Can You Plant Pothos and Philodendron Together?

Pothos and philodendrons are two houseplants that make an excellent combination. They enhance a room’s aesthetics and grow well indoors, especially in low-light conditions. Not many people know that it is possible to plant these two together.

You can plant pothos and philodendrons together, and they can live in harmony as long as they are planted correctly and given the right conditions to grow.

In this article, I’ll detail their compatibility, growing conditions, growth rate, propagation, and other things you need to know when planting them together. Keep reading!

Table of Contents

Facts About Planting Pothos and Philodendrons Together

Pothos and philodendrons are an excellent match with their lush foliage and easy-to-grow nature. They are both aroid plants and belong to the same family (Araceae). They can both grow well in the same pot because they need similar things to survive.

These two plants come from the rainforest, so they need indirect light, a moderate amount of water, warm temperatures, and high humidity to grow well. Pothos and Philodendrons don’t care much about the soil they grow in, so potting soil that drains well will work for both plants.

Pothos and Philodendrons Need Indirect Light

As already mentioned, both plants enjoy bright, indirect light. A minor difference to note is that philodendrons can tolerate low-light conditions better than pothos. So if you are planning to plant them together, you can place them in a location that receives bright, indirect light.

If you can’t find a place that receives enough sunlight, worry not because they will do well with fluorescent lighting.

Try the Yadoker LED Growing Light from Amazon. This product provides warm natural light, and because they stick to the soil, they are highly adaptable and suitable for any location.

Philodendrons Need More Water

Philodendrons and pothos have a bit of difference when it comes to watering. Pothos need to be watered less often than philodendrons. Because their leaves are thicker, pothos can retain water for longer.

The plants will need more watering in a bright or high-temperature location since water evaporates faster. However, ensure the soil is dry before giving them more water.

When you don’t water your philodendron enough, its leaves will start to wilt and curl. This means the soil has dried out. Pothos also have this response, but it isn’t as noticeable because their leaves are thicker.

If your plants need or have had too much water, you may also see dark spots on the leaves. Once you see the leaves on your plants change color, check to see if the top two to three inches of soil feel dry.

Water the plants if the soil is dry. If not, wait a few days for the soil to dry out before watering the plants again. Also, ensure the pots have enough holes for water to drain out, so the roots don’t rot from excess water.

If you want to be absolutely certain that the soil is dry and ready to be watered, you can also use a moisture meter. Amazon’s Gouevn Soil Moisture Meter is a good choice. You don’t need batteries or electricity to use this product to get an accurate reading.

Pothos Can Tolerate Higher Temperatures

Pothos can live in slightly warmer places than philodendrons can. But they will grow well if placed in a humid area where the temperature at night is between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit (18.33-21.11 °C) and the temperature during the day is between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (23.89-29.44 °C).

If the temperature drops below 55 degrees Fahrenheit (12.78 °C), their growth will slow or stop, and their leaves will turn darker.

So, ensure that the room where you’re growing these plants is the right temperature for both. Since they’re indoor plants, you have more control of the temperature.

Both plants can experience temperature shock when the temperature changes quickly outside of what is best for them or when they are exposed to extreme cold. Keep the plants away from places that will get too cold or hot.

Move them away from the window during the winter season and keep them away from direct sunlight at all times.

Use Aerated, Fast-Draining Soil

Pothos and philodendrons grow in fast-draining, well-aerated soil in tropical forests. So when you plant them together indoors, you need to give them soil that drains quickly. The soil needs to be lightweight, well-aerated, nutrient-rich, and high in organic matter.

I don’t recommend using regular potting soil because it is too heavy and doesn’t drain fast enough or well enough to prevent root rot. Peat-based soils with perlite, coconut coir, and compost work best for both plants.

Many commercial mixes are created for tropical plants like pothos and philodendron. You could try the Espoma Organic Potting Soil Mix from Amazon as it only uses natural ingredients. No chemicals or synthetic plant foods are used.

Growth Rates of Pothos and Philodendron

Pothos and philodendrons are two of the easiest houseplants to grow and care for. They will grow quickly and can be mostly left alone under the right conditions, so they are great for beginners.

Pothos plants grow fast. A few types of pothos can grow up to 12 inches (30.48 cm) per month if they get the proper care. Generally, pothos can grow to be 6 feet (1.83 m) wide and 20-40 feet (6.1-12.19 m) tall as they age.

On the other hand, philodendrons can grow up to 20 feet (6.1 m) tall and 6 feet (1.83 m) wide, depending on the type. Philodendrons grow quickly and can grow up to four inches per week when given the right conditions.

Depending on the condition, you might need to separate the plants once they reach total growth.

Propagation of Pothos and Philodendron

Philodendrons and pothos have very similar methods of propagation, both of which are also relatively straightforward. If you want the best results, you should only propagate fully grown plants free of disease and pests.

To propagate, you simply need to take a cutting from the plants below their nodes, put the cuttings in water, and wait for them to sprout roots. Then you can plant the cuttings that already have roots in the soil.

Other Plants That Go Well With Pothos and Philodendron

Any type of Philodendron will grow well next to a pothos, but Philodendron hederaceum or Philodendron micans are excellent choices.

But Philodendrons are not the only plants that go well with Pothos and vice versa. Here are some other plants you can grow along with either or both Pothos and Philodendron:

Spider Plant

The spider plant will do well in the same conditions as the pothos and philodendrons, so you can use it with both plants. Even though they like slightly cooler temperatures, they can adapt to the average room temperature where your plants are located. This simple combination of the three plants will make a great jungle look!

Arrowhead

The arrowhead plant likes to have its soil dry out completely between waterings. However, you can still water it the same way you water your pothos and philodendrons. Also, this plant does well in the same conditions as pothos and philodendrons.

Snake Plant

For people who like plants that are easy to take care of but still look amazing, the snake plant is an excellent match for your pothos and philodendrons. These three plants can handle a bit of neglect and low light, which makes them great companions. They will undoubtedly become the best of friends.

Monstera

Monstera is an indoor plant popular in sixteen states, including New York, Ohio, California, and Hawaii. Like pothos and philodendrons, monstera prefers dry conditions and indirect, bright light for optimal growth.

The large leaves of the monstera will give extra shade to the two plants, which is something that they will love. These three can be fantastic companions when grown together.

Choosing the Best Pot for Your Plant Combo

How well your plants grow and stay healthy depends on your chosen pots. Pothos plants don’t need to be replanted very often, but you need to put them in pots that will help them grow. Here are some great pots for pothos and philodendrons that you may consider:

Terracotta pots: This is an excellent option for your plant combo. With terracotta pots, you can grow plants anywhere you want. They take water away from the soil, which helps keep plants from getting too much water.
Ceramic pots: Ceramic pots are a great idea for any kind of pothos and philodendrons, and they also look really nice. Even though this is a bit pricey, it will give your plants all the care they need to grow. Choose a pot with a good drainage hole and enough space for your plant combo.
Plastic pots: Plastic pots are the cheapest. Also, they work well for plants like pothos and Philos that don’t like their roots to get too wet. Just ensure the pot is large enough for your plants.

Conclusion

Ultimately, you can plant pothos with philodendrons but you have to do it correctly. I recommend that you should definitely try out this combination! If you decide to try it, make sure both plants have proper lighting and spacing. You also need to consider the size of both plants as they grow. Happy planting!