Skip to main content

Houseplants 101: Everything you need to know about your snake plant

Snake plants, also known as “mother-in-law tongue,” are among one of the most popular houseplants for both beginner and expert gardeners. Native to West Africa, these tropical succulents are well-suited for indoor environments, so long as you can meet the needs of the plant. They can even be easily propagated; once you have one, you may just find yourself with a whole collection.

A young snake plant in a small pot with white rocks

Plant background

Did you know snake plants weren’t always considered a member of the Dracaena species? They were actually classified as Sansevieria plants until 2017. There were too many similarities, though, between the snake plant varieties and other members of the Dracaena species, so much so that the plants were re-classified.

Related Videos

Snake plants, across all varieties, feature some type of sword-shaped leaves that can grow up to eight feet tall depending on which kind you have. Typically the leaves have green bands and yellow borders, but some varieties have white stripes as well–and not every snake plant sticks straight up! The most iconic one that comes to mind when people talk about snake plants are the ones where the leaves are stiff, growing directly up toward the sky. However, as with any plant, the different varieties each have a unique quality. And all of them are toxic to both cats and dogs.

Different varieties of snake plants

There are six different popular varieties of snake plants you can grow in your home. Each of them have similar care requirements, so you won’t have to worry about memorizing specific needs for each variety. Snake plants overall are quite hardy (and often regarded as indestructible).

  • The Dracaena angolensi. One of the bigger varieties, reaching several feet at maturity. Leaves start at a crown and arch out as they grow.
  • The Dracaena desertii. A medium-height variety, growing to about 12 inches. Also known as rhino grass. Leaves are tinted red.
  • The Dracaena trifasciata “Bantel’s Sensation.” A larger variety, growing to about three feet tall at maturity. Leaves are narrow with white stripes.
  • The Dracaena trifasciata “Hahnii.” A smaller variety, growing to only six inches tall. Also known as the bird’s nest variety because the leaves cluster in a nest-like appearance.
  • The Dracaena trifasciata “Laurentii.” A variegated variety with yellow edges on the leaves. Often the snake plant variety that’s thought of first.
  • The Dracaena trifasciata “Twist.” A medium-height variety, growing up to about 14 inches tall. Leaves twist as they grow and have horizontal stripes and yellow edges.
A gardener repotting a snake plant

Caring for your snake plant

Since snake plants are commonly known as an easy-to-grow, difficult-to-kill plant, it makes sense that their care is relatively simple. They’re ideal indoor container plants, perfect as a floor plant or an accent on a side table. Each variety brings a unique look to your space, but you can’t go wrong with any of them!

The one thing to keep in mind is that since snake plants are natively tropical, they thrive in warm weather. Keep them away from drafts or windows in the colder months. They’re also drought-resistant, but are sensitive to overwatering, which can rot the roots and ultimately kill the plants. It’s always best to pot indoor plants in a container that has good drainage, that way excess water has a place to go and doesn’t sit in the bottom of the dirt.

Light needs: Indirect, consistent light
Soil needs: Loose, well-draining potting soil
Water needs: Let soil dry between waterings; if unsure, underwatering is better than overwatering

The best way to prune your snake plant

Believe it or not, it’s important to prune your indoor plants! Whether it’s trimming off dead or diseased leaves, or simply thinning out an overcrowded plant, pruning is an essential part of indoor plant care. For snake plants, the best time to give them a trim is during the growing season (spring/summer) when the plant is healthiest to help minimize stress. Snake plant leaves should be removed at the soil line using sterile pruning shears (or other sharp tools). If you’re interested in maintaining a specific height for your plant, you can choose to remove some of the tallest leaves.

Remember that taking too much of a plant at one time can cause adverse effects, so be mindful of how much you’re trimming off.

Benefits of growing snake plants

Other than adding to the aesthetic of your home, snake plants come with a couple added health benefits. They’re one of a selection of houseplants that can help filter the air in their environment (even at night!), changing small amounts of CO2 into oxygen. They also help improve the quality of your air by removing toxic pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene.

Many gardeners will choose to grow a houseplant collection based on which plants can remove toxins and filter air to get the ultimate benefit from their plants. Not every houseplant can filter toxic pollutants in your home, so if this is something you’re interested in, you can read more here! Otherwise, snake plants make gorgeous accents for any home and any style, and you can mix and match varieties with ease.

Editors' Recommendations

Easy hoya plants to add to your indoor plant collection
Common hoyas and how to care for them properly
Hoya pubicalyx

With straightforward care, glossy leaves, and gorgeous blooms, hoyas, or wax plants, are one of the most beloved houseplants out there. These semi-succulent plants can thrive even through occasional periods of neglect. They seldom need more than well-draining potting mix and thorough watering, which makes them ideal for plant enthusiasts who want something beautiful, yet low maintenance. Ahead, we've rounded up the easiest hoya plants to add to your collection, breaking down care requirements for each.

Hoya pubicalyx
Native to the Philippines, the hoya pubicalyx is relatively unfussy. Its speckled flat green leaves look great trailing from a hanging basket. As long as you fertilize throughout the growing season and keep your plant in indirect sunlight, you should see relatively quick growth. When it’s time to bloom, the pubicalyx will push out dusty pink, star-shaped flowers with a sweet fragrance. You should water your plant when the soil dries out and the leaves feel slightly limp — remember to dump out excess water to prevent root rot.

Read more
Are these common houseplants safe for your cat? Read this guide to find out the scoop
Which houseplants to avoid if you have a curious cat
Indoor plant collection

Bringing new plants into your home is an exciting part of being a gardener, but you may not be the only one taking an interest in your plants. If you have a curious kitty, you might need to worry about them chewing on your houseplants. This isn’t great for your plants, of course, but it can also harm your cat! While some plants are harmless to chew on, others are toxic. If you want to know if your houseplants are safe for cats, you’re in luck. Here’s a list of some of the most common houseplants and how safe they are for cats.

Cat-safe houseplants
Spider plants are low-maintenance houseplants safe for your cat to nibble on. While you should still try to keep your kitty from eating too much of it, this is more for the plant’s sake than theirs.

Read more
These are the most popular indoor plants of 2023 – add one or all to your collection
Trendy houseplants of 2023 that you need for your home
A small collection of houseplants

It’s time to start looking forward to the next year, and that includes looking for new indoor plants. Whether you just want to know what plants you can expect to see in stores or are looking for a gift for the plant lover in your life and aren’t sure where to start, we can help! We’ve got the inside scoop from Breanna Sherlock, an in-house plant expert for the plant care app Planta. Here are the top five plants you can expect to see rise in popularity during 2023.

Hoya
Hoyas are fantastic plants that come in a wide range of varieties. From beginner-friendly, low-maintenance hoyas to more challenging and finicky varieties, there’s a hoya for every home gardener! With their diverse appearances, hoyas can match even the most specific interior decor themes.

Read more