There’s nothing better for a sunburn than some refreshing aloe vera straight from the plant, though many avoid having aloe plants in the home due to their toxicity. There are plants that look like aloe vera should you like the look of this succulent but worry about its risks.
Aloe is a very striking succulent with its pointed leaves and striking green color, but it’s not the only plant with those special physical characteristics.
Furthermore, there are a plethora of plants similar to aloe vera that offer benefits outside of looking pretty and clarifying your air. If you like aloe vera but want something more substantial or in varied shades of green, there are plenty of options.
Regardless of your reasoning for wanting to expand your plant options beyond aloe vera, you’ll likely be intrigued by just how many options for beautiful succulents and houseplants that can either accompany or replace your current aloe vera plant.
One plant similar to aloe vera that is gaining popularity is Haworthia, also known as the “zebra plant” due to its striped leaves resembling the pattern of a zebra. Read on to find out the rest of the plants.
The Benefits of Aloe Vera and Its Lookalike Plants for Home Use:
In addition to their striking resemblance to aloe vera, these lookalike plants offer a range of benefits for your home. Apart from enhancing the aesthetic appeal, they contribute to improved air quality by purifying and filtering toxins.
Some of these plants, like the snake plant and dryland bromeliads, are known for their air-purifying properties, making them ideal choices for indoor environments. Furthermore, many of these plants possess potential healing properties, with gel-like substances that can soothe burns and minor skin irritations.
By incorporating these aloe vera lookalike plants into your home, you can create a safe and healthy environment while enjoying their visual appeal.
10 Plants That Look Like Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has a very recognizable, distinct shape and color. They can often be identified quickly due to their long green leaves with distinct points at the top and short little spikes all along the surface of the leaves. Depending on how they’re potted or cultivated, an aloe vera plant can vary in overall size as well.
There are also quite a few types of aloe plant, but aloe vera is the most recognizable. Not only is aloe vera a popular houseplant, but it has been used for a plethora of medicinal and cosmetic purposes for a very long time.
Aloe vera gel has a very soothing effect on the skin with anti-inflammatory benefits, which can be of great benefit to overall skin texture and softness.
Despite how popular aloe vera plants are, you might be surprised just how many of the plants that look like aloe vera plants you’ve accidentally misidentified as aloe vera itself. Some of these plants can end up growing to look so similar to each other that telling the difference is difficult unless you’re a plant expert.
More on this category:
1. Haworthia
The haworthia is a succulent that grows similarly shaped leaves to an aloe, and also grows into a similar floral shape to aloe.
The leaves of a haworthia are a little bit thicker with spotting that wraps around the leaves like bands, leading to the zebra plant moniker it’s adopted. While aloe is fairly easy to care for, the haworthia is much simpler to maintain.
2. Faucaria
This is a very beautiful succulent that comes from Africa and is often called cat’s mouth. It has the same type of green angular leaves as aloe does, though the faucaria’s leaves are much smaller and have long hair-like protrusions from their sides.
These cute succulents not only look like aloe, but have a host of other health-related uses too.
3. Maguey
The maguey looks like a combination of a cactus and an aloe plant, and from afar, one might even mistake this succulent for an aloe vera plant.
That said, some types of magueys can grow exponentially larger than an aloe vera. So long as you don’t bring home a variety that can grow 20 feet high, you can have one of these in your home.
4. Snake Plant
The snake plant is a highly adored plant for how easy it is to maintain and propagate, and it also looks like a large aloe vera plant. Their leaves are just a bit smoother in appearance than an aloe vera plant, and they feature a slight striping pattern.
5. Bergeranthus
When a bergeranthus isn’t growing in the wild, it makes for a great potted plant that looks a lot like an aloe vera plant; otherwise, these succulents grow very large. There are a couple of variations that you’ll find for bergeranthus, many of which have some of the same signature characteristics of the aloe vera.
6. Stepalia
Stepalia is akin to aloe vera in many ways above and beyond their comparable appearances. Their leaves share the same coloring and shape, and they also both have gel-like juice that can be found when splitting their leaves apart.
One of the best ways to tell these two plants apart is by the flower that grows on the stepalia.
7. Dryland Bromeliads
When looking down at an aloe plant, you may notice its leaves form a floral shape; the same is true of the dryland bromeliads. This succulent also grows very long, green leaves with pointed ends. Dryland bromeliads often grow to be much more expansive than aloe does, especially when grown outdoors in the ground.
8. Gasteria
Aloe vera and gasteria look almost exactly alike, with gasteria having leaves that are a few shades lighter than its counterpart. The points at the tip of each leaf are also a little more pronounced on a gasteria plant. These plants make for excellent household plants, especially for those who like a low-maintenance succulent.
