Plants That Look Like Marijuanas

If you’re a gardener or just enjoy plants, you might have noticed some that look a lot like cannabis. Knowing about plants that look like marijuanas can save you from confusion or unnecessary concern. Many common garden species and wildflowers share a similar leaf structure, and it’s easy to mix them up. This guide will help you identify the usual suspects and appreciate them for their own unique qualities.

You might be worried about a neighbor’s plant, curious about a weed in your yard, or simply interested in botanical look-alikes. We’ll cover everything from Japanese maple seedlings to sprawling hemp dogbane. Let’s clear up the confusion with clear pictures and simple descriptions.

This list details the most common plants mistaken for cannabis. We’ll look at key features that set them apart, like leaf arrangement, stem texture, and flower type. Remember, cannabis has a very specific leaf pattern that these imitators get close to, but not perfect.

1. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) Seedlings

This is perhaps the most common mix-up in temperate gardens. Young Japanese maple seedlings send up their first leaves, and they can be startlingly similar to cannabis.

Leaf Similarity: The leaves are palmately compound with 5-7 slender, serrated leaflets, mirroring the classic cannabis leaf shape.
Key Differences: The stems are often green to reddish and smooth. As the seedling grows, its next set of leaves will typically have more lobes or start to show the classic maple shape. True cannabis leaves have a different, more distinct pattern of serration.
Habitat: You’ll find these volunteers near existing Japanese maple trees in well-tended gardens or flower beds.

2. Cassava (Manihot esculenta)

Also known as yuca, this tropical food crop is a dead ringer when young. It’s grown for its starchy roots.

Leaf Similarity: Its leaves are deeply palmate with 5-7 long, pointed lobes on a single stem.
Key Differences: Cassava leaves are typically a brighter, glossier green and grow in a spiral pattern up the stem. The plant has a more woody, shrubby growth habit as it matures. The leaf stems (petioles) are often long and red or green.

3. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

Yes, the delicious vegetable! In its early stages, okra leaves can cause a double-take.

Leaf Similarity: The leaves are broad and deeply lobed, often with 3-5 parts, which can resemble a cannabis leaf from a distance.
Key Differences: Okra leaves are notably hairy or rough to the touch. The plant quickly develops a tall, central stalk and begins producing its distinctive yellow flowers with a dark center, followed by the edible seed pods. The overall leaf texture is much coarser.

4. Hemp Dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum)

This North American native plant’s scientific name even hints at the resemblance (“cannabinum”). It’s a perennial wildflower.

Leaf Similarity: The leaves are oppositely arranged on the stem and are lance-shaped with smooth edges, offering a similar silhouette to some cannabis strains.
Key Differences: Hemp dogbane has a reddish, smooth stem that exudes a milky white sap when broken. It produces clusters of small, white or greenish-white flowers. It’s also highly toxic if ingested, so proper identification is crucial.

5. Coral Plant (Jatropha multifida)

An ornamental tropical shrub, the coral plant is often grown for its attractive foliage and bright pink flowers.

Leaf Similarity: Its leaves are dramatically palmate, deeply dissected into many narrow segments, creating a lacy effect that looks very much like a sophisticated cannabis leaf.
Key Differences: The leaves are a bluish-green color on top and whitish beneath. The plant produces long-stemmed, bright coral-pink flower clusters. All parts of the plant are poisonous.

6. Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus)

Another plant with “cannabinus” in its name, kenaf is grown for its fiber, similar to industrial hemp.

Leaf Similarity: The lower leaves on a kenaf plant are simple and heart-shaped, but the upper leaves are deeply lobed with 3-7 serrated leaflets, making them nearly identical to cannabis leaves.
Key Differences: Kenaf produces large, showy hibiscus-like flowers that are typically pale yellow with a dark maroon center. The stems are often spiny or prickly.

7. Southern Marigold (Tagetes minuta)

This type of marigold, when young and before flowering, can be confusing.

Leaf Similarity: The leaves are finely divided, pinnate, and have a similar fern-like appearance to some sativa cannabis leaves.
Key Differences: The leaves are much finer and more delicate. When crushed, they emit a strong, distinctive marigold or citrus scent. The plant remains relatively small and quickly produces clusters of tiny white flowers.

8. Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus)

A popular landscaping shrub known for its fragrant purple flower spikes.

Leaf Similarity: The leaves are palmately compound with 5-7 narrow, lance-shaped leaflets radiating from a central point, closely mimicking the cannabis leaf structure.
Key Differences: The leaflets are typically a grayish-green color and have a lighter, almost silvery underside. The stems are square, which is a hallmark of the mint family (Lamiaceae) it belongs to. It produces tall spikes of lavender flowers.

9. Scarlet Hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus)

Also called Texas star hibiscus, this perennial has stunning red flowers.

