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Marble Queen Vs Snow Queen Pothos : Differences & Similarities

Marble Queen Vs Snow Queen Pothos : Differences & Similarities

Marble Queen and Snow Queen are two different variations of Epipremnum aureum, commonly called the pothos plant. Both plants have the same leaf shapes and pale marks. They look similar in many aspects. Even people who have been gardening for decades often find it challenging to distinguish between the two. People take several months of thorough research to learn how to tell them apart.

Marble and snow Queen are relatively similar plants, and it is no less than a battle to distinguish between them. However, if you look at their features deeply, you can spot the differences. Are you wondering what plant features you must be aware of? Let us dive deeper into the details.

Marble Queen Vs Snow Queen Differences

The main distinguishing feature between marble Queen and Snow Queen is the leaves. Snow Queen, as can be understood by the name, has a more white color on its leaves. Marble Queen, whereas, has the same amount of white and green colors on the leaves. Snow Queen pothos is purely a white vegetarian species of plants having a lighter green part. Marble Queen is creamier than white.

Another feature of remarkable difference is the rate of growth in the plants. The Marble Queen grows a bit faster than the Snow Queen. Due to slow growth, Snow Queen requires less pruning than Marble Queen.

Basic Terms Snow Queen Pothos Marble Queen Pothos
Variegation More White More Green
Shape and appearance of leaves Heart-shaped and more translucent Heart-shaped and less translucent
Leaf type Thinner and less veined Thicker and more veined
Requirements of the soil Loose and well-drained potting mix. Rich in peat moss and compost soil.
Growth rate Medium growth rate Faster growth rate
Color of the foliage Light green leaves with white stripes on the surface. Darker and shiny leaves.
Fertilizer requirement Slow-release fertilizer Well-balanced general-purpose houseplant fertilizers.
Light requirement Indirect sunlight Medium to bright indirect sunlight.
Watering routine Once in every 10 days Once every 7 days
Mature height 3.2 feet 5.0 feet
Mature width 2 feet 2 feet
Soil pH 6 to 6.5 6 to 6.5
Diseases Fungus Fungus
Temperature 18 to 23 degrees Celsius 18 to 23 degrees Celsius
Pests Insects Insects

 

Difference in foliage

Both the plants have approximately the same-sized leaves. When grown as houseplants, they will be smaller than the ground outdoors. There is also not much difference in the shape of the leaves, as both are heart-shaped. When observed, the leaves of Snow Queen are more pointed than that of Marble Queen.

The true difference in foliage lies in its variegation. The leaves of both the plants are green when they begin to unfurl. They gain variegation in several degrees when they start maturing. Marble Queen has a much higher chlorophyll content than its competitor. It means almost 70 to 80% of the leaf is green, and the rest is white. The green color is scattered in small spots on the leaves of Snow Queen. The leaves are slightly transparent, have a light green color, and white is much clearer.

The ratio of green to white in the leaves of Marble Queen is 50%. The leaves appear like large green islands on a creamy white background. The leaves have a darker and richer green color. The white is an admixture of gray and other colors, making it creamy instead of white. The leaves do not have a transparent nature.

The leaves of both these plants are slightly waxy, giving them a glossy appearance. The leaf surface has some irregularities and is not smooth, making it more interesting.

The difference in growth rate

Marble Queen has a more vigorous growth rate than its competitor because of more chlorophyll content. It serves both as an advantage and disadvantage. This pothos is a good choice if you want a more vigorous plant. Under the right conditions, it can grow up to six feet and up to 6.5 feet in the wild.

Snow Queen also grows up to the same height but takes a longer time to grow to that size. It is a good choice if you want company plants in your house garden. Both of them have a climbing nature, and they climb up by clinging to the wood. You can also place them in hanging pots on your balcony. To give the most natural and beautiful appearance, hang them around with low support.

Marble Queen needs more potting soil because it grows more vigorously. You will need more space and a bigger pot if you want the plant to be massive. You can grow Snow Queen in a modest segment. You can also keep the Marble Queen compact by planting it in a small pot and trimming it time and again. You can get a perfect bush that does not look like a vine by trimming.

Susceptibility to diseases

Snow Queen has lesser chlorophyll content because of which it not only has a slower growth rate but is also more vulnerable to fungal diseases. Fungal spores highly damage these plants. Various types of fungal disease pathogens are visible as brown or black spots on the leaves.

To avoid fungal attacks, place the Snow Queen plants at a place of good air circulation. Do not keep any other plant or object within 1 foot of the plant. Do not over-water and provide adequate sunlight.

Marble Queen plants have higher immunity than their competitors. However, it still is prone to fungal attacks, so you have to be prepared to deal with it all the time. If you even see the slightest sign of spots on the leaves, spray fungicide on them. Repeat the treatment after a while to ensure that the pathogens do not come back to your house plants.

