Moonshine Snake Plant
A snake plant in pale silver-green, the broad leaves almost white with a thin dark edge, in a compact upright clump. Same care as any snake plant, with one twist: it needs more light than the dark ones to stay silver.
Moonshine is the snake plant for people who find the green ones too green. The leaves are broad, short and upright, and a pale, matte silver that looks almost white against a dark wall, with a fine dark green line along each edge. It stays compact, around two feet, in a tight clump.
Everything that is true of the standard snake plant is true here: it stores water, hates wet soil, tolerates neglect for months and lives in almost any light. The one difference is that the silver is a light-dependent trait. In a dim corner new leaves come in darker green; in a bright spot they stay pale.
Light
Bright, indirect light with some direct sun keeps it silver. It tolerates low light the way all snake plants do, but the new leaves will be greener and the plant slower. An east window, or a south or west one a couple of feet back, is ideal. Sudden full sun after shade can scorch.
Water
Water only when the soil is completely dry, every couple of weeks in summer and monthly in winter. Soak, drain, and never leave it standing in water. The leaves wrinkle slightly when it is truly thirsty. Overwatering rots the base.
Soil and potting
Cactus or succulent mix, or potting soil with half perlite. Terracotta with a drainage hole. Repot every three years or when the roots crack the pot, one size up.
Feeding
Half-strength cactus feed every couple of months in the growing season, or skip it. Not a hungry plant.
Propagation
Division when repotting keeps the silver colour. Leaf cuttings root but usually revert to plain green, since the silver comes from the rhizome rather than the leaf tissue.
In a hot, dry home
Ideal. Dry air, heat and strong light are what it wants. Put it in the bright spot, water every three weeks in summer and monthly in winter, and keep it out of the cold pool under an AC vent. The silver shows best in the strong, filtered light a desert house has to spare.
Problems and fixes
New leaves coming in green
Likely cause: Not enough light
Fix: Move it to a brighter window; the next leaves will be silver.
Soft, yellow base
Likely cause: Overwatering
Fix: Dry it out, remove rotten leaves, water far less.
Brown, sunken patches
Likely cause: Sunburn after a sudden move
Fix: Ease it into direct sun over a week; trim damaged areas.
Leaves wrinkled
Likely cause: Thirsty
Fix: Water thoroughly.
Moonshine Snake Plant questions
Is Moonshine snake plant pet safe?
No. Snake plants contain saponins that cause vomiting in cats and dogs if chewed.
Why is it turning green?
Not enough light. The silver is a light-dependent trait; brighter light brings it back on new leaves.
How big does it get?
About two feet tall. It is one of the shorter snake plants.
Plants with a similar rhythm
Snake Plant
- Light
- Low to direct sun
- Water
- Every 3 weeks
- Pets
- Toxic
Cylindrical Snake Plant
- Light
- Low to direct sun
- Water
- Every 3 weeks
- Pets
- Toxic
ZZ Plant
- Light
- Low to bright indirect
- Water
- Every 3 weeks
- Pets
- Toxic
Haworthia
- Light
- Medium to bright indirect
- Water
- Every 2 weeks
- Pets
- Safe
