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Dracaena trifasciata is often confused with:
Dracaena angolensis Form in bloom
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Dracaena fragrans leaves and flowers
Epipremnum aureum Form
Ficus benjamina Potted Plant

Dracaena trifasciata

Previously known as:

  • Sansevieria trifasciata
Phonetic Spelling
dra-SEE-nah try-fas-ee-AY-tuh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Snake plant is an erect, clumping, broadleaf evergreen houseplant in the Asparagaceae (asparagus) family. It is native to Africa. 

Place in a location where it will receive direct sunlight only part of the day, 2 to 6 hours, as it will tolerate very low light. Well-drained soil and careful watering is a must; do not overwater, as the roots will rot. In spring to autumn allow the soil to dry between waterings. In winter only water every one to two months. It tolerates low humidity and cool temperatures around 50 degrees. This plant is quite durable, easily grown, and difficult to kill.

In its native habitat it blooms in the winter but as a houseplant, it rarely blooms. Snake plant is a clean air plant, as it helps improve air quality. NASA found in the 1970s that certain common houseplants could actually remove pollutants like formaldehyde, benzene, and ammonia from a room rather efficiently, and further study supports this. 

Snake plant is grown in containers and is used as ground cover filler in interior landscape designs.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Hahnii'
    dwarf plant with6-12 leaves forming a short, funnel-shaped rosette
  • 'Laurentii'
    a chimeral form with yellow, thickened (diploid) margins
  • 'Silver Queen'
'Hahnii', 'Laurentii', 'Silver Queen'
Tags:
#houseplant#easy to grow#showy leaves#low light#interiorscape#low maintenance#interesting leaves#fantz#problem for cats#ebh-h#problem for dogs#problem for horses#tropical feel#container plant#hsc#hsc-f#landscape plant sleuths course
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Hahnii'
    dwarf plant with6-12 leaves forming a short, funnel-shaped rosette
  • 'Laurentii'
    a chimeral form with yellow, thickened (diploid) margins
  • 'Silver Queen'
'Hahnii', 'Laurentii', 'Silver Queen'
Tags:
#houseplant#easy to grow#showy leaves#low light#interiorscape#low maintenance#interesting leaves#fantz#problem for cats#ebh-h#problem for dogs#problem for horses#tropical feel#container plant#hsc#hsc-f#landscape plant sleuths course
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Dracaena
    Species:
    trifasciata
    Family:
    Asparagaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Africa
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Poisonous
    Succulent
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Winter
    Flower Description:
    Inflorescence is raceme. Flowers are minute, greenish-white to cream-colored, sticky, nonfragrant.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Stiff, upright, succulent leaves grow in rosette or clusters. They are flat, up to 4 ft long and 2-4 inches wide with alternating transverse bands of shades of green. Some varieties have yellow to white bands on the outer edges of the leaves.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Insignificant
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Acaulescent, having no visible stem.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Dry Soil
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Vomiting (occasionally with blood), depression, nausea, diarrhea, anorexia, hypersalivation, dilated pupils (cats).
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Saponins
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No