When it comes to indoor plants, few make such a striking impression as a Chinese evergreen. Also known as Philippine evergreen, the Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema) is a genus of tropical plants prized for indoor cultivation. There are dozens of Chinese evergreen cultivars available in 2026.
Contents
- 1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
- 2. String Of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
- 3. Elephant Ears (Colocasia esculenta)
- 4. Persian Shield (Strobilanthes Dyerianus)
- 5. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
- 6. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
- 7. Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum)
- 8. Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
- 9. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
- 10. Zebra Plant (Calathea zebrina)
They are typically recognized by their large, oval to lance-shaped leaves and distinctive variegation. Most Chinese evergreens display multicolored foliage with patterns, splashes, or stripes in shades of green, silver, white, pink, cream, and red, depending on the cultivar.
Despite the wide range of Chinese evergreen cultivars, several other houseplants share similar leaf shape, size, variegation, or overall appearance. These plants might serve as excellent alternatives to the Chinese evergreen or as complementary companions in your indoor garden.
Follow along to learn more about how these 10 plants resemble Chinese evergreens and how you can tell them apart.
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
The snake plant (Sansevieria or Dracaena trifasciata) is among the most popular indoor plants, rivaling the Chinese evergreen in ease of care. This plant produces long, upright, sword-like leaves that grow vertically from a rhizomatous base. What makes them similar to Chinese evergreens is their variegation. Snake plants typically display vibrant green leaves edged in yellow with horizontal gray-green or silver banding.
Although the patterning differs in style from most Chinese evergreen varieties, the multicolored effect is still visually comparable. Snake plants are exceptionally low-maintenance and tolerate neglect well. They grow between 1 and 3 feet tall indoors, placing them in a similar size range as many Chinese evergreen cultivars.
2. String Of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
Although string of hearts (Ceropegia woodii) is a trailing succulent rather than an upright foliage plant, its leaf coloring and patterning still evoke the variegated appeal of Chinese evergreens. As the name suggests, the leaves are small, heart-shaped, and dangle gracefully from thin, wiry stems.
The most common variety displays green leaves with silvery or white mottling, reminiscent of variegated Chinese evergreens. There is also a pink-tinged cultivar, ‘String of Hearts Variegata,’ which mirrors the blush tones seen in varieties like Aglaonema ‘Harlequin’ or ‘Pink Dalmatian.’
Like the Chinese evergreen, string of hearts thrives indoors with minimal care. It offers a similarly eye-catching aesthetic and is an ideal alternative if you prefer a cascading habit with comparable variegation and color interest.
3. Elephant Ears (Colocasia esculenta)
Another plant that commands attention indoors is the elephant ear (Alocasia or Colocasia species). Elephant ears can reach up to 8 feet tall outdoors but typically grow between 3 and 5 feet indoors. They are known for their large, arrow- or heart-shaped leaves that resemble the ears of an elephant.
While most elephant ear varieties display solid green coloring, the prominent leaf veins create a striped or ribbed texture that can resemble the patterning on certain Chinese evergreen cultivars, especially under indirect light. Given their size and lush green foliage, elephant ears make excellent companion plants for Chinese evergreens in spacious, well-lit indoor settings.
4. Persian Shield (Strobilanthes Dyerianus)
Read our guide to Persian Shield
The Persian shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus) is one of the most visually dramatic indoor plants available. This tropical perennial grows up to 3 to 4 feet tall indoors and produces large, elongated oval leaves with a similar shape to Chinese evergreen foliage. To the untrained eye, a Persian shield might resemble an unusually colored Chinese evergreen cultivar.
What sets it apart is its iridescent purple foliage with green veining along the midrib and leaf edges. The contrast between the metallic purple and green creates a boldly patterned effect reminiscent of the variegation found in Chinese evergreens, making it a stunning alternative or companion plant.
5. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Read our guide to Spider Plant
Like the snake plant, the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) has long, arching, blade-like leaves. However, spider plant leaves are much thinner and more gracefully curved. They typically feature green margins with a creamy white or pale yellow central stripe, which recalls the variegation seen in many Chinese evergreen varieties.
Spider plants are more compact than Chinese evergreens, reaching only about 12 to 15 inches in height with a similar spread. This makes them ideal companion plants for Chinese evergreens. Additionally, spider plants are extremely easy to grow indoors and share similar light preferences—bright, indirect light with tolerance for lower light conditions.
6. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) has fewer visual similarities to Chinese evergreens than other plants on this list, but it shares comparable size, growth habit, and indoor adaptability. The ZZ plant grows 2 to 3 feet tall, roughly the same size as a medium Chinese evergreen. It has glossy, dark green leaflets.
The individual leaflets are small, oval, and arranged in pairs along upright, thick rachises. Unlike the broad, patterned leaves of Chinese evergreens, ZZ plant foliage is uniform in color and texture. Because of its simple, architectural appearance, the ZZ plant serves as an excellent companion that complements rather than competes with the decorative foliage of a Chinese evergreen.
7. Pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum)
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum), also known as devil’s ivy, is another popular houseplant with visual similarities to Chinese evergreens. Pothos is a trailing or climbing vine that can grow up to 10 feet or more indoors when allowed to cascade or climb. It has heart-shaped leaves splashed with yellow, white, or lime-green variegation, depending on the cultivar.
Some Pothos varieties, such as ‘Marble Queen’ or ‘Manjula,’ display prominent white or cream variegation that resembles the patterned leaves of Chinese evergreens. Like Chinese evergreens, Pothos thrives in bright, indirect light but tolerates lower light. It is an excellent alternative if you want similar variegation in a vining form rather than an upright clumping habit.
8. Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
Read our guide to Prayer Plant
Prayer plants (Maranta leuconeura) are another excellent indoor option with foliage that evokes the patterned beauty of Chinese evergreens. These compact plants grow up to 12 to 15 inches tall, making them ideal for tabletops or as understory companions to taller Chinese evergreens. Prayer plants are recognized by their dark green leaves with lighter green, silver, or cream markings along the midrib and veins.
Some varieties, such as ‘Red Maranta,’ feature dark pink or maroon veining and spots, which can resemble the pink-toned Chinese evergreen cultivars like ‘Siam Aurora’ or ‘Valentine.’ Prayer plants have broad, oval leaves and require bright, indirect light with consistent humidity to thrive indoors.
9. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
The rubber plant (Ficus elastica) is a classic indoor tree that shares the bold, glossy foliage appeal of Chinese evergreens. This upright plant can grow between 6 and 10 feet tall indoors, making it significantly larger than most Chinese evergreens. The leaves are large, oval, and leathery with a deep green, glossy finish.
Some rubber plant cultivars, such as ‘Tineke’ or ‘Ruby,’ display cream, white, or pink variegation on the leaf edges or throughout the foliage, which visually resembles the patterned leaves of variegated Chinese evergreens. The leaf shape and size are also comparable.
Because rubber plants grow taller and have a similar tropical aesthetic, they make ideal companion plants for Chinese evergreens in large indoor spaces, particularly in bright corners or beside windows with filtered light.
Related: 5 Plants That Look Like Rubber Plants
10. Zebra Plant (Calathea zebrina)
Finally, the zebra plant (Aphelandra squarrosa) is another striking foliage plant that rivals the visual appeal of Chinese evergreens. It grows about 1 to 2 feet tall indoors, placing it in a similar size range. The zebra plant has large, dark green, oval leaves with prominent white or cream veins that run along the midrib and lateral veins.
This bold white striping on a dark green background creates a pattern strikingly similar to variegated Chinese evergreen cultivars such as ‘Silver Bay’ or ‘Silver Queen.’ The zebra plant also produces showy yellow bracts when it blooms, adding seasonal interest beyond its foliage.
