People love orchids because their flowers are so unique and complicated. They come in a stunning range of colors, shapes, and sizes. But it can be hard to grow real orchids because they need very careful care. Luckily, there are a lot of flowers that look a lot like orchids but are actually from different plant families.
These orchid lookalikes allow you to achieve the elegant orchid aesthetic without the demands of caring for real orchids. With their lower maintenance, they are easier to grow for beginners or anyone who loves the orchid look but lacks the time for meticulous orchid care.
Here are 11 of the top flowers that emulate orchids but aren’t actually orchids
1. Balsam (Impatiens balsamina)
Balsam is one of the best plants that looks like an orchid because its flowers hang down. They come in shades of pink, red, white, purple, and orange. Balsam belongs to the Balsaminaceae family and originated in Asia.
2. Pride of Table Mountain (Disa uniflora)
Disa uniflora is a beautiful orchid doppelganger native to South Africa. The flowers have an intricate shape with a spur, reminiscent of many orchid blossoms. The blooms come in shades of red, pink and white
3. Clivia (Clivia miniata)
Clivia produces large clusters of tubular-shaped orange or yellow flowers that resemble orchids. They are low maintenance and belong to the Amaryllidaceae family.
4. Flame Lily (Gloriosa superba)
Flame lily flowers look a lot like orchids because their petals are swept back and their stamens are easy to see. They are red and yellow and are in the Colchicaceae family.
5. Red Ginger (Alpinia purpurata)
On long, cone-shaped inflorescences that look like orchid sprays, red ginger grows bright red flowers. Being in the Zingiberaceae family, red ginger does best in warm, tropical places.
6. Spider Lily (Hymenocallis littoralis)
As the name suggests, spider lily blooms have long, spidery petals radiating from the center like many orchids. The fragrant, white flowers are part of the Amaryllidaceae family.
7. Small Fry (Disporopsis pernyi)
Also called fairy bells, Disporopsis pernyi produces charming bell-shaped flowers in white or pale pink that dangle from arching stems. The mini orchid-like blooms are part of the Asparagaceae family.
8. Hooker’s Lips (Psychotria hookeri)
This shrub displays beautiful reddish-purple, orchid-like bracts surrounding small white flowers. Hooker’s lips is a member of the Rubiaceae family.
9. Ornamental Tobacco (Nicotiana alata)
The pendulous, tubular flowers of ornamental tobacco closely resemble orchids. They come in red, white, lime green and purple shades. It is part of the Solanaceae family.
10. Cockscomb Celosia (Celosia cristata)
Though largely grown for its crested flower heads, cockscomb celosia also produces airy plumes in bright colors that mimic orchid sprays. This plant is in the Amaranthaceae family.
11. Bearded Iris (Iris × germanica)
Bearded iris blooms have papery petals in a range of colors and patterns. Their intricate shape gives them an orchid-like appearance. They are part of the Iridaceae family.
While not exact replicas, these flowers emulate the elegance and visual appeal of orchids without the demands. Their lower maintenance makes them easier to grow.
With the right care, these orchid lookalikes will reward you with long-lasting, exotic blooms reminiscent of orchids. They allow anyone to achieve that coveted orchid charm without all the work.
Key Differences From Orchids
While the flowers may resemble orchids, there are some key differences:
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They belong to different plant families.
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They have less fussy care requirements.
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The flowers lack intricate orchid details.
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They don’t produce pseudobulbs.
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The foliage differs from orchid leaves.
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They thrive without specialized orchid environments.
How to Grow Orchid Lookalikes
Many orchid lookalikes are easy to grow with the following care:
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Site them in bright, indirect light or light shade.
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Water regularly to keep soil evenly moist.
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Use a well-draining potting mix.
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Fertilize occasionally during growing season.
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Avoid cold drafts. Some are tropicals requiring warm temps.
Achieve the Orchid Look Minus the Work
For gardeners who love orchids but struggle to grow them, these orchid lookalikes are an excellent solution. Their lower maintenance allows anyone to easily capture the elegant orchid aesthetic.
With amazing variety in colors and forms, these flowers provide exotic beauty without the demands of orchids. Growing these imposters lets you enjoy the orchid charm you love without all the meticulous care real orchids require.
