Snake Plant
Upright, sculptural and almost impossible to overwater if you forget it exists. The snake plant is the desert-home plant, full stop.
We have one in a south window that gets full Arizona sun through glass. It is the happiest plant in the house. Stiff, upright leaves with grey-green banding, a plant that reads as sculpture and needs water about as often as you change the smoke alarm battery.
It tolerates the whole range from a dark corner to a sunny sill, which almost nothing else does. Laurentii has yellow edges; Moonshine is silver; the cylindrical types are the same plant in a different shape.
Light
Anything. Bright indirect light is where it grows fastest and holds its colour best, but it tolerates low light, a windowless room under ceiling lights, and full sun once acclimatised. Move it into direct sun gradually over a couple of weeks to avoid scorching.
Water
Water only when the soil has been completely dry for at least a week. Every three weeks in summer, every six in winter, less in low light. Then water deeply and let it drain. The leaves store everything it needs; the only real way to kill it is to keep the soil wet.
Soil and potting
A cactus or succulent mix, or potting soil cut half and half with perlite. A heavy pot helps; tall leaves make it top-heavy. Repot every three years or when the roots crack the pot, which they will.
Feeding
A half-strength cactus feed every ten weeks in spring and summer at most. It needs almost nothing.
Propagation
Division is the reliable way: separate a pup with roots and pot it up. Leaf cuttings root in soil or water but take months, and variegated types lose their edge colour when grown from leaf cuttings.
In a hot, dry home
The best plant for this climate. Low humidity, air conditioning, hot rooms and bright sun are all fine. In summer it can even take a spot right against a south window. Water a little more often in July if it is in full sun, still only when fully dry.
Snake Plant varieties
Same care, different look. These are the named forms you will see for sale.
- Laurentii
The classic: grey-green banded leaves with a yellow edge.
- Zeylanica
Dark green leaves with wavy lighter bands and no yellow edge. Tougher than Laurentii and the best in low light.
- Black Gold
Very dark green leaves with a gold edge.
- Bantel's Sensation
Narrow, upright leaves with fine white pinstripes. Slower.
- Gold Flame
New leaves emerge bright yellow and green over.
- Silver Princess
Pale silver-green leaves with a fine dark edge, similar to Moonshine but narrower.
- Silver Streak
Grey-green leaves with a silver central stripe.
- Sayuri
Pale grey-green leaves with fine silver stripes, upright and elegant.
- Fabi
A compact form with wide, mottled leaves.
- Bird's nest: Jade Star
A low rosette form (Hahnii), solid dark green, under a foot tall.
- Bird's nest: Gold Star
Rosette form with wide gold margins.
- Bird's nest: Forest Star
Rosette form in dark green with lighter banding.
- Bird's nest: Misty Star
Rosette form in pale silver-green.
- Bird's nest: Emerald Star
Rosette form in bright green.
- Bird's nest: Ocean Star
Rosette form with blue-green banding.
-
Broad pale silver leaves. Has its own profile.
Full profile -
Round spear-shaped leaves; a different species. Has its own profile.
Full profile - Shark Fin (Masoniana)
Dracaena masoniana: one or two huge, wide, mottled leaves like a fin. Same care, slower.
- Shark Fin Variegated
Masoniana with cream-yellow margins.
- Jaboa
A compact hybrid with short, dark mottled leaves.
Problems and fixes
Leaves soft and folding over at the base
Likely cause: Root rot from overwatering
Fix: Remove from the pot, cut away mush, let the healthy leaves callous for two days, then repot in cactus mix.
Wrinkled, curling leaves
Likely cause: Genuinely dry after a very long gap
Fix: Water deeply. It recovers over a week or two.
Brown, scorched patches
Likely cause: Sudden move into direct sun
Fix: Acclimatise it gradually. Damaged patches stay; new leaves come in clean.
Snake Plant questions
Is the snake plant toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes, mildly. It contains saponins that cause nausea and vomiting if chewed. It is not fatal but keep it out of reach.
How often should I water a snake plant?
Every three weeks in summer and every six weeks in winter, and only when the soil has been dry for a week. Less is more.
Can a snake plant live in low light?
Yes. It will grow very slowly and want water even less often, but it holds its looks for years in a dim room.
Plants with a similar rhythm
ZZ Plant
- Light
- Low to bright indirect
- Water
- Every 3 weeks
- Pets
- Toxic
Dragon Tree
- Light
- Low to bright indirect
- Water
- Every 10 days
- Pets
- Toxic
