Marble Queen and Snow Queen are stunning houseplants. The only problem is that it’s quite difficult to tell the difference between the two. Despite the difficulty in telling them apart, both Marble Queen and Snow Queen plants make a great addition to any indoor space, adding a touch of elegance and greenery to brighten up any room.
Do you want to know more about each plant? We’ve prepared a Marble Queen vs Snow Queen full comparison for you.
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Marble Queen vs Snow Queen: How to Tell the Difference
The Snow Queen Pothos and the Marble Queen Pothos are two different varieties of Pothos. The major difference between them is leaf color. Snow Queen’s leaves have pure white variegation with a little green.
Marble Queen’s leaves, on the other hand, have more creamy or milky-white variegation and are greener than the Snow Queen’s leaves.
What’s more, the Marble Queen has a faster growth rate than the Snow Queen. As a result, the Marble Queen can quickly become bushy and viney, whereas the Snow Queen retains its compactness for a longer period.
Marble Queen vs Snow Queen
| Object | Marble Queen | Snow Queen |
| Leaf color | Relatively equal amounts of green and white | Around 80% white and 20% green |
| Stem Color | Green | Green |
| Variegation | Creamy white variegation | Pure white variegation |
| Flower | Green and White | Green and White |
Growth Habits and Characteristics
Marble Queen and Snow Queen may look similar at first glance, but they have distinct growth habits and characteristics that set them apart. Understanding these differences can help you make informed decisions about their care and placement in your indoor space.
Marble Queen is known for its fast growth rate, quickly developing into a bushy and viney plant. Its leaves feature creamy or milky-white variegation, with relatively equal amounts of green and white. The vibrant green stems complement the leaf colors, creating an eye-catching display.
On the other hand, Snow Queen retains its compactness for a longer period compared to Marble Queen. While it can still trail and vine, it maintains a more controlled growth pattern
. The leaves of Snow Queen have pure white variegation, with around 80% of the leaf being white and 20% light green. The green stems blend harmoniously with the white foliage, giving the plant an elegant and pristine appearance.
Understanding these growth habits and characteristics will help you plan the placement and support for your Marble Queen and Snow Queen plants, ensuring they have the space they need to thrive and showcase their unique beauty.
Marble Queen vs Snow Queen Differences
While the Marble Queen and Snow Queen can look similar at the first glance, there are many cues that distinguish them.
The major difference between the two plants is in the leaves, with Snow Queen having whiter, more variegated, and pointier leaves. Let’s dive into each key difference in greater detail.
1. Origin and Name
The Marble Queen is a tropical plant with origins in the Solomon Islands. The Snow Queen, on the other hand, is native to the subtropical forests of Southeast Asia and Australia.
Botanically, the Marble Queen is known as Epipremnum pinnatum ‘Marble Queen’, but it’s commonly known by many names, including Queen Anne Pothos and Devil’s Ivy.
The Snow Queen’s botanical name is Epipremnum aureum ‘Snow Queen’, and it’s only commonly known as Snow Queen.
2. Taxonomy
The Marble Queen and the Snow Queen both belong to the Araceae arum family of the Alismatales order. What’s more, because Epipremnum pinnatum and Epipremnum aureum are often used interchangeably, taxonomy won’t be helpful in differentiating between the two plants.
3. Shape and Appearance
Both Pothos plants have cordate leaves with pointed tips, but the Snow Queen’s leaves taper down to noticeably pointier ends than the Marble Queen’s.
What’s more, both the Marble Queen and the Snow Queen are trailing vine plants. However, the Marble Queen can grow stunningly long vine foliage that’ll require support to climb up.
4. Differences in Color
The Snow Queen’s variegated leaves are much whiter than those of the Marble Queen. The leaves are around 80% white and 20% light green.
Marble Queen leaves, on the other hand, have equal amounts of white and green. The white is more creamy and milky, while the green is slightly more saturated than the light green in the Snow Queen’s leaves.
5. Leaf Size and Texture
Leaf size is almost the same in both the Snow Queen and the Marble Queen. However, Snow Queen leaves take slightly longer to reach their full size.
What’s more, both Pothos have slightly raised textured leaves. While the texture isn’t visible, you can feel it by gently running your fingers across the leaves.
6. Height and Growth Rate
As we’ve previously mentioned, the Marble Queen leaves are much greener than the Snow Queen leaves. That’s because Marble Queen leaves contain more chlorophyll, which leads to a faster growth rate.
