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Snake Plant Care: How to Grow and Care for Mother-in-Law’s Tongue Indoors

Image Credit:
Myroslava Bozhko/Shutterstock
Botanical Name
Dracaena spp. (formerly: Sansevieria spp.)
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Partial Sun
Shade
Soil pH
Neutral
Flower Color
White
Plant Type
Houseplants
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Tough, stylish, and nearly indestructible—snake plants (a.k.a. Mother-in-Law’s Tongue) are the ultimate low-maintenance houseplant. Whether you’re a first-time plant parent or a seasoned green thumb, this striking succulent is your go-to for clean air and effortless greenery. Here’s how to keep it thriving in your home!

About Snake Plants

Native to southern Africa, snake plants are well adapted to conditions similar to those in southern regions of the United States. Because of this, they may be grown outdoors almost all year in USDA Zone 8 and warmer. However, they spread by sending out underground runners and may become invasive, so treat snake plants like you would bamboo; plant them only in contained areas or pots.

Too much water and freezing temperatures are two of the very few things that can affect this plant in a significant way. Soggy soil will cause root rot, and extended exposure to cold temperatures can damage the foliage.

Planting

How to Plant Snake Plants

  • Choose a pot with a drainage hole in the bottom. Terracotta pots work well for snake plants since they allow the soil to dry out more quickly than plastic pots.
  • Use a well-draining potting mix. A potting mix designed for cacti and succulents is ideal, as it will be more resistant to becoming oversaturated with water.
  • When repotting snake plants, don’t bury them too deep. The plant should be planted as deep as it had been in its prior container.

Choosing a Location in the Home

  • Snake plants prefer bright, indirect light and can even tolerate some direct sunlight. However, they also grow well (albeit more slowly) in shady corners and other low-light areas of the home.
    • Tip: Avoid moving your plant from a low-light area to direct sunlight too quickly, as this can shock the plant. Whenever you move plants from a darker to a lighter spot, gradually expose them to brighter and brighter light over a week or so. Also, be sure to adjust watering habits accordingly; plants will use more water in warmer, brighter areas.
  • Keep the plant in a warm spot with temperatures above 50°F (10°C). In the winter, protect it from drafty windows.
Potted snake plants in a nursery
Photo by Mokkie/Wikimedia Commons

Growing

How to Water Snake Plants

One of the most common problems encountered with snake plants (and other succulents) is overwatering. These plants do not tolerate soggy soil; they tend to develop root rot. To avoid this, follow these watering practices:

  • Do not water too frequently. Let the soil mostly dry out between waterings.
    • Tip: To know when it’s time to water, don’t just rely on how the surface of the soil looks. Instead, carefully stick your finger or a wooden chopstick a couple of inches into the soil. Hold off watering if you feel any moisture or see soil sticking to the chopstick.
  • Water from the bottom of the pot, if possible. This encourages the roots to grow downward and deep, helping to stabilize the thick, tall leaves.
  • During the winter, while the plant isn’t actively growing, water less often than you would in spring and summer.

Caring for Snake Plants

  • The large, flat leaves tend to collect dust; wipe them down with a damp cloth as needed.
  • Snake plants are rapid growers in good conditions and may need to be divided annually.
  • Divide and repot in the spring. Cut out a section containing leaves and roots and place it in a pot with a well-draining potting mix.
  • If a snake plant is pot-bound, it may flower occasionally. Fragrant, greenish-white flower clusters appear on tall spikes.

Pests and Problems

  • Root rot due to overwatering is the most common issue.
    • If this occurs, remove any dying leaves and allow the plant to dry out more than usual. Snake plants are resilient and typically recover. However, if the plant continues to die, remove it from its pot, discard any rotted roots and leaves, and repot in fresh soil.
  • Scale insects

Types

  • Dracaena trifasciata (aka Sansevieria trifasciata) is the most common species of snake plant. It has tall, dark-green leaves with light grayish-green horizontal stripes.
    • ‘Bantel’s Sensation’ — Narrow leaves have white vertical stripes and grow to about 3 feet long. This variety can be hard to find.
  • D. hahnii:
    • ‘Bird’s Nest’ — Short, wide leaves of dark and light green form a tight nest shape like a bromeliad. Leaves only grow 6 to 8 inches long. This variety does need much light to grow well.
    • ‘Golden Hahnii’ — Like the standard ‘Bird’s Nest’ but with leaves variegated along the edge in yellow.
  • D. cylindrica:
    • ‘Cylindrical Snake Plant’ — As its name suggests, this species of snake plant has cylindrical leaves that end in a fierce point.
    • ‘Starfish Snake Plant’ — The starfish snake plant has cylindrical leaves that fan out from its base, giving it a starfish-like shape.
  • D. masoniana:
    • ‘Whale Fin’ — These interesting snake plants have large, wide leaves that resemble the fin of a whale breaching the water’s surface.

