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Hawaiian Pothos VS Golden Pothos - Similarity & Difference

Written by Ivy

Jan 20 2023

Hawaiian Pothos VS Golden Pothos - Similarity & Difference
Hawaiian Pothos and Golden Pothos are excellent indoor decoration plants, climbing and foliage flowers. Their vines are thin and soft, and their leaves are delicate and beautiful. If a basin is set high on the top of the furniture cabinet, let the vines droop freely, or when the vines hang too long, they will be hung into a ring, just like emerald relief, which is unique. What are the similarities and differences between Hawaiian Pothos and golden Pothos?
Hawaiian Pothos VS Golden Pothos

Difference between Hawaiian Pothos and Golden Pothos

Vines

If we provide them great attention and care, the Golden pothos usually has yellow vines and hawaiian pothos develops green stem, which is the difference of their vines.

Size

Hawaiian Pothos can grow up to 0.3 to 1.2 meters that's is around 1-4 feet and the space it takes is around 0.3-0.6 meters which are around 1-2 feet.
Golden pothos can grow up to 20 to 40 feet long and 3-6 feet wide when it has fully matured. And Golden pothos will grow well in partial shade and prefers soil neutral to acidic.
Hawaiian Pothos VS Golden Pothos
Golden Pothos

Foliage Shape

The appearance of Hawaiian Pothos and golden Pothos is very similar. But Golden Pothos's leaves are sickle shaped, with wide leaves and sparse growth. The leaves of Hawaiian Pothos are generally straight, with dense and short leaves.

Foliage Color

The leaf color of Hawaiian Pothos will be darker, such as dark green, while the leaf color of golden Pothos is lighter, showing tender green with some yellow stripes, which is also the most obvious difference.
Golden pothos and Hawaiian pothos' foliage color are also different. The leaves of Hawaiian pothos have a more striking yellow color. The green leaves of golden Pothos are dotted with some kind of gold or yellow. And the heart-shaped medium green leaves of golden Pothos have creamy gold. The color of Hawaiian pothos remains the same in every season while Golden pothos color changes with the change of season.

Light Requirement

Hawaiian Pothos can grow in a dark and humid environment, but golden Pothos will grow better under sufficient light. Golden Pothos prefer low light while Hawaiian pothos prefer high or medium light.

Watering

Although the appearance of Hawaiian Pothos is similar to that of golden Pothos, if we observe carefully, the water requirements of the two are also different. Hawaiian Pothos does not have great requirements for water. Generally, it can be cultured well without frequent watering, but golden Pothos is generally used for hydroponic culture or frequent watering to maintain the growth balance of plants.
Hawaiian Pothos VS Golden Pothos
Hawaiian Pothos

Soil

The biggest difference between Hawaiian Pothos and golden Pothos lies in the requirements for soil. Because Hawaiian Pothos has strong root adaptability, it has no requirements for soil and can grow well in general soil. Golden Pothos likes to grow in fertile soil rich in organic matter, so the essential difference between the two is still great.

Similarity of Hawaiian Pothos and Golden Pothos

Structure

Hawaiian Pothos and golden Pothos are perennial evergreen vines with fleshy stems and leaves and aerial roots in stem nodes. The leaves of Hawaiian Pothos and golden Pothos are oval, heart-shaped, waxy, 10 ~ 15cm long, dark green and bright. Hawaiian Pothos and golden Pothos have thicker stems and larger leaves with the increase of growth age. The young branches are flagellate, slender, the lower leaves are large, papery, wide ovate, short acuminate, and the base is heart-shaped. On the mature branches, the petiole is thick, the leaf blade is thin leathery, emerald green, with irregular pure yellow patches, entire, unequal side oval or oval oblong, the apex is acuminate, and the base is deep heart-shaped.
Hawaiian Pothos VS Golden Pothos
Golden Pothos
 

