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