Comparing Snow Queen Vs. Marble Queen Pothos: Which Is The Ideal Indoor Plant?

Pothos plants are popular low-maintenance houseplants prized for their trailing vines and variegated leaves. Two of the most sought-after pothos varieties are the Snow Queen and the Marble Queen. But what exactly sets these two gorgeous plants apart?

As a new pothos parent, I was curious about the differences between Snow Queen and Marble Queen pothos. Are they truly distinct varieties, or essentially the same plant? Will their care needs differ? And most importantly – which one is more beautiful in my home?

I decided to do some investigating to uncover the key contrasts between these two near-identical pothos varieties. If you’re debating adding one of these stunners to your plant collection, read on to learn how to tell them apart and weigh their pros and cons as houseplants.

Snow Queen vs Marble Queen Pothos: A Comparison Guide

Snow Queen Pothos Overview

Snow Queen pothos is named for its stunning white and green variegated leaves, which are said to resemble a snowy landscape. Its foliage is primarily a frosty silver-white, with dark green highlights along the edges and veins. This gives Snow Queen a distinctly bright, sparkling appearance true to its icy namesake.

As a varietal of pothos (Epipremnum aureum), Snow Queen shares the same botanic name and genetics as other more common pothos types like Golden Pothos. It’s thought to be a sport mutation of the popular Marble Queen. Over time, the vibrant white portions have overtaken most of the leaf surface, creating a highly-prized houseplant.

Marble Queen Pothos Overview

Marble Queen is frequently confused with Snow Queen due to their similar looks. But upon closer inspection, there are a few key details setting Marble Queen leaves apart:

• More prominent dark green sections
• White color is less intense than Snow Queen
• Variegation in irregular speckled patches resembling a marble stone

The darker hunter green background allows the white marbling to stand out prominently. This gives Marble Queen an earthier, woodland-inspired style compared to Snow Queen’s icy persona.

While stunning in their own right, Marble Queen leaves lack quite the same level of drama provided by Snow Queen’s piercing near-white leaves. But they make up for it in other ways, as you’ll discover below!

Appearance and Growth Rate

When it comes to beauty and growth rate, Snow Queen and Marble Queen pothos have some key contrasts.

Snow Queen Appearance and Growth

• Leaves up to 4 inches long in icy white and dark green
• Slightly smaller leaves than Marble Queen
• Medium growth rate
• Height up to 10 feet or more given proper support

Snow Queen is sought-after for its glowing, silver-kissed leaves unlike any other pothos variety. The leaves are smaller than Marble Queen and slower growing initially. But Snow Queen makes an impressive cascading display as its vines lengthen over time.

Marble Queen Appearance and Growth

• Large leaves up to 6 inches long in patched white and dark green
• Quickly growing with larger leaves
• Height over 10 feet possible

Marble Queen has a reputation as one of the quickest growing pothos varieties. The lush leaves grow noticeably larger than Snow Queen’s. Given proper care and support, Marble Queen trailing vines develop rapidly.

So while Snow Queen looks more elegantly refined, Marble Queen offers the satisfaction of quickergrowing vines and huge leaves if that’s your priority!

Light Requirements

Pothos are flexible when it comes to lighting, including these two varieties, though they have some noteworthy differences:

Snow Queen Light Needs

As a variegated plant, Snow Queen needs decent light to maintain its striking white coloring. Its icy sheen can fade or turn a lime green hue if light is too low. Bright indirect light is ideal, with some tolerance for lower light areas. Just check variegation regularly.

Marble Queen Light Needs

Thanks to its prominent green shades in addition to white marbling, Marble Queen adapts better to lower light than Snow Queen. It tolerates low to medium indirect light, though its variegation intensifies in brighter spots.

So Marble Queen is the better choice for dim corners or bedrooms without much natural light. But both will thrive near sunny windowsills given adequate protection from direct light, which can burn their leaves.

Read More: About How To Make Pothos Fuller?

Watering Needs

When it comes to watering these trailing beauties, moderation is key no matter which you choose. But they each have some unique needs:

Snow Queen Water Requirements

The dazzling white portions of Snow Queen’s leaves can be prone to brown tip damage if overwatered. Allow the soil to partially dry out between waterings, especially in winter when growth slows. Water less frequently, but don’t let leaves shrivel from drought.

Marble Queen Water Requirements

With its higher percentage of green leaf surface area, Marble Queen withstands moisture levels better than Snow Queen without browning leaf tips. But it still doesn’t appreciate soaking wet soil for prolonged periods. Allow the soil to partially dry before watering on roughly the same schedule as Snow Queen.

