10 Common Houseplants Everyone Confuses (And How to Tell Them Apart)
Pothos vs philodendron, monstera vs split-leaf, snake plant vs ZZ — the 10 most commonly confused houseplants and how the identify this plant app tells them apart in seconds.
Even seasoned plant parents mix these up. The identify this plant app nails them in seconds, but here's the manual cheat sheet for the 10 lookalikes that trip up everyone.
1. Pothos vs Philodendron (heartleaf)
Both have heart-shaped leaves and trailing vines. The tell:
- Pothos leaves feel waxy and stiff with subtle ridges; new leaves emerge from existing stems.
- Philodendron leaves feel soft and matte; new growth has a pink/red sheath that unfurls.
2. Monstera Deliciosa vs Split-Leaf Philodendron
These are different species, despite both being called "Swiss cheese plant" by some. Monstera deliciosa has true leaf holes (fenestrations) closer to the midrib; split-leaf philodendron only has edge splits.
3. Snake Plant vs ZZ Plant
Both are low-maintenance and have upright growth, but snake plants (Dracaena trifasciata) have stiff, sword-shaped leaves growing straight from the soil. ZZ plants (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) have arching stems with paired oval leaflets.
4. Fiddle Leaf Fig vs Rubber Plant
Fiddle leaf figs have large, violin-shaped leaves with prominent veining. Rubber plants have smaller, thicker, rounder leaves with a glossy finish and often a pink midrib.
5. Calathea vs Maranta
Both are "prayer plants" that fold leaves at night. Marantas have rounder leaves with a fishbone vein pattern; calatheas have more elongated leaves with stripe or feather patterns.
6. Spider Plant vs Airplane Plant
Trick question — they're the same species (Chlorophytum comosum). Variegated forms get called "airplane plant" in some regions, "spider plant" in others.
7. Boston Fern vs Kimberly Queen Fern
Boston ferns have arching, lacy fronds that droop. Kimberly Queen ferns are upright with stiffer, more compact fronds — better for tighter spaces.
8. Echeveria vs Sempervivum
Both form rosettes and look very similar. Echeverias have softer, more powdery leaves and prefer warmer climates. Sempervivums (hens & chicks) have firmer leaves with pointed tips and tolerate frost.
9. Aloe Vera vs Agave
Aloe leaves are fleshy and gel-filled, with soft serrated edges. Agave leaves are fibrous (think tequila), thicker, and end in a sharp spine.
10. Jade Plant vs Portulacaria
Jade plants (Crassula ovata) have rounder, thicker leaves and woody trunks. Portulacaria afra ("dwarf jade") has smaller, flatter leaves and reddish stems — and grows much faster.
When in doubt, snap a photo
Memorizing every lookalike is tough. Snap a photo and let the identify this houseplant tool do it for you — confidence score, scientific name, full care guide. First identification free.