Botanico

Plant profile

Snake plant

Dracaena trifasciata (Prain) Mabb.

Family: Asparagaceae · Genus: Dracaena

Photo of Snake plant
Image: Mlogic. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons. · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Very tough and beginner-friendly. Handles low light and infrequent watering.

From Wikipedia

Dracaena trifasciata is a species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to tropical West Africa from Nigeria east to the Congo. It is most commonly known as the snake plant, Saint George's sword, mother-in-law's tongue, and viper's bowstring hemp, among other names. Until 2017, it was known under the synonym Sansevieria trifasciata. This plant is often kept as a houseplant due to its non-demanding maintenance; they can survive with very little water and sun.

Dracaena trifasciata — Text CC BY-SA. See the original article.

Open-data facts

Life form
Stores reserves in underground rhizomes and regrows from there.
Climate
Seasonally dry tropical climate.
Origin / area
Its geographical roots are located in: Southern Nigeria to West-Central Tropical Africa and Tanzania.
Native distribution
The native distribution by countries and regions includes: Nigeria, Western Tropical Africa, Africa · Central African Republic, West-Central Tropical Africa, Africa · Cameroon, West-Central Tropical Africa, Africa · Congo, West-Central Tropical Africa, Africa · Equatorial Guinea, West-Central Tropical Africa, Africa · Gabon, West-Central Tropical Africa, Africa · DR Congo, West-Central Tropical Africa, Africa · Tanzania, Eastern Tropical Africa, Africa.

Recommended products for Snake plant

    Ecological interactions

    • Serves as a host to:

      Paraboeremia putaminum, Colletotrichum capsici, Aspergillus niger, Rhizoctonia solani, Phytophthora sp., Gloeosporium sansevieriae, Meliola sansevieriae

    Basic care

    Watering
    Keep the mix dry between waterings; don’t keep it constantly wet.
    Light
    If it stretches hard toward light, move it closer.
    Temperature
    Ideal in rooms that stay pleasant year-round.
    Humidity
    Prefers airy, not muggy, spaces.

    Pet toxicity

    Leaves and stems are not for pets to play with or eat.

    Cats: yes (toxic). Dogs: yes (toxic).

    Sources