Snake Plant
Sansevieria trifasciata
Snake Plant Plant Features
If you're looking for an easy-care houseplant, you can't do much better than snake plant. This hardy indoor is still popular today -- generations of gardeners have called it a favorite -- because of how adaptable it is to a wide range of growing conditions. Most snake plant varieties have stiff, upright, sword-like leaves that may be banded or edged in gray, silver, or gold. Snake plant's architectural nature makes it a natural choice for modern and contemporary interior designs. It's one of the best houseplants around!
Fun Fact: Botanists have reclassified snake plant from Sansevieria to Dracaena. While it's scientifically known as Dracaena trifasciata, most plant parents still call it a Sansevieria.
Note: Snake plant can be invasive when planted outdoors in some frost-free areas; check local restrictions before putting it in your landscape.
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Buy Snake Plant
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Snake Plant Growing Instructions
Grow snake plant in just about any room of your home. While it tolerates low light, snake plant grows fastest in bright conditions.
As long as you water it now and again, it's tough to underwater this hardy houseplant. Water snake plant when the top inch or so of the soil dries. Take care not to overwater it -- allow the top inch of the potting mix to dry in between waterings.
Discover more low-water houseplants.
Snake plant doesn't require much
Snake plant doesn't require pruning because it's such a slow grower.
Get more in-depth care tips from our Houseplant Basics.
Note: This hardy indoor plant is not meant for human or animal consumption.
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Light
Indoors: High light
Indoors: Low light
Indoors: Medium light -
Colors
Green, Variegated
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Water
Low water needs
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Special Features
Purifies the air
Super-easy to grow
Complement your Snake Plant with these varieties:
Red aglaonema offers colorful foliage that looks stunning with any snake plant (especially silvery varieties such as Moonshine snake plant).
Contrast ferns' soft foliage with the stiff structure of snake plant.
Snake plant is a natural with calathea; its texture and fun color looks beautiful paired with variegated calathea varieties.
Varieties: Our Favorites
Bantel's Sensation Snake Plant
Dracaena 'Bantel's Sensation'
Bantel's Sensation snake plant is a patented variety that shows off exceptional thin, dark green leaves elegantly variegated with cream and white stripes. It grows 36 inches tall and is as easy to grow as other snake plant varieties. Note: It was formerly classified botanically as Sansevieria 'Bantel's Sensation'
Black Gold Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata 'Black Gold'
Black Gold is one of the best houseplants of all time. It has stiff, upright dark green leaves edged in gold. Note: It was formerly botanically known as Sansevieria trifasciata 'Black Gold' before being reclassified.
Black Jack Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata 'Black Jack'
A shorter variety of snake plant, Black Jack has dark green leaves ledged in gold. Note: It was formerly called Sansevieria trifasciata 'Black Jack' before botanists reclassified it.
Black Robusta Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata 'Black Robusta'
Black Robusta is a medium-size snake plant that has dark green leaves mottled with silver. Note: It was formerly botanically classified as Sansevieria trifasciata 'Black Robusta'.
Cylindrica Snake Plant
Dracaena angolensis
Cylindrica is an interesting variety with round stems that grow up out of the pot like pencils. Note: It used to have the botanical name Sansevieria cylindrica before botanists reclassified it.
Futura Robusta Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata 'Futura Robusta'
Futura Robusta snake plant is a compact variety that has silvery-green leaves mottled with dark green. It was known as Sansevieria trifasciata 'Futura Robusta' before it was reclassified.
Futura Superba Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata 'Futura Superba'
Futura Superba is a dwarf selection that has light green leaves, mottled in silver, and edged in gold. It was formerly known as Sansevieria trifasciata 'Futura Superba'.
Gold Hahnii Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata 'Gold Hahnii'
A compact variety, Gold Hahnii has light green leaves edged in gold. It was formerly called Sansevieria trifasciata 'Gold Hahnii'.
Golden Flame Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata 'Golden Flame'
Golden Flame snake plant offers new growth that's a bright golden-yellow color. As the leaves mature, they fade to rich, dark green. It used to be called Sansevieria trifasciata 'Golden Flame'.
Moonshine Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata 'Moonshine'
One of the most beautiful varieties, this hardy indoor plant has silvery green leaves. It's especially stunning mixed with dark-leaf snake plant varieties! It was once botanically known as Sansevieria trifasciata 'Moonshine'.
Whitney Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata 'Whitney'
Whitney is a dwarf variety that has dark green leaves, edged in silvery-green, and variegated with light green stripes. It was formerly called Sansevieria trifasciata 'Whitney'.