Called snake plant for its undulating appearance and serpent-like mottling or chevron patterns, Dracaena trifasciata (formerly Sansevieria trifasciata) can’t be seen as anything but a beautiful addition to homes. With the calming features of an anti-depressant and enough charisma to charm even those with an aversion towards cuddly little bunnies, this evergreen houseplant is sure to find plenty of loving owners throughout the years.
For such a low maintenance care routine, snake plants are surprisingly difficult to kill. And they’re called mother-in-law plants because of the sharp points at the ends of their leaves which some people say are perfect for jabbing people who deserve it – which means it’s easy to please almost anyone who gets this plant as a gift!
Snake Plant Care at a Glance
Common name: Snake plant, mother-in-law’s tongue
Scientific name: Dracaena trifasciata (formerly Sansevieria trifasciata)
Soil: Cactus and succulent potting soil
Light: Bright indirect light, morning sun
Water: Low
Food: Cactus and succulent plant food
Temperature and humidity: Average indoor temperatures and humidity
Propagation: Division in spring
Safety: Toxic to pets and humans if ingested
Snake Plant Characteristics
Native to western Africa and varying in height from 6 inches to 8 feet, snake plants produce rosettes which grow out of rhizomes. Taller than they are wide, they prefer having rigid and stiff blades which form a tight shape. Meanwhile, shorter bird’s nest varieties are softer and display more tongue-like leaves.
Snake plants don’t always bloom. However, if they do it’s an unusual sight; it happens most often during the spring season and on outdoor plants – rarely indoors. Regardless of these facts, most people grow them for their remarkably beautiful leaves that come in a variety of colors such as dark green with light yellow bands or vice versa.
Folklore claims that when you hang a snake plant over the door it will keep evil eyes out of your home and protect you from misfortune. They come in two different heights – tall or short – depending on whether they are going to work as an accent piece for your decor or if they are filling up space in your home now that you’re alone.
Types of Snake Plant
- ‘Golden Hahnii’: Golden bird’s nest snake plant grows to 8 inches with yellow-edged and yellow-variegated green leaves in an upright rosette.
- ‘Laurentii’: Probably the most popular variegated snake plant, goldband snake plant can reach 4 feet high with its slender green spears marked with gray-green variegation and yellow edges.
- ‘Silver Hahnii’: Silver bird’s nest snake plant grows to about 1 foot tall; its pale green leaves are lightly outlined with dark green and smudged with horizontal green markings.
Selecting Snake Plant Soil
Snake plants can’t handle being over watered or having wet feet. But thankfully, it doesn’t need much care outside of that. For starters, make sure to fill the pot it’s planted in with a quick-draining potting soil so it doesn’t become submerged in water for prolonged periods of time. Or, alternatively, put one part ordinary potting soil and one part cactus compost together for an even better result!
A snake plant pot that is too light, such as a plastic one, will cause the container to tip over when watered. Consider using terra-cotta or ceramic pots instead; they are usually wider and heavier than plastic ones, preventing this problem altogether. If you want an easier solution then adding gravel at the bottom of your pot can help give it more weight so that there isn’t so much movement when watering. Whatever option you pick, just make sure there are drainage holes!
Related: 10 Low-Maintenance Houseplants to Keep Indoor Air Fresh
The Right Light
To meet snake plant light requirements, try placing it in a location where light won’t hit directly but still provide sufficient illumination. Indirect sunlight from windows facing south or west work best for these plants. Mirrors can also help reflect enough brightness to make up for the lack of direct light rays hitting the leaves of the houseplant; though you need to be careful because too much reflection could cause burns on its leaves.
If you want to diffuse the light coming through your window but don’t want something in front of it, try placing a sheer curtain between the window and your plants. Morning sunlight is softer on a plant than afternoon sunlight so plants sitting near east-facing windows will not need curtains unless they are sensitive to being burned. Some plants may lose their leaf variety if exposed to low lighting long enough but Snake Plants should be able to adjust without losing too many leaves.
Watering Snake Plants
From Spring to Autumn, make sure that you are watering your Snake Plant when its soil has dried two inches below. In Winter however, only give it just enough water that the bottom of the pot gets wet – no more than once every two weeks. Make sure that you pour any excess of water onto the roots and not away from them.