So both benefit from a moisture balance where the soil dries out some between waterings, but not completely. Adjust as needed between seasons!

Fertilizer Needs

Feeding these vines a balanced houseplant fertilizer supports healthy growth while maintaining their gorgeous variegation:

Snow Queen Fertilizer Requirements

Snow Queen benefits from monthly fertilizer during the active growing period (spring through summer). Look for a balanced liquid fertilizer made for foliage plants. This keeps its colors vibrant and prevents yellowedolder leaves over time.

Marble Queen Fertilizer Requirements

Marble Queen also appreciates monthly feedings of a balanced fertilizer to encourage lush growth. Pay extra attention to nitrogen, which keeps leaves a healthy green. Yellowed leaves can occur without enough nutrients.

So aim for a balanced complete fertilizer to keep leaves green and white portions bright year round! Reduce feeding frequency during winter months or once they reach desired length.

Propagation

One major advantage of pothos is they propagate readily from stem cuttings in either water or soil:

Snow Queen Propagation

Snip off 4-6 inch healthy vine sections below a leaf node. Remove lower leaves and place either in:

• Jar/vase of room temperature water. Change it every few days. Roots will sprout in a few weeks!
• Small pot with well-draining soil. Keep evenly moist. New plantlets emerge within 1-2 months.

Snow Queen propagates easily given patience and bright filtered light. Make as many gorgeous babies as you like!

Marble Queen Propagation

Just like Snow Queen, Marble Queen pothos can be propagated via stem cuttings in water or potting mix. Snip 4-6 inch segments and follow the same steps.

Marble Queen root readily and forming baby vines quicker than Snow Queen. Share the wealth with friends or create lush hanging baskets!

Container Size

Choosing containers with proper room for expansion prevents pot-bound pothos problems down the road:

Snow Queen Container Size

Select a pot at least 2-4 inches wider than the current root ball for Snow Queen. Shallow wide pots work well for its horizontally trailing nature. Just ensure it has decent drainage holes to prevent soggy soil. Re-pot annually in early spring.

Marble Queen Container Size

The fast growing Marble Queen needs a little extra container room than Snow Queen. Choose pots 3-5 inches wider than its root ball, and scale up annually. Shallow, wide containers allow its long vines to hang freely. Ensure drainage holes prevent soggy soil issues.

So when re-potting, size up a few inches bigger to accommodate future vine growth!

Pet Safety

A common concern with bringing any new plant home is whether it’s safe for curious pets and kids. Here’s how Snow Queen and Marble Queen compare:

Snow Queen Pet Safety

Snow Queen is non-toxic to dogs, cats, and humans. Its trailing vines and leaves might tempt pets and kids to play with or nibble on. But it isn’t poisonous if ingested, just may cause upset stomach. Keep out of reach of pets who tend to chew plants.

Marble Queen Pet Safety

Like Snow Queen, Marble Queen is completely non-toxic for pets and people. Cats and dogs sometimes mistake trailing pothos for toys and gnaw the leaves or vines. While not dangerous, excessive chewing causes damage so keep just out of reach if needed!

So both plants make excellent non-toxic choices for households with curious pets or kids. Just take sensible precautions with their placement if you have particularly rambunctious animals!

Temperature Tolerance

When assessing whether these varieties suit your growing conditions, consider their preferred temperatures:

Snow Queen Temperature Needs

Snow Queen thrives in average household temperatures between 60-80°F. It can tolerate short dips slightly outside this range. But avoid drafty areas, heat vents, or other spots with temperature swings.

Marble Queen Temperature Needs

Marble Queen also flourishes best with indoor temperatures from 60-80°F, with some flexibility a few degrees above or below. Don’t situate in overly hot or cold drafty locations for healthiest growth.

So while not quite as tropical as some houseplants, both handle typical indoor environments very well. Just shield them from extreme temperature fluctuations!

Humidity Preferences

Humidity makes a big difference for lush pothos growth. Here’s how Snow Queen and Marble Queen compare:

Snow Queen Humidity Needs

Snow Queen appreciates average humidity around 40-50% for best growth. Its smaller leaves suffer more quickly from brown leaf edges if the air turns excessively dry. Use a humidifier nearby or mist leaves if your home gets very arid.

Marble Queen Humidity Needs

Thanks to Marble Queen’s larger leaf size, it’s a bit more humidity-hardy than Snow Queen. It tolerates drier air better without crisp brown edges on its leaves. But average humidity around 40% still keeps it happiest. Mist or use a pebble tray if your home gets excessively dry.

