All the pieces you Must Know About Snake Vegetation: Well-liked Sorts, Makes use of, Symbolism & How-To-Develop
Whether or not you’re a brand new or seasoned houseplant proprietor, you’ve seemingly come throughout the snake plant. This species has grown widespread over time for its simple care wants and engaging look. The snake plant is thought for its distinctive yellow and inexperienced striped leaves. Nevertheless, this species is available in quite a lot of sizes and styles. Right here we’ll take you thru 14 of the most well-liked varieties of snake vegetation you may add to your houseplant assortment. Plus we’ve included important rising and care ideas for every. Let’s go!
About Snake Vegetation

The snake plant, is a slow-growing, evergreen perennial plant native to tropical components of West Africa from Nigeria to the Congo. It belongs to the plant household Asparagaceae or the asparagus household.
Due to its origins, the plant thrives in heat, dry circumstances. Since its discovery, individuals have cultivated the snake plant for decorative functions all over the world.
This plant’s genus was Sansevieria till 2017 when it was reclassified below the genus Dracaena. As we speak, individuals typically consult with it utilizing each its earlier species title, Sansevieria trifasciata, and its present official title, Dracaena trifasciata.
The snake plant is usually acknowledged for its strong inexperienced leaves that develop upward from the Earth. Nevertheless, there are greater than 70 cultivars of this plant, a lot of which you could find in your native backyard store.
Snake Plant Makes use of and Advantages

Because it seems, the snake plant is widespread for greater than its distinctive aesthetic enchantment. The plant additionally affords air-purifying advantages that NASA acknowledged of their Clear Air Examine.
By their analysis, NASA confirmed that the Sansevieria trifasciata ‘laurentii’ may take away chemical substances like benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene from the air.
Whereas the snake plant isn’t identified for feng shui advantages, it’s value inserting in your bed room, workplace, or residing space to freshen the air and create a lovely focus.
The species makes a superb houseplant in varied climates. It may well additionally develop properly outside in hotter circumstances.
Sadly, the snake plant doesn’t provide medicinal advantages. The truth is, it may be mildly poisonous to canine and cats. The species accommodates saponins, a sort of chemical that may trigger abdomen troubles if consumed.
Snake Plant That means and Symbolism
Curiously, the snake plant has taken on some distinctive symbolism in Nigeria, certainly one of its international locations of origin.
The species is related to the Nigerian spirits Oya and Ogun, which symbolize storms and struggle. Moreover, there are rituals in Nigeria that use the snake plant to remove the ‘evil eye’ from the surroundings.
Generally, snake vegetation are thought to deliver optimistic power to the house and are thought of symbols of fine luck.
10 Finest Choices for Snake Plant Supply within the USA
Our favourite plant retailers transport snake vegetation nationwide all through the USA.
14 Well-liked Forms of Snake Vegetation to Develop at Residence
Now, let’s check out among the hottest snake vegetation to develop at dwelling. Use this listing to get to know this species and its many cultivars. From there, you’ll be ready to decide on the proper Sansevieria as an easygoing addition to your houseplant assortment.
1. Variegated Snake Plant (Sansevieria laurentii)

The variegated snake plant, or Sansevieria laurentii, is thought for its marbled inexperienced coloring and brilliant yellow edges. It is among the better-known varieties, rising upright in clusters of tall, blade-like leaves.
Together with another snake plant cultivars, the laurentii has earned the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Backyard Benefit. This was additionally the variability that proved its air purification talents in NASA’s Clear Air Examine.
Basic care necessities: | Straightforward and low-maintenance |
Environmental concerns: | This plant prefers medium to brilliant, oblique gentle, heat temperatures, and rare watering. It is usually tolerant of shaded environments. |
Measurement and progress expectations: | The laurentii selection grows slowly and reaches round three ft in top or taller. |
2. Indian Bowstring Hemp (Sansevieria zeylanica)

Sansevieria zeylanica is quite a lot of snake plant identified by its scientific title. Nevertheless, it’s typically known as Indian bowstring hemp. This plant’s vertical, sword-shaped leaves have marbled coloring in a mixture of darker and lighter shades of inexperienced.
This snake plant selection is simply as hardy as different Sansevierias, with an identical easygoing nature. It stands out from the favored variegated snake plant, because it doesn’t have the intense yellow stripe round its leaves.
Basic care necessities: | Straightforward and low-maintenance |
Environmental concerns: | This plant prefers medium to brilliant, oblique gentle, heat temperatures, and rare watering. It is usually tolerant of shaded environments. |
Measurement and progress expectations: | It is a slow-growing plant that may attain as much as three ft in top or taller. |
3. Mom-in-Regulation’s Tongue ‘Moonshine’ (Sansevieria ‘Moonshine’)