When the two Pothos mature, there isn’t much of a difference in size. However, due to the difference in growth rates, the Marble Queen will look taller than the Snow Queen.
Typically, a mature Marble Queen can reach heights of up to 5 ft, while the Snow Queen will only be around 3.3 ft in height.
7. Flowers
The Snow Queen produces flowers that look like snowballs, hence the name. They typically hang from vines, and they don’t produce any fruit or berries.
On the other hand, the Marble Queen flowers aren’t showy. They also don’t produce any fruit or berries.
8. Pruning
The Marble Queen, as we’ve previously mentioned, has a faster growth rate. So, you’ll need to trim it down occasionally.
The frequency with which you prune them depends on how you want your plant to look. Most Pothos are climbers; if the side shoots of the Marble Queen are growing too long and ruining the appearance of the plant, you can trim them down a little.
On the other hand, the Snow Queen doesn’t need occasional trimming, as it’s a slow grower. You’ll just need to trim old or unhealthy foliage, which leads to a healthier and more thriving Snow Queen.
9. Variegation
In terms of variegation, marble queen plants are more stable than snow queen plants. Typically, marble queen leaves have unique green and creamy white patches. As the plant grows, the leaves will remain the same, with little or no change in their variegation.
On the contrary, snow queen plants have silver-gray patches on their green leaves. However, the leaves may turn completely green as the plant grows. Factors that influence variegation stability in both plants include genes, plant health, and exposure to light.
Environmental Requirements
Marble Queen and Snow Queen have similar environmental requirements, but there are some nuances to consider when providing them with the ideal growing conditions. By understanding these requirements, you can create a suitable environment that promotes their health and well-being.
Lighting: Both Marble Queen and Snow Queen thrive in bright, indirect light. Place them near a window where they can receive filtered sunlight. However, avoid exposing them to direct sunlight, as it can scorch their leaves. If natural light is limited, you can supplement with artificial grow lights.
Temperature: Maintain a temperature range of 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 29 degrees Celsius) for optimal growth. These plants can tolerate higher temperatures but are sensitive to cold drafts. Avoid placing them near air conditioning vents or drafty windows.
Humidity: Marble Queen and Snow Queen prefer moderately humid environments. Increase humidity levels by using a humidifier, placing a tray of water near the plants, or grouping them together. Mist the leaves occasionally to provide additional moisture.
Watering: Both plants prefer well-draining soil. Water them when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, ensuring thorough watering without waterlogging the roots. Adjust the frequency based on the temperature and humidity of your environment.
By paying attention to their lighting, temperature, humidity, and watering needs, you can create an optimal environment that supports the healthy growth and development of your Marble Queen and Snow Queen plants.
Marble Queen vs Snow Queen Similarities
The Marble Queen and the Snow Queen share some key similarities. For instance, both plants thrive in slightly hot and humid areas, and they both love partial sunlight. Let’s dive into each key similarity in greater detail.
1. Sunlight
Both the Marble Queen and the Snow Queen love partial, indirect sunlight. That’s what makes them ideal houseplants.
However, you need to be careful, as harsh sunlight or prolonged exposure to sunlight can make their beautiful leaves fade and become yellow. In fact, Pothos can get sunburned.
2. Watering
Marble Queen and Snow Queen like moisture. However, the amount of water they need depends on the season and the temperature in the area.
Overwatering and underwatering both plants will lead to various problems, including discoloration of leaves and root rot.
A general rule of thumb is to check the first two inches of the pot; if the soil is dry, it’s time to water the plant.
3. Humidity and Temperature
Since the Snow Queen and the Marble Queen belong to the same family, they have similar temperature requirements. Both plants do well in a temperature range of 65 to 85 degrees F.
They can do well in higher temperatures as well. However, both the Snow Queen and the Marble Queen can’t tolerate low temperatures.
The Snow Queen and the Marble Queen also thrive in adequately humid areas. Humidity levels between 50% to 60% are perfect for both plants.
4. Potting and Soil
Both the Marble Queen and Snow Queen can grow in any pot or basket if it’s well-drained. So, you need to make sure to choose a container that has enough draining holes. It’s also crucial to regularly check that the holes aren’t clogged.
What’s more, the Marble Queen requires a pot that’s at least 8 inches wide, while the Snow Queen will be fine in a 6-inch pot.
When it comes to soil, both Snow Queen and Marble Queen thrive in well-drained soil.
