How to grow Snake Plant

Dracaena trifasciata · Sansevieria, Mother-in-law's tongue

A tough, slow-growing succulent with stiff, upright, sword-shaped leaves banded in green, often edged with yellow; one of the easiest houseplants, drought-tolerant and happy in bright or low light.

Quick facts

Type	Houseplant
Family	Asparagaceae
Light	Partial shade
Frost	does not tolerate frost
Soil for sowing	from 10 °C
Where it grows	At home

When to plant

Planted as a young plant from a nursery while it is dormant — in early spring before the buds open, or in autumn after leaf fall.

Frost dates · When to plant

Care

At home

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 21 days	15…24 °C	balanced (NPK), 14 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 44 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 74 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 104 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 134 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 164 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 194 days into the stage
Winter rest	every 30 days	10…24 °C	—

Growing notes

Light

Ideally bright, lightly shaded light, but it copes with low light too. In summer keep it out of midday sun, which can scorch the leaves.

Soil

Free-draining cactus compost, or loam-based compost mixed with grit, in a pot with plenty of drainage holes and only slightly larger than the old one.

Care

Overwatering is the most common cause of trouble, as the roots rot. Water only once the compost has dried out (check with a finger), pour onto the compost rather than into the leaf rosette, and empty the saucer; in winter it needs barely any water. Do not mist it. Feed with a liquid houseplant or cactus fertiliser once a month from April to September. Toxic to cats and dogs (saponins), and the sap irritates skin, so wear gloves when removing leaves.

Pests and diseases of Snake Plant

Sources

Figures checked against these sources.