No, a philodendron a money plant are not the same thing at all. Most people use the name money plant for golden pothos, which is Epipremnum aureum. These two plants look alike because they both grow as tropical vines with heart-shaped leaves. But they come from different parts of the plant family tree.
I fell for this mix-up when I first started collecting plants. A local shop sold me a "philodendron" that turned out to be a golden pothos. The label was wrong and I didn't know enough to tell the difference. It wasn't until I bought an actual heartleaf philodendron and put them side by side that I noticed the clear differences. The philodendron had thinner, softer leaves with a matte finish. The pothos had thicker, waxy leaves with a slight shine. Once you see both side by side, the philodendron vs pothos gap is clear.
Both plants belong to the Araceae family, which is why they look so alike. But they sit in different groups. Philodendrons have their own genus with over 400 species. The golden pothos sits in a separate genus called Epipremnum. The Epipremnum aureum difference goes deeper than just the name. Pothos came from French Polynesia. Most philodendrons come from Central and South America. Kew Royal Botanic Gardens traces the pink Princess species back to Colombia.
The key giveaway is a part called a cataphyll. Your philodendron grows new leaves inside a thin papery sheath that peels off later. Pothos don't make these sheaths at all. Their new leaves just uncurl from the vine tip without any cover. This one feature tells you which plant you own every time a new leaf shows up.
Check the Leaf Texture
- Philodendron leaves: Feel thin, soft, and a bit velvety with a matte surface that doesn't reflect much light when you hold it at an angle.
- Pothos leaves: Feel thicker, stiffer, and have a waxy coating that gives them a subtle shine even without wiping or cleaning the surface.
- Quick test: Run your finger across the leaf surface and a philodendron will feel like soft fabric while a pothos feels like smooth plastic.
Look at the Stem Shape
- Philodendron stems: Tend to be round and smooth with visible nodes spaced out along the vine, often with a slight green or brownish tint.
- Pothos stems: Have a slight groove or indentation running along one side and feel a bit rougher when you run your finger down the length.
- Node difference: Both have aerial roots at the nodes, but philodendron aerial roots tend to be thinner and grow from small bumps along the stem.
Watch New Growth Points
- Philodendron cataphyll: New leaves push out from a thin protective sheath at the tip of the stem that eventually dries and peels away on its own.
- Pothos unfurling: New leaves simply roll out from the end of the vine without any sheath, starting as a tightly curled tube that slowly opens up.
- Definitive test: This is the most reliable way to tell the two plants apart since no pothos species produces cataphylls under any growing conditions.
Stores and social media posts get these names wrong all the time. In parts of Asia and Australia, people call golden pothos a money plant because of old traditions. Some shops label any green trailing vine as a philodendron without checking. Use the three checks above before you trust a plant label. You'll never mix up these two again after you know what to look for.
Both plants make excellent low-maintenance houseplants regardless of what you call them. They tolerate low light, bounce back from neglect, and grow fast with minimal fuss. But knowing which one you own helps you give it the exact care it needs for the best results at home.
Read the full article: Pink Princess Philodendron Care Guide
