Looking to infuse your loved ones’ living spaces with a splash of vibrant green? Look no further than snake plants!
These plants are hardy and visually captivating, which makes them popular with both experienced gardeners and beginners.
In this article, we’ll show you different varieties of snake plants and the benefits of having them in your home. Whether you’re seeking to decorate your own home or surprise a loved one with a thoughtful gift, there’s a snake plant variety for you!
Snake Plants in a Nutshell
Snake plants feature tall, sword-shaped leaves with different shades of green and unique patterns.
These hardy plants originate from West Africa and thrive in dry environments.
They’re considered succulents with thick leaves that store water effectively.
Snake plants are perennials and can live for years, occasionally surprising their owners with small, fragrant flowers.
Why choose snake plants?
Here’s why snake plants are a fantastic choice to decorate your home or gift your loved ones:
- Air Purification: Plants are a natural and visually appealing way to enhance your home’s air quality. According to the NASA Clean Air Study, their leaves and roots effectively absorb toxins, like formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene.
- Boosting Oxygen Levels: Snake plants can contribute to relaxation and improved well-being. These plants release oxygen at night, which can lead to better sleep quality (Sleepopolis).
Their ability to increase oxygen levels creates a calming atmosphere, particularly useful in stressful environments.
- Enhancing Mental Well-being: Indoor plants, including snake plants, have been linked to reduced stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression.
Their green presence offers a sense of tranquility, which acts as a mental refuge from daily pressures. Caring for a snake plant fosters responsibility and joy, enhancing mental well-being.
Snake plants can also improve cognitive function and concentration, which makes them beneficial for work or study environments (Ukio).
- Feng Shui: Snake plants are believed to bring protective and purifying energies to spaces, according to feng shui.
Placing them strategically in different areas of your home (like your home office, south and east rooms, living room, entry halls, and dining room) can enhance the flow of positive energy and create a balanced environment.
Best Indoor Snake Plant Varieties for Gifting
Cylindrical Snake Plant
Botanical Name: Sansevieria cylindrica
Origin: Angola
Size: Can reach heights of up to 3 feet
Light: Bright indirect light
Water: Water once a week. Allow the soil to dry between each watering session
Toxicity: Mildly toxic if ingested
The Sansevieria cylindrica, commonly known as the cylindrical snake plant or African spear plant, features elongated cylindrical leaves that grow upright and resemble a cluster of spears.
It has smooth-textured leaves that can grow up to 3 feet tall, which makes a visually striking focal point.
To ensure its healthy growth and vibrant appearance, it’s advisable to position it near a window or in a well-lit area. Allow the soil to dry between waterings to prevent overwatering.
Best for: With its modern aesthetic appeal and low-maintenance requirements, the Sansevieria cylindrica is an ideal choice for individuals who appreciate both style and ease when caring for indoor plants.
Ceylon Bowstring Hemp
Botanical Name: Sansevieria zeylanica
Origin: Sri Lanka
Size: Up to 2 feet tall
Light: Moderate to bright indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions
Water: Once to twice a week
Toxicity: Mildly toxic if ingested
The Sansevieria zeylanica, also known as Ceylon bowstring hemp or Indian bowstring hemp, features long, sword-shaped leaves with a dark green color and light gray-green horizontal stripes.
It’s a medium-sized indoor plant that typically reaches a height of up to 2 feet. The Ceylon bowstring hemp is a popular variety of snake plants because it doesn’t have those bright yellow stripes around its leaves
This plant thrives in moderate to bright indirect sunlight. It can tolerate lower light conditions, but providing it with adequate sunlight promotes healthy growth and preserves its vibrant color.
Best for: The Sansevieria zeylanica is perfect for individuals seeking an attractive and air-purifying indoor plant. Its moderate size and low-maintenance requirements make it suitable for various lifestyles and levels of plant care experience.
Starfish Snake Plant
Botanical Name: Sansevieria cylindrica ‘Boncel’
Origin: Angola
Size: Up to 8 inches tall
Light: Bright, indirect light to low light conditions
Water: About once every two weeks. Allow the soil to dry between waterings
Toxicity: Toxic if ingested
Sansevieria starfish, also known as the starfish snake plant, is known for its unique star-shaped leaf arrangement. The plant’s long, slender leaves with glossy green texture cluster to resemble the arms of a starfish.
In some instances, these leaves may feature white stripes that add an extra dimension of color to the plant’s appearance.
The starfish snake plant thrives in various lighting conditions, from bright indirect light to lower light environments. It can adapt seamlessly to different indoor settings, which makes it a perfect choice for any type of space within your home or office.
This plant produces a cluster of small purple flowers that bloom at the center, which typically occurs after about three years and can last for six months.
Best for: The starfish snake plant is ideal for anyone seeking a unique and attractive indoor plant. It can also be an eye-catching decorative piece on a shelf or tabletop.
Mikado
Botanical Name: Sansevieria bacularis
Origin: Congo
Size: Up to 8 feet in height
Light: Medium to bright, indirect sunlight
Water: Water sparingly and let the soil dry out between watering sessions
Toxicity: Mildly toxic if ingested
The Sansevieria bacularis, also known as Mikado, is a snake plant variety that has slender, cylindrical leaves that grow vertically in the form of spikes with green marbling.
This plant is known for being low-maintenance, and it thrives in environments with moderate to bright indirect light and warmer temperatures. It only requires watering when the soil is dry and can also tolerate shaded conditions.
Similar to other snake plants, this variety has a slow growth rate. While it can reach a maximum height of eight feet over a span of up to ten years, it typically remains much smaller when cultivated indoors.
Best for: The Sansevieria bacularis is perfect for individuals who are busy and only have little time to look after a plant.
