Is A Snake Plant A Succulent?

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It’s an important question: Is a snake plant a succulent? The answer is yes! Snake plants are succulents, but they have some unique characteristics that set them apart from other succulents.

In this article, we will discuss if a snake plant is a succulent, what makes the snake plant different, how to care for it properly, and more about its origins. It’s time to learn all there is to know about these interesting plants!

Are Snake Plants Succulents?

Yes, snake plants are considered succulents.

By definition, succulents are plants that have adapted to store water in their leaves or stems (or both). And while a snake plant’s leaves are thinner than your typical succulent, they are indeed very hardy plants that store water well.

One mistake is that while snake plants are considered succulents, they are not considered cactus plants. There are some similarities, but snake plants do not meet specific cacti specifications.

There’s so much more to know about snake plants and their characteristics that we’ve covered in this article.

Snake plants (Sansevieria) are often referred to as succulent plants because they have some characteristics of succulents. They have fleshy, thick leaves that store water, which is a common feature of many succulent plants.

However, botanically speaking, snake plants are not considered true succulents. Succulents are a diverse group of plants that are characterized by their ability to store water in their leaves, stems, or roots to survive in arid environments. While snake plants can tolerate drought and have some succulent characteristics, they do not have the same adaptations as true succulent plants.

Snake plants are members of the Asparagaceae family, which includes a wide range of plants, including many that are not succulents. They are native to tropical regions of Africa and are well-suited to indoor growing conditions due to their ability to tolerate low light levels and a range of temperatures.

About the Snake Plant

Snake Plant, also known as Sansevieria Trifasciata, Dracaena Trifasciata, or Mother-In-Law’s Tongue, is a popular indoor plant that is easy to care for.

Many beginners who are new to plants and plant cultivation choose to have the snake plant in their homes. This is because this flora does not require much care or maintenance.

We’ll go over some useful information about snake plants and discuss a little bit about how to care for them.

What is the Snake Plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata)?

Snake plants, scientifically known as Sansevieria Trifasciata, are hardy plants that can withstand all kinds of conditions.

These plants can stay indoors, outside in your garden, and even on balconies and porches. 

Snake plants are spiky yet graceful, and they will thrive even when you don’t take care of them as well as you should.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should never water your plants or give them sunlight. But you can get away with leaving this plant alone for weeks without any consequences.

This makes them the perfect low-maintenance house plant!

Why Are Snake Plants So Popular?

Snake plants are one of the most sought-after succulents you can buy. Why is this the case, though? Why are these such a popular type of succulent? 

Part of this has to do with the size of the snake plant.

If grown indoors, snake plants will typically grow up to 1 foot to 4 feet tall, which is perfect for most people. However, if grown outdoors in an optimal environment, these plants can grow to over 10 feet tall!!

Part of this has to do with the look of the snake plant. Many other succulent plants are short and have a flat visual.

This isn’t a bad thing, but if you are looking for a taller plant with a different kind of leaf texture and height, then snake plants have you covered!

They offer more visual variety and flavor. This is because snake plants are a type of tropical plant. They have taller leaves than most succulents, and they come in an array of colors.

There are also different varieties of snake plants that give you even more options to choose from.

Which snake plant you get is up to you, but there are some nice succulents with yellow edges. Or you can go with a more traditional snake plant that has dark green stripes or light green stripes.

There are a ton of different patterns and stripe arrangements to choose from. So, many first-time plant buyers gravitate towards this type of succulent. There are several snake plant varieties for any plant lover (e.g. cylindrical snake plant).

Finally, snake plants are so popular because it is easy to care for them.

If you are especially prone to killing plants and want to water your plant as little as possible, this is the plant for you. Snake plants can survive with very little water and low-light conditions. 

However, if you want your snake plant to grow strong and healthy, make sure it has a bright, light environment.

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Optimal Environment for Snake Plants

These plants can also survive in both dry air and more humid conditions. And they can tolerate a range of climates. Typically, you want to keep snake plants in warm climates, at around seventy to ninety-degree Fahrenheit range.

This makes tropical climates ideal for this plant’s environment. But your Sansevieria Trifasciata can survive in cold temperatures as well.