5. Fertilizer
Marble Queen and Snow Queen require minimal care. In fact, they barely require any fertilizer. However, fertilizers can be beneficial if added monthly during the plant’s growing season.
The Snow Queen prefers a slow-releasing plant nutrient. The general role of thumb is to add a small amount of a slow-releasing nutrient once a year at the beginning of summer. This will give the plant a boost of energy for the rest of the season.
In the case of the Marble Queen, it prefers a well-balanced, all-purpose nutrient.
In both cases, you need to make sure to use a small amount of fertilizer. Overfertilizing the Snow Queen and the Marble Queen can lead to various problems.
6. Toxicity
Both marble queen plants and snow queen plants contain moderate amounts of toxins. Despite being attractive houseplants, these different pothos species contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals.
When ingested, these substances can cause a wide range of unpleasant symptoms. Even though these two plants are considered safe for humans, they can be harmful to pets. If your pet cat or dog chews any of these plant species, it may begin to drool, vomit, have difficulty swallowing, or have mouth irritation.
To be on the safe side, keep the marble queen plant and snow queen plant away from children and pets. Also, if your pet accidentally ingests the plants, don’t hesitate to call your vet for assistance.
Common Problems For Both Plants
The Snow Queen and the Marble Queen are prone to having some problems, which can affect both of them. Here’s a list of common problems for Snow Queen and Marble Queen:
1. Leaves Turning Yellow
Yellow leaves are one of the most common concerns that both the Snow Queen and the Marble Queen face. This yellowing can happen for a variety of reasons, including:
- Overwatering
- Underwatering
- Lack of Sunlight
- Too much fertilizer
2. Leaves Turning Brown
In most cases, if Pothos leaves are turning brown, it’s due to underwatering and lack of humidity.
However, you don’t need to worry. The plant will return to normal after a few weeks if you solve the problem.
3. Infestation of Insects and Mites
Both the Marble Queen and the Snow Queen are susceptible to annoying bugs, especially if the soil is very moist.
Mealybug, spider mites, aphids, and fungus gnats are some of the most common bugs that can attack your beautiful plant.
Propagation Methods
Propagating Marble Queen and Snow Queen allows you to expand your plant collection or share these beautiful varieties with others. Fortunately, both plants can be propagated easily through various methods. Here are the two main propagation methods for Marble Queen and Snow Queen:
Water Propagation: Take a healthy cutting from the parent plant, ensuring it has at least two to three nodes. Place the cutting in a jar or glass of water, ensuring that the nodes are submerged. Change the water regularly to prevent stagnation and promote root growth. Once roots have developed, transfer the cutting to a well-draining potting mix.
Soil Propagation: Take a cutting from the parent plant and dip the cut end in a rooting hormone (optional) to promote root development. Plant the cutting in a well-draining potting mix, burying at least one node beneath the soil.
Mist the cutting and place a plastic bag or a clear plastic container over it to create a mini greenhouse. Keep the soil slightly moist and provide indirect light until roots develop.
Both water propagation and soil propagation can be successful for Marble Queen and Snow Queen. Experiment with both methods to determine which one works best for you and enjoy the rewarding experience of propagating these stunning plants
In Short
The Marble Queen vs Snow Queen comparison will help you distinguish between the two beautiful plants and pick the best one for your houseplant collection.
The most visible difference can be seen in the leaves of each plant. The Snow Queen has white variegated leaves. The leaves are almost all white, with only around 20% of the leaf being light green.
However, the leaves of the Marble Queen have equal amounts of creamy white and deeper green on each leaf.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you still have a question in mind, here’s a list of frequently asked questions regarding Marble Queen vs Snow Queen.
Are Marble Queen and Snow Queen the same?
While Marble Queen and Snow Queen belong to the same family, the key difference between them is that Snow Queen’s leaves are much whiter than Marble Queen’s leaves. The Marble Queen also grows taller than the Snow Queen.
Can Marble Queen Pothos turn into Snow Queen?
The answer is simply no. Both pothos are different varieties of the same species. So, despite the similarities between the two plants, Marble Queen can’t turn into Snow Queen.
Is Marble Queen a slow grower?
Yes, the Marble Queen is an overall slow-growing plant. However, it has a faster growth rate than the Snow Queen.
Hey, I’m Lisa and I’ve been an avid gardener for over 30 years. I love writing, talking and living in the garden! Feel free to connect with me on my socials below
