Snake Plant Care: The Plant You Cannot Kill

Snake plants (Sansevieria, or Dracaena trifasciata if you want to get technical) are the ultimate low-maintenance houseplants. They tolerate neglect, low light, irregular watering, and just about every mistake you can make as a plant owner.

I’ve seen snake plants survive in windowless offices, forgotten in closets for months, and left in the care of people who have never owned a plant before. They just keep going.

If you’re looking for a plant that requires almost zero effort, this is it.

Why Snake Plants Are Perfect for Beginners

They tolerate neglect. Forget to water for three weeks? No problem. Snake plants store water in their thick leaves and can go a long time without a drink.

They handle low light. While they prefer bright, indirect light, they’ll survive in low-light conditions that would kill most other plants.

They clean the air. Snake plants are on NASA’s list of air-purifying plants. They filter out formaldehyde, benzene, and other toxins.

They’re nearly indestructible. Short of drowning them or leaving them in freezing temperatures, it’s hard to kill a snake plant.

They propagate easily. One snake plant can become a dozen with minimal effort.

Light Requirements

Snake plants are flexible. They’ll tolerate almost any light condition except total darkness.

Best light: Bright, indirect light. Near a window with filtered light is ideal. They’ll grow faster and produce more vibrant colors in good light.

Will tolerate: Low light, fluorescent office lights, north-facing windows, corners of rooms with minimal natural light.

Avoid: Direct afternoon sun for extended periods. It can scorch the leaves. A little morning sun is fine.

Pro tip: If your snake plant’s leaves are pale or floppy, it needs more light. If the edges are brown and crispy, it might be getting too much direct sun.

Watering

This is where most people go wrong. Snake plants are succulents. They store water in their leaves. Overwatering is the number one way to kill them.

How to water:

  1. Let the soil dry out completely before watering
  2. Stick your finger 2-3 inches into the soil - if it’s dry, water
  3. Water thoroughly until water runs out the drainage holes
  4. Let it drain completely - never let it sit in standing water
  5. Wait until the soil is bone dry before watering again

How often?

  • Spring/summer: Every 2-3 weeks
  • Fall/winter: Every 4-6 weeks

Pro tip: Snake plants would rather be underwatered than overwatered. When in doubt, wait a few more days.

Signs of overwatering:

  • Yellow, mushy leaves
  • Soft, squishy base
  • Foul smell from the soil
  • Leaves falling over

Signs of underwatering:

  • Leaves wrinkling or curling
  • Leaf tips turning brown and crispy
  • Leaves feel thin and papery

If you overwater: Stop watering immediately. Let the soil dry out completely. If the roots are rotting (soft and brown), you’ll need to cut away the damaged parts and repot in fresh, dry soil.

Soil and Potting

Snake plants need well-draining soil. They’ll rot in soil that stays wet.

Best soil: Cactus/succulent mix or regular potting soil mixed with perlite or coarse sand (50/50 ratio).

Pot requirements:

  • Must have drainage holes (non-negotiable)
  • Doesn’t need to be huge - snake plants like being slightly root-bound
  • Terracotta pots are great because they wick moisture away from the soil

When to repot: Every 2-3 years, or when roots are coming out of the drainage holes. Snake plants grow slowly, so they don’t need frequent repotting.

How to repot:

  1. Choose a pot 1-2 inches larger than the current one
  2. Use fresh, well-draining soil
  3. Remove the plant and shake off old soil
  4. Trim any dead or rotting roots
  5. Plant at the same depth as before
  6. Wait a week before watering to let any damaged roots heal

Temperature and Humidity

Snake plants are flexible. They’re happy in normal household conditions.

Temperature: 60-85°F is ideal. They can tolerate temps down to 50°F but won’t be happy. Keep them away from cold drafts and heating vents.

Humidity: They’re fine with dry air. Average household humidity (30-50%) is perfect. No need for humidifiers or misting.

Seasonal care: In winter, snake plants go dormant. They’ll stop growing and need much less water. This is normal.

