Pocket BotanistPlant guide
Snake Plant.
Dracaena trifasciata
Pronounced drah-KEE-nah try-fah-see-AH-tah
Also known as Snake plant, Mother-in-law's tongue, Viper's bowstring hemp, Snake Sansevieria, Bowstring hemp, Good luck plant, Mother-in-law's nose
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.
At a glance
- 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.
Care
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
Signs it needs repotting
- Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
- The plant is pushing itself out of the pot.
- Water runs straight through without soaking in.
Safety
- 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.
How to identify it
- 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
Common problems
- 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.
Growing it
- 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
- Cut a healthy leaf into 3 inch sections.
- Let the cut ends callous over for two days.
- Insert the calloused end into moist, well draining soil.
- Keep the soil lightly moist until roots form.
Group plants with similar water needs together to make maintenance easier.
Grows well with
Keep away from
- Peace Lily — Peace lilies require much more frequent watering than snake plants.
Similar species
- 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
Through the year
Ecological indicators
- Salinity
- 2/9
- Light
- 3/9
- Temperature
- 7/9
- Soil reaction
- 6/9
- Moisture
- 2/9
- Nutrients
- 3/9
Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.
Questions people ask
- 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.
Where the name comes from
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.
Good to know
- 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.
Is your snake plant looking unwell?
This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.
This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.