Both the plants look similar in appearance but in reality, Manjula pothos and marble queen are two different plants. It is important to know the similarities and differences before growing them.
This will help you to grow them better. In this Manjula pothos vs marble queen article, you’ll get complete information on both plants.
I will tell you the difference and similarities along with the care guide.
First, we will start from the similarities then move to differences and at last, we will discuss growing techniques.
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About the plants
Manjula pothos and marble queen are members of the Araceae plant family group. There are two theories about the origin of the marble queen.
According to the NC State University marble queen also known as Epipremnum Aureum is native to Society islands.
Where the second group of botanists believes that the marble queen is native to South Asia and the west indies.
And it needs high humidity and the perfect environment to grow.
On the other side, the Manjula pothos is not native to any place in the world. Because it is invented by the plant researchers of the University of Florida. Manjula pothos is patented on the name of Florida university
Manjula pothos vs marble queen (Similarities)
The first similarity that anyone can tell you by just seeing both plants is their leaves. Both have heart-shaped leaves with the same green undersides.
There are many other similarities between the marble queen and Manjula pothos. All of the are listed below
Inflorescence
Inflorescence means the cluster or complete head of a plant including stem, stalks, and flowers. In both plants, we do not get flowers. They just form a cluster of their leaves that look like a flower. The marble queen produces cream flower stalks with a purplish-creamy spathe.
Manjula queen is invented as per the indoor growing conditions. It also does not produce flowers.
This means whether you grow Manjula pothos or marble queen you will not get flowers at all.
Vines
Both the plant are vine plants. The leaves of marble queen and Manjula pothos grow from the vines. They do not have sheaths like some other plants of their family group.
In the initial stage both the plant produces similar shaped green color leaves. At this time the leaves do not develop their pattern and a second color (variegations).
Then slowly the plants start developing their leaf patterns and the leaves turn heart-shaped. Also, grow big in size
Growth of plants
Both plants can grow up to 66 ft tall but only in their natural home. When we grow them indoors, they change their growing habit due to changes in their growing place.
Indoor growing marble queen and Manjula pothos can grow 6 feet tall with 6 to 7 cm leave size. Both the plants spread equally from 3.4 to 5.5 cm.
Give them a small boost of nutrients to speed up their growth.
Manjula pothos vs marble queen (differences)
Leaf design
You can easily differentiate between Manjula pothos and marble queen from their leaf design.
Manjula produces small size money plant-like padded leaves. They are slightly velvety with good flexibility.
Marble queen leaves are longer than Manjula and form a long heart shape.
When you touch both the leaves you will feel that Manjula leaves are less smooth than marble queen leaves.
Leaf color
If you look closer you will find that the Manjula has three colors in its leaves. The plant forms a unique pattern with white, yellow, and cream color.
All Manjula leaves have similar patterns. All three colors begin from the center of the leaf and spread to the edges.
The marble queen has a mixed pattern of green, white and cream, color. The leaf pattern is called the dash or pencil strokes.
Growth rate
If your plant is growing slower than it is a marble queen. It grows slower than most of the pothos varieties.
Even in ideal growing conditions, this plant does not grow fast.
On the other hand, the Manjula pothos is fast grower plants. They grow dense and develop a bushy shape in few months.
Growing requirements of both plants
Pothos is beginner’s plants this means they do not need much attention and care to grow. This is the reason it is one of the most gifted houseplants.
Manjula pothos and marble queens need a similar environment to grow. Therefore, if you are planning to grow one of them or both of them. You do not need to follow two different care routines.
Below is the complete care guide of Manjula and queen plants. Read each step carefully and grow healthy plants in any part of your house.
The Environment
To grow them healthy you need to supply a good amount of light. Even they can grow in low light conditions but still for better growth ideal lighting is necessary.
If you put the plant in a low light room, you will see the difference in the variegation. In the USA you can grow it in any indoor location. All you need to do is keep the following factors in your mind.
Light requirements
You need to find a bright light location for the better health of Manjula pothos and marble queen. Both plants need indirect bright light.
The light intensity has to be low to medium. Therefore, do not put the plant pot on the sunny window sill.
Because direct sunlight can burn the plant leaves. In this case, by changing its location you can revive your plant health.
If there is no suitable window in your house then you can use grow lights. Buy 100 watts LED grow light to give proper light to your plant.
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Good potting soil
Mix peat moss, perlite, and normal potting mix in equal amounts. This potting mix will be best to use for growing Manjula pothos and marble queen.
It will drain the extra water within few minutes. This will save your plants from overwatering diseases.
Do not use your garden soil for growing Manjula and queen.
Temperature
Because they are subtropical plants, they need a warm temperature to grow. Maintain the grow room temperature between 70 to 90 degrees F.
Your plants can handle the 2 to 3 degrees F temperature fluctuation. But if the temperature drops below 65 degrees F. The content of the plant starts to freeze.
Warm climate plants always need warm weather to grow. Spring and summer are the active growing season of Manjula and queen pothos.
Humidity
Both plants need good humidity for perfect-shaped leaves. If the humidity in your grow room is low you can increase it by using a plant humidifier.
There are many portable plant humidifiers available in the market.
For best deals visit Amazon.com.
Fertilizers
The good news is you do not need to use fertilizers for growing Manjula pothos and marble queen. Because the pothos needs fewer nutrients as compared to other tropical plants.
If your plant does not show signs of weakness then do not use nutrients.
Pothos absorb all the essential nutrients from the potting soil. If your potting soil is rich in nutrients or has organic nutrients. Then you will not need to buy separate nutrients for your pothos.
But if your plant grows slowly than normal and has brown leaves. In this case, you can use any general-purpose houseplant fertilizer.
To full fill its nutrients demand.
Watering
Overwatering is the real enemy of pothos plants. Extra water in potting soil brings many fungus diseases to pothos.
To prevent any damage due to extra water. Follow the traditional watering rule.
First of all, check the soil condition by touching it or by using a soil moisture meter. If the top 2 inches of the soil is dry then you can give water to your pothos.
Otherwise, wait until the top 2 inches of the potting soil gets dry.
Pruning
Pruning is required to speed up the growth of the plants. It also makes your plants dense and healthy. For trimming you can cut the vines just below the node. Then you can use them for propagation.
Removing yellow, brown, and dead parts of the plant is the important step of pruning. It saves the plants energy and promotes new growth.
Pruning also keeps your plants in good shape and size.
Repotting
Repotting is necessary for the good health of pothos. Because pothos are vine plants and they grow faster than others. You need to repot them when they grew then the pot size.
Use a new pot slightly bigger than the current one. 2 inches wide and deep is enough for repotting. The pot should have a draining hole to save your plants from excess water.
Do not use plastic pots they are made from a non-porous material. They do not allow air to enter and fresh the roots.
Use terracotta plant pots. They are best to use for houseplants.
Terracotta is porous material which means the pot has a tiny hole in it. This keeps the good flow of air to the plant roots. Because plants need fresh oxygen to grow.
In the absence of oxygen, they get fungus diseases.
