Learn how to care for your snake plant (also known as mother-in-law's tongue) with advice on watering, light, soil, fertilizer and more.
The Complete (And Easy!) Guide to Snake Plant Care
Published on Nov. 26, 2024
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Snake Plant Benefits
Snake plants are known by many names: mother-in-law’s tongue, good luck plant or golden bird’s nest. But no matter what you call it, they are a hardy, easy-to-grow houseplant that’s great for beginners.
“I respect snake plants,” says botanical researcher Trey Bradford. “They are very, very tough and because of that, very popular.”
Trey is an expert for Mountain Crest Garden’s shop and nursery, which offers a few varieties of snake plants (Dracaena trifasciata, formerly Sansevieria trifasciata). He spends his day-to-day sharing plant knowledge, identifying succulents and helping Mountain Crest Gardens’ customers solve their succulent dilemmas.
What Do Snake Plants Look Like?
Snake plants can vary in color, size and even shape. What they all share are flat, stiff leaves that are primarily green and grow in clusters. The snake plant’s sword-shaped leaves stick straight in the air.
“There are a lot of snake plant varieties,” says Trey. But he notes that they are not extremely different from each other besides their variegation. Some feature lighter horizontal stripes, different shades of green, or yellow, cream or white leaf tips.
Young plants and smaller cultivars can be short enough to fit in a small pot on a bathroom shelf, while mature plants hold their own in large patio planters and grow up to 4 feet tall.
Snake Plant Light Requirements
Snake plants offer all the benefits of traditional houseplants, such as beauty and stress relief. What makes them special is their easy-going nature and ability to live in a variety of light levels.
“They resist shade so well,” Trey says. But most impressively, they also resist drought. He says, “You don’t see that a lot in the plant world. Usually it’s one or the other.”
This plant survives whether it’s under a sunny window or on the opposite side of the room. For best results, give your snake plant a moderate amount of light. They only actively grow with a fair amount of sunlight or a grow light.
But there’s still good news for people who aren’t blessed with large, south-facing windows. Snake plants, which Trey calls “bullet-proof,” can handle lower light conditions. Don’t be afraid to place them in rooms with north- or east-facing windows or a little further away from a light source. They will stay green and vibrant in consistently low light conditions, but may not grow or flower and may flop in very low light.
How Often to Water Snake Plant
Snake plants need minimal attention, unlike more finicky houseplants. Trey jokes, “I always see them in lobbies. People always plant them in lobbies because you don’t have to water them all that much.”
The key to watering these durable plants isn’t so much the amount, but the timing. It’s very important to let your snake plant dry in between thorough watering sessions. If you don’t wait for the soil to completely dry, you run the risk of root rot.
Check the soil’s dryness by inserting your finger about an inch or two into the potting mix. If you don’t feel moisture, then it’s time to water. When in doubt, recheck the next day. You’re more likely to damage the plant from overwatering than underwatering.
When the potting mix is dry and you’re ready to water, pour a generous amount directly onto the soil. Wet the material completely, allowing any excess water to drain out of your pot. Check back on your snake plant a few minutes after watering and empty any water that may have collected in the drip tray.
If you miss a watering–don’t panic. In fact, Trey says, “If you forget to water it for like a month, they’re still going to be around. Even if they do get a little wilted, they snap right out of it. They are so unbelievably forgiving.”
If you find yourself in a similar situation, Just water your plant as soon as you can and continue the cycle of letting the soil dry before watering again.
Common Issues for Snake Plants
Looking after an established snake plant is a breeze as long as you avoid its most common issue: root rot.
A snake plant with root rot may turn yellow or droop. Although it can be caused by overwatering, subpar drainage is usually the rot’s culprit in snake plants.
Trey says, “You can pretty much eliminate the risk of root rot by planting them in pebbly soil and pots with drainage holes.” If you see signs of root rot, repot your plant if the soil or container retain too much water, remove rotting roots, and slowly cut back on watering.
Trey also notes that the plants are “solidly a Zone 10 plant” and are vulnerable to frost. He says if you accidentally leave your snake plant outside on a cold night, bring it back in.
The leaves may look worse before they get better. After a few days of thawing, you’ll see how much of the plant is still living. Cut off any rotted leaves and continue to grow it like normal.
“Snake plants are slow to do anything, so it will take it a long time to come back,” says Trey, “Your plant will look really ugly but, assuming that the little patch in between the leaves is still alive, it should recover.”
Best Soil for Snake Plants
For long-term success, grow your snake plant in a soil that’s well-draining. Many retailers sell mixes specifically formulated for succulents or cactuses which are well suited for these plants. Trey says to look for a soil with rocks, perlite and other inorganic materials that won’t break down over time.
Once you find the perfect soil mix, find a pot to match. Look for a container with plenty of holes in the bottom to let the well-draining soil do its thing.
Learn how to propagate succulents (for more free plants!)
How to Fertilize Snake Plants
When asked if he recommends fertilizing, Trey says, “Generally, no. They don’t need a lot of nutrients.”
But if you want to help your plant grow or bloom, he recommends fertilizing occasionally. Choose a formula that’s made for succulents or use an all-purpose mix at half of the lowest strength recommended on the packaging. Too much fertilizer might burn the plant.
That said–it’s perfectly fine to skip the fertilizer and enjoy your snake plant as the low-maintenance beauty it is.
Snake Plant Flowers
Snake plants can bloom, but it is very difficult to recreate the right conditions in most homes. Most snake plants kept indoors will never flower.
“Snake plants are one of those weird plants that are tough to get to bloom, even though they grow very well,” says Trey.
If you want to attempt it, give your mature plant more light than normal. Trey says that’s the most important element when trying to get your plant to bloom. If that doesn’t work, try stressing your snake plant out by decreasing how often you water it.
When they do bloom, their flowers sprout from a thin, tall stem on the base of the plant. Most snake plant flowers are white, yellow or a light green color. The blooms are long and tubular with a strong scent.
Check out the top 10 flashy flowering succulents to grow.
Are Snake Plants Toxic to Cats and Dogs?
Owning a snake plant in a home with dogs, cats or children is a calculated risk. They are more safe for pets or children than many houseplants, but are still toxic. If you opt to grow one display out of reach or in a room away from pets and children.
The ASPCA reports that snake plants can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea in both dogs and cats. For people, the Kansas Poison Center says that ingestion symptoms include nausea and vomiting, as well as a rash.
Sources
- North Carolina Cooperative Extension – Dracaena trifasciata
- PennState Extension – Snake Plant: A Forgiving, Low-maintenance Houseplant
- The Plant Gallery – How to Fix and Prevent Root Rot
- Healthline – A Hobby for All Seasons: 7 Science-Backed Benefits of Indoor Plants
- New York Botanical Garden – Snake Plant (Dracaena)
- ASPCA – snake plant
- Kansas Poison Center – snake plant
About the Expert
Botanical researcher Trey Bradford works for Mountain Crest Gardens, an online succulent nursery, in Fort Jones, California. He earned a bachelor of science degree in botany from Humboldt State University.
