With over 20 varieties, finding a household without at least one of the available beautiful Pothos (Epipremnum Aureum) types is difficult. However, you may need clarification as some Pothos plants look very similar!
A great example of two Pothos varieties that share many of the same characteristics is the Pothos Manjula and the Pothos N’Joy. At first sight, they may appear to be the same plant. However, there are a couple of distinct differences when comparing Manjula pothos vs N’Joy.
The Short Answer: Manjula Pothos vs N’Joy
Manjula Pothos is known for its green leaves with irregular white splashes, while N’Joy Pothos displays solid green and white color blocks, with green at the leaf’s center and white on the outer edges. Each variety offers a unique visual appeal for houseplant enthusiasts.
Similarities Between Them
The N’ Joy Pothos and Manjula Pothos are very similar in how they look and grow, making it challenging to keep them apart. Some common traits are their genus, colors, and leaf shapes.
Decoding & Understanding the Taxonomy
Pothos Manjula and N’Joy belong to the genus Epipremnum Aureum and are a part of the Araceae family. Pothos plants have stunning vines with green foliage and are incredibly low-maintenance. For these reasons, Pothos is perhaps the most popular houseplant available nowadays.
Since the plants belong to the same genus, they will share a lot of other similarities, such as their growth pattern, care requirements, and more.
From Southeast Asia to Cultivation: The Fascinating Origin Story
The Pothos genus is native to Southeast Asia, but did you know that the Pothos N Joy and Majula do not occur in the wild? Njoy is a cultivar of the Marble Queen Pothos and was created in Mumbai, India. Scientists discovered the plant from a naturally occurring branch mutation and cultivated it into a whole new plant!
Similarly, the Manjula Pothos comes from a Marble Queen created by the University of Florida. Many plants from the Epipremnum genus did not naturally occur in the wild and are cultivated by humans. According to the patent documentation, the botanical name for Manjula pothos is Epipremnum pinnatum’ HANSOTI14’.
The Beauty of White Variegation
Both the Pothos N-joy and Manjula have white variegated leaves. But they are not the only Pothos cultivars with patches of white on their foliage.
Other cultivars, like Snow Queen Pothos or the Glacier Pothos, share the white and green leaves combination.
Heart-Shaped Leaves
You may think that all Pothos varieties have the same leaf shape, but this is false. Varieties like the Cebu Blue or Golden Pothos have more arrow-shaped leaves, whereas the Manjula and N’Joy have heart-shaped leaves.
Comparing different leaf shapes is a great way to identify your Pothos plants, as most varieties have unique shapes and textures!
Differences Between Pothos NJoy vs Manjula
It may seem tricky to determine which Pothos is which, especially since these two varieties share many of the same characteristics. But luckily, there are a few ways to differentiate between the Manjula Pothos and the N-joy Pothos!
Color Distribution On The Leaves
An easy way to tell these two plants apart is by looking at the variegation pattern on the leaves. The Pothos N’Joy features white and green patches that appear in distinct blocks. The Manjula, however, has a more marbled and splattered pattern on the foliage.
You’ll also notice that the Pothos Manjula has shades of white, cream, and lighter green variegation on its leaves. The leaves of the Pothos N’Joy have a white and green color combination, with no shades of cream or yellow in the color combination.
Leaf Texture And Size
While Pothos Manjula and N-Joy share the same leaf shape, their leaves differ in a few other aspects, such as size. Pothos Manjula’s leaves are broader and can grow more extensive than the N’Joy’s! In addition to size, it’s noticeable that Manjula’s leaves are a lot wavier and curled and are a little thicker.
This distinction is most noticeable when the plants are young. As the N’Joy matures, its leaves will grow bigger. In addition to size, it’s noticeable that Manjula’s leaves are a lot wavier and curled and tend to have a more cardboardy feel.
Pothos N’Joy and Manjula: Widely Available Houseplants with a Word of Caution About False Rare Varieties
Both the Pothos N’Joy and Manjula are available in garden centers worldwide. These plants may have been rare when sellers first introduced them, but as their popularity grew, so did their supply. If you want to buy either plant, you’ll have no trouble finding one in a local shop.
Be wary of people selling ‘ultra rare Pothos varieties’ with unfamiliar names. Sellers will make up varieties, claiming the plant is rare, demanding a high price. Most often, these ‘ultra rare’ Pothos cultivars are mutated versions of other Pothos cultivars (an example is the mutated Manjula pothos). This mutation is unstable, and the plant will continue to grow as the original.
But luckily, with all the information you can find online nowadays, it has gotten a lot easier to identify your Pothos plants correctly.
How To Care For NJoy vs Manjula Pothos Plants
All Pothos plants have the same general care requirements. They are famous for their low maintenance and forgiving nature. Variegated Pothos plants such as the Manjula and N-Joy Pothos are great options for beginner plant parents who want to grow fascinating plants without too much trouble.
Watering
Both of these plants are not fussy when it comes to watering. Simply water when the soil of your plant has dried out. Check the soil by sticking your finger deep into the pot, and water if you notice it’s gotten dry!
If your plant is thirsty, you’ll notice that its leaves may droop and curl inward. After watering, this issue will quickly resolve, and your Pothos will perk back up within a day or two!
Light Exposure
All Pothos varieties (including Manjula and N’Joy) thrive in bright indirect light. As a rule of thumb, remember that the more white variegation, the more light the plant needs. However, never put your Pothos in direct sunlight, as the leaves will quickly get burnt.
Chlorophyll is essential in photosynthesis, which is how plants create energy. This chlorophyll is found only in the green parts of plants. Plants with dark green leaves have much higher levels of chlorophyll, and thus they need less light exposure to thrive.
If your plant has little to no green on its leaves, it has significantly less chlorophyll and cannot produce much energy or food. The lack of chlorophyll is also why highly variegated plants with lots of white on their leaves grow much slower.
Placing your Pothos in low light conditions can result in leggy stems, small growth, and a loss of variegation.
Soil & Potting
Both of these varieties should be grown in a well-draining soil mix. Mixing in perlite, peat moss, orchid bark is a great way to add drainage and aeration to your potting mix. These amendments create air pockets to keep your Pothos roots healthy and thriving!
Choose a pot that has drainage holes in the bottom. Holes in the bottom of your pot are crucial to prevent overwatering and root rot, as these holes allow excess water to drain from the pot so that the roots are not constantly sitting in moisture.
If you wish your Pothos to grow bigger, more mature leaves, consider giving your Pothos plants moss poles.
Fun fact: did you know that most Pothos varieties, including Manjula and Njoy, develop natural splits (fenestrations) if they grow with support from a moss pole?
Fertilizing
Pothos plants are not heavy feeders; they grow best when given balanced, all-purpose fertilizer a few times a year. Feed your Pothos once in early spring and summer at half the recommended strength to prevent fertilizer burn.
Providing additional nutrients will encourage your Pothos to grow healthy, vigorous vines and put out large foliage.
FAQ
Is Manjula Pothos the Same As N’Joy?
Although these plants resemble each other, they are distinct cultivars. Observe the leaf variegation patterns to differentiate them: N’Joy has well-defined white and green patches, while Manjula displays a marbled, splattered pattern.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.