Snake Plant
The snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata, formerly Sansevieria) — also called mother-in-law's tongue — is beloved for being tough and forgiving. It tolerates low light and neglect, which makes it ideal for beginners. The catch: it's very easy to kill it with kindness via overwatering.
Care basics
- Light: Bright, indirect light is ideal, but it tolerates very low light well. In low light the leaf patterns become less pronounced.
- Water: Let the soil dry completely between waterings. In winter, water very little. Overwatering is the main way people kill snake plants.
- Soil: A well-drained mix — a cactus or succulent blend, or potting soil amended with perlite, works well.
- Temperature: Average home temperatures; it prefers it slightly warmer and dislikes cold drafts.
- Humidity: Tolerates low humidity.
- Fertilizer: Very little needed — a light feed in spring is plenty.
The 3 most common problems
1. Root rot from overwatering
This is the big one. Snake plants can go weeks or months without water, but if the soil stays wet, roots rot — leaves turn yellow, collapse, and the plant can die. It's the quickest (and often the only) way to kill one. Fix: Let the soil dry completely between waterings, use a pot with drainage holes, and don't let it sit in water. See our root rot guide.
2. Wrinkled or shrivelled leaves from underwatering
Leaves that look shrivelled or wrinkly mean the plant has been kept too dry for too long. Fix: Water when the soil has fully dried but before the plant starts to shrivel.
3. Yellowing or collapsing leaves
Besides overwatering, yellowing and collapse can come from kept-wet conditions (no drainage or sitting in a saucer of water). Fix: Correct the drainage and watering so the roots aren't standing in water.
Also keep an eye out for mealybugs and spider mites, which snake plants can occasionally host.
Pet safety note: Snake plant is toxic to dogs and cats if ingested — symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. Keep it away from pets. (Source: ASPCA.)
A few extra tips
Snake plants are very easy to propagate by division, and they're happy staying somewhat crowded in their pot, so you won't need to repot often. One care caution: don't pour water into the center of the leaf rosette, which can encourage rot. With bright light, well-drained soil, and a light hand on the watering can, a snake plant is wonderfully low-maintenance and difficult to kill — just don't overwater.
Snake plant at a glance
- Light: bright, indirect, but it tolerates very low light
- Water: let the soil dry completely between waterings
- Soil: a well-drained cactus or succulent mix
- Watch for: the number one mistake is overwatering — yellow, collapsed leaves usually mean the roots have been kept wet
A snake plant is wonderfully difficult to kill as long as you leave it alone: give it light, water it only when dry, and it's one of the most forgiving houseplants you can own.