Description
The Snake Plant — also known as Sansevieria or Dracaena trifasciata — is a popular, low-maintenance houseplant famous for its upright, sword-like leaves and air-purifying qualities.
🌿 Snake Plant – Quick Facts
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Snake Plant, Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, Saint George’s Sword |
| Botanical Name | Dracaena trifasciata (formerly Sansevieria trifasciata) |
| Native To | West Africa |
| Growth Habit | Upright, stiff leaves in rosette form |
| Leaf Pattern | Green with gray-green or yellow edges, sometimes striped or mottled |
| Light | Low light to bright indirect sunlight |
| Watering | Infrequent — allow soil to fully dry between waterings |
| Toxicity | Mildly toxic to pets (cats and dogs) if ingested – causes nausea or vomiting |
| Height | Typically 1–4 ft indoors (30–120 cm), some varieties taller |
🌬️ Air Purification
NASA listed the snake plant in its Clean Air Study as effective at removing toxins like:
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Benzene
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Formaldehyde
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Xylene
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Trichloroethylene
While the effect in a typical home setting is modest, it’s still one of the best low-effort plants for improving air quality.
🌱 Care Guide
| Care Aspect | Tip |
|---|---|
| Light | Tolerates low light, but grows best in bright indirect light |
| Water | Every 2–3 weeks; even less in winter. Overwatering = root rot risk |
| Humidity | Average home humidity is fine |
| Soil | Well-draining cactus or succulent mix is ideal |
| Pot | Use one with drainage holes |
| Fertilizer | Optional — feed lightly during growing season (spring–summer) with cactus fertilizer |
| Repotting | Every 2–3 years or when rootbound |
🌿 Popular Varieties
| Variety | Description |
|---|---|
| Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’ | Classic tall variety with yellow leaf edges |
| Sansevieria ‘Moonshine’ | Silvery-green leaves with a matte finish |
| Sansevieria ‘Hahnii’ | Dwarf rosette type — compact and great for desks |
| Sansevieria cylindrica | Cylindrical leaves, sometimes braided or fan-shaped |
🧪 Snake Plant Benefits
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✔️ Extremely low maintenance
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✔️ Air purifying
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✔️ Suited for bedrooms — produces oxygen even at night (rare in plants)
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✔️ Ideal for beginners or frequent travelers
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✔️ Grows well in offices, bathrooms, dorms
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