Red pagoda (Crassula capitella)
As its name reflects, the red pagoda succulent plant looks like a colourful tiered tower.
How much do you think this species, native to South Africa, looks like our very own Chinese-style Great Pagoda here at Kew?.
Red pagoda (Crassula capitella) © Eric Hunt/ Wikimedia Commons
The Great Pagoda © Jeff Eden/RBG Kew
Bee orchid (Ophrys apifera)
The flowers of the Ophrys apifera mimic the appearance of a bee. The large lip resembles the main body of the flying insect, while two inner tepals look like antennae.
But the similarity is not always coincidental. Natural selection has favoured some Ophrys species that resemble their insect pollinators as their appearance cleverly boosts their pollination.
In the UK, we dont have the bee that the orchid is mimicking. As a result, the orchid survives by self-pollinating to reproduce.
Ophrys apifera © Hans Hillewaert/Creative Commons
Dracula simia and Dracula benedictii are two species of orchids in the Dracula genus that look like monkey faces (no vampires here).
Monkey orchid (Dracula simia) © Dick Culbert/Wikimedia Commons
Dracula benedictii © Orchi/Wikimedia Commons
How to tell an Orchid flower spike from a root – Phalaenopsis
FAQ
What flowers look similar to orchids?
- Miltoniopsis (Pansy Orchid Lookalikes)
- Foxglove.
- African Violets.
- Gladiolus.
- Tacca (Bat Flower)
- Columbine.
- Hoya (Wax Plant)
- Bird Of Paradise.
How do you take care of a moth orchid?
Moth orchids (Phalaenopsis) do well in bright, indirect light, moderate temperatures, and good humidity. They are pretty easy to take care of indoors. Water when the potting mix is almost dry, fertilize regularly, and repot as needed.
How to care for a bamboo orchid?
Bamboo orchid needs long periods of light, and if it doesn’t receive enough light, its leaves will turn yellow and fall off. Improper watering. Over-watering may cause root rot, and under-watering may dehydrate the plant, both of which will cause its leaves to turn yellow and fall off.
Why are they called ghost orchids?
The lower petal, the labellum, has two long, lateral tendrils that twist slightly downward, resembling the hind legs of a jumping frog. Its bracts are scarious — thin and papery. This orchid’s roots blend in so well with the tree that the flower may look like it’s floating in the air, which is how it got its name, “ghost orchid.”
What plants look like orchids?
Aztec lily – the flowers and leaves resemble orchids. Hoya – the plant structure looks like an orchid. Bearded iris – the flowers look like orchids. Purple orchid tree – the flowers resemble orchids. Darth Vader plant – an orchid hybrid with peculiar-looking flowers. Nong Nooch vine – the flowers and plant look like an orchid variety.
Do lilies look like orchids?
Aztec Lily (Sprekelia formosissima) The Aztec lily is also known as an orchid lily because of how much its flower resembles an orchid. Aztec lilies are native to Mexico and Guatemala. The plant grows up to 12 inches tall. The bright red flowers have a similar structure to orchid flowers. Like orchids, they also have three sepals and three petals.
Which orchid looks like a doppelganger?
With its attractive pendulous blooms, balsam is one of the best orchid lookalikes. The flowers come in pink, red, white, purple and orange shades. Balsam belongs to the Balsaminaceae family and originated in Asia. Disa uniflora is a beautiful orchid doppelganger that is native to South Africa.
Are orchids the same as orchids?
People love orchids because their flowers are so unique and complicated. They come in a huge range of colors, shapes, and sizes. While true orchids belong to the Orchidaceae family, there are many flowers that closely resemble orchids but actually belong to different plant families.
What does a purple orchid tree look like?
The tree is named after its pale purple or bluish flowers, which look very similar to orchids (but have the added benefit of a strong, sweet fragrance). The tree is on the smaller side, rarely growing more than 40 feet tall. The flowers usually appear in late winter or early spring.
How do Aztec lilies differ from orchids?
The bright red flowers have a similar structure to orchid flowers. Like orchids, they also have three sepals and three petals. The leaves are long and straight, just like orchid leaves. However, Aztec lily flowers have long, thin petals that set them apart from orchids.