🪴✨ Are these plants the same or not? - We've all been there when it comes to plants that look similar and don't know which is which. While they some plants may look the same, they can be vastly different once you understand what to spot. We're here to help you distinguish between these doppelgangers and become the Sherlock Holmes of your indoor jungle. Let's dive in and dissect the subtle differences between some popular plant pairs.
Philodendron Splendid vs. Melanochrysum
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Philodendron Splendid
- The Philodendron Splendid sports iridescent, lighter green leaves with prominent silvery-white veins.
- Its leaves have a more elongated, lance-like shape, like an elegant leafy sword.
- As it matures, Splendid's leaves can grow up to a whopping 3 feet in length, making it quite the showstopper.
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Philodendron Melanochrysum
- The Melano has deep green leaves with more coppery undersides.
- Its leaves are more heart-shaped
- This plant, while still stunning, has slightly smaller leaves compared to the Splendid.
Philodendron Rio vs. Silver Stripe
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Philodendron Rio
Shop Philodendron Rio- Both the Rio and Silver Stripe are sport cultivar of the Philodendron Brasil (no wonder they are so similar!)
- Center striping variegation typically goes (starting from the middle) silver, cream, dark green
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Philodendron Silver Stripe
Shop Philodendron Silver Stripe- Green of leaf is usually much darker than that of the Philodendron Rio
- Center striping variegation typically goes (starting from the middle) light green, cream, sliver of silver, dark green
Philodendron Tortum vs Polypodioides
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Philodendron Tortum
Shop Philodendron tortum- Tortum boasts elongated, narrow leaves with deep lobes that almost resemble the fingers of a hand reaching out.
- Their leaves have a textured appearance due to their wavy edges, creating an engaging visual effect.
- Tortum's leaves are typically deep green, giving it a rich and classic appearance.
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Philodendron Polypodioides
Shop Philodendron Polypodioides- Showcases broad, heart-shaped large leaves with prominent lobes and a more uniform appearance.
- Polypodioides has smoother, glossy leaves, lending it a sleek and polished look.
- Often features lighter green leaves with a slightly yellowish tint.
Philodendron McDowell vs. Pastazanum
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Philodendron McDowell
Shop Philodendron McDowell- Softer to the touch.
- Sunken veins and rounder leaves.
- Reddish leaf margins, and the new leaves have pinkish veins on the underside
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Philodendron Pastazanum
Shop Philodendron Pastazanum- Extremely glossy leaves.
- Elongated leaves with a pointed tip.
- Completely green leaves.
Monstera Adansonii vs. Esqueleto
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Monstera Adansonii
Shop Monstera Adansonii- Adansonii typically presents leaves that are smaller in size.
- While both have an abundance of fenestration, the Adansonii maintains smaller but numerous holes across it's leaves.
- Leaves tend to be smaller, smoother and darker green.
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Monstera Esqueleto
Shop Monstera Esqueleto- Esqueleto's leaves tend to be larger and more elongated, showcasing its unique skeletal structure on a grander scale.
- Fenestration is often much larger and larger as it matures.
Golden Pothos vs. Marble Queen Pothos
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Golden Pothos
Shop Golden Pothos- The Golden Pothos boasts vibrant green leaves with iconic yellow or golden variegation.
- Often last splashes of color than Marble Queen.
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Marble Queen Pothos
Shop Marble Queen Pothos- Marble Queen is much whiter in color of variegation.
- The markings on Marble Queen Pothos are much finer than on Golden Pothos and tend to be much lighter in color.
Hoya Krimson Princess vs. Krimson Queen
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Krimson Princess
Shop Hoya Krimson Princess- As the names suggest, these two plants are closely related to each other.
- Krimson Princess has it's variegation running across the interior of the plant.
- Leaves are more long/narrow in shape.
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Krimson Queen
Shop Hoya Krimson Queen- Krimson Queen has it's variegation running around the edge of the plant.
- Leaves are more round in shape.
Hoya Marginata vs. Sarawak
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Hoya Marginata
Shop Hoya Marginata- Elongated, lance-shaped leaves with a central vein and a reddish-brown margin along the leaf edges.
- Typically exhibits a vining growth habit
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Hoya Sarawak
Shop Hoya Sarawak- Leaves are heart-shaped, more rounded, and slightly smaller than Marginata's. They feature distinct veining and a glossy, vibrant green hue.
- More compact grower, forming bushier clusters, and can also be trained to trail or climb.
Hoya Mathilde vs. Biakensis
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Hoya Mathilde
Shop Hoya Mathilde- Elliptical to oval-shaped leaves with a glossy finish. These leaves are moderately elongated and have a slightly wavy edge
- Fuzzy undersides and silver specks.
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Hoya Biakensis
Shop Hoya Biakensis- More elongated, lance-shaped leaves. They have a pointed tip and a smoother, less wavy edge compared to Mathilde.
- Can grow large, almost round, fuzzy leaves.
- Faster growing.
So there you have it, plant detectives! 🌿🔍 The next time you find yourself in a botanical identity crisis, remember these handy tips to distinguish between your leafy look-alikes. Whether it's the velvety Philodendron pair, the variegated Pothos pals, or the hoya heist, you'll now be equipped to spot the differences and give each plant its rightful place. Happy sleuthing! 🌱🕵️♂️
XOXO,
LITF