After waiting about 10 minutes for the container to finish draining, discard the excess water from the saucer. This flushing helps prevent fertilizer and calcium salts from building up, leading to unsightly white residue on top of your soil and brown burns around the edges of your plant’s leaves.
Related: 10 Houseplants That Thrive Where Others Die
Fertilizing Snake Plants
Feed your plants during spring and summer with fertilizer designed for cacti and succulents. Follow the instructions on the package when adding this to your plants’ soil to avoid risking their health. Such fertilizers are typically a blend of two parts nitrogen, one part phosphorus, and two parts potassium. You may need to apply it once or twice per month depending on how much sunlight they receive.
If you’re looking for an alternative, we recommend using a fertilizer made for flowering plants. Mix it at half strength and apply once per month from April to September only. Don’t fertilize your snake plant when there’s no signs of growth or blooming – this is because they don’t need as much food during winter months.
Setting the Temperature and Humidity
Snake plants can survive any climate. Even if you live in an area where the temperature ranges from 60 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit and your home has low humidity. All they need is some water and light, so give them what they want because these hardy plants will last for years!
During winter, avoid placing plants near poorly sealed windows or outside doors – they’ll freeze! Snake plants only grow well in zones 10-12 so these cold temps will just kill it.
Propagating Snake Plants
Although it is possible to propagate these plants from cuttings, some types are chimeras, meaning they have a mixture of two or more genetically different types of cells. This means they will not inherit the colours of the cultivar from which they were taken. But snake plants reproduce offshoots next to them – so there is hope for new plants if you divide those offshoots away from their parent.
To propagate an indeterminate orchid, start by removing the entire plant from its container and rinsing any soil still clinging to its roots. Next, using a sharp knife, cut off one of the L-shaped nodes (rhizomes) from the mother plant. Make sure that there are roots growing out of the node before cutting it free. Plant this node in another pot at the same depth as in which it was grown originally; water it well and keep it in moderate light until recovery is complete.
Related: 10 Houseplants You Can Propagate the Fastest for an Ever-Expanding Indoor Garden
Safety Considerations
Keep in mind that some plants can be harmful to both humans and animals. Snake plant may contain saponins, which are natural bitter-tasting toxins strong enough to cause nausea and vomiting if ingested by either yourself, your child, or even your pet. The chemicals within snake plant are not well absorbed into human systems so there isn’t much risk of death but could prove fatal for animals who tend to eat grasses around the house when owners aren’t looking. If you have an animal in your home who seems obsessed with greenery – don’t keep this one at hand!
A full grown specimen of this poisonous plant can weigh so much that it would be too heavy for a child to pick up and carry. Make sure that you keep this potentially dangerous plant out of reach for children under five years old.
Potential Pests and Diseases
If your snake plant doesn’t look right, check out these quick tips to see what could be wrong. If it seems yellow or wrinkled, then you may need to water more often. But if the leaves have begun to turn brown and fall off, don’t worry! It just needs a little light. Remember- if you’re not sure about anything else- always talk to an expert for advice!
If you see insects that resemble bits of cotton, dab those mealybugs with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Webbing accompanied by tiny specks could indicate spider mites. Spray those with insecticidal soap, following the directions on the container and repeating the spray 5 days later. And keep in mind that spider mites usually mean your plant or the air around it is too dry.
FAQs About Snake Plant Care
For those who are interested in learning more about snake plants and how they grow, there are some popular questions answered right here.
Q. Do snake plants need direct sunlight?
Snake plants are delicate creatures so they will not survive too much sunlight. Give them either bright, indirect light or morning sun from an east-facing window – but never too much of it!
Q. Do snake plants need direct sunlight?
No. Snake plants need a certain amount of sun in order to thrive, but too much will burn them. They prefer either bright, indirect light or only morning light (on an east-facing windowsill).
Q. Where should I keep my snake plant at home?
Keep it in a position where it receives bright light but no direct sun except morning sun.
Q. How many times a week should I water a snake plant?
Keep an eye on your plants during the different seasons! During the winter, water them once every two weeks. During the spring growing season, give them a drink when they need it most – when they have almost dried out completely. But remember – don’t over-water during summer or fall either!
Q. How many times a week should I water a snake plant?
Watering frequency varies depending on the season. During winter, your plants should only need to be watered about twice a month. In the growing season, make sure that you keep up with their water needs but beware of over-watering during hot weather.
