Easy Tropical Toxic to pets

Snake Plant

Dracaena trifasciata

The Snake Plant is an almost indestructible plant, perfect for low-light spaces.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 14 days
Light

Medium light
Humidity

30–60 %
Temperature

13–30 °C

How to care for your Snake Plant

Everything you need to keep your Snake Plant healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

Dracaena trifasciata (formerly Sansevieria) is native to West Africa and tropical Asia. It is among the most robust houseplants in existence. It tolerates near-darkness, prolonged watering neglect, and dry air conditions. Its upright dark green leaves with yellow edges make it a popular decorative element in offices and apartments.

Watering your Snake Plant

Every 14 days

Water sparingly; allow the substrate to dry out completely between waterings. In winter, water as infrequently as once a month.

How to know it needs water

Substrate completely dry throughout
Leaves beginning to wrinkle or show slight vertical creasing

How much light a Snake Plant needs

Medium light

Extremely adaptable: tolerates low light through to bright indirect light; one of the most shade-tolerant houseplants.

Direct sun tolerated: 0 to 2 h a day
Orientations that suit it: North, North-east, East, South-east, South, South-west, West, North-west

Humidity and misting

30–60 %

Low to medium (30–60%) Do not mist; tolerates very dry air exceptionally well and does not require supplemental humidity.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 60 days

Apply two or three times during spring and summer only; never fertilise in autumn or winter.

Recommended feed: Balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to quarter strength · 2-1-2

Repotting your Snake Plant

Every 36 months

Use a well-draining substrate; avoid oversizing the pot — snake plants bloom better when slightly pot-bound.

When: Spring
Potting mix: Cactus and succulent mix
Mix in: perlite, coarse sand

The tell-tale signs

Rhizomes cracking the pot
Numerous offsets forming a congested clump

Pruning your Snake Plant

Remove damaged, yellowing or oversized leaves at any time. Cut diagonally to approximate the natural pointed leaf tip; use a clean, sharp blade.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 28 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 13 in the growing season.

25 J
22 F
20 M
14 A
13 M
13 J
13 J
13 A
14 S
17 O
21 N
28 D

Active growth · Days between waterings

Toxicity

Mildly toxic to cats and dogs if ingested; may cause nausea, excessive drooling and vomiting.

Good to know

Produces oxygen at night, unlike most plants
Ranked as one of the best air-purifying plants

Frequently asked questions about the Snake Plant

How do you care for a Snake Plant?

Water it every 14 days. Give it medium light. Ideal humidity: 30–60 %. Ideal temperature: 13–30 °C. Water sparingly; allow the substrate to dry out completely between waterings. In winter, water as infrequently as once a month.

How often should you water a Snake Plant?

Every 14 days Water sparingly; allow the substrate to dry out completely between waterings. In winter, water as infrequently as once a month. How to know it needs water : Substrate completely dry throughout ; Leaves beginning to wrinkle or show slight vertical creasing.

How much light does a Snake Plant need?

Medium light Extremely adaptable: tolerates low light through to bright indirect light; one of the most shade-tolerant houseplants. 0 to 2 h a day

Is the Snake Plant toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Mildly toxic to cats and dogs if ingested; may cause nausea, excessive drooling and vomiting. Keep it out of reach of your pets and call a vet if any is swallowed.

Why are my Snake Plant leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Snake Plant?

Repot every 36 months, ideally in spring. Use a well-draining substrate; avoid oversizing the pot — snake plants bloom better when slightly pot-bound.