Propagation

The propagation methods of Hawaiian Pothos and golden Pothos can be realized by cutting. Next, I will introduce four cutting methods of Hawaiian Pothos and golden Pothos.
  • Propagation in water
When cutting Hawaiian Pothos and golden Pothos, we can cut a section of air root, and then insert it in water. After three days, when its air root grows, we can bury it in nutrient soil. After rooting, the green pineapple will be transplanted again. The survival rate is high and the growth is very fast
  • Nutrient soil cutting propagation
For the nutrient soil for cutting, we can use coconut bran mixed with some peat soil. This kind of soil is loose and breathable. It can also keep water and take root quickly. Cut the section with air root, with or without leaves. Bury the air roots of Hawaiian Pothos and golden Pothos in the soil, expose the leaves, keep the soil moist, and often spray water on the leaves, This can take root in a week or so. (Read More: How to Choose The Best Pot For a Pothos Plant)
  • Peat soil cutting propagation
We can also use the ratio of peat soil perlite vermiculite 1:1:1 for cutting. This cutting method has a high survival rate and can be used for cutting of Hawaiian Pothos and golden Pothos. It can take root in a week. After taking root, the rise is also very vigorous
  • Vermiculite cutting propagation
We can use the vermiculite cutting method to fill the flowerpot with vermiculite, and then insert the section of Hawaiian Pothos and golden Pothos with air rooting, keep about one centimeter of water at the bottom of the pot, and take root in three days. After a week, the root system will be very long and can be transplanted. The survival rate of this cutting is 100%, whether it is branches with or without leaves, Can be successfully cutted, cuttings grow quickly after transplanting.
Hawaiian Pothos VS Golden Pothos
Hawaiian Pothos

Growth Requirement

  • Temperature and Humidity
The suitable temperature for the growth of Hawaiian Pothos and golden Pothos is 20 ℃ ~ 30 ℃, and the room temperature in winter should not be lower than 15 ℃. Hawaiian Pothos and golden Pothos like to be wet. It is appropriate to keep the basin soil moist during the growing season. Do not dry the basin soil, otherwise it is easy to cause yellow leaves and poor plant shape. If too much watering causes ponding in the basin soil, it is easy to cause rotten roots and dead leaves. Especially when the room temperature is low in winter, we should pay more attention to controlling watering. (Read More: Why Are My Pothos Leaves Curling)
  • Fertilization
Before planting Hawaiian Pothos and golden Pothos, we'd better use slow-release fertilizer as base fertilizer. During the growth period, we need to apply thin liquid fertilizer to Hawaiian Pothos and golden Pothos every 10-15 days. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizer should be applied properly, and nitrogen fertilizer should not be applied.
  • Repotting
Hawaiian Pothos and golden Pothos also change pots in the same way. If we plan to change the pots for the plants, we will stop watering two days in advance to facilitate the removal of the pots. When removing the pot, take out the whole Hawaiian Pothos or golden Pothos, remove the original soil and trim the roots, then put it in a new flower pot and add an appropriate amount of nutrient soil. After replacement, it shall be properly trimmed and sorted to make it look new. After adapting to the new environment, it shall be maintained normally.
If you plan to change the basin and soil, stop watering two days in advance to separate the soil from the basin wall and facilitate the removal of the basin. Then prepare new flower pots and soil. You can go to the market to buy some nutritious soil, which is convenient and worry-free. We should carefully take Hawaiian Pothos or golden Pothos out of the flower pot and remove the original soil. By the way, check its root system, cut off rotten roots, dead roots and curly roots, or cut off the old roots.
After pruning, Hawaiian Pothos or golden Pothos can be placed in a new flower pot, and then the prepared nutrient soil can be added to closely combine the root with the soil. The upper soil should be slightly lower than the edge of the pot as far as possible to facilitate later management and watering. Then we can trim it properly. So that it can take on a new look. After adapting to the new environment, it can carry out normal maintenance and management.
  • Problems
The most common pests and diseases of Hawaiian Pothos and golden Pothos are mites, mealybugs and aphids. There are also some less common pests called scales and thrips. However, it is important to know that you need to take special care of your Hawaiian Pothos and golden Pothos. If there are pests, your plants may die if you do not give proper care.
Therefore, if you see any signs of pests in Hawaiian Pothos and golden Pothos, then spray the part with water. If it returns, then use neem oil or gardening oil to remove them.
If you see some brown or yellow spots on the leaves of Hawaiian Pothos and golden Pothos, it means that your plant is unhealthy. If you want your Hawaiian Pothos and golden Pothos to get rid of any disease, try putting it in a well ventilated place.
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