TheNaturePlanet

People and things have similarities, especially in the case of green plants. In the flower market, there is a wide variety of green plants, among which Epipremnum aureum and Scindapsus aureus have the highest sales. These two plants look similar in appearance and are both evergreen foliage plants. For novice flower lovers, how can they quickly identify them? What are the obvious differences between them?
Scindapsus aureus and Epipremnum aureum look similar in appearance because they are plants of different genera in the Araceae family. In terms of direct appearance, the leaves of Scindapsus aureus feel waxy and thick, are dark green in color, and feel soft. In contrast, the leaves of Epipremnum aureum have white, green and light yellow intertwined striped textures, and the leaf color is light green instead of dark green.
In addition to the differences in appearance, the safety of the two plants is also different. Scindapsus aureus is known as a plant that can purify the air and is basically harmless to both children and pets. However, Epipremnum aureum is a "nemesis" for cats. If a cat accidentally touches the leaves of Epipremnum aureum with its mouth, it will irritate the oral mucosa, resulting in inflammation and pain. If a cat swallows too much, it may lead to kidney and neurological diseases, which is really troublesome.
In addition, after distinguishing between Scindapsus aureus and Epipremnum aureum, their maintenance methods are also slightly different. In terms of daily light, Scindapsus aureus is more shade-tolerant and can grow in a relatively shaded environment. In contrast, Epipremnum aureum needs sufficient light to grow well. In terms of watering, Scindapsus aureus is more flexible in watering than Epipremnum aureum. The soil of Epipremnum aureum needs to be kept moist, while Scindapsus aureus can be well maintained in a state between moist and slightly dry. In terms of fertilization, Epipremnum aureum is a "big eater" during the growth period. It is recommended to apply thin liquid fertilizer twice a month, while Scindapsus aureus only needs to be fertilized with a balanced fertilizer once every two weeks or so.
All in all, compared with the two plants, although Scindapsus aureus does not have noble dark patterns on its leaves, it is better than Epipremnum aureum in terms of maintenance and safety. Epipremnum aureum is more ornamental than Scindapsus aureus, but you should be careful if you have a cat at home.