Snake Plant (Dracaena 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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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 fertilizer, but will grow a little more if it is fertilized a couple of times during the spring and summer. You can use any fertilizer for houseplants; follow the directions on the fertilizer packaging for tips on how much to use.

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.

Water

Low water needs
Light

Indoors: High light

Indoors: Low light

Indoors: Medium light
Colors

Green

Variegated
Special Features

Purifies the air

Super-easy to grow

Complement your Snake Plant

Calathea
Snake plant is a natural with calathea; its texture and fun color looks beautiful paired with variegated calathea varieties.

Fern, Houseplant
Contrast ferns' soft foliage with the stiff structure of snake plant.

Colorful Aglaonema
Red aglaonema offers colorful foliage that looks stunning with any snake plant (especially silvery varieties such as Moonshine snake plant).

Our favorite varieties

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.

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'.

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'.

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'.

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'