Plant comparison
Golden pothos vs Marble queen pothos
Two pothos cultivars shoppers choose between — solid-gold variegation versus heavy white marbling, with different light needs.
| Golden pothos | Marble queen pothos | |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Epipremnum aureum 'Golden' | Epipremnum aureum 'Marble Queen' |
| Light | Medium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window) | Bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window) |
| Water | When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 days | When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 days |
| Soil | Standard houseplant mix | Standard houseplant mix |
| Humidity | 40-60% | 40-60% |
| Temperature | 18-27°C (65-80°F) | 18-27°C (65-80°F) |
| USDA hardiness | 10-12 (indoor in most US homes) | 10-12 (indoor in most US homes) |
| RHS hardiness | H1b | H1b |
| Mature size | 2-3 m trailing indoors | 1.5-2.5 m trailing indoors |
| Growth habit | Trailing or climbing vine | Trailing or climbing vine |
| Toxicity (cats/dogs) | Mildly toxic to pets | Mildly toxic to pets |
Which one should you choose?
- Choose Golden pothos — Golden pothos if your spot has less light — it tolerates medium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window), where Marble queen pothos prefers bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window).
- Choose Marble queen pothos — Marble queen pothos if you prefer its trailing or climbing vine habit at 1.5-2.5 m trailing indoors indoors.
Either way, the full care brief lives on each plant's own page: Golden pothos care and Marble queen pothos care. For pet-safety detail see Golden pothos and Marble queen pothos.
Golden pothos vs Marble queen pothos — frequently asked questions
Is Golden pothos the same as Marble queen pothos?
No — Golden pothos is Epipremnum aureum 'Golden' and Marble queen pothos is Epipremnum aureum 'Marble Queen'. Two pothos cultivars shoppers choose between — solid-gold variegation versus heavy white marbling, with different light needs. The look can be similar, but their light, water and toxicity needs are not interchangeable.
Which is easier to care for, golden pothos or marble queen pothos?
Easier comes down to your conditions. Golden pothos wants medium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window) and to be watered when the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 days. Marble queen pothos wants bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window) and watering when the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 days. Match the species to the brightest spot you actually have and how often you remember to water — both can be the easier pick for the right home.
Is golden pothos or marble queen pothos safer for cats and dogs?
Per the ASPCA, Golden pothos is mildly toxic to pets and Marble queen pothos is mildly toxic to pets. Either way, place them out of reach of curious chewers if pets share the home.
How big do golden pothos and marble queen pothos get indoors?
Golden pothos matures to 2-3 m trailing indoors, with a trailing or climbing vine habit. Marble queen pothos reaches 1.5-2.5 m trailing indoors, trailing or climbing vine. Plan for the eventual size, not the size in the nursery pot.
Can golden pothos and marble queen pothos live in the same room?
Yes — both can share a room as long as you give each one a spot that matches its light requirement. Golden pothos needs medium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window); Marble queen pothos needs bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window). Group them only if their watering and humidity needs are also close, otherwise keep them on different schedules.