There’s a reason that pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is one of the most popular house plants around at the moment. Seriously, if you know someone who has one, ask for a cutting, as you can easily grow a full plant of your own from just that. From there, pothos is hardy and requires little care, making them great for beginners and houseplant aficionados.
And I’ve actually had a Snow Queen pothos on top of my refrigerator for years. It’s a gorgeous plant whose vines hang down both sides of my fridge. It transforms my kitchen into a tropical oasis.
At the same time, I can definitely relate to eyeing off a Marble Queen pothos as well. Spend any time on Pinterest and you’ll soon see this beautiful plant cascading gracefully off bookshelves and other surfaces.
So if that sounds familiar to you and you’re trying to decide between a Snow Queen vs Marble Queen pothos for your home, read more to find out which one is the best choice for you.
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Are the Marble Queen and Snow Queen the same plant?
The Marble Queen and Snow Queen pothos are the same plants, but they are different cultivars. They are both foliage plants with climbing vines and belong to the species Epipremnum aureum. The pothos plant has several other cultivars, as well.
All pothos cultivars feature climbing vines. When they grow in their natural habitat, they climb up tree trunks by attaching their roots to the rough bark. The vines also grow across the ground, forming thick ground cover. Pothos can reach up to more than 40 feet long when growing in their natural habitat.
They also grow orange or burgundy berries when they mature. This doesn’t happen when you grow them as houseplants, because they never mature enough.
As you can imagine, when grown as houseplants, juvenile pothos remain much smaller. You can control their growth by their container size and regular pruning.
See all about how to care for a Snow Queen Pothos here!
What’s the difference between the Marble Queen pothos and Snow Queen pothos?
The main difference between the Marble Queen pothos and Snow Queen pothos is their heart-shaped leaves. Marble Queen pothos feature marbled colors of white, light yellow, cream, and green on their leaves. On the other hand, Snow Queen pothos has almost completely white leaves with hints of green variegation.
Take a look below at some of the other points to keep in mind when comparing the Snow Queen pothos vs Marble Queen pothos.
Find out all about variegated pothos here!
1. Marble Queen pothos is more colorful
Most likely, you know from this plant’s name that it has marbleized leaf color. You can tell it apart from the Snow Queen by its greener leaves with yellow or cream marbled throughout.
Check out our ultimate guide to the Marble Queen pothos here!
2. Snow Queen pothos Is almost completely white
Imagine winter leaves covered with snow. This is what the leaves on Snow Queen Pothos look like. They’re an almost completely white pothos variety with a bit of green peeking through.
3. Marble Queen pothos is a fast grower
Another subtle difference between the Snow Queen vs Marble Queen pothos is the growth rate. Marble Queen grows a bit faster and needs more trimming to keep its compact shape. It helps to stunt the growth if you plant this pothos in a small pot.
Of course, if you want it to grow on a totem pole or hang from a basket, you won’t need to prune the stems and leaves as often.
Related: How Fast Does Pothos Grow (and How to Make it Grow Faster)?
4. Snow Queen pothos is slower growing
Snow Queen has a leisurely growth rate. This makes it a better choice if you want it in a pot. Snow Queen pothos remain compact, so it doesn’t require much pruning.
5. Marble Queen pothos is larger at maturity
Marble Queen pothos grow up to 5 feet (1.5 m) when growing indoors. The leaves of the Marble Queen can grow up to 3 feet (.91 m) long when it’s fully mature. Most pothos are much smaller than this. When planted for the house, they are juvenile plants.
6. Snow Queen pothos is shorter at maturity
When mature, Snow Queen pothos can reach 3.2 feet (1.0 m) long. The leaves are smaller than the Marble Queen, growing from 4 to 8 inches (.10-.20 m). The juvenile house plants would not grow this large because the roots are compressed in the pot or container.
How are the Snow Queen and Marble Queen similar to one another?
While the question of Snow Queen vs Marble Queen pothos often leads you to focus on their differences, given that they are the same species, it’s worth mentioning that they also have many similarities.
As you’ll see, these include abundant foliage and vines, the need for similar growing conditions, and they contract the same diseases and pests. They’re also both easy to grow and cultivate.
1. Both prefer indirect light
Both the Snow Queen and Marble Queen pothos require filtered light rather than direct sunlight. If they don’t get enough light, their bright, flossy leaves will become dull (although too much light can see your pothos being sunburned, which will also damage the leaves). Placing them by a window that only gets indirect light is all they need.
If sunlight shines through your windows most of the day, fluorescent lighting placed above your pothos provides them with enough light. If you notice the leaves falling or losing color, then low lighting is probably the culprit.
Learn all about your pothos’ light needs here!
2. Similar moisture needs (while being susceptible to overwatering)
Snow Queen and Marble Queen pothos don’t need too much water, but they thrive on moisture. Keeping the soil moist without overwatering the pothos provides sufficient moisture for your plant.