Wit and Wisdom

  • According to NASA research, snake plants, spider plants, and peace lilies are reportedly very effective at cleaning the air, removing toxins such as formaldehyde. However, further studies are needed to determine the true extent of these plants’ air-purifying capabilities!
  • Dracaena trifasciata, a type of snake plant native to tropical Africa, yields a strong plant fiber and was once used to make bowstrings for hunting. For this reason, it also goes by the name “Bowstring Hemp.” 

Houseplant Guides

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana.

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>Leslie</span> Wed, 03/09/2022 - 16:13
Mine has been growing outside my North-Central Florida home for years. In a pot under filtered light for years. It bloomed last year (2021) and I've maybe watered it 2 or 3 times over the year but it gets some misting from the rains. This plant originally came from the inside front windows of my Grandma's bar in Michigan! It was easily 3 to 3 1/2 feet tall. The "stories" it could tell!
<span>Ane</span> Tue, 03/08/2022 - 11:09
Snake plants are one of the easiest to grow in zone 7b...put it outdoors (in a pot) on the north side during the summer when the weather stays above 60 degrees. Place in a wide, sturdy clay pot cause it will get huge and top heavy. Water until you see it come out the bottom then don't water until it is bone dry. Ignore it most of the time. I have never fertilized. Re-pot when the plant has no more room to grow or when you see the plantlings start to hang off the sides. Bring it in when the temp gets around 50 and place in a corner of a room. Don't water too much in winter cause the roots will rot. It will continue to grow where ever you put it, regardless of sunlight. I have a 20 year old plant that I have had to re-pot and give lots of plantlings away several times in the last two years. Right now I have plantlings from the summer that grew about 3 feet high during this winter. They are one of the least problematic plants as pets, kids and pests don't bother them, they can handle being knocked over, abused, and ignored most of the time.
<span>Debbie</span> Tue, 03/08/2022 - 10:52
Have you ever seen a snake plant flower. I had a snake plant 20 years ago and it blossomed. It grew a stalk in the middle of the blades and at the end grew a bulb and bulb opened up and tiny white flowers bloomed. A co-worker grew up in Trinidad and snake plants were by the rivers and he never saw one bloom. I brought a flower for him to see; was astonished. Gave a part of plant to friend and 20 years later she gave it back to me. Son or daughter of the original plant, still have it today but hasn't bloomed yet.
<span>Boateng</span> Tue, 03/08/2022 - 10:40
Does "snake plants" repels snake?
<span>Denise T</span> Mon, 02/27/2023 - 11:52
Goodness, no. It's called that due to it's long, tapering shape.
<span>Katie</span> Thu, 03/03/2022 - 09:05
I used Miracle Gro All Purpose fertilizer on my snake plants, and now they are all turning very light in color. How do I correct this? Thank you
<span>Steve Archer</span> Mon, 02/27/2023 - 07:21
Repot with "fresh" soil...fertilizer burn🥲
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Fri, 03/11/2022 - 17:08

Have you changed anything else in the plant's environment—such as lighting or watering? These are the things that are most likely to cause a snake plant to start to turn yellow. However, if the leaves are getting bleached, that means it has been getting too much light; try moving it out of direct sunlight (if that's where it is) and into bright, indirect light. Also be sure not too overwater snake plants; they prefer to dry out a bit between waterings.

 <span>Plantscraze</span> Wed, 11/24/2021 - 00:52
loved reading your article. it was really informational for me. wish to see more in the coming days.
<span>Sue</span> Sat, 11/20/2021 - 05:40
I'm not sure that you should have zone 8 listed for snake plants. Here in Oregon zone 8, we get freezing weather every year.