Philodendrons are stunning plants loved by many indoor plant keepers, but not all of these people can find Philodendrons at their local plant nurseries. So, are there other plants that look like Philodendrons that you can buy to fill that hole in your collection without buying the real thing?
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There are several plants that look very similar, if not identical, to most Philodendron varieties, and these plants tend to be easier to find. They also have similar care requirements to the Philodendron making their care easy. This article will explore a variety of these plants.
Philodendron plants are a beautiful and highly popular genus of plants that are loved by many. This plant genus has many flowering plants in the family belonging to the plant family Araceae.
This plant family is the second largest in the world and has over 400 species of plants. Philodendrons, in particular, are known more as house plants, and with the variety they offer, they can fit any style and bring a lovely pop of color to any room.
Philodendrons are easy to care for, so you don’t need a green thumb to have one survive in your care. They have very few needs you must fulfill for them to thrive, making them the perfect houseplants for plant lovers with all levels of experience.
However, some countries and climates aren’t suited to the care of Philodendrons, which can make some people frustrated that they cannot have their favorite plant in their homes.
If this is you, fear not, as there are several plants that mimic the appearance of most varieties of Philodendrons that you can choose from to fill that hole. Let’s go through the plants that look the most like Philodendrons to help you fulfill your dream of having one in your home.
1. Round Leaf Calathea
The first plant that resembles Philodendron plants the most is the Round Leaf Calathea. This plant can even confuse the expert eye, as it resembles Philodendron plants so much, so it is one of the best plants you can buy if you want something that looks like a Philodendron but cannot get a real Philodendron plant for your home.
Round Leaf Calathea plants are slightly rare, meaning they can be challenging to find at your local plant nurseries, but if you do find one, don’t leave without it! These plants are almost as easy to care for as Philodendrons and have similar care requirements as Philodendrons.
Round Leaf Calatheas are stunning plants that will bring your home to life with their dark green leaves that boast silver streaks, making the plant stand out. The leaves are lovely and round, and the plant doesn’t grow bigger than the average Philodendron.
2. Watermelon Peperomia
The next plant that could satisfy your Philodendron cravings is the Watermelon Peperomia. This is a stunning plant resembling Philodendron plants and a watermelon skin, which makes this plant unique and one you should add to your collection if you get the chance.
This plant has teardrop-shaped leaves that are a lovely deep green with silver stripes. The stems of this plant are bright red, furthering the plant’s resemblance to the Philodendron. This compact plant generally only grows about 12 inches tall, which is perfect if you are low on space but would like a plant in your home.
This plant requires similar care to Philodendrons to keep them thriving, meaning they are relatively easy plants to care for.
Related: 10 Plants That Look Like Peperomia
3. Brilliant Beauty Aglaonema
The Aglaonema plant, also known as Brilliant Beauty, is a beautiful plant that mimics the look of a Philodendron surprisingly well. These plants have a long, fat leaf that ends at a point. The leaves are bright green with lovely creamy white streaks, giving the plant the well-known Philodendron look.
The stems of this plant are a light cream color, making it extremely similar in appearance to the Birkin Philodendron. The Brilliant Beauty requires the same care as Philodendrons, further mimicking their likeness.
If you are a big Philodendron fan but cannot get one yourself, Brilliant Beauty is your next best option that will have your home feeling open and colorful.
4. Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia)
Dieffenbachia is a lovely plant that resembles a few varieties of Philodendrons, as this plant also has multiple options that you can choose from, each with different colors and patterns. This is nice as you can find the one that better resembles your favorite Philodendron instead of settling for a plant that doesn’t look the way you want it to.
The Dieffenbachia plant is the most common and easy to find in plant nurseries and closely resembles the Birkin Philodendron. This plant has lovely green leaves with speckled lighter green spots adorning them. This plant doesn’t grow too big, making it perfect for growing indoors.
The Dieffenbachia plant has similar care requirements to the Philodendrons, making it a dream to care for in your home and perfect for beginners.
Related: 8 Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane) Alternatives
5. Pothos ‘Marble Queen’
Pothos Marble Queen plants are one of the best-looking plants on this list, and it resembles the mottled or variegated Philodendrons in high demand for their beautiful looks.
This plant has variegated creamy white and green leaves that are heart-shaped, giving this plant a lovely bright appearance that makes them stand out from all the other plants in your home. The variegation will depend on each individual plant, but it’s usually quite bold and noticeable.
The Pothos Marble Queen has similar care requirements to Philodendrons; however, they prefer medium light and drier soil, making them slightly easier to care for.
Related: 8 Plants That Look Like Pothos / Devil’s Ivy (but are not)
6. Variegated Inch Plant
The Variegated Inch Plant is a lovely mini-me to the Philodendron plants you enjoy. This plant grows more like a creeper but still looks like a mini-Philodendron. The Variegated Inch Plant is perfect for hanging baskets and small pots around your home to add brightness to your rooms.
The leaves are small but long and bright green with beautifully variegated stripes that make the plant pop. This plant has very low care requirements, like the Philodendrons, making it easy to care for and perfect for beginners.
Related: 7 Wandering Jew (Inch Plant) Benefits
7. Nerve Plant
Nerve plant or Angel Snow plant is a lovely little plant with a very similar appearance to Philodendrons but is 3 times smaller. This small petite houseplant is perfect for decorating tabletops and bookshelves.
There is a lovely color variation within the Nerve plant family, but the most common one has dark green leaves with white veins stretching across the leaves. The other color variants only have different color veins, which include Bright red and pink.
These plants have similar care requirements to Philodendron plants, with the only exception being the light requirements. Nerve plants prefer medium indirect light rather than bright indirect light. These plants are perfect indoor plants and make excellent gifts to family and friends who love Philodendrons but cannot get their own.
8. White Jewel Dracaena
White Jewel Dracaena plants resemble the more long-leafed Philodendron plants, as their leaves are slightly thinner and longer, reaching a point at the end. These plants are also known as corn plants, as their leaves resemble a piece of un-shucked corn.
This plant features broad green leaves and strong white stripping that creates a beautiful contrast on the plant. This plant is smaller than the Philodendrons, making it perfect for homes that lack big rooms and open space.
The White Jewel Dracaena’s care is similar to that of Philodendrons, making it an easy plant to look after and thrive in your home. The only difference is care being the light requirements of the plant. White Jewel Dracaena’s need medium indirect sunlight to thrive; more or less sunlight can cause problems with the plant.