Sansevieria moonshine is one other sort of snake plant identified by its scientific title. Nevertheless, it could typically be known as mother-in-law’s tongue ‘moonshine.’ This plant grows lighter, silver-green leaves with out the everyday marbled look that’s widespread in snake vegetation.
This selection will get its title for its pale, silvery shade, however it can turn into a lot darker in lower-light environments. It could produce small, white blooms in the suitable circumstances.
Basic care necessities: | Straightforward and low-maintenance |
Environmental concerns: | The moonshine snake plant prefers medium to brilliant, oblique gentle, heat temperatures, and rare watering. |
Measurement and progress expectations: | This slow-growing plant can attain as much as two ft in top indoors. |
4. Mom-in-law’s Tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata)

Sansevieria trifasciata, additionally known as mother-in-law’s tongue, is the unique snake plant from which different cultivars and varieties have developed.
This plant grows from a creeping rhizome in clusters of sword-shaped leaves. Curiously, this form earned the snake plant another nickname: Saint George’s sword.
Basic care necessities: | Straightforward and low-maintenance |
Environmental concerns: | This plant will take pleasure in medium to brilliant, oblique gentle, temperatures between 70 and 90 levels Fahrenheit, and rare watering. Nevertheless, it can tolerate decrease gentle circumstances if needed. |
Measurement and progress expectations: | This plant grows slowly indoors and might attain as much as eight ft tall in the suitable circumstances. |
5. African Bowstring Hemp (Sansevieria hyacinthoides)

Sansevieria Hyacinthoides is a snake plant selection from South Africa, often known as the African bowstring hemp. The title bowstring hemp is widespread amongst snake vegetation as a result of the plant’s fibers had been used previously to provide bowstrings.
This selection has flat, inexperienced leaves with lighter, silvery-green speckling. It could produce white blooms and small, orange fruit in the suitable circumstances.
Basic care necessities: | Straightforward and low-maintenance |
Environmental concerns: | This plant prefers medium to brilliant, oblique gentle, however it’s tolerant of low gentle circumstances. It enjoys heat temperatures between 60 and 85 levels Fahrenheit and rare watering. |
Measurement and progress expectations: | This plant grows through the hotter months and might attain two to 4 ft in top. |
6. Mikado (Sansevieria bacularis)

The Sansevieria bacularis, typically referred to by the title Mikado, is a novel snake plant with skinny, cylindrical leaves. The plant’s leaves develop in vertical spikes with inexperienced marbling.
Any such snake plant is native to Central Africa, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Basic care necessities: | Straightforward and low-maintenance |
Environmental concerns: | This plant prefers medium to brilliant, oblique gentle, heat temperatures, and rare watering. It is usually tolerant of shaded environments. |
Measurement and progress expectations: | Like different snake vegetation, this selection is slow-growing. It could take as much as ten years to achieve its most top of eight ft, although it can sometimes be a lot smaller indoors. |
7. African Spear Plant (Sansevieria cylindrica)

The Sansevieria cylindrica is native to tropical areas of southern Africa. The variability will get its widespread title, the African spear plant, attributable to its skinny, cylindrical leaves that resemble spears.
The African spear plant is hardy and lends a novel focus to any area. There are a number of completely different styles of this spear-like number of snake vegetation. Cultivars embrace Sansevieria cylindrica ‘Spaghetti’ and Sansevieria cylindrica ‘Patula.’
Basic care necessities: | Straightforward and low-maintenance |
Environmental concerns: | This selection will take pleasure in medium to brilliant, oblique gentle, and hotter temperatures, but it surely wants safety from scorching, direct daylight. Let soil dry between waterings. |
Measurement and progress expectations: | This plant grows comparatively slowly and might attain as much as six ft in top. |
8. Sansevieria francisii

Sansevieria francisii is an unusual selection that diverges from the everyday Sansevieria look. Its leaves are skinny and pointed with the same old inexperienced marbling. Nevertheless, they develop in rows that spiral upward, making a full, sculptural look.
This plant is native to components of Africa, particularly areas in Kenya. It was named in honor of the botanist Francis Ok. Horwood.
Basic care necessities: | Straightforward and low-maintenance |
Environmental concerns: | The francisii plant wants medium to brilliant, oblique gentle, heat temperatures, and rare watering. It may well tolerate some full solar in addition to shaded environments. |
Measurement and progress expectations: | This plant grows slowly and might attain about two ft in top. |
9. Kenya Hyacinth (Sansevieria parva)

