Peace lily and snake plant both turn up on lists of plants for dim rooms, and both earn their place there. But they want opposite watering. A peace lily (Spathiphyllum) is an aroid from tropical America and the western Pacific that likes a moist pot. A snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata, formerly Sansevieria trifasciata) is a succulent from Africa that rots if kept wet (NC State Extension).
Choose by how you water, and whether you want flowers.
How to tell them apart
Peace lily. NC State describes glossy, dark green leaves in basal rosettes, 10–64 cm (4–25 in) long, with a prominent midrib and impressed side veins. Clemson notes the leaves rise directly from the soil. The flowers are a white, sail-like spathe around a cream spadix, held above the foliage. Clemson says they turn pale green as they age.
Snake plant. NC State describes stiff, upright, succulent leaves in rosettes or clusters. They are flat, up to 1.2 m (4 ft) long and 5–10 cm (2–4 in) wide, banded across in shades of green. Many cultivars have yellow edges or lengthwise stripes. Flowers are rarely seen indoors (NC State).
Soft, arching leaves with white flowers mean a peace lily. Rigid, sword-like, banded blades mean a snake plant.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Peace lily (Spathiphyllum) | Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) |
|---|---|---|
| Family (NC State) | Araceae (aroids) | Asparagaceae |
| Leaves | Soft, glossy, arching | Stiff, succulent, upright |
| Indoor size | Usually about 90 cm (3 ft) high and wide (NC State); cultivars from 30 cm (1 ft) to 1.8 m (6 ft) (Clemson) | Leaves up to 1.2 m (4 ft) (NC State); dwarf ‘Hahnii’ about 15 cm (6 in) (Penn State) |
| Light | Tolerates low light; grows best in bright, indirect light (Clemson) | Tolerates very low light (NC State); best growth in medium to bright light (Missouri) |
| Direct sun | Scorches leaves (Clemson) | Sources differ (see below) |
| Flowers | Yes; need medium light (Missouri) | Rarely indoors (NC State) |
| Watering | Moist, not soggy; dry slightly between waterings (Clemson) | Let it dry between waterings; every one to two months in winter (NC State) |
| Main watering risk | Drying out causes wilting; soggy soil causes root rot (Iowa State, Clemson) | Overwatering and root rot (RHS, Penn State) |
| Humidity | Tolerates below-average humidity (Iowa State) | Low; do not mist (RHS) |
| Temperature | 20–29 °C (68–85 °F) by day; avoid below 16 °C (60 °F) (Clemson) | 15–24 °C (60–75 °F) (RHS); tolerates about 10 °C (50 °F) (NC State) |
| Propagation | Division (NC State, UF/IFAS) | Division or leaf cuttings (Iowa State, RHS) |
| Pets (ASPCA) | Toxic: insoluble calcium oxalates | Toxic: saponins |
Light: both tolerate shade, but flowers need more
Both tolerate low light. NC State lists partial to deep shade for peace lily and says snake plant tolerates very low light. Iowa State says peace lily grows in low light, and that snake plant grows in almost any environment.
Flowering is the catch. University of Missouri Extension says peace lily adapts to low light but needs medium light to flower. Clemson says lack of flowering usually means a plant under a year old or insufficient light. If you want the white spathes, give it bright, indirect light. Clemson says direct sun will scorch the foliage.
Snake plant makes its best growth in medium to bright light (Missouri). On direct sun the sources disagree. NC State suggests 2 to 6 hours a day, and the RHS says sansevierias thrive in sun or light shade, though out of summer midday sun. Penn State says keep it out of direct sun, as it can burn. Introduce any sun gradually.
Watering: the opposite routines
Peace lily. Clemson says keep the soil moist but not soggy, letting it dry slightly between waterings. Missouri Extension says do not allow plants to dry out. If the soil dries too much, the plant wilts and its leaves yellow at the edges (Clemson). NC State says watering from below works well. Never leave it standing in a saucer of water. Clemson lists root and stem diseases from overwatering as the most common peace lily problem.
Snake plant. NC State says let the soil dry between waterings from spring to autumn, then water only every one to two months in winter. Penn State says water only when the soil is dry; it can go a month or so without water. The RHS says to check with a finger rather than water routinely. It names overwatering as the main cause of poor health.
The practical test is the same for both: push a finger into the mix. Water the peace lily when the surface has just dried. Water the snake plant when the mix is dry well below the surface.
A drooping peace lily is not always thirsty. If the mix is already wet, read our peace lily drooping guide before adding water. For a snake plant that leans or goes soft at the base, see snake plant root rot.
Temperature, feeding and repotting
Peace lily likes it warmer. Clemson gives 20–29 °C (68–85 °F) by day and nights about 5.5 °C (10 °F) cooler, and says avoid temperatures below 16 °C (60 °F). Snake plant tolerates cool temperatures around 10 °C (50 °F) (NC State).
Both are light feeders. Clemson suggests quarter-strength balanced fertiliser every six to eight weeks in spring and summer for peace lily. It warns that overfeeding burns leaf tips. Penn State suggests half-strength fertiliser monthly in the growing season for a more robust snake plant.
Both like a snug pot. Clemson says peace lily likes to be slightly pot-bound and should move up only 2.5–5 cm (1–2 in) in pot size. The RHS says repot a snake plant only once roots and leaves fill the container.
Pet safety
Neither is safe for a pet that chews leaves.
- Peace lily. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to dogs and cats because of insoluble calcium oxalates. Signs include intense burning of the mouth, tongue and lips, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing.
- Snake plant. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to dogs and cats because of saponins, with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
See our pet-safe plants guide for non-toxic alternatives. Clemson notes peace lily is a popular air-purifying choice; our article on what the NASA study found explains what that does and does not mean.
Which should you choose?
- You want a plant that shows when it is dry: peace lily, which wilts and then revives after watering (Iowa State).
- You travel or forget to water: snake plant.
- You want flowers: peace lily, in bright, indirect light.
- Narrow corner or tight floor space: snake plant, which grows upward rather than outward.
- Cool room in winter: snake plant.
For full care, see our peace lily care guide and snake plant care guide. If you are also weighing up a ZZ plant, see snake plant vs ZZ plant.
References
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Spathiphyllum
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Dracaena trifasciata
- Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC 1512: Peace Lily
- UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Peace Lily
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, A. Steil: Easy low-maintenance houseplants
- Penn State Extension: Snake Plant: A Forgiving, Low-maintenance Houseplant
- Royal Horticultural Society: How to grow sansevierias
- University of Missouri Extension, D. H. Trinklein: Lighting Indoor Houseplants, G6515
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Peace Lily
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Snake Plant