Plant Care Guide

Snake Plant
(Sansevieria Laurentii)

Dracaena trifasciata

Snake plants (still widely called Sansevieria) are ultra-forgiving houseplants with architectural leaves and slow, steady growth that suits busy routines. The popular ‘Laurentii’ cultivar shows golden leaf margins that look their best with bright, indirect light and conservative watering.

Watering Requirements

Snake plants store water in leaves and roots, so they prefer thorough but infrequent watering in a fast-draining mix. Let the top 2–3 inches of soil dry before you water again, and err on the side of underwatering rather than keeping the pot constantly moist.

Watering Schedule

  • Spring/Summer: Every 2–3 weeks; check soil first, then water deeply until excess drains.
  • Fall/Winter: Every 4+ weeks as growth slows; reduce frequency in cooler rooms.

Signs of Overwatering

  • Yellowing, mushy leaves; sour-smelling soil; collapsing leaf bases.

Signs of Underwatering

  • Wrinkled or folding leaves; dry, pulling soil; slower leaf expansion.

Pro Tips

Water at the soil line and avoid pooling in the leaf rosette—trapped water can rot the crown on taller Laurentii spears.

Light Requirements

Snake plants tolerate low light but grow fuller and show stronger variegation in bright, indirect light. Indoors, aim for an east window or set 3–5 feet back from a sunny south/west window to avoid long hours of harsh midday sun on leaves.

Ideal Placement

  • Low light okay: Expect slower growth and softer variegation.
  • Best: Bright, indirect light; a few hours of gentle morning sun is fine.

Signs of Too Much Light

  • Scorched patches, bleached streaks, or crispy edges on exposed leaves.

Signs of Too Little Light

  • Leaning, elongated spears; weak new growth; faded margins on ‘Laurentii’.

Pro Tips

Rotate the pot a quarter turn every couple of weeks so tall spears stay upright and the yellow margins color evenly.

Soil and Potting

Use a gritty, well-aerated mix that sheds water quickly to protect the roots from rot. Choose a heavy pot (terracotta or ceramic) with large drainage holes so tall leaves don’t tip the container as the plant matures.

Best Soil Mix (containers)

  • 2 parts cactus/palm mix, 1 part perlite or pumice, 1 part fine bark.
  • Optional: A small amount of horticultural charcoal to reduce odors.

Container Guidance

  • Go only one pot size up when repotting to avoid wet, unused soil.
  • Repot every 2–4 years or when roots circle tightly or lift the plant.

Pro Tips

Terracotta wicks moisture and is ideal for beginners—if you keep your home very dry, switch to glazed ceramic to slow evaporation.

Fertilizing

Snake plants are light feeders and do best with modest, well-timed nutrition during active growth. Apply a balanced, dilute, slow-release or water-soluble fertilizer in spring and midsummer, and skip feeding in winter.

Fertilizer Schedule

  • Spring/Midsummer: Half-strength, balanced formula (e.g., 10-10-10 or 3-1-2) once each season.
  • Avoid: High-nitrogen surges that can soften growth and invite pests.

Deficiency Clues

  • Pale new leaves can indicate low nutrients or low light; correct light first.
  • Stalled growth in bright conditions may benefit from a light seasonal feed.

Pro Tips

Always feed after a normal watering on already-moist soil—fertilizer on bone-dry media can burn fine roots.

Pruning and Maintenance

Prune for shape by removing the tallest or most damaged leaves cleanly at the soil line with a sterile blade. Keep leaves dust-free so they photosynthesize efficiently and support stronger color and patterning.

Pruning Guidelines

  • Cut at the base; avoid mid-leaf cuts that leave a flat scar.
  • Remove spent flower stalks if they appear to tidy the plant.

Maintenance Notes

  • Wipe both sides of leaves with a damp microfiber cloth every few weeks.
  • Inspect the crown and soil surface for trapped water or debris.

Pro Tips

When dividing, include a portion of rhizome and roots with each section—leaf-only cuttings of ‘Laurentii’ often lose the yellow margin variegation when they regrow.

Common Problems and Solutions

Most issues trace back to excess moisture, low light, or potting that holds water too long, and improvements show within a few weeks once corrected. Note that snake plants are toxic if ingested by pets or people—place them out of reach in homes with chewers.

Yellowing, Mushy Leaves

  • Overwatering/root rot → unpot, trim black roots, repot in dry, gritty mix; water less often.

Wrinkled or Folding Leaves

  • Thirst/very dry media → deep soak, then resume longer intervals between thorough waterings.

Leaning or Flopping Spears

  • Low light or loose roots → move to brighter light and repot snugly in a heavier pot.

Pests (mealybugs, spider mites, fungus gnats)

  • Improve airflow and watering habits; wipe leaves, use insecticidal soap/neem; let soil dry more between waterings.

Pro Tips

Change one variable at a time—light, water interval, or soil—so you can see what actually solves the problem instead of masking the cause.