The stunning patterned leaves of variegated pothos are undoubtedly beautiful. They have a variety of patterns and shapes that immediately catch the eye and draw attention. Variegated pothos can also raise the aesthetic value of any area where it is placed, both indoors and outdoors. They can be placed at eye level standing rich and proud or up high from a hanging basket drooping down, but one thing is for sure: they have the propensity to elevate any space with their beautiful foliage.
This trailing vine from the South Pacific occasionally has yellow, white, or light green patterns on its pointy, heart-shaped green leaves. You simply can’t go wrong with any color variation, regardless of what you wind up with.
If you want to keep and grow your own variegated pothos, you certainly have many varieties to choose from. In this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the most beautiful variegated pothos varieties out there, so you can make a more informed decision before your purchase your own. But first, let’s dive into more detail about what a variegated pothos actually is.
What are Variegated Pothos?
Because they have diverse cells with more than one genotype, variegated pothos have distinct color variations. “Chimeral variegation” is the name given to this process. This indicates that certain cells are unable to produce chlorophyll, which causes color changes or semi-complete whiteness of the leaves.
Rare variegated pothos designs result from these random cell placements and pattern formations. The most unpredictable factor is that a certain design could disappear after a few plants in the same family line.
A cutting of a rare variety of variegated pothos may produce a new design that is entirely distinct from the parent plant. Because mutations are difficult to mimic and induce, you won’t be able to grow variegated pothos from seed on your own. After numerous generations of propagation, mutations arise at irregular intervals and aren’t always dominant enough to endure for more than a few crop generations. Aren’t plant genetics fascinating?
There are a few things you may check for if you believe you have a variegated pothos but are not sure. Variegated pothos leaves feature a distinctive design with two opposing hues. The most prevalent basic hues of variegated pothos that contrast with dark green are white, yellow, or light green. Some, though, could have tints of silver, bluish gold, or yellowish gold.
The size, color, and form of the leaves serve to distinguish one pothos from another. They may also be distinguished by the primary area of the leaves with the most variation and by their patterns, which can be stripes, splashes, or dots. Some are concentrated in the center, while others are scattered across the leaf, varying from leaf to leaf.
Now that we know what a variegated pothos actually is, let’s dive into the many great varieties that are available in the plant market today.
Marble Queen Pothos
Scientific Name: Epipremnum aureum ‘Marble Queen’
The Marble Queen pothos is an ornamental houseplant with little in the way of maintenance needs. No matter where it is put, this plant’s characteristic white-on-green variegation looks absolutely lovely. On a leaf surface that is normally evenly green, there are tiny, thin white streaks. The end result resembles a marble countertop or tile in appearance.
The Marble Queen is a favorite among both novices and professionals because it is simple to cultivate, tolerant of a range of environmental factors including humidity and temperature, and it consistently produces lovely white variegation. This species of variegated pothos grows well indoors and is easy to care for. It is often grown in a pot and used as an accent plant in an indoor setting.
The Marble Queen pothos (pictured) does particularly well indoors as a potted pothos.
©iStock.com/Firn
Harlequin Pothos
Scientific Name: Epipremnum aureum ‘Harlequin’
The stunning and simple-to-care-for Harlequin pothos is a native of Southeast Asia. It is one of the most popular cultivars now because of the remarkable variegation on its leaves. Its leaves are quite striking, with a magnificent contrast of white and green. The leaves of the Harlequin pothos are almost evenly divided between white and green, in contrast to other pothos plants, whose leaves are primarily green with some white variegation. The variegation of the Harlequin pothos shows in intensely eye-catching solid blocks of color. It is certainly understandable why plant parents who want to add some flare to their houses choose the Harlequin variety so often.
This plant is highly prized by collectors because of its exquisite leaf designs, but it’s also a fantastic choice for novices who want to learn about caring for pothos houseplants. This wonderful indoor plant’s laidback temperament also makes it the perfect choice for anyone wishing to add something unique to their homes or offices without risking it dying from neglect.
Jessenia Pothos
Scientific Name: Epipremnum aureum ‘Jessenia’
A variation of the popular Marble Queen pothos is called the Jessenia pothos. In comparison to other pothos cultivars, the Jessenia grows considerably more slowly and with a more compact habit. Instead of the conventional white-on-green variegation seen in the majority of pothos cultivars, this newer variation features yellow-green variegation. The Jessenia pothos is a great choice for individuals seeking something unique because of its patches of yellow-green variegation on mid-green foliage that stand out against any backdrop. If you want a pothos plant that requires little upkeep while still maintaining its unique variegation, this one is a fantastic option.
The Jessenia pothos, which Costa Farms first released in the early 2010s, has gained popularity among gardeners seeking a more manageable, smaller pothos plant that won’t grow out of control. Additionally, compared to its bigger siblings, this cultivar has a tendency to be less prone to pests like aphids and spider mites.
