If you love the look of a peace lily but want to try something different, you’re in the right place. Many plants that look like peace lily can give you similar lush foliage and elegant flowers. This guide will help you identify the best alternatives, whether you’re looking for a new centerpiece or just love that classic tropical aesthetic.
Plants That Look Like Peace Lily
Peace lilies, or Spathiphyllum, are beloved for their dark green, glossy leaves and distinctive white spathes. Several other houseplants share these visual traits, offering variety in care needs, size, and flower shape. Knowing these look-alikes helps you build a diverse yet cohesive indoor jungle.
Top Houseplants With Similar Foliage
These plants focus on replicating the peace lily’s beautiful leaves. They often thrive in similar low-light conditions, making them perfect for the same spots in your home.
- Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema): This is a fantastic choice for similar leaf shape and variegation. Some varieties, like ‘Silver Bay’, have broad, pointed leaves that are remarkably close to a peace lily’s. They are incredibly tolerant of low light and irregular watering.
- Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia): Known for its large, oval leaves with stunning cream and white patterns. The leaf structure and growth habit are very comparable. Be cautious, as its sap is toxic and can irritate skin.
- Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior): If you want that deep green, lance-shaped leaf but need a nearly indestructible plant, this is it. Its leaves are often darker and more leathery, but it provides the same lush, green feel.
- White Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia nicolai): For a large-scale option, this plant has huge, paddle-shaped leaves that split naturally. While the leaf texture is different, the overall dramatic, tropical effect is very similar to a mature peace lily.
Plants With Similar Flower Structures
The peace lily’s “flower” is actually a specialized leaf called a spathe. It surrounds the true flowers on a central spike. A few other popular plants share this unique blooming style.
- Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum): Often called the Flamingo Flower, it has a nearly identical flower structure. The key difference is color—anthuriums boast spathes in red, pink, purple, or white. Their leaves are typically heart-shaped.
- Caladium: While grown primarily for its spectacular, colorful foliage, the leaf shape of some varieties closely resembles the peace lily’s spathe. They add a vibrant, artistic touch with similar form.
- Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum): This is a wild, woodland plant with a fascinating spathe and spadix structure. It’s more of an outdoor shade garden plant, but it shows how common this flower form is in nature.
Care Comparisons: What You Need to Know
While these plants look alike, their care can vary. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you keep them thriving.
Light Requirements
Most peace lily look-alikes prefer indirect light. Direct sun can scorch their leaves.
- Low Light Champions: Chinese Evergreen, Cast Iron Plant, Peace Lily itself.
- Bright, Indirect Light Lovers: Anthurium, Dumb Cane, White Bird of Paradise.
Watering Needs
Overwatering is a common mistake. Here’s a simple way to check:
- Stick your finger about an inch into the soil.
- If it feels dry, it’s time to water thoroughly.
- Always let excess water drain away. Never let plants sit in a saucer of water.
Cast Iron Plants need less frequent watering than, for example, a peace lily or anthurium.
Soil and Fertilizing
A well-draining potting mix is essential for all of these plants. You can use a standard houseplant mix. During the growing season (spring and summer), feed your plants monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to half strength. Ease off in fall and winter when growth slows.
How to Choose the Right Look-Alike for You
Ask yourself these questions before deciding on a plant:
- What’s your light situation? For a dark corner, choose a Cast Iron Plant or Chinese Evergreen.
- Do you want more color? Anthuriums offer bright flowers, while Caladiums have stunning leaves.
- How much space do you have? A White Bird of Paradise gets very large, while an Aglaonema stays more compact.
- Are there pets or children? Note that many of these plants, including peace lilies, are toxic if ingested. Always research pet safety.
Common Problems and Solutions
Even experienced gardeners face issues. Here’s how to troubleshoot common problems with these foliage plants.
Yellowing Leaves
This is often a sign of overwatering. Check the soil moisture first. Other causes can be too much direct sun or a need for fertilizer. If the lower leaves yellow slowly, it might just be natural aging.
Brown Leaf Tips
Brown tips are frequently caused by low humidity or chemicals in tap water. Try using distilled or rainwater, and mist the leaves occasionally. You can also trim the brown tips off with clean scissors, following the natural shape of the leaf.
Lack of Flowers
If your anthurium or peace lily isn’t blooming, it usually needs more light. Move it to a brighter spot (but not direct sun). Also, ensure you’re fertilizing regularly during the growing season. Sometimes a plant needs to be slightly root-bound to flower.
Design Ideas Using Similar Plants
Grouping plants with similar looks creates a powerful visual impact. Here are two easy ideas:
- The Textural Grouping: Place a peace lily next to a Chinese Evergreen and a Cast Iron Plant. The subtle differences in leaf shine, texture, and green hue create a sophisticated, cohesive display.
- The Color Pop: Use a white-flowered peace lily as a base. Flank it with a red anthurium and a pink-veined Caladium. The shared flower form ties the different colors together beautifully.
FAQ
What plant has leaves like a peace lily but isn’t?
The Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) and the Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia) have the most similar leaf shape and size to a peace lily.
Is there a plant with red flowers that looks like a peace lily?
Yes, the Anthurium, or Flamingo Flower, has the exact same flower structure (spathe and spadix) and comes in red, pink, and other colors.
What is the difference between a peace lily and anthurium?
The main difference is flower color and leaf shape. Peace lilies typically have white flowers and oval leaves, while anthuriums have colorful flowers and often heart-shaped leaves. Their care is very similar though.
Are there any outdoor plants that resemble peace lilies?
For shaded garden beds, the Cast Iron Plant can be grown outdoors in warm climates. The Jack-in-the-Pulpit is a native woodland plant with a similar unique flower structure.
Which peace lily look-alike is the easiest to care for?
The Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra) is arguably the toughest. It tolerates low light, infrequent watering, and general neglect better than most houseplants, making it a great choice for beginners.
Finding plants that look like peace lily opens up new possibilities for your home. Whether you choose the colorful anthurium or the resilient cast iron plant, you can enjoy that elegant, tropical look with a unique twist. Each plant brings its own character while fitting perfectly into the serene atmosphere you’ve already created with your love for peace lilies.