Monstera vs. Pothos: Which Trailing Plant Is Right for Your Home?
Walk into any garden centre from Edinburgh to Exeter and you will almost certainly find both Monstera and Pothos jostling for space on the shelves. They are two of the most popular houseplants in the UK right now, and for good reason — both are forgiving, visually striking, and capable of transforming a dull corner into something genuinely alive. But they are not the same plant, and choosing the wrong one for your space, your lifestyle, or your light conditions can mean the difference between a thriving green companion and a struggling, yellowing disappointment.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about both plants — how they grow, what they need, how much they cost, and which one is actually suited to your home.
Getting to Know the Plants
Monstera: The Split-Leaf Statement Maker
When most people say “Monstera,” they mean Monstera deliciosa, the Swiss cheese plant. It is a climbing tropical aroid native to the rainforests of Central America, and it has been a fixture in British homes since the 1970s. The plant is famous for its large, glossy, deep-green leaves that develop dramatic splits and holes — called fenestrations — as it matures. Young plants start with small, unperforated leaves, but given time and the right conditions, a mature Monstera can produce leaves the size of a dinner tray.
There is also Monstera adansonii, sometimes called the monkey mask plant, which is smaller and more genuinely trailing than its larger cousin. Its leaves are thinner and covered in oval holes, giving it a lacier appearance. Both species are widely available in the UK, with M. deliciosa typically found at supermarkets and DIY shops, while M. adansonii tends to be a garden centre or specialist find.
Pothos: The Unkillable Cascading Classic
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is often sold under a variety of names in the UK — devil’s ivy, golden pothos, or simply “trailing pothos.” It is native to the Solomon Islands and is one of the most adaptable houseplants in existence. The leaves are heart-shaped, waxy, and come in a surprising range of variegations depending on the cultivar. Golden pothos has yellow-splashed green leaves; Marble Queen is heavily streaked in cream and white; Neon pothos is a vivid, almost fluorescent lime green; and Manjula pothos displays wide patches of white and silver.
Unlike Monstera, pothos is a natural trailer and climber from the outset. It will happily cascade from a high shelf, wind along a bookcase, or climb a moss pole. It grows quickly and consistently, and it is genuinely one of the hardiest houseplants available in the UK.
Light Requirements: Where in Your Home Will They Thrive?
Monstera and Light
Monstera deliciosa prefers bright, indirect light. In the UK, where grey skies dominate from October through to March, this matters enormously. A south or west-facing windowsill — kept back from the glass to avoid direct midday sun — is ideal. East-facing rooms work well too. North-facing rooms are the trickiest: Monstera will survive, but growth will slow considerably and the plant may lose its characteristic fenestrations on new leaves, producing plain, smaller growth that looks nothing like what you bought.
If you live in a flat with limited natural light, consider supplementing with a grow light. Full-spectrum LED grow lights are now widely available on Amazon UK and in shops like Dobbies or Wyevale for between £15 and £60, and they can genuinely make a difference during the darker months.
Pothos and Light
This is where pothos earns its reputation. It tolerates low light better than almost any other popular houseplant. A north-facing hallway, a bathroom with frosted glass, a shady office — pothos will manage in all of these. Growth will slow in very low light, and variegated varieties like Marble Queen may revert to plainer green to compensate, but the plant will not give up on you.
That said, pothos does grow fastest and looks its best in bright, indirect light. Golden pothos in a well-lit spot can put out new leaves every week or two during spring and summer, which is genuinely impressive. If you want vibrant colour and rapid trailing growth, give it as much indirect light as you can manage.
Verdict on light: If you have a dim home, pothos is the safer choice. If you have reasonable light, both will perform well.
Watering: How Thirsty Are They?
Watering Monstera
Monstera likes to dry out partially between waterings. The general rule is to water when the top two to three inches of compost feel dry to the touch. In a warm, well-lit room during summer, this might mean watering every seven to ten days. In winter, you can pull back significantly — once every two to three weeks is often enough.
Overwatering is the most common cause of Monstera death in UK homes. The plant sits in wet compost, the roots begin to rot, and leaves turn yellow from the bottom up. If you are unsure whether to water, wait another few days. A moisture meter, available for under £10 from most garden centres, can be a useful investment if you find yourself second-guessing.
Watering Pothos
Pothos follows similar watering rules — allow the top layer of compost to dry before watering again — but it is even more forgiving of neglect. It will visibly wilt when it is thirsty, giving you a clear signal before any lasting damage is done. Water it generously, let the excess drain away, and it will perk back up within hours. It handles the occasional missed watering with remarkable grace.
Like Monstera, pothos is susceptible to root rot if left sitting in waterlogged compost. Make sure pots have drainage holes and that your plant is not sitting in a saucer full of water.
Verdict on watering: Both are relatively drought-tolerant, but pothos is more visibly communicative and quicker to recover from neglect.
Space and Growth Habits
How Big Does Monstera Get?
This is something UK buyers consistently underestimate. Monstera deliciosa is not a small plant. Indoors, in a large pot with a moss pole, it can reach two metres or more in height, with individual leaves spanning 60 to 90 centimetres across. This is a plant that commands a room. It works brilliantly in larger living rooms, open-plan kitchens, or as a focal point in a hallway with good light. It is not well-suited to a small student flat where floor space is precious.
