Harlequin Pothos

Searching for a low-maintenance indoor plant that requires little attention? Maybe you’re in the market for a rare pothos variety? If so, you might want to look into the harlequin pothos. If you can find one, this gorgeous plant is ideal for folks who don’t have a green thumb because of the eye-catching patterns on its leaves. This variety needs more sunlight than the average pothos, so it can be placed in areas with harsher sunlight.

The harlequin pothos is not only extremely rare but also extraordinarily attractive. It’s easier said than done to get one, even though many houseplant collectors would love to. Harlequin pothos are also constantly mislabeled as other varieties, which can be a bit problematic. If you’re up for the challenge, though, this is a very stunning variety of pothos!

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about this unique pothos.

The Mysterious Harlequin Pothos

If you’ve been a plant aficionado for some time, hearing whispers about new and particularly rare houseplants around the internet is not surprising. There are several pothos varieties out there that do not appear to be in any trustworthy plant databases as of yet. The harlequin pothos is one of them. So, the question is still posed: Is the harlequin pothos real?

While this pothos exists, it is not likely a distinct variety of pothos. These plants might just be a very variegated, or patterned, variety of the Manjula pothos. According to some theories, this uncommon houseplant was created from propagated Manjula cuttings with increasingly pronounced white variegations.

When it comes down to it, the origins of this plant are relatively unknown, but the harlequin pothos does actually exist!

What is a Harlequin Pothos?

The harlequin pothos is a rare type of pothos plant classified as Epipremnum aureum ‘Harlequin’. The plant, which is native to Southeast Asia, has unusual leaves that are widely variegated, with big areas of white and some green color scattered throughout the foliage.

As we mentioned earlier, it is believed that this pothos is made up of propagated cuttings of a Manjula pothos. Its thinly green leaves are heavily variegated with large white blocks that make it look similar to other variegated cultivars like the Manjula. Yet, it is devoid of the typical lime green and yellow patterns found on a Manjula pothos. Harlequin pothos, like most pothos varieties, are potentially toxic to humans and animals if ingested.

Harlequin Pothos vs. Manjula Pothos

There is very little information online about the harlequin pothos. From what is available, some plant collectors believe it is simply a variegated cultivar of Manjula pothos. However, there are some differences worth noting. Both plants look similar in size and shape. However, the harlequin has a high level of variegation. The harlequin pothos has very little in the way of lime green and yellowish hues that are typically found on Manjula pothos plants. The leaves of the Manjula pothos often have a rounder shape than that of the harlequin pothos. Harlequin pothos are also much more variegated than Manjula pothos.

With this information in mind, there’s no denying that both of these plants are exquisite, and you can’t go wrong by including either of them in your indoor space.

How to Care for Harlequin Pothos

The harlequin pothos is a great indoor plant since it requires little maintenance. In fact, pothos in general are recommended to novices who want to start caring for plants. These plants can withstand a variety of environmental factors, making it the perfect choice for beginners.

It is unlikely that your pothos will perish even if you neglect it for a few weeks. Yet it’s crucial to remember that if the plant is ignored, it won’t survive forever. Giving your harlequin pothos the right care is essential if you want it to remain healthy and look its best. And with how rare this variety is, you definitely don’t want to make too many care mistakes.

Watering is one of the most crucial parts of taking care of a harlequin pothos. After the top one to two inches of soil have dried up, which usually occurs once a week, the plant should be watered thoroughly and allowed to drain. It’s crucial to avoid overwatering pothos because this might result in root rot. Make sure your pot has drainage holes!

Like all varieties of pothos, the harlequin pothos performs best in humid settings. If you live in an area with low humidity, you can install a humidifier, put the plant on a pebble tray with water, gather plants together to promote humidity, or (as a temporary solution) spritz the plant to enhance the moisture in the air. Try not to go overboard with misting, though, as this can damage the plant and attract disease and pests.

The harlequin pothos thrives in indirect, bright light. You can use artificial light to complement natural light if you reside somewhere that tends to be cloudy or in a home that lacks adequate windows. This plant can survive in a variety of lighting situations, but it cannot survive in total darkness. Examine the leaves to see whether your pothos is receiving enough light. If they are becoming brown or yellow, the plant could not be receiving enough light. The variegation of this plant will disappear if it is not provided with enough light, so make sure it gets what it needs to stay pretty!

As a tropical plant, the harlequin pothos enjoys warm climates. The plant prefers temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees F. The leaves of the Harlequin pothos begin to turn brown and fall off if the temperature drops too low.

Throughout the growing season, the harlequin pothos should get fertilizer around once a month. You can use slow-release pellets or liquid fertilizer. Because too much fertilizer might damage the plant’s roots, it’s important to adhere to the directions on the fertilizer label.

How to Find a Harlequin Pothos

Finding a harlequin pothos for sale might be challenging because it is one of the rarest varieties of pothos. To get cuttings, it is advisable to search specialized plant stores or speak with knowledgeable growers directly. They can occasionally be found online on platforms like Etsy or specialty online nurseries.

If you’re intent on owning a harlequin pothos, you should speak with experts in this field because you’ll often see plants posted for sale that falsely identify as harlequin pothos but are actually Manjula pothos. There is nothing wrong with the Manjula pothos, and it is much easier to find. But in the end, it’s not a harlequin.

Another effective tactic is to use Instagram’s hashtag search to look for sellers of this variety’s cuttings. Lots of plant enthusiasts and collectors use the platform to sell and trade cuttings.

Are Harlequin Pothos Rare?

Not only is the harlequin pothos extremely rare, but it is probably the rarest pothos variety or cultivar out in the pothos plant market today. With a bit more variegation on the leaves, it resembles Manjula (and, as mentioned earlier, is likely just a variegated Manjula) and has pattern similarities comparable to the marble queen and snow queen pothos varieties. You will not find this pothos at garden centers or local nurseries, and you might need help finding an authentic harlequin pothos online via specialty plant stores. This is definitely one heck of a collector’s item!

These pothos are definitely not easy to find, but that makes them even more unique and special. If you can manage to find one of these beauties, with just a little bit of care, you’ll be able to grow an ultra-rare variety for years to come.

Up Next:

• Growing Outdoor Pothos: Where to Best Plant Them and More
• Devil’s Ivy Plant Care: How To Care For Pothos Plants
• Pothos Leaves Turning Brown: Why It’s Happening And How To Fix

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Catherine Tribone/Shutterstock.com