Naturally, though, you never want your plant to be in a room or setting that is below 40 degrees!

All in all, this is a pretty easy-going plant. So, even if you forget to take care of your plant for a little bit, it should be okay. Some snake plants are even okay without being watered for a month. But, if you want your plant to thrive, keep reading this post.

I’ll go over some more specific conditions to consider when planting and caring for the snake plant.

This is a great plant choice for many people, so you don’t want to miss out on learning about this hardy flora!

What Are The Origins of The Snake Plant?

So, where do these tropical plants come from, and what is their origin story?

Sansevieria Trifasciata originates from the West African continent. And, the snake plant plays a significant role in African culture. For centuries, Nigerians have used this plant as a form of spiritual protection.

Many people in the West African region believe that they can ward off negative energy with this plant.

Snake plants are even used in religious rituals and are thought to get rid of curses. In addition, Sansevieria Trifasciata is linked to several African gods, which include a war god.

People from Africa aren’t the only ethnic group who use this plant, though. In the past, the Chinese also used Sansevieria Trifasciata to promote healthy spirituality and luck.

Many Chinese, to this day, think that this plant can grant them luck and help them live a long and fruitful life.

You may or may not believe that plants can provide you with spiritual benefits. But, snake plants and other succulents are nice to have around, as they look charming and help purify your air.

Sansevieria Cylindrica, or the African Spear Plant, is another African plant that looks similar to the snake plant Sansevieria Trifasciata. Check out this plant if you’re looking for something similar.

Where Does The Name Sansevieria Trifasciata Come From?

I’ve used the name Sansevieria Trifasciata throughout this post. So, you might be wondering why the snake plant has this name.

This is because the snake plant is a type of Sansevieria. The Sansevierias is a genus of plants with over seventy different varieties.

Sansevierias Trifasciata is one of these plants, and it shares some common characteristics with other Sansevierias plants. For instance, Sansevierias plants tend to have upright leaves that are long, but their roots are thick and short.

You know why Sansevieria Trifasciata has the word Sansevierias in it, but what about the second part of its name?

Trifasciata is a Latin term that helps describe this plant more vividly. It means “marked with three bands.” A lot of snake plants actually have streaks on them that look like bands.

The lined streaks on this plant vary in color and resulted in the name Trifasciata.

The snake plant has a few other names for it, as well. You might hear it being called the mother-in-law’s tongue. This might sound strange to you, but this plant’s sharp and pointed green leaves often remind people of their mother-in-law.

Viper’s bow is also another common name for this variety of succulent because of its sharpness and bow-like leaves.

Common Names for Snake Plant:

• Snake Plant
• Sansevieria Trifasciata
• Dracaena Trifasciata
• Mother-In-Law’s Tongue
• Viper’s Bow
• Bow String Tongue
• Saint George’s Sword (because some of its long sword leaves)
• Viper’s Bowstring Hemp
• Jinn’s Tongue
• Devil’s Tongue

Are Snake Plants Tropical?

Yes, snake plants (Sansevieria) are tropical plants native to West Africa, specifically the Congo, Nigeria, and Cameroon. They grow naturally in tropical forests and woodland areas where temperatures are warm and humidity is high.

Because of their tropical origins, snake plants prefer warm temperatures and high humidity levels. They are well-suited to indoor growing conditions and can tolerate low light levels, which makes them popular houseplants.

It’s important to note that while snake plants are tropical plants, they can still be sensitive to cold temperatures and drafts. They should be kept in a warm, stable environment and protected from cold drafts, especially during the winter months.

How to Take Care of Your Snake Plant Properly

Snake plants require some tender love and care, but are actually relatively low maintenance. But make sure you are consistent to keep your snake plant healthy.

Use The Best Soil

For any type of plant, you want to use fresh and nutrient-filled potting soil. Snake plants are not picky at all, but the better your soil is, the better they will grow.

In addition, consider the needs of your snake plant. Since snake plants do not need a large amount of water, you need to get fresh soil that drains well; this way, you can prevent root rot.

