People interested in indoor gardening often choose pothos plants because of the gorgeous foliage they produce, the ease with which they may be maintained, and their ability to thrive in low-light environments. The Hawaiian and Golden pothos are two of the most widely distributed pothos cultivars. Even though these two plant varieties are related in certain ways, each pothos variety has distinctive characteristics that set it apart from the others.
Hawaiian Pothos Plants
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The Hawaiian pothos, often called Epipremnum pinnatum ‘Cebu Blue,’ is a kind of tropical plant found in tropical forests indigenous to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. The leaves of this plant are heart-shaped and elongated. They have a velvety texture. The stems of this plant are green and have a strong appearance.
Hawaiian pothos leaves are glossy, dark green, and have a small blue tint. The plant has aerial roots that let it adhere to a support structure like a moss pole or trellis. The foliage has a slight blue tint, making them stand apart from all the other plants.
The Hawaiian pothos is a pothos cultivar that is quite uncommon; yet, due to its unique look, it is a highly desirable addition to any indoor plant collection. This type grows best in moderately bright indirect light but may survive in settings with less than enough light if necessary. If you want the lush green color to last as long as possible, it is better to avoid direct sunlight. The Hawaiian pothos grows best in soil that drains well and has a medium moisture level. The plant may perish if it receives excessive water because this might cause root rot.
Golden Pothos Plants
The golden pothos, sometimes called the giant pothos or Epipremnum aureum, is a tropical plant indigenous to the Solomon Islands and other Southeast Asia. It is also known as Epipremnum aureum or Devil’s Ivy.
This plant has glossy leaves in the shape of hearts, and the edges of the leaves and the vines have a brilliant golden-yellow variegation running down it. Because the plant develops long, trailing vines that may grow up to 10 feet, it is an excellent option for use in hanging baskets or cascading over the sides of a table or bookshelf.
The golden pothos is a popular cultivar of the pothos plant. It is well-known for its resilience and adaptability to various growing conditions. This plant can thrive in various lighting situations, from dim to strong indirect light to very low light.
However, it is in the plant’s best interest to stay out of direct sunlight since prolonged exposure can cause the leaves to become charred and ultimately kill the plant. The golden pothos is most successful when grown in soil with good drainage and prefers soil with a medium moisture level. Overwatering can result in root rot and fungal illnesses, much as it occurs with Hawaiian pothos.
Hawaiian Pothos vs. Golden Pothos
Both the Hawaiian and Golden pothos have leaves that are shaped like hearts, and they grow in a vining manner. Still, despite their similarities, they are distinguishable from one another in many ways.
Leaf Color
The leaf color is one of the most distinguishing characteristics between the Hawaiian and Golden pothos. The Hawaiian pothos has leaves that are a deep forest green color. They have a velvety appearance and feel and a matte texture. The plant produces aerial roots, which let it cling to a support structure.
On the other hand, Golden pothos has glossy leaves shaped like hearts, and they have a brilliant golden-yellow variegation that runs down the edges of the leaves and the vines. The leaves have a glossy, reflective surface, which helps them to stand out from dark green leaves in the surrounding environment.
Light Requirements
Both the Hawaiian pothos and the Golden pothos like bright indirect light; however, the Golden pothos can survive in settings with less light than the Hawaiian pothos. Because this plant can flourish in low-light environments, it is an excellent choice for locations that receive little natural light.
On the other hand, the Hawaiian pothos needs a little more light to keep its dark green color and continue developing healthily.
Growth Rate
Although Hawaiian and Golden pothos are climbing plants that can reach heights of several feet, they have different growth rates.
The Hawaiian Pothos is a climber that can grow up to 8 feet tall. It has a more compact growth habit than the Golden Pothos and grows best in soil. It has a slower growth rate than the Golden Pothos but can still climb and attach to structures using aerial roots.
On the other hand, the Golden Pothos is a vine that can grow up to 10 feet long. It is a fast-growing plant that can easily climb and attach to structures using aerial roots. The plant can grow in water and soil, making it a popular choice for indoor and outdoor gardens.
Maintenance Requirements
The Hawaiian Pothos and the Golden Pothos are excellent indoor plants due to their low maintenance requirements and relative ease of care. They require indirect, bright light to thrive, although they are also tolerant of environments with less light. They grow best in soil that is damp but has good drainage.
These plants do not require a very high humidity level, but they will do better if they are misted occasionally or kept close to a humidifier. In terms of temperature, they favor warm indoor conditions ranging from 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Both of these plants are native to tropical regions. They should not be placed in an area that receives direct sunlight since this can cause the leaves to become charred.
These plants should be allowed to become slightly parched between waterings to prevent root rot. In order to avoid having water sit in the potting soil for an extended period, it is essential to select a container with adequate drainage holes.
The Hawaiian Pothos and the Golden Pothos appreciate occasional fertilization with either a slow-release or diluted liquid fertilizer. This provides the plant with the nutrients it needs to thrive.
They also benefit from being trained to grow along a moss pole or allowed to trickle down from a green stem into a hanging basket. These options imitate the vining growth pattern that is native to the plant.
Propagation Habits
Stem cuttings are easy for propagating pothos species like the Hawaiian and Golden varieties. Make sure the cutting is placed in a warm, bright area after placing it in either water or soil after it has been cut from a stem with numerous leaves attached to it. The cutting should start to produce roots within a few weeks, and once it has done so, it can be transplanted into its container.
Appearance
Although the Hawaiian Pothos and the Golden Pothos share many of the same morphological traits, there are a few key distinctions between the two.
The Hawaiian Pothos has strikingly contrasting huge, glossy, heart-shaped leaves predominantly dark green with bright yellow variegation. These leaves create a dramatic visual contrast. The yellow coloration of the golden pothos leaves is more of a solid, continuous color. There are only a few tiny spots or speckles of green throughout the entire surface. The stems of Hawaiian Pothos are green and rather thick, which gives the impression that they are more resilient than the stems of Golden Pothos.
On the other hand, the Golden Pothos has smaller and glossier leaves. These leaves are normally a medium green color. They often have bright yellow streaks or spots. The mottled appearance of the leaves is created by regions of yellow and green that give the plant a mottled appearance. The variegation on the foliage is more broken up and unpredictable than it is on Hawaiian Pothos. Golden Pothos appear more delicate than Hawaiian Pothos because their stems are wiry and thinner than those of Hawaiian.
· Cultivars
There are many cultivars of Hawaiian and Golden Pothos, each with its own distinctive pattern of coloration. Golden Pothos has the most cultivars available, with popular variants such as ‘Marble Queen,’ which has vast patches of creamy white variegation, and ‘Neon,’ which has vivid chartreuse variegation that shines under fluorescent light.
Some unique golden and Hawaiian pothos cultivars are still available, such as ‘Manjula,’ which has green leaves with vivid white variegation, and ‘Harlequin,’ which has dark green foliage with light green and yellow flecks. Hawaiian Pothos is rarer and more difficult to acquire, but some unique cultivars are still available.
Invasive Potential
It is essential to be aware that the Golden Pothos can become invasive in certain regions, and because of this, it should not be planted outside, where it might grow out of control. To prevent the Golden Pothos from becoming a nuisance in natural settings, you should keep it as an indoor plant or plant in an environment that is under human control.
FAQs
Is Hawaiian pothos rare?
The Hawaiian Pothos is a rare indoor plant. Surprisingly, the Golden Pothos, which is its juvenile version, is one of the most widespread and widely used houseplants worldwide.
How is Hawaiian pothos different than golden pothos plants?
Compared to the golden pothos, the Hawaiian cultivar can tolerate more sun and drier soil, and its leaves tend to grow more and faster. The Hawaiian pothos stands out the most for its lighter yellow, almost creamy, variegation.
Do Hawaiian pothos have fenestrations?
The Hawaiian Pothos has been developed specifically to produce huge, variegated leaves, setting it apart from other pothos varieties. When these leaves get big enough, they frequently develop fenestrations and yellow and gold variegation bands.
Which kind of pothos are known to be faster?
Different varieties of pothos develop at varying rates. Generally speaking, a plant will grow more slowly the more variegated it is. The plant’s green components keep it healthy and thriving. The process is more efficient the more green spaces there are since they provide it what it needs.
Final Word
Even though Hawaiian and Golden Pothos are members of the same plant family and have many characteristics, there are fundamental distinctions between the two regarding how they look and how they should be cared for. The Hawaiian Pothos has smaller leaves with a darker green overall color and is variegated with yellow. The Golden Pothos has bigger but lighter green leaves with vivid yellow stripes. Golden Pothos is commonly found and has various cultivars with distinctively different variegation patterns. In contrast, Hawaiian Pothos is a cultivar that is harder to come by and more peculiar in appearance. Both of these plants thrive inside and require little in the way of maintenance; as a result, plant enthusiasts of all skill levels find them to be appealing options.