The Sansevieria parva is an unusual snake plant selection often known as the Kenya Hyacinth. In contrast to different snake plant varieties, this Sansevieria is a good alternative for hanging baskets attributable to its distinctive look.
The Kenya hyacinth has skinny, slim leaves that arch outward from a central rosette. It additionally produces spectacular white blooms that give off a scent much like the hyacinth flower.
Basic care necessities: | Straightforward and low-maintenance |
Environmental concerns: | This plant prefers reasonable to brilliant, oblique gentle. It should take pleasure in an indoor placement close to a sunny window with a sheer curtain. Water occasionally and keep away from temperatures under 50 levels Fahrenheit. |
Measurement and progress expectations: | This plant grows slowly and can attain slightly below two ft in top and round three ft in unfold. |
10. Sansevieria patens

The Sansevieria patens brings new which means to the snake plant’s widespread title. Its foliage grows as thick, grooved leaves that unfold and arch away from a central rosette, resembling a cluster of residing snakes.
The precise origin of one of these snake plant is unclear. Nevertheless, researchers have mentioned it seemingly got here from Kenya or a close-by a part of jap Africa.
Basic care necessities: | Straightforward and low-maintenance |
Environmental concerns: | This plant can even take pleasure in reasonable to brilliant, oblique gentle, heat temperatures, and rare waterings. Keep away from environments under 50 levels Fahrenheit. |
Measurement and progress expectations: | This plant grows slowly. Leaves can attain three ft lengthy and almost two inches thick. |
11. Whale Fin Snake Plant (Sansevieria masoniana)

The whale fin snake plant, or Sansevieria masoniana, makes a daring assertion with its large leaves and dappled variegation. This plant typically grows as only one or two leaves in a pot, creating a novel visible in any area.
The Sansevieria masoniana is native to central Africa. Nevertheless, it’s cultivated all over the world for decorative functions. The variability additionally is available in a variegated selection with spectacular stripes that run the size of the plant.
Basic care necessities: | Straightforward and low-maintenance |
Environmental concerns: | This plant prefers to reside in an space with reasonable to brilliant, oblique lighting, and hotter temperatures. Keep away from overwatering. |
Measurement and progress expectations: | This plant grows slowly and might attain as much as 4 ft in sure circumstances. Nevertheless, it’s prone to keep smaller indoors. |
12. Sansevieria kirkii

The Sansevieria kirkii is native to sure components of Africa, like Tanzania and Malawi. It’s a slower-growing Sansevieria with a novel cone-shaped bloom that distinguishes it from different snake vegetation.
This selection has related inexperienced, sword-shaped inexperienced to different snake vegetation. Nevertheless, its leaves fan out from its middle slightly than rising up vertically.
Basic care necessities: | Straightforward and low-maintenance |
Environmental concerns: | This plant will take pleasure in fast-draining soil and rare watering. It may well thrive in full solar in addition to low gentle circumstances. Nevertheless, it can bloom higher if it receives some direct daylight. |
Measurement and progress expectations: | The kirkii snake plant is among the slower-growing varieties. Its leaves can develop as much as six ft lengthy, however they could arch as they unfold slightly than rising taller. |
13. Sansevieria Whitney

The Sansevieria Whitney is a smaller number of snake plant. It grows in a brief rosette of darkish inexperienced leaves with a lovely inexperienced and white variegated border on the edges.
Some think about this to be one of many dwarf styles of snake vegetation. Its smaller dimension makes it an amazing choice to think about for a desk or work floor in your house.
Basic care necessities: | Straightforward and low-maintenance |
Environmental concerns: | Like different snake vegetation, this selection is low-light tolerant. Nevertheless, it can choose medium to brilliant, oblique gentle. Keep away from overwatering and maintain in well-draining soil. |
Measurement and progress expectations: | This plant is slow-growing and can seemingly attain slightly below one foot in top. |
14. Twisted Sister (Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Twist’)

The Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Twist’ is usually identified by the names twist or twisted sister. It is because the plant’s leaves are curlier than different Sansevierias. Moderately than rising flat, the leaves twist round one another, making a energetic visible.
The twisted sister can be thought of a dwarf number of the snake plant. It should keep smaller, making it nice to put on a desk or windowsill.
Basic care necessities: | Straightforward and low-maintenance |
Environmental concerns: | This selection can even choose reasonable to brilliant, oblique gentle. Water occasionally permitting the soil to dry between waterings. |
Measurement and progress expectations: | This plant grows slowly and can attain barely over one foot in top. |
Develop Snake Vegetation at Residence

