Snake Plant
Snake Plant
Recently reclassified as Dracaena due to DNA studies.
Native to the more tropical region of west Africa,iIf you are looking for a tough as nails plant this is your dream come true. These are tough plants that can withstand little light or artificial light. They don't like to be overwatered due to root rot susceptibility. Watering should be done every 2-6 weeks depending on how fast they dry out. They're known for their air cleaning abilities which is less about filtering the air and more about increasing the oxygen. The leaves are stiff and some grow very tall. Most have pointed leaves and earned the nickname Mother-in-law's Tongue (yikes!). They come in a wide variety and some are cylindrical such as the starfish.
Toxicity: Mildly toxic causing stinging around the mouth and digestive upset if consumed in large enough amounts. My animals have never been interested in the stiff leaves.
Light: They thrive in bright indirect light, but tolerate low to little to artificial light just fine.
Soil: Well-draining soil, a good mix is 1 part potting soil, 1 part succulent soil OR 1 part potting soil to 2 parts perlite
Humidity: above 50% supplement with humidifier or misting if needed
Watering: Allow at least at least the top 2 inches of soil (more if deeper soil) to dry between waterings
Fertilizer: The roots are sensitive so a mild fertilizer is good. Something around 5-2-3 NPK ratio fertilizer, though you'll find various info on the internet. We recommend using Gold Leaf diluted to 1 TBSP/2 gallon water every two to three weeks from spring to end of summer. You can continue to fertilize every six weeks during the winter when the active growth is slower or skip it until spring.