How to Grow a Snake Plant

Snake plants provide a hardy choice for those without green thumbs.

Given the ease of their care, snake plants -- also known as mother-in-law’s tongue or Sansevieria trifasciata -- are widely grown as houseplants. These natives of tropical Africa spread via rhizomes. Snake plants provide strong, glossy, strap-like leaves, sometimes with variegated patterns at the edges. Under proper conditions, the plants produce fragrant flowers.

Things You'll Need

• Potting Soil
• Pot
• Fertilizer

Instructions

1. Start a snake plant in a pot 3 to 6 inches in diameter. Place an inch of potting soil in the bottom of the pot. Place the plant on top of soil. Fill in soil around pot and press the soil down firmly.

2. Add fertilizer according to package directions. If you are using liquid fertilizer, use about a quarter less than recommended to avoid yellowing of the tips. Water the snake plant thoroughly.

3. Maintain the snake plant in low or medium light; they can also thrive in full sun. Water it about twice a month except once a month in winter.

4. Transplant larger plants into a 6- to 8-inch pot when the shoots reach the ends of the pot. You can also break it up into separate plants. Remove the plant from the pot, separate the shoots and transplant the small shoots into separate pots.

Tips & Warnings

• Fast growing

• Can grow outside in summertime

• Flowers

• Avoid overwatering, one of the few errors than can kill a snake plant.

References

• PlantTalk Colorado: Snake Plant
• University of Illinois Extension: Sansevieria (Snake Plant)