Now, let’s go over a number of normal concerns for rising snake vegetation in your house. Most styles of snake vegetation could have related low-maintenance progress necessities. So, the following pointers will put together you whatever the selection you select.
What to Do Earlier than Planting Your Snake Plant
Earlier than buying your new snake plant, you’ll wish to think about the place you’ll place it in your house. Discover a place with good gentle publicity and minimal temperature variation. Make sure the plant won’t be uncovered to chilly temperatures.
Keep in mind, the snake plant is mildly poisonous, so discover a location away from the attain of youngsters or pets.
The plant does finest in pots that don’t retain moisture, like terracotta, positioned on a saucer within the flooring or a flat floor. Make certain your pot has a drainage gap on the base for extra water to flee.
Moreover, you’ll want to collect the instruments and supplies it is advisable repot your snake plant in its new planter. You’ll discover a listing of the instruments we advocate within the Important Instruments part under.
What’s the Finest Soil Combine for Snake Vegetation?
Your snake plant received’t respect a soggy surroundings, so a looser, free-draining soil works finest.
For those who choose to purchase a pre-mixed soil, select a mix for cacti and succulents. Any such soil often affords the drainage snake vegetation must thrive.
For those who’re mixing your personal soil, you may add elements like perlite, peat moss, or sand to enhance drainage. The hot button is to discover a mix that helps the plant’s roots take up water simply with out creating an excessively moist surroundings.
Snake vegetation aren’t too specific about soil pH ranges. They’ll develop properly in soils starting from barely acidic to barely alkaline.
For extra, see our important information to the finest soil combine for snake vegetation.
Plant a Snake Plant

Now, it’s time to plant your new snake plant. Listed here are a number of steps to take to make sure your plant is completely happy in its new container.
- Use a sturdy terracotta pot with a drainage gap, and watch out to not pack the soil too tight. The objective is to create an surroundings the place water can drain freely after hydrating your snake plant.
- Don’t plant your snake plant too deep in its new container. Attempt to preserve the identical depth because it had in its unique pot. Place an inch or so of soil on the base of the brand new planter earlier than introducing your snake plant.
- This plant grows slowly, so make certain the container you select isn’t too large. Rising the planter dimension an excessive amount of can create moisture issues in a while.
- When you introduce your snake plant, fill out any gaps with additional soil. You need it to be secure in its pot with out packing soil too densely.
Snake Plant Gentle Preferences

Whereas snake vegetation are well-known for his or her low-light tolerance, they develop finest in reasonable to brilliant, oblique gentle.
Some snake vegetation will take pleasure in some full solar all through the day. Nevertheless, an excessive amount of direct daylight might burn their leaves.
The plant will do properly ready going through any course. Nonetheless, it can choose a placement that receives ample filtered daylight all through the day.
Temperature and Humidity Preferences
Because of its roots in Africa, the snake plant will all the time take pleasure in heat, dry rising circumstances. Nevertheless, snake vegetation can tolerate temperatures starting from round 70 to 90 levels Fahrenheit.
Keep away from exposing your snake plant to temperatures decrease than 50 levels Fahrenheit. Regardless of this plant’s tolerant nature, it won’t survive in chilly climates.
Look after Snake Vegetation
Subsequent, we’ll go over a number of normal concerns to bear in mind when caring to your snake plant. The following pointers will assist you take care of Sansevierias of all sizes and styles.
When and Water Snake Vegetation

The beauty of snake vegetation is that they don’t require a lot water. That is essential to notice, as overwatering may cause a number of points on this species.
Root rot brought on by overwatering is among the most typical issues new plant house owners discover with this Sansevierias.
So, you’ll wish to water your snake plant solely when its soil has dried out. Take a look at the soil together with your finger to find out if it’s time to water your Sansevieria. You’ll seemingly develop a watering schedule of each two to eight weeks, relying on the season and the humidity in your house.
Since this species doesn’t like moisture, you’ll want to keep away from misting your snake plant. Your watering schedule will probably be all of the moisture this plant must thrive.
Feeding and Fertilizing Your Snake Plant

Your snake plant will take pleasure in occasional fertilization throughout its energetic progress interval within the hotter months. You possibly can fertilize your Sansevieria with a typical houseplant fertilizer or go for a compost combine.
Nevertheless, watch out to not over-fertilize this plant, irrespective of which technique you select. A compost combine might introduce an excessive amount of moisture, whereas a houseplant fertilizer may cause the leaves to burn in case you overfeed the plant.
When and Prune a Snake Plant

