Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata): Grow & Care Guide

Snake plant care is easy and not time consuming. These plants are an excellent choice for beginners and experienced plant collectors alike.

I feel like snake plants are the universal starter plant. This is probably because every single plant shop has a variation of these popular houseplants. My snake plant was actually the second plant I bought when I began my plant collection. I’ve had my snake plant for years and its always giving new growth. It’s even been propagated many times and given to friends as gifts! So let’s discuss everything you need to know about snake plant care.

Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata) Identification

Better known as ‘Mother-in law’s Tongue’, the evergreen snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) features upright, sword-shaped leaves that can grow between 6 to 12 inches in height. The color of the leaves vary, from striped dark green to a blend of green with cream or yellow grooves.

So why should you consider growing snake plants at home? Here are some great qualities of snake plant care that should convince you:

• Easy to care for and perfect for beginner gardeners
• Highly adaptable to different light conditions
• Drought resistant

Are snake plants succulents?

Yes, snake plants are succulents. Snake plants store water within their foliage and can tolerate drought; these are the typical attributes of succulents. As a native of tropical regions in west Africa and Asia, this hardy plant can survive in both dry and humid conditions.

Popular Snake Plant Varieties

• Whale fin snake plant (Dracaena masoniana): this snake plant features large, paddle-shaped leaves
• Golden snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata ‘Laurentii’): this snake plant variety is known for its tall, upright leaves with yellow margins.
• Twisted sister (Dracaena trifasciata ‘twist’): this snake plant variety gets its name from the variegated yellow and green twisted leaves. This rare plant grows up to 15 inches in height.
• Rhino grass (Dracaena pearsonii): this classic and rare succulent boasts red-tinted foliage that grows up to 12 inches in height. The foliage looks like horns on rhino, hence the name.
• Bird’s nest snake plant (Sansevieria hahnii): the funnel-shaped, dark glossy foliage of this unique succulent is relatively small compared to other varieties, growing to just 6 inches in height. The plant gets its name from the clusters that resemble a bird’s nest.

Sunlight Preferences 

Snake plants thrive in warm and bright conditions. They require 8-10 hours of indirect sunlight or just 2 hours of bright light in the mornings. Note: excessive exposure to direct sunlight can scorch the leaves or make them appear droopy.

How Often to Water Snake Plant

Water your snake plant thoroughly when the topsoil is almost completely dry to the touch. Check the soil’s moisture every two weeks and water if needed. While snake plants are drought tolerant, their leaves can become brittle if they’re underwatered.

Soil & Fertilizer Preferences

As houseplants, these succulents prefer well-drained, loose potting soil. An all-purpose cactus mix or sandy soil will suffice. I recommend a potting mix that doesn’t contain a high amount of peat. These are typically general purpose solutions that retain too much moisture, which isn’t ideal for snake plants.

To keep your snake plant healthy, take a look at my simple soil mix recipe below…

What is the Best Soil for a Snake Plant?

If you are making your own soil blend, I have found the best soil blend for the Snake Plant to be:

• 2 parts organic potting soil
• 1 part coarse sand
• 1 part coconut coir
• 1 part pumice

Aside from a home-made soil mix, your snake plant will also need a good quality fertilizer to look its best. Feed it once in spring and summer with a slow-release, liquid fertilizer (10-10-10 N-P-K ratio). These plants don’t require feeding in winter. 

How to Repot Snake Plant

The best time to repot your snake plant is in spring or late winter. You’ll know it’s time to repot the plant when the roots have become overcrowded or your plant has outgrown its original container.

When choosing a new pot for a snake plant, go for a planter that is two inches wider than the original container. Fill it with fresh potting soil and make sure the edges of the plant are filled in for stability. Water thoroughly.

Temperature

Snake plants thrive in warm temperatures of between 65°F (18°C)  and 88°F (30°C). Keep them out of frosty conditions and drafts as they won’t tolerate prolonged exposure to cold. 

Humidity

Snake plants are so versatile that they don’t require any particular humidity levels. An average indoor humidity of 30 to 50% will suffice.

