Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata
An upright, sword-like plant that thrives on neglect once the soil can dry fully between waterings. It handles low light, converts CO2 to oxygen at night, and is a reliable beginner pick if you avoid soggy pots.
Light
Low
Water
Low
Difficulty
Easy
Humidity
Low
Pet Warning
Toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. Contains saponins which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Full care guide
Snake Plant Care
Grow Dracaena trifasciata (Snake Plant) with bright indirect light when you can, a full dry-down between waterings, and gritty soil so those upright leaves stay firm.
Read the guideCare Notes
Full guide →Light
Bright indirect light keeps banding sharp. Low light is survivable, but growth slows. Avoid hot direct sun that scorches leaves.
Water
Let the soil dry out completely between waterings. When in doubt, wait. In winter, many plants only need water every 6-8 weeks. Overwatering is the usual failure mode.
Soil
Use a sandy or cactus mix in a pot with substantial drainage holes. Standing water around rhizomes leads to rot fast.
Humidity & Temperature
Low humidity is fine. Keep temperatures around 60-85°F and away from cold drafts and blasting AC vents.
Common Issues
Mushy leaves usually mean root rot from overwatering. Wrinkled leaves often mean severe underwatering. Leaning leaves can come from low light or inconsistent watering.
In-Depth Care & Growth
Feeding & Soil
Fertilizer
Balanced liquid fertilizer
Soil
Well-draining, sandy potting mix or cactus/succulent soil.
Physical Attributes
Mature Size
1 to 4 feet tall
Growth Rate
Slow
Propagation
Division of rhizomes or leaf cuttings.
Common Varieties
Laurentii (yellow edges)
Stiff sword-shaped leaves with a dark green marbled center and bold golden-yellow margins.
Zeylanica (silver-green bands)
Upright sword-shaped leaves with horizontal silvery-green wavy bands on a deep green base.
Moonshine (pale silvery-green)
Broad upright sword-shaped leaves in pale silvery-green, usually without the dark horizontal banding of other forms.
Futura Robusta (short and wide)
Short broad leaves with a silvery-green sheen and dark green horizontal banding in a dense rosette.
Whale Fin Sansevieria
Dracaena masoniana, with one large paddle-shaped leaf mottled light on dark green. Slow-growing and architectural.
Bird's Nest Snake Plant
Compact 'Hahnii' form in low, funnel-shaped rosettes of broad leaves with silver-green marbling. Tough and tabletop-friendly.
Sansevieria cylindrica
Also called African Spear. Round upright spear-like leaves in a fan pattern. Extremely durable indoors.