Thankfully, snake vegetation are additionally low-maintenance in terms of pruning. This plant doesn’t require pruning, although chances are you’ll resolve to clip again leaves that fall or wither.
To prune any troublesome leaves, merely lower a clear line at its base with sharp shears. If the leaf you’ve clipped is wholesome, you might be able to propagate it and create a brand new plant.
Propagate a Snake

Snake vegetation are simple to propagate, and there are a number of methods to do it. You possibly can propagate a snake plant by inserting leaf cuttings in soil or water. You too can propagate this plant by dividing its root system as much as create a number of snake vegetation.
Listed here are some steps for propagating your snake plant by inserting a leaf chopping in soil.
- Clip a leaf of your snake plant at its base utilizing sharp scissors or shears.
- Lower any unhealthy portion off of the underside of the leaf in order that it’s wholesome and able to develop.
- Permit your new chopping to callous over for 2 days to 1 week earlier than inserting it within the soil.
- If you see that the lower you made has developed a seal, you may plant this aspect of the leaf within the soil. You might wish to connect bigger cuttings to a stake, in order that they keep standing as they develop roots.
When and Repot a Snake Plant

You received’t must repot your snake plant typically. Nevertheless, listed here are a number of indicators to look out for in case you’re pondering of repotting your Sansevieria.
It has grown considerably because you planted it.
- It has turn into root-bound.
- Its roots are starting to develop out of the drainage gap on the base of its container.
For those who discover these indicators, chances are you’ll wish to go up one container dimension. Keep away from rising the pot dimension by greater than an inch or so, as an excessive amount of extra area may cause moisture-related points and result in root rot.
For those who’re repotting your Sansevieria, achieve this within the early spring, earlier than its rising season begins.
Frequent Snake Plant Issues, Pests, and Ailments

Whereas Sansevierias are easygoing, they will develop a number of issues sometimes. Listed here are a number of of the widespread snake plant points, pests, and illnesses to find out about, together with the methods to deal with them.
- Insect infestation: Your snake plant might turn into infested with pests like mealybugs or spider mites. Take away any seen bugs or larvae and dab affected areas with rubbing alcohol.
- Pink leaf spot or root rot: These fungal circumstances are a standard signal that you simply’ve overwatered your snake plant. Take away any leaves or soil affected by fungus and cut back your plant’s watering schedule to keep away from extra moisture.
- Wrinkled, yellowing, wilting, or drooping snake plant leaves: This can be an indication of overwatering or publicity to excessive temperatures. Assess your plant’s surroundings and watering schedule and make changes accordingly.
Right here’s a listing of all of the instruments we advocate you will have obtainable to care to your snake plant.
- Terracotta pot and saucer for drainage
- A well-draining soil combine for cacti and succulents in case you choose pre-mixed soil
- Normal potting combine and perlite, peat moss, or sand, in case you’re making your personal snake plant soil
- A watering can for conserving your plant hydrated
- Houseplant fertilizer or compost fertilizer
- Sharp shears or scissors for pruning and propagation
- A bigger container to repot your snake plant as wanted
- Rubbing alcohol for any pest-related upkeep
Wrapping Up
The snake plant is a beginner-friendly species whatever the sort you select to develop at dwelling.
Its vibrant, upright leaves and simple care wants make it a preferred alternative, whether or not it’s your first houseplant or a part of a rising assortment.
Select your favourite Sansevieria from the listing to welcome a brand new evergreen companion into your property. With the suitable supplies and care, you may take pleasure in your new snake plant for years to come back.
For those who’re trying to increase your assortment, see our important information to the most effective plant shops and nurseries delivering snake vegetation nationwide.
Snake Plant FAQs:
Do all snake vegetation clear the air?
All varieties of snake vegetation are revered for his or her means to assist clear the air and take away dangerous chemical substances akin to benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene.
What are the advantages of snake vegetation?
Along with their air-purifying capabilities, snake vegetation are additionally a preferred addition in feng shui in addition to being a hardy grower in quite a few climates.
How a lot gentle do snake vegetation want?
Whereas snake vegetation are well-known for his or her low-light tolerance, they develop finest in reasonable to brilliant, oblique gentle all through the vast majority of the day.
Do snake vegetation do higher inside or outdoors?
Snake vegetation will fortunately develop inside or out simply make certain to overwinter them indoors in case you reside in a very chilly northern publicity.
The place ought to I place a snake plant in my home?
Snake vegetation will thrive in a spread of environments all through the house however sometimes do finest in brilliant, sun-filled rooms. Someplace shut by to a south-facing window protected by a blind or out of direct daylight can be good.