Satin Pothos
Scientific Name: Scindapsus pictus
Southeast Asia’s tropical and subtropical climates are home to the trailing Satin pothos vine. It is a stunning indoor plant that is related to the traditional pothos species and genus through the Arum family and is prized for its simple maintenance and vibrant leaves. Although colors differ from cultivar to cultivar, they typically look like silvery white splotches on a surface of lush green leaves. The leaves are dispersed and fashioned like hearts, as most pothos plants are. The silver variegation on a typical Satin pothos looks like tiny spots or blotches on a vivid green backdrop. The hues are in sharp contrast to one another, which is why this species and its varieties are so popular.
This species can easily and readily climb a trellis by attaching to the nearby structural supports. If you don’t have a trellis, this pothos species will still create a lovely display of hanging vines that spill over the pot’s side, whether on the ground or hanging from the ceiling.
The Satin pothos (pictured) has very stark white variegation on its leaves.
©Ryoma26/Shutterstock.com
Silvery Anne Pothos
Scientific Name: Scindapsus pictus ‘Silvery Anne’
The Silvery Anne pothos is a lovely little (or in some cases, large) decorative plant with striped leaves. For novices or those who live in small spaces like apartments or studios, it is a wonderful option because it takes little upkeep and requires little space. The Silvery Anne pothos has green leaves with silver variegation, in contrast to the typical Satin pothos. On certain parts of the leaves, there may be a few lone spots or blotches, but there is always a single, enormous solid block of silver.
Regardless of the environment or area, this very adaptable plant thrives in the majority of households. The leaves are made when the vines are exposed to direct light; when they ripen, they turn from green to a silvery gray tone. With a spread of around three to six feet, this quickly expanding vine-like plant can reach heights of up to six feet.
Snow Queen Pothos
Scientific Name: Epipremnum aureum ‘Snow Queen’
One robust variegated pothos species that looks good virtually anywhere is the Snow Queen pothos plant. It looks wonderful on a tabletop and makes a great centerpiece for hanging baskets. This plant, which is closely related to the Marble Queen pothos, is occasionally mistaken for it. The Snow Queen pothos tends to show more white than green, despite the fact that each of these plants have white and green variegation. The Snow Queen pothos plant has heart-shaped leaves typical of a pothos plant. Near the tips of each leaf, the trademark variegated marks are the most visible. They can range in hue from light yellow to crisp white.
Global Green Pothos
Scientific Name: Epipremnum aureum ‘Global Green’
The Global Green pothos is a relatively new member of the pothos plant family. That being said, this plant is still a valuable asset to any tropical garden. Despite being a relatively new product on the market, the Global Green pothos is ideal for windowsills and hanging baskets due to its upright and vining nature, as well as its hardiness. Because pothos fans are eager to obtain this stunning new variety, it might be challenging to locate this cultivar in nurseries.
Their glossy, lustrous leaves have an artificial-looking appearance due to their shape. Your Global Green pothos vine may grow as high as 10 feet if you teach it to climb a trellis or other structure. However, it will take some time for this to occur. The plant may also be grown without any problems as a regular potted houseplant. This [othos’ remarkable variegation is its most defining characteristic. This plant exhibits green-on-green variegation rather than the conventional white-on-green or green-on-white variegation. The medium-green leaves have dark green splotches that give them a sleek, unique look.
The Global Green pothos (pictured) is much more vibrant than many other muted variegated pothos varieties.
©Firn/Shutterstock.com
Manjula Pothos
Scientific Name: Epipremnum aureum ‘Manjula’
The Manjula pothos is a lovely variegated pothos with gorgeous white, green, and cream coloration. Although its leaves are rounded on the edges, they nevertheless mainly have a heart-shaped form. The degree of variegation on this cultivar can be anything from an even distribution of white and green to a fully white leaf with green spots or a completely green leaf with white specks. Because of its wide range of variation, taking care of a Manjula pothos is fun because you never know what you’ll end up getting when the plant reaches maturity.
For anybody looking to add something special to their home or yard, this plant is ideal because it requires no upkeep. This plant thrives in low-light environments and is simple to propagate via cuttings, so you may easily give it to others. However, keep in mind that this is a patented variety that cannot be reproduced for profit. Both inexperienced gardeners and seasoned growers may benefit from growing this wonderful variety.
With so many stunning variegated pothos varieties to choose from, you should be able to find a cultivar that fits your specific aesthetic or space. Why not buy a few different varieties to really add a touch of greenery to your indoor space? Pothos are almost impossible to kill, so you don’t have much to lose!
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 © Christina Siow/Shutterstock.com
How to Add Us to Google News
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Are variegated pothos plants rare?
It is not too hard to find variegated pothos at a local nursery, but the rarer types of variegation can be difficult to find.
What causes variegation in pothos plants?
Cell mutations that affect how chlorophyll is produced in the plant cause leaf variegation.
Are variegated pothos hard to care for?
No. All pothos are quite easy to care for.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.
