Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata
Family Asparagaceae
Sculptural, striped, and vertical, the snake plant is living architecture for the corner nothing else survives. Its stiff sword leaves hold their looks in low light, dry air, and long stretches of pure forgetfulness — the plant equivalent of a cast-iron skillet.
Between one and four feet of upright form, no shedding, no drama, and near-total independence from the watering can — it may be the lowest-commitment houseplant there is. Mildly unkind to pets that chew it, so give it a quiet corner. The dark bedroom is finally plantable.
Low to bright indirect — tolerates almost anything
Low water
Slow growth
None winter chill
From the print shop
Growing snake plant? Hang it.
Our Plant Library collection carries snake plant — Dracaena trifasciata, print Nº 436, “Snake Plant.”
526 designsfrom $12.99white or black backgroundmatte poster, unframed
Will it thrive where you are?
Enter your ZIP — we look up your USDA hardiness zone (2023 map) and check it against what snake plant actually needs.
Hardy inZones 10-12Snake Plant · Common problems
Common snake plant problems
Pests
1 problem on file
- Almost none
Diseases
1 problem on file
- Root Rot (overwatering)
Snake Plant · Growing & propagation
Growing snake plant
- Light
- Low to bright indirect
Tolerates almost anything
- Water
- Very low
Water monthly; the only way to kill it is kindness
Soil- Cactus/succulent mix, sharp drainage · pH 6.0 - 7.5
Fertilizer- Twice a year at most
Pruning- Rarely needed
Cut damaged leaves at soil line; divide crowded pots.
Spacing- One per pot
How to plant & propagate snake plant
- Propagate
- Stem/leaf cuttings, division, or pups
Snake Plant · Calculators & field guides
A little help in the garden.
Snake Plant · Yearly calendar
The snake plant year, month by month
No fixed season calendar for snake plant — its care follows conditions, not the calendar.
Snake Plant · Ecology & uses
Ecology & uses
Dracaena trifasciata
Snake Plant in the garden system
Moisture- Upland / dry
Deer- Browsed
Protect young plants
Origin- Introduced
What snake plant is grown for
! Some parts toxic — see notesMildly toxic to cats/dogs (nausea)
Use- Bedrooms
- Use
- Dark corners
- Use
- Beginners
Edibility, identification, and traditional-use notes here are general reference — not medical or veterinary advice, and not a claim that any plant treats or prevents anything. Medicinal ratings record how strongly a plant features in herbal tradition, nothing more. Never eat or dose a plant you have not positively identified. More on how to use this library.
Snake Plant · Varieties & cultivars
Choosing a snake plant variety
'Laurentii' (yellow edges); 'Zeylanica'; 'Moonshine' (silver); 'Cylindrica'
Sources & plant identity
Know what you’re growing.
See where the knowledge comes from.
Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata
The plant, at a glance.
- Botanical name
- Dracaena trifasciata
- Plant family
- Asparagaceae
- Growth habit
- Houseplant · Perennial
- Origin
- Introduced
- USDA plant symbol
- SATR6
- Invasive risk
- Low
- Other names
- Sansevieria trifasciata
Hardiness, size and timing vary with your cultivar, soil and climate.
Rooted in research.
University extension research, brought together with hands-on growing experience at Story Thyme Farms.
for Snake Plant
Research from these sources
Publisher marks identify sources, not sponsorship or endorsement.
Questions
Snake Plant questions, answered straight.
Is snake plant safe for kids and pets?
With care. Mildly toxic to cats/dogs (nausea) Site it accordingly if children or pets roam the garden. This is general reference, not medical or veterinary advice — call a vet or poison control if something has actually been eaten.
How do you propagate snake plant?
Stem/leaf cuttings, division, or pups.
Elsewhere
Where snake plant sits in the library.
Monstera
Golden Pothos
Heartleaf Philodendron
Fiddle-Leaf Fig