There are plenty of different soil mixes that are loose enough and work great with snake plants. And, you can even make your own DIY soil using sand and pumice. But, it is a lot easier to buy soil from the store! 

Do you use succulent soil for snake plants?

While snake plants (Sansevieria) can tolerate a variety of soil types, using succulent soil is not necessary for them. Succulent soil is typically a well-draining soil mix designed for plants that require soil with good drainage to prevent root rot. Snake plants can grow in a variety of soil types, but they prefer a well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.

A good soil mix for snake plants could consist of equal parts potting soil, perlite, and coarse sand. This will provide a soil mix that drains well and allows air to circulate around the roots, which is important for healthy plant growth.

It’s important to note that overwatering can be a common problem for snake plants, so whatever soil mix you use, be sure to allow the soil to dry out between watering to prevent waterlogging the soil.

Make Sure Your Plant Gets Enough Light

Unlike a lot of plants, your snake plant won’t need direct sunlight. In truth, the Sansevierias Trifasciata will do much better if it is left in shady conditions. So, keep your snake plant by the window and let it get some indirect light for the best results.

Still, while snake plants prefer indirect sunlight, direct sunlight won’t kill your plant. You don’t want to keep this plant out in the full sun all day, though.

You can use bright lights on or around your plant. But you need to make sure to watch your succulent green leaves. When your plant gets too much light, it will start to develop brown spots. This means that you need to lower the light exposure.

On the same note, you don’t want to deprive your plant of light completely. Especially in the winter months, try to find ways to keep your plant warm with light.

Indoor plant lights or your heating system can keep your snake plant in the ideal temperature range no matter the season or time of year!

Water Your Snake Plant With Care

Snake plants are not like other plants and are relatively low maintenance. Therefore, you don’t need to water snake plants all that often.

Instead, be cautious and make sure that your plant’s soil is moist but not overly wet. If you overwater your snake plant, you could cause root rot and end up killing your plant.  

So, be careful not to overdo it with too much water. And, look at the soil and see if it is dry. If there is no moisture in the soil left, you should be able to water your plant.

Typically, this means that your snake plant will need to be watered every two to eight weeks. But, the watering schedule of your plant could vary depending on the soil you are using, the size of your plant, and your pot size.

Finally, when you water your plant, you might be wondering how much liquid you will need.

In general, just water your plant until water comes out of the drainage hole. Again, there is no need to drown your plant!

In general, less water is better as long as you keep the plant’s soil moist. But don’t let your soil dry out! Dry soil could cause brown spots or spider mites!

Also, be sure to fertilize your snake plant with plant food in spring and summer! Feed them nutrients once in spring and once in summer.

Get A Great Pot

Your snake plant’s pot is an important component to making sure it thrives!

The material of the pot can actually make a big difference in the snake plant’s health.

In general, you should opt for a clay pot or a terracotta pot (sometimes called terra cotta pots). These pots are a great choice because they are more porous and allow for moisture and air to pass through more easily.

Clay pots and terracotta pots also come with drainage holes at the bottom so they can drain easily. The features of these pots make it ideal for snake plants since it is useful in regulating the moisture in the soil.

Snake plants perform best in well-draining soil and pots. You should not try planting your snake plant in rocks, as you can with other succulents.

As described earlier, snake plant roots are thick but not very large. So, if you have a new plant, a small pot will work just fine.

However, you may need to switch to large pots as your plant continues to grow over time. As with any plant, mature plants typically need larger pots.

Conclusion: Is A Snake Plant A Succulent?

So, is a snake plant a succulent? In short, the answer is yes – the snake plant is considered a succulent.

And the snake plant is one of the best indoor plants for beginners because it thrives, even if neglected, and does well in low-light.

It can survive well indoors, which attracts the beginner or enthusiast who wants to enjoy this wonderful succulent plant without worrying about constantly tending to their plants in their outdoor garden.

So, now that you whether a snake plant is a succulent and know a little about how to care for them, be sure to pick one (or a few up) at your next stop at the nearby garden center. Even if its your first snake plant, it will be a great addition to your collection of house plants!

Once you have one of them, it’s easy to propagate snake plants using your plant’s leaf cuttings.

So, purchase yours now!!