If you’re a fan of Philodendrons and their lush, heart-shaped foliage, you might be intrigued to know that there are many other plants that share striking similarities with these popular houseplants. Expanding your plant collection with these visually appealing alternatives not only adds diversity to your indoor jungle but also allows you to explore the fascinating world of plants that look like Philodendron, resembling your beloved Philodendron.
Key Takeaways
Dive into the world of Philodendron look-alikes, each with their own distinct characteristics such as unique leaf patterns, textures, and colors.
Uncover similar plants with unique growth habits to create an attractive indoor garden.
Experience the striking visual impact of plants like Alocasia and Codiaeum Petra, whose bold foliage echoes the beauty of Philodendrons.
Vining Philodendron Look-Alikes
If you’re a fan of Philodendron’s vining growth habit, you’ll be pleased to know that there are several climbing and trailing plants that share a similar appearance. These plants are perfect for hanging baskets or climbing support, adding a lush, cascading effect to your indoor plant display. Some examples include:
Jade Pothos
Monstera Peru
Peperomia Pixie
Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma
Monstera Adansonii
Hoya Carnosa Variegated
Syngonium
Neon Pothos
Jade Pothos
The Jade Pothos is a top pick among houseplant enthusiasts for its resilient nature. Often referred to as the “money plant,” it sports lush, heart-shaped leaves that are a vibrant shade of green. This striking green hue and overall look mirror that of the Philodendron Cordatum, making it an easily confused but fantastic substitute for those who appreciate the aesthetics of the latter.
Interested in understanding the differences between Philodendron Cordatum and Pothos? Check out my detailed post!
Appearance and Growth
The Jade Pothos has a trailing growth habit, making it an excellent choice for hanging baskets or climbing support. Its leaves are thick and waxy, providing a glossy sheen that adds a touch of elegance to any indoor plant display.
Care Requirements
Caring for your Jade Pothos is simple! It thrives in:
Moderate to bright, indirect light
Well-draining soil
Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out between watering sessions
However, be mindful that Jade Pothos, like the Heartleaf Philodendron, contains calcium oxalate, making it toxic to pets and humans if ingested.
Monstera Peru
The Monstera Peru, also known as Monstera Karstenianum, could be also mistaken for the Philodendron Cordatum due to its similar features. However, this plant has more distinctive and dramatic aesthetics.
Appearance and Growth
Monstera Peru features dark green, glossy leaves with a textured surface that resembles a reptile’s skin. This unique texture gives the plant an exotic and dramatic appearance. It has a climbing growth habit, making it a perfect choice for a trellis or a moss pole.
Care Requirements
Monstera Peru thrives in:
Bright, indirect light
Well-draining soil
High humidity environment
Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions
Like Philodendron, Monstera Peru is toxic to pets and humans if ingested, so it’s important to keep it out of reach from pets and children.
Peperomia Pixie
Peperomia Pixie, also known as Trailing Jade, bears a likeness to the Philodendron Cordatum with its tipped leaf shape and vining growth habit.
Appearance and Growth
Peperomia Pixie features small, oval-shaped leaves that are a vibrant shade of green. Its leaves are thick and succulent-like, giving the plant a unique texture. It has a trailing growth habit, making it an ideal choice for hanging baskets or as a cascading plant on a shelf.
Care Requirements
Peperomia Pixie thrives in:
Bright, indirect light
Well-draining soil
Moderate humidity environment
Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions
Like the Philodendron, Peperomia Pixie is non-toxic to pets and humans, making it a safer alternative for households with curious pets or children.
Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma
Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma, often referred to as the “Mini Monstera,” almost mirrors the appearance of the Philodendron Cordatum, with the key distinction being its split leaves. However, it’s important to note that despite its nickname, it’s not a Monstera or Philodendron at all, but a unique species in its own right.
Appearance and Growth
Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma features glossy, green leaves that are deeply cut, giving it a unique, ornamental look. Its leaves, similar to the Philodendron Cordatum, are heart-shaped at their base, with splits extending towards the leaf edge. It has a climbing growth habit, making it an ideal choice for a trellis or a moss pole.
Care Requirements
Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma thrives in:
Moderate to bright, indirect light
Well-draining soil
High humidity environment
Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions
Like the Philodendron, Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma is toxic to pets and humans if ingested, so it’s important to keep it out of reach from pets and children.
Monstera Adansonii
Monstera Adansonii, also known as the “Swiss Cheese Vine,” displays notable similarities with the Philodendron Cordatum, particularly its heart-shaped leaves and vining growth habit. What sets it apart, though, are its unique leaf perforations, absent in Philodendrons, which create a visually intriguing effect.