Leaf Similarity: Its leaves are deeply palmate with 3-5 slender, serrated lobes, very similar in outline to a cannabis leaf.
Key Differences: The plant grows tall and erect, often reaching 6-8 feet. It produces large, brilliant red flowers with 5 distinct petals. The leaf stems are long and often red-tinged.

10. Spider Flower (Cleome hassleriana)

A common annual garden flower known for its tall, airy blooms.

Leaf Similarity: The leaves are palmately compound with 5-7 slender leaflets, and the overall shape can be reminiscent of cannabis, especially in younger plants.
Key Differences: The leaves are attached to the main stem by a long petiole, and the leaflets are arranged more splayed out. The plant is known for its unique, spidery pink or white flower clusters and a sometimes pungent odor from its foliage.

How to Tell Them Apart: A Step-by-Step Guide

When you encounter a suspicious plant, follow this simple process. Don’t just rely on leaf shape alone.

Examine the Leaf Arrangement: Look at how the leaves attach to the stem. Cannabis leaves are arranged alternately (one per node, staggered). Many look-alikes, like hemp dogbane, have opposite leaves (two per node, directly across from each other).
Check the Stem: Feel the stem. Is it hairy, smooth, square, or grooved? Cannabis stems are typically ridged and hairy. A smooth or square stem is a big clue it’s something else.
Look for Flowers or Buds: This is the easiest giveaway. The flowers of the plants listed above are vastly different from cannabis buds. Look for classic hibiscus, maple keys, or marigold blooms.
Notice the Scent: Crush a small piece of leaf. Cannabis has a very potent, skunky aroma when mature. Other plants may smell like citrus, marigold, have no scent, or even have a toxic milky sap.
Consider the Location: Is it in a manicured flower bed (likely a Japanese maple)? A vegetable garden (okra, cassava)? Or a wild area (hemp dogbane)? Context helps a lot.

Why This Confusion Happens

The similarity isn’t a coincidence. It’s often a result of convergent evolution, where unrelated plants develop similar traits to adapt to their environment. The palmate leaf shape is efficient for capturing sunlight. Also, some plants, like kenaf and hemp dogbane, are in the same general ecological niche as fiber plants, leading to similar growth structures. The human brain is also primed to recognize patterns, so we notice the familiar jagged leaf shape instantly.

What to Do If You’re Unsure

If you find a plant on your property you can’t identify, don’t panic. Here are some sensible steps:

Use a Plant ID App: Tools like PictureThis or iNaturalist can provide a good initial guess. Take clear photos of the leaves, stem, and any flowers.
Check with a Local Expert: Your county’s agricultural extension office is a fantastic, free resource. Master Gardeners there can help with identification.
Monitor Its Growth: Often, waiting a week or two for the plant to develop more leaves or flowers will make identification obvious. The initial seed leaves on many plants can be misleading.
When in Doubt, Remove It: If you don’t want an unknown plant in your garden, simply pull it up. Wear gloves if you’re concerned about skin irritation from sap.

FAQ: Plants That Look Like Weed

Q: What houseplant looks like marijuana?
A: The Coral Plant (Jatropha multifida) is sometimes grown as a houseplant in bright locations and has very similar leaves. Some varieties of Schefflera can also have a loosely similar look when young.

Q: Is there a tree that has leaves like cannabis?
A: Yes. The mature leaves of the Chaste Tree (Vitex) and the seedlings of the Japanese Maple are the most common tree-like examples. Their leaf structure is nearly identical.

Q: What common garden weed looks like cannabis?
A: Hemp Dogbane is a perennial wildflower often considered a weed that closely mimics the look. Young Southern Marigold volunteers can also be mistaken for it.

Q: What vegetable plant looks like marijuana?
A: Okra and Cassava are the two primary vegetable crops. Their young leaves, before the plant focuses on producing fruit or roots, are often the cause of the mix-up.

Q: How can I be 100% sure its not cannabis?
A: Look for the unique flowers or buds. Cannabis produces dense, resinous clusters of female flowers or small pollen sacs. None of the look-alikes produce anything remotely similar. The scent of crushed mature cannabis foliage is also very distinctive and strong.

Q: Are any of these look-alikes illegal?
A: No. The plants listed here are common legal ornamental, food, or wild plants. However, laws vary by region, so always check local regulations regarding any plant, especially if it’s a species that can be invasive like hemp dogbane.

Understanding these botanical doppelgangers makes you a more observant gardener and helps avoid misunderstandings. Nature is full of fascinating convergences, and the cannabis leaf shape is clearly a successful design that other species have independently arrived at. Next time you see a suspicious leaf, you’ll know exactly what to look for beyond the initial silhouette. With this knowledge, you can appreciate these plants for their own roles in the garden and the ecosystem, without the confusion.