Enhancing fertilizer use efficiency is a key aspect in attaining sustainable agriculture objectives, aiming to curtail costs, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and alleviate pollution stemming from nutrient runoff. While extensive research has delved into fertilizer utilization in cereal crops, understanding the broader monocot plant community could unveil novel insights. In this study, we investigated nitrogen uptake efficiency across three species—Anthurium andreanum, Epipremnum aureum, and Philodendron scandens—belonging to the Araceae family. Like maize, these species are characterized by root development from both subterranean and aerial tissues. Employing 15N-labeled sources of nitrate, ammonium, and glycine, we assessed nitrogen uptake capacity in both aerial and soil-originating roots, juxtaposed with similar investigations conducted on maize brace roots from field-grown plants. Intriguingly, our findings revealed a positive correlation between nitrogen uptake capacity and root thickness across all species. Notably, nitrate exhibited the strongest correlation with root thickness, succeeded by ammonium, while glycine uptake displayed variable patterns among species. Further examination of species-specific traits encompassing growth form, anatomy, and physiological attributes elucidates finer nuances in nitrogen uptake dynamics. Unravelling these parallels and distinctions among diverse species not only informs translational advancements in crop breeding but also underscores opportunities for enhancing urban greenspaces.