Most snake plants sold are cultivars of one species, Dracaena trifasciata, which was called Sansevieria trifasciata until botanists moved the sansevierias into Dracaena. Two other species are sold as snake plants as well: the cylindrical snake plant and the whale fin. All three share the same basic care. They tolerate low light and drought, and their roots rot in wet soil.
What differs between varieties is leaf colour, leaf shape and mature size. That decides where each one fits.
16 snake plant varieties at a glance
Leaf descriptions are from NC State Extension cultivar and species profiles.
| Variety | Species | Leaves | Size and habit |
|---|---|---|---|
| ’Laurentii’ | D. trifasciata | Dark green with lighter zigzag bands and yellow edges | Standard upright; the classic variegated form |
| ’Moonshine’ | D. trifasciata | Silvery-grey with light green blotches and narrow dark green margins | Standard upright |
| ’Hahnii’ | D. trifasciata | Dark green with creamy white horizontal stripes | Dwarf: short funnel-shaped rosette of 6–12 leaves |
| ’Black Gold’ | D. trifasciata | Dark green with bright gold edging | Standard upright |
| ’Black Jack’ | D. trifasciata | Dark green with yellow-green margins | Compact |
| ’Black Robusta’ | D. trifasciata | Dark green with silver striped mottling | Standard upright |
| ’Futura Robusta’ | D. trifasciata | Dark green with silvery green blotches | Standard upright |
| ’Futura Superba’ | D. trifasciata | Grey-green with a yellow margin | Standard upright |
| ’Golden Flame’ | D. trifasciata | Grey-green, darkening with age, with yellow-gold stripes | Standard upright |
| ’Bantel’s Sensation’ | D. trifasciata | Dark green with white vertical stripes | Standard upright |
| ’Metallica’ | D. trifasciata | Green with grey vertical and light green horizontal bands | Standard upright |
| ’Silver Queen’ | D. trifasciata | Silver-green with light green horizontal bands | Standard upright |
| ’Twisted Sister’ | D. trifasciata | Twisting leaves, yellow-gold and green | Twisted habit |
| ’Whitney’ | D. trifasciata | Dark green with pale and dark green margins | Standard upright |
| Cylindrical snake plant (African spear) | D. angolensis (syn. Sansevieria cylindrica) | Round, spear-like, grey-green with lengthwise stripes, about 2.5 cm (1 in) wide | 15 cm–2.1 m (6 in–7 ft) tall; slow |
| Whale fin snake plant | D. masoniana (syn. Sansevieria masoniana) | Paddle-shaped, 20–25 cm (8–10 in) wide, dark green mottled with light green | 0.9–1.5 m (3–5 ft) tall; slow |
NC State gives the species’ leaves as up to 1.2 m (4 ft) long and 5–10 cm (2–4 in) wide. Cultivars without a size note grow within that range.
The common snake plant and its cultivars
Dracaena trifasciata is native to West and central Africa. NC State describes it as an erect, clumping, evergreen succulent that is “quite durable, easily grown, and difficult to kill”. The species name means “having three transverse stripes”, a reference to its banded leaves.
The cultivars sort into four practical groups:
- Yellow-edged: ‘Laurentii’, ‘Black Gold’, ‘Black Jack’, ‘Futura Superba’, ‘Golden Flame’.
- Silver or grey: ‘Moonshine’, ‘Silver Queen’, ‘Metallica’, ‘Black Robusta’, ‘Futura Robusta’.
- White-striped: ‘Bantel’s Sensation’, ‘Hahnii’.
- Unusual shapes: ‘Twisted Sister’ (twisting leaves) and ‘Hahnii’ (a low rosette).
For a desk or shelf, choose ‘Hahnii’ or ‘Black Jack’. ‘Hahnii’ stays a short rosette rather than producing tall leaves.
For a floor spot, choose a standard upright cultivar such as ‘Laurentii’ or ‘Moonshine’. Mature leaves reach up to 1.2 m (4 ft).
For a dim room, any of them will survive. Missouri Extension notes snake plant tolerates poor light but makes its best growth in medium to bright light. Silver and white forms such as ‘Moonshine’ carry less green leaf area, so give them the brighter spot if you have a choice.
Cylindrical snake plant (Dracaena angolensis)
Sold as Sansevieria cylindrica, African spear or “starfish” sansevieria. Its leaves are round in cross-section, about 2.5 cm (1 in) wide, with lengthwise stripes, and can reach 2.1 m (7 ft).
NC State notes it is often sold as rooted leaf cuttings, sometimes with three or more leaves braided together or tips dipped in paint. Those leaves live for a long time, and new plants eventually arise from their base. The cultivar ‘Boncel’ has shorter, thicker leaves that fan out from the base and is the plant sold as the “starfish” snake plant.
Care differences from NC State:
- Light: a brightly lit window. If moved outdoors in summer, give it only morning sun to avoid sunburn.
- Water: about every two weeks in summer and monthly in winter.
- Temperature: bring it indoors when temperatures fall below 13 °C (55 °F).
Whale fin snake plant (Dracaena masoniana)
The whale fin snake plant was sold as Sansevieria ‘Mason’s Congo’ before it had a formal name; it honours British grower Maurice Mason. It comes from tropical Central Africa. Its paddle-shaped leaves reach 0.9–1.2 m (3–4 ft) long and 20–25 cm (8–10 in) wide.
It is the fussiest of the three about temperature. NC State recommends:
- Light: bright, indirect light, although it tolerates low light. Direct sun can scorch the leaves.
- Temperature: 18–29 °C (65–85 °F), never below 13 °C (55 °F), away from cold drafts.
- Humidity: at least 50%.
- Mix: perlite, coarse sand and organic matter for drainage. Let it dry out between waterings and avoid overwatering above all.
It grows slowly. Propagate by division or leaf cuttings.
Propagating snake plant varieties true to type
This is where varieties matter most. NC State notes that snake plants grown from leaf cuttings can differ from the parent because of the chimeral nature of their leaf variegation. A leaf cutting of ‘Laurentii’ can grow into a plant without the yellow edges.
To keep a variegated cultivar true:
- Unpot the plant.
- Divide the clump through the rhizome so each piece has leaves and roots.
- Pot each division in a well-drained mix and let it dry between waterings, as for the parent.
Leaf cuttings are fine for plain green plants, or if you do not mind losing the pattern. See our snake plant care guide for watering, and why your snake plant has a mushy rhizome if a division turns soft.
Care that applies to every variety
From NC State Extension:
- Water: let the mix dry between waterings from spring to autumn. In winter, water only every one to two months.
- Light: tolerates very low light; direct sun for part of the day is fine for D. trifasciata once acclimatized.
- Temperature: tolerates cool rooms down to about 10 °C (50 °F) and low humidity.
- Pests: monitor for mealybugs and spider mites. Overwatering causes root rot.
Pets
All three species are toxic to pets. The ASPCA lists snake plant as toxic to dogs and cats because of saponins, causing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. NC State lists the cylindrical and whale fin snake plants as problems for cats and dogs too, also because of saponins. For pet-safe options in the same light conditions, see our low light houseplants guide.
References
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Dracaena trifasciata, Dracaena angolensis, Dracaena masoniana, Dracaena (genus, including former Sansevieria)
- University of Missouri Extension, D. H. Trinklein (rev. 2016): Lighting Indoor Houseplants, G6515
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Snake Plant