Plant Care

Best Pothos Varieties to Buy: Beginner to Collector Guide

Last updated: October 30, 2025
Discover the best pothos varieties for every skill level, from foolproof golden pothos to stunning rare collectibles with care tips and buying guides.
HHelen Cho
October 30, 2025
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Five best pothos varieties showing golden, marble queen, neon, jade and Cebu blue with distinct leaf patterns

— Image © PlantReference.org 2026
Quick Answer
Golden pothos is best for beginners, marble queen for intermediate growers. Neon pothos thrives in bright light, Cebu blue for collectors.
TL;DR
Golden pothos is perfect for beginners, while marble queen offers stunning variegation for intermediate growers. Neon pothos adds vibrant color, and rare varieties like Cebu blue ($30-60) satisfy collectors. All pothos varieties share the same basic care requirements but differ in light needs and growth patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest pothos variety for beginners?

Golden pothos is hands-down the easiest variety for beginners. It tolerates low light better than any other variety, clearly signals when it needs water by drooping, and bounces back quickly from care mistakes. The golden variegation stays visible even in dimmer conditions, and it's available everywhere from grocery stores to plant shops for $8-15.

Do all pothos varieties have the same care requirements?

Most care requirements are identical, but lighting needs vary significantly. Jade and Golden pothos thrive in low light, while Marble Queen and Neon varieties need bright indirect light to maintain their special coloring. Heavily variegated varieties also need slightly less frequent watering since they photosynthesize less efficiently than solid green types.

Why is my Marble Queen pothos turning green?

Insufficient light causes variegation reversion. Marble Queen needs bright indirect light to maintain its white patterns—when light levels drop, the plant produces more chlorophyll and reverts to green for survival. Move it closer to an east or west-facing window, and new growth should return to the proper white and green pattern.

What's the difference between Cebu Blue and regular pothos?

Cebu Blue is actually a different species (Epipremnum pinnatum vs Epipremnum aureum). It features silvery-blue elongated leaves instead of the typical heart-shaped pothos leaves. When mature and climbing, Cebu Blue develops natural holes (fenestrations) in its leaves, creating a more architectural appearance similar to monstera plants.

Are rare pothos varieties worth the higher prices?

It depends on your priorities and experience level. Rare varieties like Baltic Blue ($30-60) offer unique aesthetics and collector appeal, but they don't provide dramatically different care experiences from common varieties. If you're drawn to specific leaf shapes or colorings and can provide proper care, the investment can be worthwhile for long-term enjoyment.
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#pothos varieties#best pothos#golden pothos#marble queen pothos#neon pothos#cebu blue pothos#jade pothos#pothos care#houseplant varieties#indoor plants
Written By
H

Helen Cho

Helen is an interior plant stylist in Los Angeles who works with restaurants, offices, and residential clients to select and maintain indoor plants. She studied design in college and got into plants when a client asked her to "green up" a mid-century modern home. Helen's expertise sits at the intersection of design and plant care—she thinks about light, scale, texture, and color, but she also knows which plants will actually survive in a given space. She's killed enough fiddle leaf figs in dark corners to know better. Helen maintains her own collection of over 80 houseplants in her apartment and writes about indoor plant selection, styling, and the practical side of keeping plants alive in interior environments.

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