Golden Pothos vs Marble Queen Pothos
Marble Queen carries much more white, so it grows slower and needs brighter indirect light. Golden pothos is the faster, darker-corner-tolerant one.
Golden Pothos needs low to medium light (2/5) - fine a few metres back from a window. Marble Queen Pothos wants medium indirect light (3/5), near a bright window, out of direct sun. Golden Pothos is a fast grower and gives you cuttings or a full pot sooner. Marble Queen Pothos is moderate, which means less pruning and repotting but a longer wait.
What they share: both are toxic to cats and dogs, both are rated easy, both take low watering, both are happy in the same humidity and both stay medium.
Choose
Golden Pothos if…
- ✓your spot is the dimmer of the two - it manages on low to medium light
- ✓you want visible growth and free cuttings quickly
- ✓the look is what you are after: One of the easiest houseplants to grow. Trailing vines with heart-shaped leaves. Thrives in almost any condition.
Choose
Marble Queen Pothos if…
- ✓you have a bright window to give it (medium indirect light)
- ✓you would rather not prune and repot often
- ✓the look is what you are after: Beautiful white and green marbled leaves. Slower than golden pothos.
Golden Pothos vs Marble Queen Pothos: side by side
| Attribute |
Golden Pothos
|
Marble Queen Pothos
|
|---|---|---|
| Plant type | Trailing | Trailing |
| Difficulty | easy | easy |
| Light | ●●○○○ 2/5 Low to medium light |
●●●○○ 3/5 Medium indirect light |
| Water | ●●○○○ 2/5 Low |
●●○○○ 2/5 Low |
| Humidity | ●●○○○ 2/5 Low |
●●○○○ 2/5 Low |
| Pet safe | Toxic to cats and dogs | Toxic to cats and dogs |
| Mature size | Medium 30-90 cm (1-3 ft) |
Medium 30-90 cm (1-3 ft) |
| Growth rate | Fast | Moderate |
| Air purifying | Yes | Yes |
| Native to | Southeast Asia | Southeast Asia |
Key differences between Golden Pothos and Marble Queen Pothos
Golden Pothos copes with less light
Golden Pothos needs low to medium light (2/5) - fine a few metres back from a window. Marble Queen Pothos wants medium indirect light (3/5), near a bright window, out of direct sun.
Golden Pothos fills out faster
Golden Pothos is a fast grower and gives you cuttings or a full pot sooner. Marble Queen Pothos is moderate, which means less pruning and repotting but a longer wait.
How to tell Golden Pothos and Marble Queen Pothos apart
Same plant, different amount of white. Marble Queen carries far more variegation, which means less chlorophyll, which means it grows noticeably slower and wants brighter indirect light to hold its pattern. Golden pothos is the faster, more forgiving of the two.
Care at a glance
Golden Pothos
Devil's Ivy, Money Plant
One of the easiest houseplants to grow. Trailing vines with heart-shaped leaves. Thrives in almost any condition.
Care in one line: Low to bright indirect light, water when dry, very forgiving.
Full Golden Pothos care guide →
Marble Queen Pothos
Variegated Pothos
Beautiful white and green marbled leaves. Slower than golden pothos.
Care in one line: Medium to bright light for variegation, water when dry.
Full Marble Queen Pothos care guide →Golden Pothos vs Marble Queen Pothos: common questions
What is the difference between Golden Pothos and Marble Queen Pothos? +
Same plant, different amount of white. Marble Queen carries far more variegation, which means less chlorophyll, which means it grows noticeably slower and wants brighter indirect light to hold its pattern. Golden pothos is the faster, more forgiving of the two. On care, golden Pothos needs low to medium light (2/5) - fine a few metres back from a window. Marble Queen Pothos wants medium indirect light (3/5), near a bright window, out of direct sun.
Which is easier to care for, Golden Pothos or Marble Queen Pothos? +
Neither - both are rated easy. The practical difference is golden pothos copes with less light.
Is Golden Pothos or Marble Queen Pothos safe for cats and dogs? +
Neither. Golden Pothos is toxic to cats and dogs and Marble Queen Pothos is toxic to cats and dogs. Both need a spot pets cannot reach.
Which needs less light, Golden Pothos or Marble Queen Pothos? +
Golden Pothos. It scores 2/5 for light and fine a few metres back from a window. Marble Queen Pothos scores 3/5 and near a bright window, out of direct sun.
Which needs more water, Golden Pothos or Marble Queen Pothos? +
Neither - both score 2/5. For each one, water when the top 3-5 cm of soil has dried out.
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