Plant comparison
Pothos vs Spider plant
The two easiest trailing houseplants — pet-safety usually decides this one.
| Pothos | Spider plant | |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical name | Epipremnum aureum | Chlorophytum comosum |
| Light | Medium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window) | Medium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window) |
| Water | When the top half of the soil is dry, every 7-10 days | When the top 2 cm of soil is dry, every 7-10 days |
| Soil | Standard potting compost with extra perlite | Standard potting compost |
| Humidity | 40-60% | 40-60% |
| Temperature | 18-27°C (65-80°F) | 15-24°C (60-75°F) |
| USDA hardiness | 10-12 (indoor-only in most US homes) | 9-11 (outdoors in mild climates, indoors elsewhere) |
| RHS hardiness | H1b | H2 (tender, indoor or summer outdoors) |
| Mature size | Vines reach 3-6 m indoors with a support | 30-45 cm tall, plantlets trailing up to 60 cm |
| Growth habit | Trailing or climbing evergreen vine | Clumping evergreen that produces dangling plantlets |
| Toxicity (cats/dogs) | Toxic to pets | Pet-safe |
Which one should you choose?
- Choose Pothos — Pothos if you prefer its trailing or climbing evergreen vine habit at vines reach 3-6 m indoors with a support indoors.
- Choose Spider plant — Spider plant if pets share your home — it is non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA), while Pothos is toxic to pets.
Either way, the full care brief lives on each plant's own page: Pothos care and Spider plant care. For pet-safety detail see Pothos and Spider plant.
Pothos vs Spider plant — frequently asked questions
Is Pothos the same as Spider plant?
No — Pothos is Epipremnum aureum and Spider plant is Chlorophytum comosum. The two easiest trailing houseplants — pet-safety usually decides this one. The look can be similar, but their light, water and toxicity needs are not interchangeable.
Which is easier to care for, pothos or spider plant?
Easier comes down to your conditions. Pothos wants medium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window) and to be watered when the top half of the soil is dry, every 7-10 days. Spider plant wants medium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window) and watering when the top 2 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 pothos or spider plant safer for cats and dogs?
Per the ASPCA, Pothos is toxic to pets and Spider plant is pet-safe. Spider plant is the pet-safer choice.
How big do pothos and spider plant get indoors?
Pothos matures to vines reach 3-6 m indoors with a support, with a trailing or climbing evergreen vine habit. Spider plant reaches 30-45 cm tall, plantlets trailing up to 60 cm, clumping evergreen that produces dangling plantlets. Plan for the eventual size, not the size in the nursery pot.
Can pothos and spider plant 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. Pothos needs medium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window); Spider plant needs medium indirect light (a couple of metres from a window). Group them only if their watering and humidity needs are also close, otherwise keep them on different schedules.