Marijuana, also known as weed or cannabis, is a popular recreational and medicinal drug. With various relaxational and health benefits, people all over the country and the world enjoy this little green leaf in its various forms. However, not all plants that resemble marijuana are the real deal. In fact, there are several plants out there that look like weed but aren’t.
As a home grower in the USA, it is important to be able to identify these marijuana lookalikes to avoid any confusion or legal issues. Today, we’re taking a look at 13 plants that look like weed but aren’t, highlighting their appearance similarities and key differences from marijuana. By understanding these distinguishing characteristics, you can ensure responsible cultivation practices.
Characteristics of Marijuana Lookalikes
Marijuana lookalikes come in many shapes and sizes, from vaguely similar to nearly identical. Spotting the differences is what makes all the difference. Here are 13 of the most common lookalikes and what you should look out for to tell them apart:
Japanese Maple
Japanese maple is a marijuana lookalike that often deceives the untrained eye. With seven-lobed, palmate leaves that are similar to marijuana, this ornamental plant can easily be mistaken for the real thing.
Though the leaf structure is similar, Japanese maple typically sports red leaves, especially in the fall, while marijuana maintains a consistently green hue. Also, marijuana leaves have serrated edges, which is a feature not shared by Japanese maple.
Hemp Agrimony
Known for its long green leaves and clustered pink flowers, hemp agrimony can bear a striking resemblance to marijuana when not in bloom. Much like the Japanese maple, the leaf structure mimics the palmate leaves of marijuana.
What sets hemp agrimony apart is its height, as it grows significantly taller than most marijuana plants, and its aforementioned pink flowers. These are features that marijuana lacks.
Hops
As a close relative of marijuana, hops share a significant resemblance with its cannabis cousin. They both exhibit hand-like leaves with serrated edges, making a mix-up understandable.
Differences lie in the flowers. Hops produce cone-like flowers, unlike the bushy, nugget-like buds of marijuana. Hopes are most famous for their use in beer and have a distinctive, beer-like smell to them that’s hard to confuse for marijuana.
Bay Laurel
Bay laurel is often mixed up with marijuana due to the shape of its leaves, which are elongated and relatively similar to those of some cannabis strains.
A key difference between bay laurel and marijuana is their scent — when bay laurel leaves are crushed, they emit a fragrant aroma, unlike marijuana. Additionally, the leaves of bay laurel trees are far glossier than those of marijuana plants.
Skunk Cabbage
Skunk cabbage's broad, green leaves can make it look similar to the marijuana plant. However, skunk cabbage gets its name from its strong, unpleasant odor, which drastically differs from the scent of marijuana. It also grows in wet, swampy areas, unlike marijuana, which prefers a more controlled environment.
Elderberry
At first glance, Elderberry plants can be mistaken for marijuana due to the similar structure of their leaves. Upon closer inspection, you will notice that elderberry leaves change color in the fall, unlike marijuana. Also, elderberry plants produce clusters of berries, while marijuana will only flower.
American Germander
American germander’s leaf structure, with its serrated edges and elongated shape, can easily be mistaken for marijuana. Unlike marijuana, American germander bears purple flowers. Furthermore, the leaves of this plant are much smaller and less glossy than those of marijuana.
Jerusalem Sage
Jerusalem sage's leaf structure and its palmate leaves share similarities with marijuana. It can be distinguished by its yellow flowers and the fact that its leaves are wooly and have a softer feel than the smooth leaves of marijuana.
Tansy
Tansy, also known as golden or bitter buttons, could be mistaken for marijuana due to their deeply divided leaves. However, tansy is known for its bright, yellow, button-like flowers, which marijuana doesn't have. Tansy’s leaves are also fern-like, and its overall plant structure is bushier than marijuana.
Kenaf
Kenaf's five to seven-lobed leaves share similarities with marijuana and might cause some confusion. Upon closer inspection, one would notice that those leaves are much larger and grow taller than the typical marijuana plant. Kenaf flowers are yellow, too.
Mexican Tarragon
Known for its strong flavor, Mexican tarragon might be mistaken for marijuana due to its green leaves and bushy growth. Despite this, the Mexican tarragon has smaller leaves and produces golden-yellow flowers. Also, when the leaves are crushed, they emit a strong anise-like aroma, which is distinctly different from marijuana.
Redstem Filaree
Redstem filaree is another plant with leaves that have a similar structure to marijuana. The major difference is in the flowers, as redstem filaree produces small, purple flowers, which are very different from the buds produced by marijuana plants.
Japanese Knotweed
Japanese knotweed's tall growth and broad leaves can initially seem like marijuana. However, the heart-shaped leaves and bamboo-like stems make it easy to distinguish once you know what to look for. Also, it produces clusters of tiny, white flowers, unlike marijuana.
Grow With Confidence and Kind Seed Co
In the world of botany, appearances can be deceitful. There are numerous plants out there that bear a striking resemblance to marijuana. As a responsible gardener, you should be able to identify plants that mimic marijuana to prevent confusion and legal complications. Always ensure responsible cultivation practices, and consider buying cannabis seeds from reliable sources like Kind Seed Co.
