---
title: "Snake Plant Care Guide and Facts"
description: "Learn how to care for your Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata), a hardy, air-purifying houseplant. Get essential watering tips, light needs, and interesting facts."
url: "https://getplanta.com/discover/trivia/sansevieria"
published: "2025-11-20T08:44:31.989Z"
modified: "2026-10-06T09:53:24.149Z"
author: "Planta"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/public/content/JDpdTr8RT2SD13SYz_KgfA.webp?size=large"
---

# Snake Plant Care Guide and Facts

## Snake plant Trivia

_Dracaena trifasciata (_earlier_Sansevieria trifasciata)_, commonly known as Snake plant or Mother-in-Law's Tongue, are a popular, hardy plant that can potentially withstand weeks of neglect while still maintaining their attractive-looking foliage. Their leaves are sturdy and dark green in color, often showing lighter-colored yellow banding.

> They are one of NASA's favorite plants since they remove formaldehyde and benzene from the air.

They can grow very tall - up to 8 feet (around 2 and a half meters), making them an impressive and low-maintenance home decor piece. As well as looking great, they help cleanse the air of pollutants.

![](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/public/content/JDpdTr8RT2SD13SYz_KgfA.webp?size=large)

## Care

The most important thing to bear in mind when it comes to Snake plants is not to overwater them. These plants prefer to dry out between waterings and can cope much better with infrequent watering than excessive watering. If your Snake plant gets too much water, it can develop root rot, which can be fatal. For this reason, it's also a good idea to plant your Snake plant in well-draining soil in a pot with drainage holes through which excess water can escape.

They can tolerate a variety of light conditions, but will grow more slowly in darker spots.

Snake plants are toxic to humans and animals, so keep them out of reach of curious pets or children!  


![](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/public/content/SoAhM1xjTr6Ja2BCJ7RMyA.webp?size=large)

## Other

These plants are commonly known as Mother-in-Law's Tongue due to their sharp, blade-like leaves. It is also sometimes referred to as Viper's Bowstring Hemp, as it can produce a strong plant fiber that has historically been used to create rope, cloth and, of course, bowstrings.

There are actually around 70 different types of Snake plant, although they typically look quite similar to each other.

Some believe that these plants are lucky, and they were highly prized in Chinese households as it was thought that the Eight Immortal Gods would bestow their virtues onto those who owned a Snake plant. These virtues are beauty, intelligence, prosperity, long life, health, art, strength, and poetry.

It is also a misconception that Snake plants attract snakes. The name comes from the appearance of its leaves, so you don't need to worry about uninvited reptile visitors!

## Frequently asked questions

### Do Snake plants purify the air?

Yes, Snake plants (Dracaena trifasciata) are effective at removing formaldehyde and benzene from the air. They are recognized by NASA for their air-cleansing properties.

### How should I water my Snake plant?

It is crucial not to overwater Snake plants, as they prefer to dry out between waterings. Infrequent watering is better than excessive watering, which can lead to root rot.

### Are Snake plants harmful to pets or children?

Yes, Snake plants are toxic to both humans and animals. You should keep them out of reach of curious pets or children to prevent any adverse reactions.

### What are some other names for Snake plant?

Snake plants are often called Mother-in-Law's Tongue due to their sharp, blade-like leaves. They are also sometimes referred to as Viper's Bowstring Hemp.

### Do Snake plants attract snakes to my home?

No, it is a misconception that Snake plants attract snakes. The name actually comes from the appearance of their leaves, so there is no need to worry about attracting reptiles.

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_Source: Planta (https://getplanta.com), the plant care app for iOS and Android. Download the app: https://getplanta.com/download_