Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)

How much light does a Snake Plant need?

This plant does best with 2 to 6 hours of direct sun a day, filtered through a curtain or given by a bright window. It still tolerates very low light indoors, so a spot away from any window will not kill it. Outdoors, give it partial shade rather than full sun. It is also rated for heavy shade, so deep shade outside will not harm it either. This plant's native range covers Nigeria, Tanzania, and several other countries in tropical Africa. It also grows at a moderate rate.

• Light: Bright, indirect light; tolerates low light¹

How often to water a Snake Plant

From spring through autumn, let the top of the soil dry out fully before you water again. In winter, cut back and water only once every one to two months. This plant prefers dry to only lightly moist soil, never soggy. Overwatering is the main risk, since wet soil left standing can lead to root rot. This plant is also classed as a succulent. It also tolerates drought well. Its soil should drain well to avoid standing water.

• Water: Dry to medium¹

Best soil for a Snake Plant

Use a potting mix that drains fast, since standing water is the main risk to the roots. Good drainage matters more than the exact ingredients in the mix. Soil pH between 6 and 8 suits this plant, a fairly wide range that covers most potting soils. You rarely need to adjust pH for this plant, since it tolerates mildly acidic to mildly alkaline soil. Whatever mix you choose, make sure water can pass through it and out of the pot's drainage holes. As a succulent, it stores water in its leaves, so it does not need rich, water-retentive soil to thrive.

• Soil drainage: Well drained¹
• Soil pH: pH 6–8¹

Temperature and humidity

Indoors, this plant tolerates temperatures down to about 50 °F (10 °C). It also prefers low humidity over damp, humid air. It is rated for strong resistance to heat as well as humidity. Outdoors, it is only hardy in USDA zones 10a to 12b. This plant needs only low maintenance. Its native range covers several countries in tropical Africa, including Nigeria and Tanzania. This plant is also classed as a succulent. Its growth rate is moderate.

• Minimum temperature: 50 °F (10 °C)¹
• Humidity: Low²

Fertilizing a Snake Plant

A monthly feeding through spring and summer suits this plant best, since that is its main growing season. Use an all-purpose fertilizer at half the strength the label suggests. Outside of spring and summer, this plant does not need any fertilizer. This plant overall needs only low maintenance. This plant also tolerates drought well. It grows at a moderate rate overall.

• Fertilizer: Monthly in the growing season (Mar–Aug)³

Pruning a Snake Plant

If a leaf gets damaged, cut it off at the soil line. Beyond removing dead or damaged leaves, this plant does not need regular pruning. It grows as an erect, clumping perennial. This plant also grows at a moderate rate overall. This plant also tolerates heavy shade and drought well.

• Pruning: Remove dead growth only³

Repotting a Snake Plant

Repot this plant with fresh potting soil about every five years. Choose a well-drained mix each time you repot. This plant grows as an erect, clumping perennial. It also grows at a moderate rate. Keep the soil pH near neutral, between about 6.0 and 8.0, when you refresh it. This plant also tolerates drought well between waterings.

• Repotting: Every 5 years³

How to propagate a Snake Plant

You can propagate this plant by division, by stem cuttings, or by leaf cuttings. All three methods are documented ways to start new plants from it. The parent plant grows as an erect, clumping perennial. This plant grows at a moderate rate overall. Once potted, give it a well-drained soil mix. This plant also tolerates low humidity well indoors.

• Propagation: Division, stem cuttings and leaf cuttings^1,1,4

Common problems

Common pests on this plant include spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects, and thrips. Other species on the list include fern scale, longtailed mealybugs, and the banana moth. The spiral nematode and the agave weevil are also recorded as pests of this species. Root rot and anthracnose are the two diseases reported for this plant. Root rot usually follows soil that stays too wet, so good drainage helps prevent it.

• Common pests: banded greenhouse thrips, fern scale insect, longtailed mealybug, spider mites, opogona sacchari, rotylenchus buxophilus, scyphophorus acupunctatus, fern scale, banana rust thrips, banana moth, white peach scale, mealybugs, spiral nematode, agave weevil, thrips and scale insects^{1,5,5,5,1,3,1,1,1,5,1,1,5,5,5,1}
• Common diseases: root rot and anthracnose^1,1,3

Questions and answers

Is a snake plant toxic to cats and dogs?

This plant is toxic to both cats and dogs if they chew or eat it. The toxic principle is a group of compounds called saponins, found in the leaves, stems, sap, and other parts. Watch for vomiting, drooling, and a reduced appetite, and call your vet or a pet poison line if this happens.

How often should I water a snake plant?

In spring through autumn, let the soil dry out fully before you water it again. In winter, water it only once every one to two months. This plant also tolerates drought well. This plant also prefers low humidity. It is classed as a succulent.

Can a snake plant survive in low light?

It tolerates very low light indoors, though bright, indirect light with a few hours of direct sun works best. Outdoors, it does best in partial shade rather than full sun. It is also rated for strong resistance to heavy shade. This plant also grows at a moderate rate.