Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata
Also known as Mother-in-Law's Tongue; reclassified in 2017 from Sansevieria to Dracaena trifasciata based on DNA analysis. Nearly indestructible upright succulent-like foliage from West Africa. Tolerates low light, drought, and neglect. Uses CAM photosynthesis — one of the rare houseplants that actively releases oxygen at night. Water sparingly — overwatering is the main killer.
Quick Facts
Distribution
Indoor (native to West Africa)
Light
Low to bright indirect light
Bloom Time
Rarely flowers indoors
Soil
Gritty succulent/cactus mix
Water
Let soil dry fully; every 2–4 weeks in summer, monthly in winter
Growing & Cultivation
Propagation
Division of rhizomes when repotting (cleanest method — preserves variegation). Leaf cuttings in water or soil work but lose the yellow variegation on 'Laurentii' cultivars — they revert to plain green.
