Sansevieria Trifasciata

The snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata, now Dracaena trifasciata; also called Mother-in-law's Tongue and St. John's Sword) rises in stiff, upright blades banded in deep green. Choose 2'–3' or 3'–4' in matte black, brushed chrome, woven basket, or gray square fibercrete. It arrives in its grower's pot set inside a sealed planter, ready to place.

Details

• Size: 2'–3' or 3'–4' tall
• Planter: Matte black, brushed chrome, woven basket, or gray square fibercrete
• Light: Low to bright, indirect light; tolerates low light; can take some direct sun
• Pets: The ASPCA lists the snake plant as toxic to cats and dogs
• Best for: Bedrooms, offices, hallways, and narrow spaces at almost any light level
• Care: Very easy

Grown, delivered, guaranteed

Prepared at the Interior Foliage Design greenhouse, 47-47 58th St, Woodside, NY 11377. Free pickup at our Woodside greenhouse, usually ready within 24 hours, Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM. Delivery is $45 to Long Island City, Astoria, Sunnyside, Woodside, Greenpoint, Maspeth, Hunters Point, West Williamsburg and Manhattan below 125th Street; $125 to the rest of Brooklyn and Queens and Manhattan above 125th Street; $195 to Westchester, Nassau, western Suffolk through Riverhead, Greenwich and New Canaan; and $295 to the East End and Bergen, Hudson, Essex and Passaic counties in New Jersey. Every plant carries our 48-hour replacement guarantee; live plants are not returnable (refund policy). Our family has sold plants in New York since the 1970s, and Interior Foliage Design was incorporated in 1980.

Watering

Let the soil dry most of the way down before you water, which indoors is usually every two to four weeks. Then give a small, measured amount of room-temperature water, enough to moisten the root ball, never a flood. The sealed planter keeps your floors dry, and with this plant less is always more. In winter, when growth slows, water even more sparingly.

Why the snake plant suits busy New Yorkers

Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii' was among the plants tested in NASA's 1989 Clean Air Study. NC State Extension notes the species epithet means "having three transverse stripes," for the banding on its leaves. Its vertical form adds height while taking almost no floor space.

FAQ

Can it handle low light? Yes. It is one of the most low-light-tolerant plants we grow, and it also accepts bright light.

How often do I water? Sparingly: let the soil dry most of the way down, usually every two to four weeks.

Is it pet-safe? No. The ASPCA lists the snake plant as toxic to cats and dogs.