Appearance and Growth
Monstera Adansonii features lush, green leaves adorned with natural leaf holes, often referred to as fenestrations. These fenestrations give the plant its “Swiss Cheese” nickname and create a unique, ornamental look. Its vining growth habit makes it an excellent choice for hanging baskets or climbing support, contributing to its jungle-like appeal.
Care Requirements
Monstera Adansonii thrives in:
Bright, indirect light
Well-draining soil
High humidity environment
Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions
Like the Philodendron, Monstera Adansonii is toxic to pets and humans if ingested, so it’s essential to keep it out of reach from pets and children.
Hoya Carnosa Variegated
Hoya Carnosa Variegated, often referred to as the “Wax Plant,” shares similarities to variegated vining Philodendron types such as Philodendron Brasil and Philodendron Brandtianum, with its variegated foliage and vining growth habit.
Appearance and Growth
Hoya Carnosa Variegated features thick, waxy leaves that are variegated with shades of green and cream. This variegation gives the plant a unique, ornamental look.
Care Requirements
Hoya Carnosa Variegated thrives in:
Bright, indirect light
Well-draining soil
High humidity environment
Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out completely between watering sessions
Like the Philodendron, Hoya Carnosa Variegated is non-toxic to pets and humans, making it a safer alternative for households with curious pets or children.
Syngonium
Often referred to as the Arrowhead Plant, Syngonium shows a notable likeness to vining Philodendron species such as Philodendron Brasil and Philodendron Brandtianum. Unlike philodendron, Syngonium leaves come in a spectrum of colors, from lush green to shades of pink.
Appearance and Growth
As I already mentioned, Syngonium features arrowhead-shaped leaves that come in a variety of colors, from lush green to pink and white variegations. This variety gives the plant a unique, ornamental look. Its vining growth habit makes it an excellent choice for hanging baskets or climbing support, contributing to its jungle-like appeal.
Care Requirements
Syngonium thrives in:
Moderate to bright, indirect light
Well-draining soil
Moderate humidity environment
Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions
Like the Philodendron, Syngonium is toxic to pets and humans if ingested, so it’s important to keep it out of reach from pets and children.
Neon Pothos
Neon Pothos, also known as Golden Pothos, is a vibrant and lively plant that resembles the Lemon Lime Philodendron with its bright, neon-green leaves. It’s not uncommon for these two plants to be confused, given their similar aesthetic. To help you distinguish between them, I’ve written a comprehensive post detailing the subtle differences. You can check it out here.
Appearance and Growth
Neon Pothos features heart-shaped leaves that are a vibrant shade of neon green. Its leaves have a glossy sheen that adds a touch of brightness to any indoor plant display. It has a trailing growth habit, making it an ideal choice for hanging baskets or as a cascading plant on a shelf.
Care Requirements
Neon Pothos thrives in:
Low to bright, indirect light
Well-draining soil
Moderate humidity environment
Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions
Like the Philodendron, Neon Pothos contains calcium oxalate, making it toxic to pets and humans if ingested. Therefore, it’s important to keep it out of reach from pets and children.
Non-Vining Alternatives to Philodendrons
Philodendrons, especially the heart leaf philodendron, are famed for their heart-shaped foliage and trailing growth habit, which make them a top choice for hanging baskets and indoor gardens.
Yet, if you’re seeking to broaden your plant collection or simply want to experiment with something different, there are several remarkable substitutes that mirror the aesthetic of Philodendron plants.
These alternatives boast unique leaf designs, textures, and hues that are bound to pique your interest and diversify your indoor plant collection, all while retaining the allure of the philodendron leaf.
This guide presents the following exquisite alternatives to non-vining Philodendrons:
Alocasia
Codiaeum Petra
Cordyline Florica
Shell Ginger Variegated
Monstera Deliciosa
Each plant has distinct characteristics that echo the Philodendron’s charm. Here is a detailed analysis of each plant.
Alocasia
Alocasia, also known as the Elephant Ear plant, bears a remarkable resemblance to non-vining Philodendron plants due to its large, heart-shaped leaves.
In particular, Alocasia Portodora looks very similar to Philodendron Atom, albeit being significantly larger in size.
On the other hand, Alocasia Black Velvet and Alocasia Frydeck mirror the velvet-leafed Philodendron types such as Philodendron Melanochrysum and Philodendron Verrucosum.