9. Pineapple Plant
The interesting thing about the pineapple plants is that both its leaves and the top of a pineapple both look similar to an aloe vera plant in some ways.
The longer, green leaves tend to look more like a mature aloe vera plant, though they are a lot more flexible. The tops of pineapples look like an aloe vera plant that still needs more time to grow.
10. Yucca
Yucca leaves look very similar to aloe vera leaves in terms of shape, color, and stiffness. The yucca is also a very adaptable plant, making it work for planting both indoors and outdoors. The major difference you’ll notice in a yucca plant is their bundle of flowers that grow in the middle of all the long, green leaves.
Aloe Vera Varieties: Exploring Beyond the Common Species:
While aloe vera is undoubtedly the most recognizable aloe plant, there is a fascinating array of aloe varieties to explore. These include the aloe aristata, aloe maculata, and aloe brevifolia, each with distinct characteristics and growth patterns.
By venturing beyond the common species, you can expand your knowledge of aloe plants and discover unique alternatives that suit your preferences.
Whether you’re drawn to the spiky leaves of aloe aristata or the compact rosettes of aloe brevifolia, exploring these diverse varieties allows for a more comprehensive understanding and appreciation of the aloe plant family.
Aloe Vera and Lookalike Plants: Unveiling the Healing Potential:
The healing potential of aloe vera and its lookalike plants extends beyond their cosmetic resemblance. These plants contain gel-like substances that possess therapeutic properties similar to aloe vera gel.
The soothing effect of these gels on the skin can promote overall texture and softness while providing relief for burns and minor skin irritations. In addition to their topical applications, aloe vera and its counterparts have a rich history in traditional medicine.
Their potential medicinal uses include digestive support, immune system enhancement, and anti-inflammatory benefits. Incorporating these plants into your wellness routine can offer natural remedies and contribute to your overall health and well-being.
Safety Measures: Identifying and Avoiding Poisonous Aloe Plants:
While aloe vera is generally safe, it’s essential to be aware of potentially toxic aloe plant varieties. Aloe elata, aloe ruspoliana, and aloe ballyi are examples of aloe plants that can be harmful if ingested or applied topically.
Accurate identification and differentiation of these species are crucial to prevent any accidental ingestion or adverse reactions. Engaging in spot tests before using aloe-derived products or venturing into the world of aloe lookalike plants ensures your safety.
By adopting these safety measures and being mindful of the specific species, you can confidently enjoy the benefits of aloe vera and its harmless lookalikes without any health concerns.
Summary
Trying to find plants that look like aloe vera plants is actually very easy. Many of these plants are also easy to care for and look just as gorgeous inside your home as aloe vera does. Some can grow pretty large, especially in a garden where they aren’t limited by the size of the pot they live in.
Whether you pick just one of these plants or a few to create a new plant setup or garden area, the splash of green leaves add a breath of fresh air and positive energy to both your indoor and outdoor oasis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Big Plant That Looks Like Aloe?
A popular plant that looks similar to aloe but grows much larger is an agave plant. Their leaves grow very similarly in terms of their shape and their color. Agave plants can make for gorgeous house plants as well, and since it’s succulent, they are somewhat easier to care for than many other houseplants.
Agave is also responsible for creating some of the most delicious tequila in the world, but consuming it straight from the plant is very toxic for both you and your pets; just like aloe vera.
What Is Similar To Aloe?
Apart from the plants listed that look like aloe, there are other plants that not only look like aloe, but have their own unique benefits. Some of these plants include the agave plant, as well as hechtia and ariocarpus.
Many of the plants that are similar to aloe are succulents too and, as such, are fairly low maintenance and easy to keep alive compared to other plants.
A lot of plants like aloe have been used for many years in alternative or traditional medicines in a variety of other cultures, and have been touted as pretty effective remedies for common ailments and illness.
Additionally, many of these plants can also be used to heal burns and scrapes similar to how aloe vera gel can.
Is There A Poisonous Aloe Plant?
There is more than one type of aloe plant, and unfortunately, some of the varieties are poisonous. This includes aloe elata, aloe ruspoliana, and aloe ballyi.
The gel inside the leaves has a very unpleasant odor apart from being toxic. The good news is that these varieties aren’t widespread, so you’re unlikely to accidentally bring one home, especially if you’re careful.
It’s very important that, before using anything derived from a plant, you know whether or not it’s actually safe for topical use or for ingesting. Plant based doesn’t always mean healthy, and a small spot test should always be done before putting anything on your skin to know how you’ll react to it.
Hey, I’m Lisa and I’ve been an avid gardener for over 30 years. I love writing, talking and living in the garden! Feel free to connect with me on my socials below