Pet Friendliness & Toxicity

If consumed in large doses, the leaves of snake plants can be toxic to humans and pets. The leaves contain a poisonous chemical that causes tongue swelling or numbness. Keep your plant away from your pets and children in case they get tempted to nibble on the leaves. If you suspect your pet has taken a chunk out of your snake plant, call your vet as soon as possible.

Snake Plant Propagation Methods

Snake plants can be propagated in spring and summer. Propagating snake plants can be done by either root division, leaf cuttings or seeds. You can try any or all of these methods by following the instructions below.

Root Division Method

1. Grab a clean, sharp knife, clean containers and potting soil suitable for succulents.
2. Gently remove the snake plant from its pot and place it on the table.
3. Using your knife, divide the plant into sections. Ensure the roots are still intact.
4. Fill the pots with potting soil and replant the divided sections into each one.
5. Water and place the potted plants in a semi-sunny location. The pups will emerge from soil after a couple of weeks. 

Leaf-Cutting Method

1. Cut a healthy leaf from its base using a sterile knife or scissors. You can cut directly across or cut the leaf in a V shape. The V-shape adds more surface area for roots to form!
2. Submerge the leaf-cutting in a clean jar of water and place it in a sunny area.
3. This water-rooting method can take up to 4 months before the roots emerge. You must change the water every two weeks. You’ll notice scum that builds up in the jar so gently rub the leaves while your rinse.
4. Once the roots have reached 1 inch in length, plant the leaf-cutting in a pot filled with soil mix. Water as usual and place the potted plant in a semi-sunny area.

Growing from Seeds

Propagating snake plants from seeds takes the longest time as germination usually occurs from 6 weeks. Still, if you want to try this method, simply fill a 3-inch container with a starting mix and plant the collected seeds on top of the soil.

Cover the container with a see-through plastic wrap to retain humidity and place it in a warm area. Make sure the soil remains moist.

After 6 weeks or so, the seeds should germinate. Remove the plastic cover and wait until they’re around 4 inches tall before repotting each seedling.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) & Common Issues

Why is my snake plant turning brown or yellow?

The color of healthy snake plant leaves should be green. If your snake plant leaves are turning brown or yellow, this could be a sign of overwatering. Root rot is caused by overwatering, consequently turning the leaves brown or yellow. So it’s important to maintain a correct watering schedule to ensure your plant recovers. Only water your snake plant when the topsoil is dry.

Why is my snake plant drooping?

The leaves of a healthy snake plant should stand upward. When the leaves appear droopy, it may be due to overwatering, poor soil quality, or lack of sunlight. To resolve these issues, reduce the watering sessions, move your plant to a brighter area and replace the soil with a well-draining home-made potting mix containing organic soil, coarse sand, pumice and coconut coir. 

Where should I place my snake plant for good luck?

According to Feng Shui, placing your snake plant on the balcony or terrace can neutralize bad energy. To bring good luck and prosperity to your home, place your plant in a southeast-facing corner!

Why do snake plant leaves split?

While snake plants don’t need much humidity, a lack of moisture in the air can crack or split their leaves. These succulents store moisture in their foliage, but because of low humidity, their leaves start getting dry and brittle. To prevent your snake plant leaves from splitting, mist them often, especially in summer. Alternatively, you can buy a humidifier and place your snake plant next to it in order to maintain adequate humidity levels in the room. 

Will snake plant tips grow back?

Unfortunately no. If the tip of your snake plant leaf has cut or been damaged, it won’t grow back. The leaves grow from the base upwards. The leaf will eventually die and you can pull it out or trim it down. But don’t worry the snake plant will sacrifice the old leaf for new growth. 

Are snake plant flowers rare?

Snake plants can bloom, although it is a rare event. They can produce clusters of white tubular flowers in the Spring. However, it is rare to see them bloom outside their native habitat. 

Can snake plants cause allergies?

Snake plants do not cause allergies.

Have additional questions about snake plant care? Feel free to send me a message!