Moonshine Snake Plant
Botanical Name: Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Moonshine’
Origin: Chile
Size: Up to 2 feet in tall
Light: Moderate to bright, indirect sunlight
Water: Allow the soil to dry between each watering session
Toxicity: Toxic if ingested
Sansevieria moonshine is a snake plant that stands out from the other varieties due to its lighter, silver-green leaves that are distinct from the typical marbled appearance found in other snake plants.
This quality makes it a popular choice for both plant enthusiasts and interior designers. It features elongated, lance-shaped leaves that stand upright, reaching heights of up to 2 feet.
It got its name from its pale silvery coloration, which can darken in lower-light conditions. With proper care and the right conditions, it may also produce small white blooms.
This snake plant variety is easy to care for and thrives in moderate to bright indirect light. It can adapt well to varying lighting conditions and even flourish in areas with limited natural sunlight.
It’s slow-growing and can reach a height of up to two feet when cultivated indoors.
Best for: This snake plant variety is an excellent choice for those seeking a low-maintenance plant that exudes contemporary aesthetics.
Best Outdoor Snake Plant Varieties for Gifting
Bird’s Nest Snake Plant
Botanical Name: Sansevieria hahnii
Origin: West Africa
Size: Up to 6 inches tall
Light: Moderate to bright, indirect sunlight
Water: Twice a week
Toxicity: Mildly toxic if ingested
The Sansevieria hahnii, commonly referred to as the bird’s nest snake plant, gets its name from its growth pattern that closely resembles a bird’s nest. This variety is short and has a compact stature that typically reaches a height of up to 6 inches.
Its leaves form a rosette arrangement that features dark green coloring with a subtle variegation.
It’s a resilient and low-maintenance plant that can thrive in outdoor environments with ease. Its small size makes it an ideal choice for small gardens, rockeries, or container gardens on patios.
Best for: This snake plant variety is perfect for individuals seeking to add a touch of charm to their outdoor garden arrangements.
Fernwood Snake Plant
Botanical Name: Sansevieria fernwood
Origin: Africa
Size: Up to 4 feet tall
Light: Bright, indirect light to partial shade
Water: Allow the soil to dry between each watering session
Toxicity: Mildly toxic if ingested
The Sansevieria fernwood, also known as the fernwood snake plant, has tall, slender leaves that feature a deep green color. They grow in a compact, upright fashion that looks like the spikes of a punk hairstyle.
This variety is known for its low-maintenance nature. It can withstand neglect and can easily adapt to various environmental conditions.
Best for: The Sansevieria fernwood is ideal for busy individuals who appreciate unique plant varieties.
African Bowstring Hemp
Botanical Name: Sansevieria hyacinthoides
Origin: South Africa
Size: Can reach heights of up to 4 feet
Light: Thrives in medium to bright, indirect sunlight but can tolerate low light conditions
Water: Once every two to three weeks
Toxicity: Toxic
Sansevieria hyacinthoides, also known as the African bowstring hemp, is a snake plant variety originating from South Africa. The term “bowstring hemp” is common for snake plants because their fibers were used in crafting bowstrings.
This variety features flat, green leaves with lighter, silvery-green speckles. In the right conditions, it may produce white blooms and small, orange fruit.
It’s a low-maintenance plant, and it thrives in environments with moderate to bright indirect light. It can tolerate low light conditions and appreciates infrequent watering.
This plant grows during the warmer months and can potentially reach heights of up to four feet.
Best for: This snake plant variety is ideal for individuals who want a visually appealing plant that can add a touch of greenery to spaces without demanding excessive attention or effort.
Whale Fin Snake Plant
Botanical Name: Sansevieria masoniana
Origin: Africa
Size: Up to 3 feet tall
Light: Thrives in bright, indirect light to partial shade
Water: Water when almost dry. Avoid overwatering
Toxicity: Mildly toxic if ingested
The Sansevieria masoniana, also called the whale fin snake plant, typically grows as one or two broad, paddle-like leaves in a pot that look like the fin of a whale with impressive stripes running along its length.
This snake plant adds a tropical ambiance to any outdoor setting with its height of up to 3 feet. Its leaves feature a unique pattern and texture, which make it stand out in garden beds and borders.
This hardy plant can endure different weather conditions, including heat and drought, and thrives in bright indirect light to partial shade.
The whale fin snake plant is low-maintenance and thrives in areas with moderate to bright, indirect light and warmer temperatures.
It’s a slow-growing plant that can reach heights of up to four feet when grown outdoors.
Best for: The whale fin snake plant is best suited for individuals who may have limited time for plant care or live in regions with challenging climates.
This variety is also a great choice for someone who wants to elevate their outdoor spaces with a tropical touch.
Samurai Snake Plant
Botanical Name: Sansevieria ehrenbergii
Origin: East Africa
Size: Up to 3 feet tall
Light: Medium to bright sunlight
Water: Twice a week
Toxicity: Toxic if ingested
The Sansevieria ehrenbergii, commonly referred to as the samurai snake plant, is an architectural outdoor variety that features elongated, blade-like leaves. It has leaves that can grow up to 5 feet long and stacked on each other.
Architectural plants, such as the samurai snake plant, are often cultivated for their unique and striking structural qualities, such as strong lines, bold shapes, or interesting forms, that add drama and visual interest to outdoor spaces.
The samurai snake plant thrives in medium to bright light but can tolerate some direct sunlight. Make sure to allow the soil to thoroughly dry between waterings to prevent overwatering and ensure its overall well-being.
Best for: This snake plant is the perfect gift for individuals who would love a touch of architecture (strong lines and bold shapes) in their outdoor spaces.
