8 Harry Potter Plants That Are Real

Raul is an Editor at BalconyGardenWeb and an expert in flower and herb cultivation based in Phoenix, Arizona. A frequent speaker at horticultural events, he is also an active contributor to Facebook flower groups. Holding an MBA degree, Raul blends his gardening skills with strong leadership and analytical abilities.
Learn About Our Editorial Policy

2-Minute Read

Some magical plants from Harry Potter are based on real ones. Mandrakes have medicinal properties but are poisonous. Devil's Snare is like parasitic vines. Gillyweed is similar to kombu. Whomping Willow resembles the Weeping Willow. Aconitum, used in a potion, is Monkshood. Asphodel, used for a sleeping potion, has ties to Greek legends. Dittany, with healing properties, is like Origanum dictamnus. And the Ball Cactus looks real but has a fictional use!

You must have a recollection of the Harry Potter Plants that we all saw in that blockbuster movie! But are they for real? Let’s find out!

Your kids must have asked you about Harry Potter plants and you might also have got a request from them to get these specimens for the garden or their room. If you just nodded, well, we have good news for you! Keep reading!

 SpongeBob Flowers that Exist in Real


Harry Potter Plants

J.K. Rowling’s best-selling fantasy series, Harry Potter, contains magical plants. Many of these are fictional, but some of them are based on actual plants, or even have real-world relatives.

1. Mandrake

Harry Potter Plants That Are Real

Harry Potter Plants That Are Real

In the movie, the juice of these magical plants was used as a powerful potion to bring someone back from near death.

In the real world, Mediterranean mandrakes also have medicinal, analgesic, and soothing properties. However, these are poisonous and cause serious health problems if ingested or handled improperly.

Look at the Best Magical Plants that Radiate Magic

2. Devil’s Snare

Real Plants from Harry Potter

Real Plants from Harry PotterDevil’s Snare was an evil plant in the book that could strangle or constrict anything that came into contact with it.

In the real world, the plant is actually Strangler Figs, which are parasitic vines that grow on existing trees, eventually enveloping them and restricting their growth. However, the one in the movie was a fictionalized version of this.

3. Gillyweed

Real-Life Harry Potter Plants Real-Life Harry Potter Plants

Gillyweed grants the ability to breathe underwater and makes one develop webbed hands and feet for a limited time when eaten in the movie. It plays a crucial role in Harry’s second task during the Triwizard Tournament in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

In reality, the plant is similar to kombu, which makes sense due to its underwater habitat and nutritional value.

4. Whomping Willow

Real Plants from the Harry Potter Universe

Real Plants from the Harry Potter Universe

The Whomping Willow is depicted as a violently defensive tree in the movie. Its branches attack anyone or anything that gets too close, capable of causing serious injury.

While the tree looks similar to Weeping Willow, the plant in the book was the author’s imagination!

5. Aconitum

Real-Life Plants from Harry Potter

Real-Life Plants from Harry PotterAconite’s flowers play a crucial role in Harry Potter, particularly in the creation of the Wideye potion. It serves the vital purpose of reviving individuals from deep sleep or preventing them from falling asleep altogether.

In the real world, Aconitum, also known as Monkshood or Wolfsbane, is a perennial herb highly renowned for its striking dark purple to blue flowers.

Check out Weeds with Blue Flowers

6. Asphodel

Real-Life Harry Potter Plants 1

Real-Life Harry Potter Plants 1

Asphodel roots are used in the Draught of Living Death potion in Harry Potter – known for its powerful sleeping properties.

In today’s era also, there are some stories attached to this plant. The Greek legend connects Asphodel with the dead, mourning, and the underworld.

7. Dittany

Real Plants from Harry Potter 1

Real Plants from Harry Potter 1

Dittany, a fascinating plant in the Harry Potter series, possesses healing and restorative properties capable of causing fresh skin to grow over a wound. This remarkable ability was demonstrated when Ron lost a piece of his arm due to Splinching.

In the real world, Origanum dictamnus is used in herbal tea to relieve cough, cold, mild disorders of the stomach, and digestive problems.

8. Ball Cactus

Harry Potter Plants That Are Real 1

Harry Potter Plants That Are Real 1

It is a magical plant with unique properties. It releases a substance called Stinksap, a dark green non-poisonous liquid used in potion making.

This shares similarities with the real-world ball cactus in appearance. The distinguishing factor would be the real one is easy to care for and popular for its beautiful flowers, while the potter’s one has a fictional usage!

 Now check out these 6 Piranha Plants that Look like Mario Games

Recent Posts

Join our 3 Million Followers:

2.6MFollowers
300kFans
69kSubscribers

Related Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here