Snake plant · Sansevieria
A snake plant is about as easy as houseplants get. Its stiff, upright leaves look sharp in a modern room or a sympathy planter, and it shrugs off low light, dry air and the occasional forgotten watering.
Botanists recently moved it into the dracaena family, so you may see it labeled Dracaena trifasciata, but most people still know it as sansevieria or mother-in-law’s tongue. The one thing it cannot forgive is too much water.
When in doubt, don’t water
Let the soil dry out completely, all the way down, before you water again. In most homes that is every two to three weeks in spring and summer and about once a month in winter.
Water at the soil, not into the center of the leaves, and let it drain fully. Wet soil that never dries is what rots the roots and makes leaves fall over.
Finding the right spot
It tolerates low light, but it grows faster and stands taller in brighter light.
- It is happy almost anywhere from a dim corner to a bright window.
- Bright, indirect light gives the strongest color and the most new growth.
- If you move it from a dim spot into direct sun, do it gradually over a couple of weeks so the leaves don’t scorch.
- Keep it off cold windowsills in winter and away from outside doors.
Everyday care
Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata (formerly Sansevieria)
- Light
- Low to bright, indirect light. A little direct sun is fine once it is used to it.
- Water
- Only when the soil is completely dry. Every two to three weeks in the growing season, about monthly in winter.
- Temperature
- 60–85°F. Keep it above 50°F; cold plus wet soil is the worst combination.
- Feeding
- A half-strength houseplant food two or three times between spring and late summer is plenty.
- Cleaning
- Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth when they get dusty.
- Watch for
- A soft, wrinkled or folding leaf almost always points to watering: too much if the soil is wet, too little if it is bone dry for weeks.
Toxic to cats and dogs if chewed or eaten. It usually causes nausea, vomiting or drooling. Keep it out of reach of pets that chew. If any part is eaten, call your veterinarian.
Snake plants in planter baskets
Snake plants often go into mixed planters and dish gardens because they add height. They need much less water than their soft-leaved neighbors, so in a shared container, water the other plants lightly and keep water away from the snake plant’s base. If it starts to look soft while the others look fine, give it its own pot.
The eastern North Carolina year
What to do through our Johnston County seasons.
| Season | What to do |
|---|---|
| SpringMarch–May | New leaves start coming up. Light feeding, and the best time to repot or divide. |
| SummerJune–August | It can sit on a covered porch out of afternoon sun. Our heavy summer rain can waterlog the pot, so keep it under cover. |
| FallSeptember–November | Bring it in before nights drop below 50°F. Start watering less often. |
| WinterDecember–February | Almost dormant. Water about once a month, only when fully dry, and keep it away from cold glass. |
Repotting
Snake plants like to be crowded and only need repotting every two to four years, usually when the roots begin to crack or bulge the pot. In spring, move it to a pot one size larger with drainage holes, using a cactus and succulent mix. That is also the time to divide it: cut the clump apart into sections that each have roots and a few leaves.
Quick fixes
Leaves soft, mushy or falling over
Overwatering and root rot. Stop watering, let it dry, and check the roots; trim away any black, mushy ones and repot in dry mix.
Wrinkled, curling leaves
Thirsty, if the soil has been bone dry for a long time. Give it a deep drink.
Brown, crispy tips
Usually uneven watering or very dry air. Cosmetic; trim the tip if you like.
Pale or washed-out leaves
Too much sudden direct sun. Move it back from the window.
No new growth for months
Normal in low light or winter. More light in spring will wake it up.
Pot cracking or bulging
The roots have filled it. Repot or divide in spring.
Common questions
How often do you water a snake plant?
Only when the soil is completely dry, usually every two to three weeks, and about once a month in winter.
Can a snake plant live in low light?
Yes. It is one of the best plants for low light, though it grows slowly there.
Why is my snake plant falling over?
Almost always too much water. Let it dry out and check the roots.
Are snake plants safe for cats and dogs?
No. They can upset a pet’s stomach if chewed, so keep them out of reach.
More plant care guides
Dracaena
Dracaena fragrans and relatives
Medium light, light watering and filtered water. Slow, steady and long-lived.
Read the guide →Succulents
Echeveria, jade, aloe, haworthia and more
Lots of sun, a deep drink when bone dry, and then leave it alone.
Read the guide →Pothos
Epipremnum aureum
The easiest houseplant there is. Medium light, water when the top two inches are dry.
Read the guide →About pets and plants: The pet notes in this guide are general plant knowledge from our florists, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet chews or swallows any part of a plant, contact a licensed veterinarian right away, or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. If a person swallows any part of a plant, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
“So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”1 Corinthians 3:7
Questions about your plant?
Call or text us. We are always glad to help, whether you bought it from us or not.
Call or text (984) 250-7771 Clayton Florist · 11440 Clayton Blvd, Clayton, NC 27520claytonncflorist.com