You don’t have to water very often, especially if you mix vermiculite into the soil. This holds the moisture in without having the roots exposed to too much water.
Want to know more about how often to water your pothos? Take a look here!
The best method for watering pothos is to allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out, then water again. This usually happens every 7 to 10 days, although an easy moisture test you can do to be sure is just to stick your finger into the soil. If the top 2 inches are dry, it’s time to water.
3. Both like humidity and a similar temperature range
Considering that Snow Queen and Marble Queen pothos are native to Polynesia, it’s a given that both types of pothos like humid conditions with a temperature of 65F (18C). They can survive in moderate humidity, but increasing the humidity will help them flourish.
FYI: If you notice the leaves becoming brown around the edges, turning yellow or wilting, most likely there’s not enough humidity in the air. This often happens when you heat your home during cold weather. You have a few options for increasing the humidity for your thirsty pothos without drowning them in too much water.
One option is to place a humidifier in the room with your pothos. You can find plant humidifiers in nurseries and home supply stores. If you use a humidifier, your plants won’t need as much water.
Another option is to use a spray bottle to mist your pothos. This increases the humidity in the vicinity of your plant. Misting is a temporary solution. Another idea is to put your potted pothos in a pebble tray. All you do is cover the bottom of a tray with pebbles, cover them with water, and place your pothos pot on top.
Last but not least, give your Snow Queen or Marble Queen a bath. Soaking them in lukewarm water gives them relief from dry heat, plus it cleans them. Their waxy leaves will be shiny and healthy.
4. Solid nutrition needs
Snow Queen and Marble Queen pothos aren’t hearty eaters, but they do enjoy a good meal during spring and summer. Apply a balanced pothos fertilizer to the soil once every month or even every other month.
There’s no need to feed pothos during the winter because they don’t grow much during that time. In fact, it’s better not to feed them while they’re dormant because it can burn the roots.
FYI: If you’re trying to train your pothos to climb, fertilizer becomes even more important as it gives them the strength to go up and up and up!
5. Preference for well-draining soil
Even though Snow Queen and Marble Queen pothos don’t require much, they do need soil that has similar characteristics as their natural, tropical habitat. Since they’re native to humid, tropical climates, they need well-drained soil. This prevents the roots from sitting in standing water and promotes strong root development.
When choosing your potting soil, select a nutrient-rich mixture of fertilizer, compost, and other nutrients. You can find out more about the best soil for pothos here but, essentially, most pothos do well with a balanced blend, such as 15-15-15. Also, consider the pH of the soil. Snow Queen and Marble Queen pothos prefer acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 -6.5.
Adding perlite to the potting soil helps the water drain away from the pothos’ roots and provides air circulation to the root ball. This prevents root rot and keeps the soil aerated. Also, make sure you put your plant in a container that has drainage holes, as your pothos needs drainage to thrive.
6. Easy to propagate
Whether you have a Snow Queen or a Marble Queen pothos, it’s simple to propagate another one. And if you’re anything like me, if you enjoy houseplants, you can never have enough pothos.
You can propagate pothos with a cutting from a healthy plant. Both Snow Queen and Marble Queen are easy to grow from cuttings. Choose a stem that’s about 6-inches long and has 2 to 5 leaves on it. Just snip it off, and place it in a clear glass of water, so you can see the stem.
Change the water every few days to prevent any bacteria from forming. When you see roots growing on the stems, it’s time to transfer it to a pot with soil. You now have another pothos plant.
7. Similar pruning schedule
Pruning your pothos is the way to get the ideal shape and size for your Snow Queen or Marble Queen. You prune both of these cultivars the same way. The best time to trim them is during the spring or summer while they’re growing.
Don’t forget… If you prune during the dormant season, it hinders new growth. Pruning during the growing season also prevents stress to the pathos that can be caused by the pruning. Taking the time to prune benefits your plant by encouraging new growth.
Also, if you see any damaged or drooping leaves on your pothos, trim them off. Try to figure out what caused the damage to the foliage, so the new leaves don’t have the same problem. It could be anything from pest infestations, disease, root problems, watering issues, or sun exposure.
Always use sterilized gardening shears or scissors to trim the pothos stems. Trim above the leaf nodes of any sickly leaves, so new foliage grows. Next, cut the stems that look overgrown or leggy. You can cut them back to whatever length you want.
Don’t let your cuttings go to waste. Propagate more Snow Queen and Marble Queen pothos from your cuttings.
8. Both are at risk of similar diseases
Snow Queen and Marble Queen pothos suffer from the same diseases even though they are hardy indoor plants. The seven most common pothos diseases that infect Snow Queen and Marble Queen are listed below.
Phytophthora
This is the most common disease infecting Snow Queen and Marble Queen (and other pothos types, for that matter). It’s commonly called root rot. The infection begins in the roots, eventually spreading to the leaves and stems of the whole plant.
