Care and Propagation Information
General Care for Dracaena trifasciata “Snake Plant”
It's hard to find a succulent that's easier to care for! Snake Plant thrives in low-light, making it a perfect plant for a bedroom, guest room, or area of your home that needs a little greenery.
This plant was renamed in the past few years. While it was originally Sansevieria trifasciata, it is now Dracaena trifasciata.
Watering
Snake Plant tends to need a bit less water than other succulents. It's best to use the “soak and dry” method, and allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Where to Plant
Snake Plant grows best in low light, so adding this succulent to your bedroom is perfect. It also converts CO2 into oxygen at night, purifying the air while you sleep. Not only that, but studies show this simple plant also removes formaldehyde, benzene, and other chemicals from the air!
Video
How to Propagate Dracaena trifasciata “Snake Plant”
Propagating Snake Plant is almost as easy as it is to grow! It is one succulent that does well with water propagation.
Leaves
Remove a healthy leaf from the main plant, and allow it to callous for several days before placing in well-draining soil. Water whenever the soil has dried out completely.
Water Propagation
Using sharp, sterile scissors, remove a healthy leaf from the main plant, and place it in a tall container. Fill the container with just enough water to cover the leaf several inches. Place in indirect light, changing the water every several days.
Divisions
Dracaena grow from a large root-like organ called a rhizome. This forms a large mass under the soil, where the leaves grow up from. The rhizome can be carefully divided using very sharp scissors or a garden saw.
Be sure the section removed has at least one healthy leaf growing from the rhizome. Allow it to dry for a day, then replant in well-draining soil. Wait to water until several days after planting.
Experiences from Succulent Lovers
The following experiences were shared by members of the Succulent Lovers Club and Succulents and Sunshine Readers. We'd love to highlight your experience too! Click here to share.
Audrey W.
Where do you live or where is this succulent growing?
Tennessee
How long have you been growing this succulent?
Years.
Tell us about your experience with this plant and any insights or tips you have
I have 15+ different snake plants right now. They are all very different. Easy care for a beginner. Do not over water. These guys thrive on neglect. Repot about every couple of years.
Even as tough as these snakes are the health of the plant is key. I’ve had snakes die on me even though I carefully watered them. The type of plant stock you get and whom you get them from makes a big difference. Big box stores over fertilize them. I prefer to go with a grower from Etsy or Mountain Crest Gardens. Fabulous results with a private grower. Hope this helps. I’ve been following Cassidy for more than 10 years. Her tips are fantastic!!!
How would you rate this plant for ease of care?
Easy
Tyler
Where do you live or where is this succulent growing?
Indoors, west facing window, Melbourne Australia
How long have you been growing this succulent?
I've had 3 over the past 5 years, the longest one lived was about 9 months
Tell us about your experience with this plant and any insights or tips you have
I usually got the yellow variegated type. Watering with bottom watering once leaves were starting to wrinkle/ fail the taco test (bending with gentle pressure). Twice they developed rot. One of those I was able to save for a while by cutting away rotted sections. I tried to leave longer before watering but they never looked as healthy and eventually died.
My third plant I tried sparse watering from the start, but it never seemed to take on the water and would stay looking slightly shrivelled. Eventually I tried to propagate it. A few of the pups died of rot, the others just never seemed to take on water. The leaves never rooted (in soil/ air) but I only water leaf propagations once a couple days after separation until they start growing roots. I did notice that the roots were also mostly dried out when I propagated them.
How would you rate this plant for ease of care?
Difficult