So while both pothos varieties grow well in average indoor humidity, Marble Queen is a tad more forgiving if humidity plummets. But a little extra moisture via misting benefits both!

Pest Resistance

Variegated plants like these two can attract annoying pests, but they share similar levels of natural resistance:

Snow Queen Pest Resistance

The main pests to watch for with Snow Queen are spider mites and mealybugs. Check new growth and the undersides of leaves for small bumps, webbing, or specks. Wipe leaves down with insecticidal soap if detected early.

Marble Queen Pest Resistance

Marble Queen contends with the same pests as Snow Queen – spider mites and mealybugs being most common. Monitor for first signs like sticky spots, cottony clusters, or fine webs. Remove manually then spray with insecticidal soap spray for heavy infestations.

With good air circulation and pest monitoring, both plants withstand mild attacks well. Catch problems early before pests population explode!

Disease Susceptibility

Variegated plants like Snow Queen and Marble Queen are naturally resilient, but a few diseases might occasionally crop up:

Snow Queen Disease Resistance

Snow Queen has excellent disease resistance when cared for properly. Potential issues to watch for are:

• Root rot from overwatering
• Botrytis stem/leaf rot in cold overly damp locations

Let soil dry adequately between waterings and keep away from drafty areas. Promptly remove any severely damaged leaves or stems.

Marble Queen Disease Resistance

Similar to Snow Queen, Marble Queen rarely contracts disease with proper care. But occasional problems include:

• Root rot due to overly wet soil
• Botrytis gray mold if cold and excessively moist

Stick to a consistent watering regimen allowing the soil to partially dry out before soaking again. Keep away from excessively cold drafty areas. Remove any diseased parts promptly.

With good growing conditions and proper care, both Snow Queen and Marble Queen stay lush and healthy for years on end! They resist most common plant diseases.

Availability and Cost

If finding these stunners nearby is a priority, check into availability before falling for one over the other!

Snow Queen Availability & Cost

Due to high demand from its stunning frosted foliage, Snow Queen is rarer than the ubiquitous Marble Queen. It has historically been harder to locate at local garden centers and typically costs a few dollars more.

But its popularity is increasing supply to meet demand. Monitor shops annually as more Snow Queen babies reach market size! Buying cost ranges from $15-$30 typically.

Marble Queen Availability & Cost

One advantage of the beloved Marble Queen is it’s far easier to find than the still elusive Snow Queen. As one of the most common pothos varieties beyond Golden Pothos, Marble Queen is widely available at most stores selling houseplants.

Prices generally range from $10-$25 for a full 6 inch pot. Check stores frequently and you’re likely to spot these marbleized beauties!

The Winner?

Would I say there’s one clear “winner” between Snow Queen vs Marble Queen pothos? The choice isn’t quite so simple! Each plant has pros and cons making them better fits depending on your priorities…

For rookie plant parents seeking a vigorous grower able to tolerate low light and occasional neglect, I’d recommend Marble Queen – its quick growing vines and larger leaves forgive more mistakes.

But veteran houseplant collectors looking for a showstopping diva guaranteed to attract compliments should choose Snow Queen for its unparalleled icy elegance unlike any other pothos.

Or simply choose whichever beauty calls to you stronger – their basic needs are similar enough that you can’t go wrong bringing one of these stunners home!

Let your space and personal taste guide you. Over time a preference may develop between them, but their glowing good looks make them almost impossible to pick a clear winner!

Read More: About Propagate Pothos In Water

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Final Thoughts

When it comes to Snow Queen vs Marble Queen pothos, there are excellent reasons to love both of these gorgeous trailing plants! They have more similarities than differences in their basic care needs and growth habits.

Snow Queen will always reign supreme for its unparalleled frosty elegance. The luminous silvery leaves live up to its regal name, lending showstopping drama unmatched by other pothos. Collectors will forever covet its uncommon icy beauty.

But Marble Queen holds its own with great merits too – namely faster growth, wider availability, and tolerance of lower light conditions. Its deep green leaves distinctly speckled in bright white suit both modern and bohemian decor well.

So whether you crave Snow Queen’s sophistication or Marble Queen’s versatility, either makes a fine addition to your indoor jungle! Their vining nature looks stunning in hanging baskets or trained up decorative supports. Both add effortless beauty through the seasons.

Ultimately the choice between them comes down to your personal priorities and taste. Seek out whichever calls to you stronger and makes your heart sing! Regardless if you pick Snow Queen or Marble Queen pothos, enjoy watching your new trailing plant flourish with simple care.