both have similar leaf forms and are variegated with faint markings. They resemble one another in many ways, yet they also differ in many ways as well.

In this article, we’ll take a look at everything you need to know about the marble queen pothos and the snow queen pothos. We’ll examine their main distinctions and discuss how to take care of both plants at home.

Comparing Marble Queen Pothos vs. Snow Queen Pothos

The Key Differences Between Marble Queen Pothos and Snow Queen Pothos

The leaves are the primary distinction between the snow queen and marble queen pothos. While the marble queen and snow queen pothos have almost the same hues of green and white on their leaves, the snow queen pothos has more white. Moreover, the marble queen is more often referred to as cream than white. On the other side, the snow queen pothos has pure white variegation and the green portion is paler. One might say that the marble queen has 50% white variegation and the snow queen has 80% white variegation. It is important to keep in mind that different plants and leaves exhibit different patterns of variegation. The science is not exact for every plant.

The snow queen’s white markings are significantly brighter and starker than the marble queen’s, which have creamier tones, as its name would imply. Both species of leaves have heart-shaped shapes, although the snow queen’s points are a little bit sharper.

There is also a size distinction. The snow queen can only get up to around three feet tall, but the marble queen can reach heights of up to five feet or more. By deciding not to repot your plants into larger pots for a few seasons, you can restrict vertical growth and keep both plants subdued to your liking. As this species really prefers having its roots slightly constrained, keeping both pothos in slightly smaller pots is okay, though the marble queen could need a bit more space.

The care for snow queen pothos is similar to that of other pothos cultivars. However, if you have a snow queen pothos, it’s likely that you’ll need to prune back rambunctious vines more often than you would with a marble queen.

Moreover, there are variations in disease resistance. The snow queen pothos plant develops more slowly and is more susceptible to illness since its leaves have less green pigment. This is especially true for illnesses caused by fungi. Damage from fungus spores is more likely to affect the snow queen pothos than the marble queen pothos. Brown stains on the leaves are generally how you can detect such issues.

The marble queen will often require a little bit more soil and a little bit bigger of a container than the snow queen. The marble queen requires more soil for its roots to grow because it is a more robust plant. The snow queen can also grow long enough in a tiny amount of soil at the same time. The marble queen pothos requires a container that is at least eight inches wide and deep for adequate development. A six-inch container will work nicely for a snow queen pothos. If you desire a bigger plant, you can use a bigger pot. However, the snow queen will generally always require a pot that is smaller than a marble queen’s container.

The intensity of lighting needed will also vary for these plants. The marble queen pothos is stronger, as we already mentioned, therefore it needs lots of light to grow successfully. It is best to put it close to a window that faces east or west, but not directly toward one so that it is exposed to the sun’s rays. This plant, however, will be less variegated if you position them where there will be less sun. The leaves will thus be more green than white and potentially ruin its aesthetic appeal. The snow queen pothos, which grows slower, will need the same amount or even more light. This is due to the fact that additional light makes the variegation more noticeable. The snow queen will be greener and can even grow a little quicker if you give it less light. But with low light, the leaves and stems can lengthen and soften, making them even more prone to disease. The general rule of thumb is to give both variegated plants plenty of bright, indirect light.

Marble Queen Pothos vs. Snow Queen Pothos: Classification

The marble queen pothos’ botanical name is Epipremnum aureum ‘Marble Queen’. The snow queen pothos’ botanical name is Epipremnum aureum ‘Snow Queen’. They are the same species of plant, just different varieties or cultivars.

Marble Queen Pothos vs. Snow Queen Pothos: Description

The marble queen pothos is a popular and much sought-after cultivar of the golden pothos. There aren’t many other houseplants with leaves that are so wonderfully variegated and have white and green flecks throughout quite like this cultivar. The marble queen pothos grows very quickly under the right conditions and can reach lengths of up to five feet or even longer in some circumstances. For those who are curious about keeping pothos, this variety makes a great entry point into the world of collecting houseplants because they don’t require a lot of work and are nonetheless very variegated and colorful. The marble queen pothos thrives indoors and is adaptable to a range of growing settings, further making it a wonderful choice for beginners. It is similar to other well-known pothos cultivars in many respects, but it is considered one of the original variegated pothos cultivars to become successful in the plant market.

The snow queen pothos is a cultivar of the golden pothos with intense variegation. Despite the fact that they are separate plants, it is thought that this variety was directly descended from the marble queen pothos. The snow queen pothos plant has unusual and alluring variegated leaves. The marbled appearance is made up of white and green specks. This form of variegation resembles marble queen pothos’ in certain ways. However, the plant’s white markings are more obvious and dominating. Because of its outstanding decorative value, it became well-known among fans of indoor plants when it was first released. Growing snow queen pothos indoors can help aid in indoor air purification.

Marble Queen Pothos vs. Snow Queen Pothos: Uses

Both plants are primarily used as decorative tropical plants for indoor settings. They can only be grown outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11.

Marble Queen Pothos vs. Snow Queen Pothos: Origin

French Polynesia and the South Pacific are the natural habitats of the golden pothos, which is the species that the marble queen pothos is a cultivar of. That being said, the marble queen pothos in particular is probably not indigenous to any one region because the plant was developed by a breeder using possibly a number of naturally occurring gene variations. Some sources online claim that the marble queen occasionally appears in the natural world, while others will say it can only be produced by propagating an existing marble queen plant. In the end, it is not quite known where this cultivar came from, but we do know that it has been traded in the plant market since the 1950s and has served as the basis for many newer cultivars since then, such as the snow queen pothos.

The snow queen is similarly mysterious. There is little information on who patented the snow queen variety or even who first bred it. However, it is common knowledge that the snow queen was likely bred using marble queen pothos due to the genetic similarities of both plants.

Marble Queen Pothos vs. Snow Queen Pothos: How to Grow

The care requirements and maintenance needs for both the marble queen pothos and the snow queen pothos are generally the same.

The best way to keep your pothos variety healthy is by keeping the right plant in the right location. Bright, indirect light is the best for growing the snow queen and marble queen pothos. They can also live in lower light levels, but if the light level is too low, the white hue in the leaves can disappear and turn green. Prevent placing either plant near the sun’s direct rays since doing so might burn the foliage.

The soil should be kept on the drier side for pothos. Water well, then wait until the top half of the soil has dried before adding more water. Let the soil completely dry between waterings in the winter.

Choose a container that fits your plants’ needs in terms of size. Make sure the container has space for the roots of the plants you intend to cultivate. While selecting the ideal pot, keep in mind that drainage is also crucial. If the pot you’ve picked doesn’t have any drainage holes, you can fill the inside of the pot with pebbles or clay balls.

Generally speaking, the names of these two pothos varieties accurately reflect their distinctions. The aggressive, fussier, and pointier counterpart of the marble queen is the imperious snow queen. Its markings, which are considerably more starkly white, provide a striking visual show. The marble queen pothos is a more subdued variegated pothos variety that needs a little less maintenance. Either way, both of these plants are worthy of any plant collection and actually grow quite well together.

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 ©