Appearance and Growth
Alocasia features large, lush, heart-shaped leaves that come in a variety of colors, from deep green to silver. Its leaves, similar to non-vining Philodendrons, are thick and glossy, providing a tropical feel to any indoor plant display. It has a vertical growth habit, making it an ideal choice for floor pots as a standalone plant.
Care Requirements
Alocasia thrives in:
Bright, indirect light
Well-draining soil
High humidity environment
Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions
Like the Philodendron, Alocasia is toxic to pets and humans if ingested, so it’s important to keep it out of reach from pets and children.
Codiaeum Petra
Codiaeum Petra, commonly known as Croton Petra, displays a quite notable similarity to Philodendron types with bright red leaves such as Philodendron Prince of Orange or Philodendron Red Sun. However, unlike the Philodendron, Codiaeum Petra does not climb; it’s a shrub.
Appearance and Growth
Codiaeum Petra features large, glossy leaves that come in a variety of colors, from deep green to bright red and yellow. Its leaves, similar to red-leaved Philodendrons, are thick and somehow waxy. It has a bushy growth habit, making it an ideal choice for floor pots or as a standalone plant.
Care Requirements
Codiaeum Petra thrives in:
Bright, indirect light
Well-draining soil
Moderate to high humidity environment
Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions
Like the Philodendron, Codiaeum Petra is toxic to pets and humans if ingested, so it’s important to keep it out of reach from pets and children.
Cordyline Florica
Often referred to as the Hawaiian Ti Plant, Cordyline Florica presents a notable similarity to Philodendron types with dark red leaves such as Philodendron Imperial Red and Philodendron Summer Glory. Unlike the Philodendron, Cordyline Florica does not climb because it’s a shrub or a short tree.
Appearance and Growth
Cordyline Florica features large, glossy leaves that come in a variety of colors, from deep green to bright red. Its leaves, similar to red-leaved Philodendrons, are thick and waxy. It boasts an upright growth pattern, making it a perfect candidate for floor planters or as an independent foliage display.
Care Requirements
Cordyline Florica thrives in:
Bright, indirect light
Well-draining soil
Moderate to high humidity environment
Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions
Like the Philodendron, Cordyline Florica is toxic to pets and humans if ingested, so it’s important to keep it out of reach from pets and children.
Shell Ginger Variegated
Shell Ginger Variegated, also known as Alpinia Zerumbet ‘Variegata’, shares visible similarities with variegated Philodendron types such as Philodendron Birkin, Philodendron Thai Sunrise, and Philodendron Ring Of Fire. Contrarily to Philodendrons, Cordyline Florica doesn’t climb as it grows in a form of either a shrub or a short tree.
Appearance and Growth
Shell Ginger Variegated features large, glossy leaves that are variegated with shades of green and yellow. Its leaves, similar to variegated Philodendrons, are thick and waxy, providing a tropical feel to any indoor plant display. It grows in an upright manner, making it a perfect fit for floor planters or as a solo plant display.
Care Requirements
Shell Ginger Variegated thrives in:
Bright, indirect light
Well-draining soil
Moderate to high humidity environment
Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions
Unlike the Philodendron, Shell Ginger Variegated is non-toxic to pets and humans, making it a safer alternative for households with curious pets or children.
Monstera Deliciosa
Monstera Deliciosa, often referred to as the “Swiss Cheese Plant,” exhibits a resemblance with split-leaf Philodendron varieties such as Philodendron Bipinnatifidum and Philodendron Selloum.
Appearance and Growth
Monstera Deliciosa features large, glossy leaves that are deeply cut, earning it the nickname “Swiss Cheese Plant.” Its leaves, similar to split-leaf Philodendrons, are thick and waxy, providing a tropical feel to any indoor plant display. Its growth habit is to climb, making it a fantastic candidate for a trellis or a moss pole where it can truly show off its full potential.
Care Requirements
Monstera Deliciosa thrives in:
Bright, indirect light
Well-draining soil
High humidity environment
Regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions
Like the Philodendron, Monstera Deliciosa is toxic to pets and humans if ingested, so it’s important to keep it out of reach from pets and children.
Summary
In this blog post, we’ve introduced you to a variety of stunning plants that closely resemble Philodendrons in appearance and care requirements. By exploring these captivating alternatives, you can add diversity and visual interest to your indoor plant collection while still enjoying the lush, tropical look of your favorite Philodendron plants. So why not expand your indoor jungle and dive into the fascinating world of Philodendron look-alikes?
