snake plant

How to care for snake plants?

Botanical name
Dracaena trifasciata
Family
Asparagaceae

Snake plants are kept in a bright spot out of direct sun. They are watered only when the potting mix has dried out completely.

Snake plants are perennial plants.

snake plant
Photo: Mokkie · CC BY-SA 3.0

In short

Propagation
division and cuttings

Growing conditions

🪨
Soil
light
💡
Light
a bright spot out of direct sun
💧
Watering
only when the potting mix has dried out completely
🌫️
Air humidity
low
🧣
Overwintering
must come indoors
📏
Height
30 to 120 cm
⚠️
Toxicity
toxic to people and animals, toxic parts: roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruit and sap

Pests and diseases

Listed here is every problem for which the sources name this plant as a host. The problems are not listed in order of how common they are.

Fungus gnats

pest
Signs
Small dark gnats run over the surface of the compost or fly just above it. The larvae, with a shiny black head, live in the compost. At first the plant only loses its healthy look.
Prevention
The trouble is nearly always compost that is too wet and rich in peat: let the top layer dry out between waterings. A layer of sand or fine gravel on top of the pot takes the gnats' place for their eggs away.

Spider mites

pest
Signs
Small pale dots show over the upper side of the leaf, with a generally faded look. In a heavy attack the leaf browns or yellows and the plant dies. When it gets worse, a fine web is visible between the leaves.
Prevention
Most at risk are the plants that stand in the dry air of a room all year. Mist regularly and raise the air humidity to lessen the trouble. Keep new plants apart from the others for a few weeks.

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Related plants

The plants below are in the same botanical family (Asparagaceae).

Sources about the plant: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants, GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, NC State Extension Plant Toolbox, Royal Horticultural Society. Checked between 14 and 28 August 2026. The problem descriptions also draw on: Clemson Cooperative Extension, EPPO Global Database.