Snake plant care guideSansevieria trifasciata

Top low-light, drought-tolerant choice. Ranked #2 of Europe's most-searched houseplants.

Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) — a healthy specimen photographed indoors
Scientific name
Sansevieria trifasciata
Origin
West Africa
Difficulty
Easy
Light
Low light tolerant
Watering (summer)
every 14 to 21 days
Watering (winter)
every 30 to 45 days, sometimes less
Humidity
30-40%
Pet safety
Toxic to cats and dogs
IKEA SKU
00421029

WateringWhen and how much water

Water Snake plant when the soil has dried out completely. In summer that's typically every 14 to 21 days; in winter slow down to every 30 to 45 days, sometimes less. Use room-temperature water and let any excess drain — never leave the pot sitting in standing water.

The real schedule depends on three things the calendar can't see: the actual light at the plant, the pot's size and material (terracotta dries faster than glazed ceramic), and your local humidity. Botanicaly's app retunes the schedule from those signals on every reminder.

LightHow bright a spot it needs

Snake plant is low light tolerant: tolerates low light but grows faster in medium light. The ideal lux range is 500 - 2,000 lux. In practical terms, place it 3-4 metres back from a north-facing window, or near any window indirectly lit.

Pet safetyToxic to pets

Toxic to pets. The plant contains saponins, which causes oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting if chewed. Keep Snake plant out of reach of pets, or pick a non-toxic alternative like Spider plant, Calathea, or Boston fern.

Get the personalised schedule

Botanicaly tunes water, light, and care reminders for Snake plant based on your home's actual conditions. Free on iOS and Android.

Download Botanicaly

FAQCommon questions

How often should I water a Snake plant?

Water your Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) when the soil has dried out completely. In summer, that's typically every 14 to 21 days; in winter, slow down to every 30 to 45 days, sometimes less. Botanicaly's app tunes this further based on your home's actual light, pot size, and local weather.

How much light does a Snake plant need?

Snake plant is low light tolerant: tolerates low light but grows faster in medium light. The ideal lux range is 500 - 2,000 lux. In practical terms, place it 3-4 metres back from a north-facing window, or near any window indirectly lit.

Is Snake plant safe for cats and dogs?

The plant contains saponins, which causes oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting if chewed. Keep Snake plant out of reach of pets, or pick a non-toxic alternative like Spider plant, Calathea, or Boston fern.

BrowseMore popular houseplants