Snake plant is an erect, clumping, broadleaf evergreen, tropical herbaceous perennial in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). It is native to central Africa. The species epithet means "having three transverse stripes" and refers to the pattern of variegation on the leaves (although there may be more than three stripes). Place in a location where it will receive direct sunlight only part of the day, 2 to 6 hours, as it will tolerate very low light. Well-drained soil and careful watering are a must; do not overwater, as the roots will rot. In spring to autumn allow the soil to dry between waterings. In winter only water every one to two months. It tolerates low humidity and cool temperatures around 50 degrees. This plant is quite durable, easily grown, and difficult to kill. In its native habitat, it blooms in the winter, but as a houseplant, it rarely blooms. Snake plant is grown in containers and is used as ground cover or filler in interior landscape designs. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Monitor for mealybugs and spider mites. Overwatering may cause root rot. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Dracaena .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Cream/Tan; Gold/Yellow; Green; White
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Fleshy; Leathery
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Stiff, upright, succulent leaves grow in rosettes or clusters. They are flat, up to 4 feet long and 2 to 4 inches wide with alternating transverse bands of shades of green. Some varieties have yellow to white bands on the outer edges of the leaves, and others have longitudinal stripes.
Flower color
Green; White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Radial
Flower detail
Inflorescence is raceme. Flowers are small, greenish-white to cream-colored, sticky, and fragrant. Flowers are rarely seen on indoor plants.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Orange
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit detail
The orange berry fruits appear after flowering, but they are rarely seen on indoor plants.
Stem color
Insignificant
Stem detail
Acaulescent, having no visible stem.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
West and West Central Africa
Distribution
Bangladesh, Bermuda, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, East Himalaya, Ecuador, Fiji,Haiti, India, Jamaica, Malaya, Mexico, Myanmar, Puerto Rico, Queensland, Rwanda, and the United States
Play value
Colorful
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Berry
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Houseplants
Design feature
Accent; Specimen
Garden tags
#easy to grow #showy leaves #houseplant #low maintenance #low light #fantz #problem for dogs #problem for cats #problem for horses #tropical feel #hsc #hsc-f #interesting leaves #container plant #interiorscape #landscape plant sleuths course #ebh-h #problem for children #poisonous if ingested #hortcontest #fiber plant #th-touch
Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses
Resistant to
Drought; Dry Soil; Heat; Heavy Shade; Humidity
Propagation
Division; Stem Cutting
Poison severity
Low
Poison parts
Flowers; Fruits; Leaves; Roots; Sap/Juice; Stems
Poison symptoms
Toxic if ingested: vomiting (occasionally with blood), depression, nausea, diarrhea, anorexia, hypersalivation, dilated pupils (cats). The sap can cause skin irritation.