Soil and space requirements

The growth rate of Marble Queen is higher as it needs more soil for its root development. On the other hand, Snow Queen grows well even in a relatively small amount of soil. Marble Queen needs at least 8 inches wide pot for growth, and Snow Queen can grow well in a container of width 6 inches.

One can select larger containers as well but remember that Snow Queen will always need a pot that is 30% smaller than the Marble Queen pot. Plant containers should have drainage holes to ditch out extra water that can otherwise rot the roots. You can place some stones at the bottom of containers to improve the drainage.

Both the plants require soil of high quality that is medium to light drained. You can buy special substitutes for aroids from the market as they are inexpensive. You can make a substrate on your own by mixing 30% good potting soil and disease-free compost. In addition to a bigger pot and more soil, Marble Queen also needs some more nutrients in the soil to meet a faster growth rate.

The difference in light and water requirements

Due to the more vigorous growth rate of the Marble Queen, it needs more light. The best place to put the pot is near an east or west-facing window in a way it is indirectly exposed to the sun. If placed in high sunlight, the plant will be less variegated. Snow Queen grows slowly but needs even high exposure to light, making the variegation more pronounced. If you give less light to Snow Queen, its leaves will be greener.

The water needs of the two plants are also different. Marble Queen needs water every seven days during the growing season. Water the plant more on hot days and less on cloudy days. The Snow Queen needs water every ten days. Checking the soil moisture is the best indicator of whether a plant needs water or not.

Fertilization needs

Both the plants almost need no feed or fertilizer. They absorb nutrients from the soil they grow in. You can, however, give the plants some more nutrients to improve their appearance. Again due to the rapid growth rate, Marble Queen needs more fertilizer. Add a slow-release fertilizer in a small amount in the early spring. Use a fertilizer with higher nitrogen content than potassium and phosphorus. It will give the plant energy to grow better foliage.

The next thing to do is not to water Marble Queen more than two times in a season with a water-soluble fertilizer. There is no point in fertilizing the Snow Queen because it lacks chlorophyll. You may notice some results, but they will not be very prevalent. So you can add a slow-release fertilizer once at the beginning of the growing season.

Pruning

Like many other differences, this too is related to the growth rate of the plants. The need to prune Marble Queen is higher because of its vigorous growth rate. You will have to do things variable depending on what you want to achieve. If you require climbers, place a pole in the middle of the pot. Trim the side branches that are destroying the desired shape. You will have to shorten its length at some time as it will grow taller than the pole.

Trim the Marble Queen more often if you plan to keep the shrubs. To get a beautiful bush, you will have to prune them two to three times in a year. Cut to length in this case. You do not have to cut Snow Queen at all. It will never grow beyond their acceptance limits, neither in height nor width. The only exception is when the plant is affected by a fungus or has suffered a pest attack. Prophylactic pruning keeps the plants healthy and should be done with sterile tools only.

Similarities of Marble Queen vs. Snow Queen

There are many similarities between Marble Queen and Snow Queen. They look so similar that it is challenging for people to distinguish between them. Some common traits are:

  • Since they belong to the same species, they can tolerate and grow well in the average humidity level.
  • Both the pothos belong to warm tropical regions because of which they grow well in moderate to high temperatures.
  • They need less maintenance and are easy to propagate.
  • They have the same length and shape of petioles that differ only in color.

Is Snow Queen and Marble Queen the same?

No, Marble Queen and Snow Queen are not the same. Both are variations of Epipremnum aureum that look alike in many aspects. They have the same leaf shape and matching pale spots on the surface. However, there are subtle distinguishing features between the two.

The names of these plants very well state the differences. Snow Queen has more white leaves and a slow growth rate. The white marks are super bright and stark. Marble Queen is a fussier and more vigorous version of the Snow Queen.

Is Snow Queen Pothos rare?

Snow Queen pothos is not a rare plant. This variegated plant is super popular in stores and houses. The bright white leaves make a bold statement in an office or a room. These white marks make a dramatic visual display that people use for decor.

Are growing requirements the same?

The growing requirements of both pothos are almost the same. Marble Queen grows more vigorously and thus needs wider pots and more soil than its competitor. In addition to this, Marble Queen needs a slightly higher nutrient and water content. Since the growth rate of Snow Marble is lesser, you do not have to prune it often. Other than that, they can grow in the same type of soil and similar temperature conditions because they belong to the same species of pothos.

Conclusion

The names of the two pothos capture their difference well. Snow Queen has white variegation, while Marble Queen is greener. The main difference lies in appearance, variegation, and some care requirements. These pothos are an excellent choice to be house plants due to their appealing looks. The above discussion throws light on Marble Queen vs. Snow Queen. We hope that it will help expand your knowledge in the field of plants. If you consider getting one of the two to your garden, you can go with any because they have similar care requirements. Happy growing up!