Sansevieria trifasciata
snake plant
Overview
Sansevieria trifasciata, now also classified as Dracaena trifasciata, is an evergreen, rhizomatous succulent grown chiefly as a houseplant. It forms upright rosettes of stiff, sword-shaped leaves 12-48 inches (30-120 cm) tall, dark green with wavy gray-green cross-banding; many cultivars add yellow leaf margins. The thick, fibrous leaves store water, letting the plant withstand long dry spells, and the creeping underground rhizomes spread it slowly into dense clumps. Mature plants occasionally send up a slender stalk of small, greenish-white, fragrant flowers, though flowering is uncommon in indoor culture. Sansevieria trifasciata tolerates low light, irregular watering, and dry indoor air, which has made it a common houseplant worldwide. It grows slowly and can rot if overwatered or left in cold, wet soil. All parts contain saponins that can cause drooling, nausea, and vomiting in cats and dogs if chewed. Outdoors it is hardy only in frost-free climates, where it can spread and is treated as weedy in some regions.
Native Range
Sansevieria trifasciata is native to tropical West Africa, from Nigeria east to the Congo region. It grows in dry, rocky ground and open woodland, spreading by rhizomes in seasonally dry tropical climates.Suggested Uses
Grown as a low-care houseplant for homes and offices, including in low-light corners where many plants fail. It works in containers, on desks and shelves, and in modern interior plantings, and is used in mass plantings as a groundcover in frost-free climates. It is also kept for its tolerance of neglect and its role in indoor foliage displays.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 4'
Width/Spread6" - 2'
Bloom Information
Flowering is infrequent, especially indoors, and tends to occur in spring or summer on established plants. When it happens, a slender stalk bears clusters of small, greenish-white tubular flowers that release a sweet scent at night. The flowers may be followed by orange berries where pollinated.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
dark green with gray-green banding, often yellow marginsGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Sansevieria trifasciata grows in bright indirect light but tolerates low light and some direct sun, in free-draining, sandy or cactus-type soil with a pH of 5.5-7.5. It is watered only when the soil has dried out, roughly every two to three weeks, and far less in winter, since standing moisture rots the rhizomes. Indoor temperatures of 60-85F (16-29C) suit it, and it is damaged below about 50F (10C). It needs little feeding, taking a dilute fertilizer once or twice during the growing season. It is hardy outdoors only in USDA zones 9-11 and must stay frost-free. Root rot, mealybugs, and spider mites are the main problems, nearly all linked to overwatering or poor drainage.Pruning
Little pruning is needed. Damaged or fading leaves are cut off at the soil line with a clean blade. Overgrown clumps are divided in spring to control size and start new plants.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons