Spider plant and pothos are the two plants most often hung in a first hanging basket. Both are easy and both trail. They are not related, though, and they trail in different ways. Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is a clump of grassy leaves in the asparagus family. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a climbing vine in the arum family, alongside philodendron and monstera (NC State).

The differences that matter day to day are pet safety, how each one fills a space, how wet each likes its mix, and how you make new plants.

How to tell them apart

Spider plant. NC State describes strappy, grass-like leaves, green or striped white along their length, rising from a short, compressed stem. Wisconsin Extension notes the leaves are channelled or folded down the middle, not flat. The giveaway is the long, wiry stems that carry small white star-shaped flowers and then baby plants, the “spiders.”

Pothos. NC State describes glossy, heart-shaped leaves, often marbled with yellow, cream or white, set alternately along a vine. Brown aerial roots form at the nodes and help the stem climb. Iowa State adds that the stems are smooth and ridged. Pothos is often confused with heartleaf philodendron; our pothos vs philodendron guide covers that pair.

If you see a rosette of narrow blades with plantlets dangling on stems, it is a spider plant. If you see heart-shaped leaves along a single stem, it is a pothos.

Side-by-side comparison

FeatureSpider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Family (NC State)AsparagaceaeAraceae (aroids)
LeavesNarrow, strap-like, often stripedHeart-shaped, glossy, often marbled
How it trailsArching leaves and runners with plantletsVines that hang or climb by aerial roots
Size indoors30–45 cm (1–1.5 ft) tall, 30–60 cm (1–2 ft) wide (NC State)Vines can reach 12 m (40 ft) (NC State)
Light (Illinois)MediumMedium
Low lightTolerates deep shade (NC State); slower and less variegated (RHS)Survives long periods in low light (NC State)
Direct sunIntolerant (NC State); leaves yellow or brown (RHS)Does not tolerate much (Wisconsin)
WateringLightly moist (RHS); dry slightly between waterings (Wisconsin)Water when the surface is dry (Wisconsin)
Minimum temperatureKeep above 7 °C (45 °F) (NC State)Grows best at 21–32 °C (70–90 °F); keep out of drafts (Wisconsin)
PropagationPlantlets or division (NC State)Stem cuttings or air-layering (Wisconsin)
Pets (ASPCA)Non-toxic to dogs and catsToxic: insoluble calcium oxalates

Light: similar needs, different warning signs

University of Illinois Extension lists both plants as needing medium light. It defines that as about 1,600 lux (150 foot-candles). In practice, that means directly in front of a north window, a few feet from an east or west window, or 1–3 m (3–10 ft) back from a south window.

Both tolerate less, but low light shows up differently:

  • Spider plant. NC State says it tolerates deep shade. The RHS notes that growth slows and the leaves may lose their variegation. Pale, dull leaves can also mean the plant needs water, so check the mix first.
  • Pothos. NC State says it survives long periods in low light. Wisconsin Extension notes that variegated types lose variegation in low light. See pothos variegation loss if leaves are turning plain green.

Neither wants strong direct sun. NC State calls spider plant intolerant of it, and the RHS says too much sun turns the leaves yellow or brown. Wisconsin says pothos does not tolerate much direct sunlight. Our spider plant sunburn guide covers bleached patches.

Watering: spider plant is a little thirstier

This is the difference most likely to catch you out if both plants share a shelf.

Spider plant. The RHS suggests keeping the compost just lightly moist, and watering slightly less in winter. Wisconsin Extension says to let it dry slightly between thorough waterings. Its thick, fleshy roots store water, so it tolerates an occasional missed watering. NC State also notes that it tolerates drought and dry soil.

Pothos. Wisconsin Extension says to water only when the surface of the mix is dry. NC State says to let a well-drained medium dry out between waterings. Iowa State says to let the soil dry moderately.

Neither should sit in water. The RHS says spider plants dislike standing in water, and Wisconsin links root rot in both plants to overwatering or poor drainage. Check each pot with your finger rather than watering both on one day.

Brown tips and water quality

Spider plant is the more sensitive of the two to water quality. NC State says chlorine and fluoride in tap water can cause leaf-tip burn. The RHS and Wisconsin say the same, and Wisconsin adds low humidity, dry soil and salt build-up as causes. NC State also warns that over-fertilizing reduces plantlet production. See spider plant brown tips and our tap water guide.

On pothos, Wisconsin Extension lists overwatering, underwatering and excess fertilizer as causes of blackened leaf tips or edges.

Propagation: plantlets vs stem cuttings

Spider plant. Wisconsin Extension suggests setting a plantlet, still attached, on a pot of mix and pinning it down until it roots. Then cut the runner. You can also pot up a plantlet that already has roots, or divide a large clump. NC State notes that plantlets form after at least three weeks of short days, with less than 12 hours of light a day. See spider plant propagation.

Pothos. Take stem cuttings with a node. Wisconsin Extension says cuttings root in water or vermiculite in three to four weeks. It suggests planting several rooted cuttings together for a fuller pot. See pothos propagation.

Pests and problems

Wisconsin Extension names scale insects and mealybugs as the main pests of both plants. It adds that spider mites occasionally infest pothos. On pothos, Wisconsin also notes that cold, or an abrupt drop from very high temperatures, can cause brown patches in the centre of the leaf. NC State lists no significant problems for spider plant.

Pet safety

This is the clearest difference between the two.

  • Spider plant. The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to dogs and cats.
  • Pothos. The ASPCA lists golden pothos as toxic to dogs and cats. The toxic principle is insoluble calcium oxalates. Signs include oral irritation, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing. NC State adds that the sap can irritate skin.

Confirm the botanical name on the label before relying on this. For more options, see our pet-safe plants guide and pothos toxicity guide.

Which should you choose?

  • Cat or dog that chews plants: spider plant.
  • Long trailing vines, or a plant to train up a support: pothos.
  • Dim corner: pothos, which NC State says survives long periods in low light.
  • You tend to forget water: either; NC State lists both as tolerant of dry soil.
  • Fluoridated tap water is all you have: pothos, or collect rainwater for a spider plant (RHS).
  • A plant that makes free baby plants: spider plant.

For full care, see our spider plant care guide and pothos care guide. For more pairs, see the houseplant comparison guide.

References