Fertilizing

Snake plants don’t need much fertilizer. They’re slow growers and can survive without it.

How to fertilize:

  • Use a balanced liquid fertilizer (10-10-10 or 20-20-20)
  • Dilute to half strength
  • Fertilize once in spring and once in summer
  • Skip fertilizer in fall and winter

Warning: Too much fertilizer can cause brown leaf tips and damage roots. Less is more.

Propagating Snake Plants

Snake plants are easy to propagate. You can turn one plant into many with minimal effort.

Method 1: Division (fastest)

  1. Remove the plant from its pot
  2. Separate the root clumps with your hands or a clean knife
  3. Each section should have roots attached
  4. Plant each section in its own pot with fresh soil
  5. Water lightly and wait a week before watering again

Method 2: Leaf cuttings (slower but fun)

  1. Cut a healthy leaf near the base
  2. Cut the leaf into 3-4 inch sections
  3. Mark the bottom of each section (important - they won’t root if planted upside down)
  4. Let the cut ends dry for 1-2 days
  5. Plant the bottom end 1-2 inches deep in moist soil
  6. Water lightly and wait
  7. New growth will appear in 4-8 weeks

Method 3: Water propagation

  1. Cut a healthy leaf near the base
  2. Place it in a jar of water
  3. Change the water every few days
  4. Roots will appear in 2-4 weeks
  5. Once roots are 2-3 inches long, plant in soil

Pro tip: Variegated snake plants (with yellow edges) will lose their variegation if propagated from leaf cuttings. Use division to keep the variegation.

Common Problems

Yellow leaves: Overwatering. Let the soil dry out completely and reduce watering frequency.

Brown leaf tips: Low humidity, too much fertilizer, or fluoride in tap water. Use filtered or distilled water if your tap water is heavily treated.

Leaves falling over: Overwatering, not enough light, or the plant is too young (leaves will stand upright as the plant matures).

Wrinkled leaves: Underwatering. Give it a good soak and the leaves should plump up within a day or two.

Slow growth: This is normal. Snake plants are slow growers. If you want faster growth, give it more light and fertilize in spring/summer.

Pests: Snake plants rarely get pests, but occasionally spider mites or mealybugs show up. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth or spray with insecticidal soap.

Varieties Worth Trying

There are dozens of snake plant varieties. Here are a few favorites:

Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’: Classic snake plant with tall, upright leaves and yellow edges.

Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Black Gold’: Dark green leaves with yellow edges. Compact and striking.

Sansevieria cylindrica: Cylindrical leaves that grow upward. Sometimes sold braided. Very architectural.

Sansevieria ‘Moonshine’: Silvery-green leaves with subtle variegation. Modern and elegant.

Sansevieria ‘Bantel’s Sensation’: White and green striped leaves. Rare and beautiful.

Bird’s Nest Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hahnii’): Short, compact rosette form. Great for small spaces.

Why Snake Plants Are Great for Families

I have three kids. They’re loud, messy, and have zero concept of “gentle.” Our snake plants have survived:

  • Being knocked over by a rogue soccer ball
  • Going weeks without water while we were on vacation
  • Being placed in a corner with almost no light
  • Having toys thrown at them
  • My toddler pulling off a leaf (it regrew)

They’re still alive and thriving.

Snake plants don’t require daily attention or perfect conditions. They just sit there, looking architectural and filtering the air, asking for almost nothing in return.

That’s exactly what busy parents need.

The Bottom Line

If you want a plant that:

  • Survives neglect
  • Tolerates low light
  • Needs watering once a month (or less)
  • Looks modern and clean
  • Cleans the air
  • Is safe around pets (mild toxicity, but not deadly)

Get a snake plant.

Put it in a pot with drainage holes. Use well-draining soil. Water it every few weeks. Give it some light. That’s it.

If you can follow those four basic rules, you’ll have a thriving snake plant for years.

And if you manage to kill it anyway, maybe stick to artificial flowers. I’m not judging.

(Okay, maybe a little.)

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