Phytophthora turns the leaves dark brown or even black. Watermold, which produces zoospores that spread the infection. Many times, the infection begins in the propagated pothos cutting before you purchase the plant. Fungicides help control and treat the disease.
Ethylene Damage
Usually, ethylene damage happens in the fall and winter. It causes the foliage of Snow Queen and Marble Queen pothos to turn from yellow to tan and then to brown. The leaves might also begin to wilt.
Ethylene is a natural gas that decomposing leaves produce. Greenhouse heaters also cause this disease if there’s poor ventilation.
Bacterial Wilt
This disease often infects the root hairs, which causes the leaves and stems of Snow Queen or Marble Queen pothos to turn black. It’s most severe in warm weather.
There’s no cure for bacterial wilt. If your plant gets infected, place it in a bag and remove it before it infects other plants.
You can see the bacteria if you cut an infected stem and place it in water. Millions of bacteria ooze out of the infected cuttings. The infected cuttings won’t produce roots.
Rhizoctonia Blight
Pothos foliage is highly susceptible to Rhizoctonia blight. This disease deposits spores into the soil. It causes dark, dry spots on the pothos leaves.
You might also see fungus strands contaminating the soil. You should dispose of infected plants.
Southern Blight
This disease is most prevalent in southern climates. The first thing you’ll see are fungus strands on the surface of the soil. They appear as feathery, white strands along the surface and move up the pothos stems.
These strands make acids and enzymes that melt the cell walls of Snow Queen and Marble Queen pothos, as well as other cultivars. The fungus produces sclerotia, which are small, white, yellow, orange, and brown spherical masses.
The fungus grows quickly in hot, wet soil. If you notice sclerotia in your plants, discard them. Also, dispose of the pot because the fungus clings to the sides. This will infect the next pothos you plant in it.
Manganese Toxicity
Too much manganese in the potting soil or fertilizer causes the leaves to become spotted. The leaves will have dark veins and yellow flecks throughout. Some leaves might fall off.
To control manganese toxicity, stop fertilizing your plant. Applying lime to increase the pH can help alleviate the symptoms.
9. Susceptible to the same pests
Snow Queen and Marble Queen pothos are less likely to have pest infestations compared to other plants, but some insects can cause damage. Some of the most common pests are mealybugs and scales and spider mites.
Mealybugs
These insects look like white, fuzzy lumps on the underside of the leaves and in the roots. They use their threadlike mouth to suck out the sap of the pothos plant.
Mealybugs produce a sticky, sweet liquid. Mold tends to grow on this and causes the plant to turn brown and disfigured.
If you have another plant nearby, female mealybugs can crawl short distances and infect the other plants. They’re also transported by breezes or touching another plant.
You can find them at the base of pothos stems. As they continue to reproduce, you can see them feeding on all the surfaces of your pothos.
Scales
Named for the scale which covers their bodies, these insects feed off the sap in your pothos. Scales are insects that have either a soft or hard scale covering. These coverings look like shells and have either a powdery or waxy coating. The scale does not come off the insect’s body.
When scales feed on your Snow Queen or Marble Queen pothos, the leaves will yellow, wilt, and eventually, the plant will die. Scales look like brown or black bumps on the stems and leaves.
They excrete a sticky residue called honeydew. Mold often develops on the honeydew, and it attracts other insects, such as flies, ants, and bees.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are common pests that infest pothos. They belong to the arachnid family and are also called webspinning mites.
Basically, if you see tiny dots moving on your Snow Queen or Marble Queen pothos, those are spider mites. You need a magnifying glass to actually notice them.
They live in colonies on the undersurface of the leaves. One colony can have hundreds of spider mites. Although they’re microscopic, they produce silky webs that you can see.
Spider mites suck cell contents from the pothos leaves. A few mites won’t cause much damage, but high infestation causes dots on the leaves. As the spider mites continue feeding, the pothos leaves become yellow or rust color and fall off.
Applying a broad-spectrum insecticide or washing with insecticidal soap helps control them.
10. Both are toxic
Snow Queen and Marble Queen pothos are toxic to dogs, cats, other pets and humans. The reason they are toxic is that the heart-shaped leaves and the stems contain calcium oxalate.
Always keep pothos out of reach of children and pets. If they chew any part of the plant, the calcium oxalate crystals become embedded in the mucous membranes. Once they’re embedded, they cause severe inflammation and irritation to the mouth.
Other symptoms of calcium oxalate poisoning is excessive salivating, vomiting, and swelling in the mouth. Also, if juice from the pothos leaves or stems gets into the eyes, it often causes conjunctivitis.
Snow Queen vs Marble Queen Pothos: What’s the main difference?
The main difference between Snow Queen vs Marble Queen pothos is their leaf color. The Snow Queen is almost all white with some green patches. On the other hand, the Marble Queen has mostly green leaves with some white mixed in. Basically, they are the same plant with different color variegation.