Snake Plant Care Guide & History

The Dracaena trifasciata, Mother-in-Law's Toungue, or more commonly known as the Snake Plant is the perfect succulent for inside your home because of their tendency to thrive in dry conditions. It produces sturdy, sword shaped green leaves that stand upright and stretch from 2 feet to an astounding 4 feet tall. Each leaf is deep green with darker green horizontal bands and distinct yellow edges. They are a great beginners plant because they tolerate low light and drought. Snake plants are also very beneficial for homes due to their ability to remove many common toxins from the air like formaldehyde (found in furniture and cleaning supplies), xylene (found in paints, glues, and varnishes) along many other air toxins.

How to care for Snake plant:

Potting Mix: Chunky potting mix will support aeration while retaining necessary moisture. You can make your own blend, here is our recommendation.

1. • 2 parts potting soil for nutrients
   • 1 part perlite/bark for aeration
   • 1 part vermiculite/moss for moisture
     

Water, Feed, & Frequency: Water when the topsoil is completely dry. Water soil generously and allow soil to drain completely.

Fertilize your plant monthly, decrease feed and watering during colder weather.

Light & Temperature: Snake plants thrive in bright indirect light, and are extremely adaptable to low light. They thrive is temperatures ranging between 65-85°F.

History&Significance:

The Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata) holds significance in many cultures. It originates from West Africa, specifically The Congo and Nigeria. Its ability to adapt and thrive in neglectful conditions have marked the Snake plant as symbol of resiliency and strength.

Before it became a very popular houseplant, it was utilized in a variety of textile applications. The fibers of its leaves would be used to make bowstrings, rope, and baskets, which earned it the nickname Vipers Bowstring Hemp. 

In many spiritual practices and cultural folklore, snake plants were used for spiritual protection, said to ward off evil energies. In Brazil and Portugal, the plant is widely referred to as the Esapada de São George or the Sword of Saint George who in Catholicism, was a knight who defeated a dragon with the tip of his sword. In Chinese and many Asian cultures, the Laurentii Snake plant is said to bestow prosperity, fertility, and positive chi or energy flow.

Up until 2017, it was formerly known as the Sansevieria trifsciata. While it had been named by Carl Peter Thunberg, a swedish naturalist, the name actually honors the Italian prince Raimondo di Sangro. Raimondo was the prince of San Servo as well as a renowned alchemist, botanist, inventory, writer, and free thinker.

There are many cultivars of Snake plants with different colors and designs such as the Laurentii Snake plant(top figure) that have yellow edges and the Moonshine Snake plant (bottom figure) that silver gray leaves.