Monstera adansonii is considerably more compact and genuinely trailing. It suits hanging baskets, shelves, or a small moss pole, making it a better choice for tighter spaces where you still want that distinctive perforated-leaf look.
How Does Pothos Grow?
Pothos is naturally a trailing plant, and it can trail impressively — vines can reach two metres or more in length indoors if left unchecked. But unlike Monstera, it stays manageable. You can trim it back whenever you like, and the cuttings propagate so easily that you will soon have more plants than you know what to do with. A single trailing pothos on a high shelf can create a dramatic, cascading curtain of leaves without ever taking up floor space.
It also responds well to a moss pole or trellis, climbing readily if you encourage it. Climbing pothos tends to produce larger leaves than trailing pothos, which is worth knowing if leaf size matters to you.
Verdict on space: For smaller homes and flats, pothos is far more flexible. For those with space and a desire for a genuine statement plant, Monstera deliciosa is hard to beat.
Cost and Availability in the UK
Both plants are widely available across the UK, but pricing varies considerably depending on size and where you buy.
- Monstera deliciosa: Small plants in 12–14 cm pots typically cost between £8 and £15 at supermarkets like Aldi, Lidl, or Sainsbury’s. Garden centres such as Dobbies or Blue Diamond sell larger specimens for £20 to £60. Very large, mature plants from specialist retailers or plant shops can reach £100 or more.
- Monstera adansonii: Slightly less common in mainstream shops; expect to pay £10 to £25 from garden centres or specialist online retailers like Patch Plants or Bloombox Club.
- Pothos: Arguably the best-value houseplant in the UK. Golden pothos can be found for as little as £3 to £6 in Ikea, Aldi, and Lidl. More unusual varieties like Manjula or Cebu Blue fetch £10 to £30 from specialist shops or Etsy sellers. Cuttings are freely available from plant swapping communities — check Facebook groups like “UK Plant Swap” where healthy pothos cuttings often change hands for postage costs only.
If budget is a consideration, pothos is the clear winner for initial outlay. And because it propagates so readily in water or compost, a single plant can multiply into a houseful of greenery within a year.
Humidity, Temperature and UK Conditions
Both plants originate from humid tropical environments, so neither is a natural fit for the dry, centrally heated air that characterises most British homes in winter. However, both adapt reasonably well.
Monstera in UK Conditions
Monstera prefers temperatures between 18°C and 27°C — well within the range of most UK living rooms. It does not like cold draughts, so keep it away from poorly-sealed windows or external doorways during winter. It appreciates humidity above 50%, which you can achieve with a pebble tray filled with water beneath the pot, occasional misting, or a small humidifier (widely available from Argos, John Lewis, or Amazon for £20 to £60).
Pothos in UK Conditions
Pothos is even more tolerant of temperature fluctuations and dry air. It will manage in rooms as cool as 12°C, though growth will essentially stop below 15°C. It appreciates humidity but copes fine without it, making it ideal for centrally heated rooms where other tropical plants might struggle.
Verdict on climate tolerance: Both are adaptable, but pothos handles the variable conditions of a typical British home more easily.
Toxicity: An Important Consideration
Both Monstera and pothos are toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, containing calcium oxalate crystals that cause irritation, drooling, and vomiting. This is a genuine concern for UK pet owners, and worth taking seriously rather than dismissing.
If you have pets that are prone to chewing plants, both species need to be placed well out of reach — on high shelves or in rooms the animals do not
access. Even then, fallen leaves can still be tempting to curious pets, so regular tidying helps. If safety is your top priority, it may be better to choose a genuinely pet-friendly houseplant instead.
Verdict on toxicity: Neither plant has an advantage here. For pet households, both require equal caution.
Style and Visual Impact
This is where the choice often becomes more personal. Monstera brings a bolder, more architectural look. Even the trailing varieties tend to have larger, more dramatic leaves, giving a room a lush, tropical feel. They suit interiors where you want the plant to make more of a statement.
Pothos, by contrast, is softer and more understated. Its trailing vines can be trained along shelves, over curtain rails, or allowed to cascade from hanging pots. Variegated forms can brighten darker corners, and its relaxed habit works especially well in smaller flats or rooms where you want greenery without too much visual weight.
Verdict on appearance: Choose Monstera for bold foliage and tropical character; choose pothos for versatility and elegant trailing growth.
So, Which Should You Choose?
If you want the easiest possible trailing houseplant, pothos is the clear winner. It tolerates imperfect watering, average indoor humidity, and inconsistent light better than Monstera, making it ideal for beginners or busy households. It is also usually more affordable and quicker to fill out a shelf or hanging basket.
Monstera is the better choice if you are drawn to larger, more unusual foliage and do not mind giving it a little more attention. In the right spot, it can be every bit as rewarding, but it tends to ask for brighter light and more careful watering to look its best.
For most UK homes, pothos is the more practical all-rounder. It is forgiving, attractive, and adaptable, which is exactly what many indoor gardeners need. But if your home is bright, warm, and you are after a stronger design feature, a trailing Monstera can be a beautiful alternative.
Ultimately, neither plant is a bad choice. The right one depends on how much care you want to give, the conditions in your home, and whether you prefer subtle trailing greenery or a more dramatic tropical effect. Match the plant to your lifestyle rather than following trends, and you are far more likely to enjoy it for years to come.
