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Guide botanique

Snake Plant.

Dracaena trifasciata

Prononciation drah-KEE-nah try-fah-see-AH-tah

Aussi appelée Snake plant, Mother-in-law's tongue, Viper's bowstring hemp, Snake Sansevieria, Bowstring hemp, Good luck plant, Mother-in-law's nose

Dracaena trifasciata
Photo de Lauren Bosch (CC0) via gbif

The snake plant is a hardy, architectural houseplant known for its upright, sword like leaves. It is incredibly resilient and thrives in a wide range of indoor conditions. Its ability to tolerate low light and irregular watering makes it a perfect choice for beginners.

En un coup d'œil

Care level
Easy
Plant type
Succulent perennial.
Light
Low to bright indirect light.
Indoor light
low
Water
Every 14 to 30 days
Mature size
Up to 120 cm tall.
Growth rate
slow
Hardiness
USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time
Rarely indoors, occasionally in late spring.

Entretien

Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. Wipe the leaves occasionally with a damp cloth to remove dust and help the plant breathe. Watch for mushy leaves or base rot, which indicate overwatering.

Watering
Water only when the soil is completely dry throughout the pot.
Feeding
Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength during the growing season.
Pruning
Remove damaged or dead leaves at the base as needed.
Repotting
Repot only when the plant becomes root bound or the container starts to bulge.
Soil
Well draining succulent or cactus mix.
Soil pH
Slightly acidic to neutral, 5.5 to 7.5.
Temperature
10 to 30°C
Humidity
20 to 50%
Drought tolerance
high
Lifespan
Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years or more.
Deer and rabbits
high

Signes qu'il faut rempoter

  • Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
  • The plant is pushing itself out of the pot.
  • Water runs straight through without soaking in.

Sécurité

People
The leaves contain saponins which cause mouth irritation, nausea, and vomiting if eaten.
Pets
This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children
Keep this plant out of reach of small children to prevent accidental ingestion of the leaves.
Contact allergens
The sap can cause skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens
There are no notable airborne allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility
This plant is toxic if ingested and should never be consumed by humans or pets.

Comment l'identifier

  • Stiff, upright, sword shaped leaves
  • Horizontal gray green banding patterns
  • Thick, waxy, succulent leaf texture
  • Leaves grow directly from soil base
Height
0.3 to 1.2m
Spread
0.15 to 0.45m
Leaves
dark green, light green, yellow, evergreen
Flowers
white, pale green, 1 to 2cm

Problèmes courants

  • Root rot This occurs when the soil stays too wet for too long, causing the roots to decay.
  • Mealybugs These small white insects hide in leaf crevices and suck sap from the plant.

La cultiver

Propagation
division, leaf cuttings
When to plant
spring, summer
Overwintering
Keep the plant in a warm spot away from cold drafts. Reduce watering significantly during the winter months.
In containers
It grows very well in containers, provided the pot has excellent drainage holes.

Leaf Cuttings

  1. Cut a healthy leaf into 3 inch sections.
  2. Let the cut ends callous over for two days.
  3. Insert the calloused end into moist, well draining soil.
  4. Keep the soil lightly moist until roots form.

Group plants with similar water needs together to make maintenance easier.

Bonnes associations

  • ZZ Plant They share identical light and water requirements.
  • Pothos They provide a nice contrast in leaf shape and texture.

À éloigner de

  • Peace Lily Peace lilies require much more frequent watering than snake plants.

Espèces similaires

  • Cylindrical Snake Plant It has the same care needs but features round, spear like leaves.

Science

Family
Asparagaceae
Genus
Dracaena
Order
Asparagales
Class
Liliopsida
Native range
Tropical West Africa.
Conservation
This species is not currently listed as threatened or endangered in its native range.

It thrives in dry, rocky soils and survives by storing water in its thick, succulent leaves.

Uses
Indoor air purification, Low light ornamental, Modern interior design

Au fil des saisons

JFMAMJJASOND
Flowering
Fruiting
Foliage

Repères écologiques

Salinity
2/9
Light
3/9
Temperature
7/9
Soil reaction
6/9
Moisture
2/9
Nutrients
3/9

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

How often should I water it?
Only water when the top two inches of soil feel completely dry.
Does it need direct sun?
It prefers bright, indirect light but tolerates low light conditions very well.

D'où vient le nom

The name trifasciata refers to the three distinct bands of color on the leaves. It was long known as the snake plant due to the leaf pattern.

Bon à savoir

  • It was formerly known as Sansevieria trifasciata before being reclassified.
  • The leaves are incredibly tough and were historically used to make bowstrings.
  • It is one of the most resilient houseplants you can own.

Ton snake plant a mauvaise mine ?

Cette page est un guide général. Pocket Botanist diagnostique les problèmes directement à partir d'une photo de ta plante, adapte l'arrosage à sa luminosité et te prévient quand il faut t'en occuper.

Télécharger l'appli

Ce guide a été généré par IA et vérifié avec la taxonomie du GBIF. Il s'agit d'informations générales, et non de conseils horticoles ou vétérinaires. Découvre comment nous concevons ces guides.