When you think of Snake plants, you may think of more than one type of Snake plant. But what are the different types of Snake Plants?
Sansevieria, commonly known as snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue, is a plant species in the family Asparagaceae. There are several varieties of snake plants that are commonly grown as houseplants or outdoor plants in warm, tropical climates.
They require some special care and can be propagated. They could look absolutely lovely in my cement planters too. So rustic!
Some common varieties of Sansevieria include:
1. Sansevieria Trifasciata
- Common Name: Mother-In-Law’s Tongue
- Origin: Western Africa
- Length: 3 Feet
- Width: 2.5 Inches
Sansevieria Trifasciata is a well-known type of Snake plant, and you can choose from many cultivars. Some of them have variegated or curly leaves, and others have deep green leaves. This type of Snake plant is most commonly used for indoor décor, gardens, and landscaping.
Although they can survive in low light conditions, they prefer moderately bright light. A soil with well-draining properties is ideal, as these Snake plants are susceptible to root rot. They are easy to take care of, making them ideal for inexperienced and experienced plant enthusiasts and gardeners.
2. Sansevieria Ehrenbergii
- Common Name: Banana Snake Plant
- Origin: Somalia
- Length: 20-30cm
- Width: 20.30cm
This slow-growing snake plant is considered a dwarf Snake plant, with fat leaves that takes on the shape of a banana.
Their leaves are a mix between blue-green and grey-green, deeply channeled on the upper surface. The shape of this Snake plant is considered unusual, as one layer of leaves is stacked upon the next.
From full sun to filtered light, they will also tolerate low light conditions. They make an ideal centerpiece in a succulent garden and thrive as an indoor plant!
3. Sansevieria Gracilis
- Common Name: Dracaena Serpenta
- Origin: Tropical East Africa
- Height: 2 Feet
- Width: 1 Foot
This plump Sansevieria will look great in any landscape or garden and is a smaller variety of the Sansevieria Snake plants.
Their leaves are sharp and long, very similar to other varieties of Sansevieria on this list. They produce beautiful clusters of white-green flowers in late fall, giving off a potent sweet smell. They prefer partial sun or filtered light, but it is possible to grow them in low light or full shade conditions.
This variety of Snape plants will grow fast and will eventually form thick layers of leaves. If you decide to keep this plant as a container or indoor plant, it will need frequent replanting, as they tend to outgrow its pots as its stolons grow outwardly.
Keep in mind their flowers’ colors also won’t become as bright, as they will need more sunlight for optimal flowering.
4. Sansevieria Jade Marginata
- Common Name: Jade Marginata
- Origin: Madagascar, Southern Asia, Africa
- Height: 6-10 Inches
- Width: 4 Inches
This hybrid dwarf Snake plant variety is a flowering plant that shows contrasting cream-yellow and jade green-hued leaves emerging from a right rosette.
They can be grown as indoor plants in colder climates, as they are not frost-hardy. Although they will do best in bright light and warmth, they will tolerate shade. These snake plants must be grown in well-draining soil, as they are susceptible to root rot.
5. Sansevieria Canaliculate
- Common Name: Snake Plant
- Origin: Madagascar
- Height: 3 Feet
- Width: 1 Inch
This type of Snake plant will bloom in the spring, with Its flowers being a mix between green and white, and they will prefer bright but filtered light in soil with well-draining properties.
Infrequent watering intervals will keep them healthy and thriving, but they should be grown as houseplants. The Sansevieria Canaliculate can not tolerate frost, and this type of Snake plant should be sheltered in temperatures dropping below 50 degrees.
6. Sansevieria Longiflora
- Common Name: Bowstring Hemp
- Origin: Africa
- Height: 4-5 Feet
- Width: 11 Inches
The Sansevieria Longiflora has dark green leaves with irregular spots on their smooth surface. The edges can either be yellow or brown. They will prefer well-draining soil and will thrive in bright light conditions.
Remember never to move your Sansevieria Longriflora from a bright to a low light source, as they may go into stress and wilt.
Fun Fact: High-quality fiber can be obtained from this type of Snakeplant’s leaves, hence the name. The fiber can be used to make twines and spinning fiber and is durable. Fibers of up to 2m can be obtained and used!
7. Sansevieria Patens
- Common Name: Variegata
- Origin: East Africa
- Height: 3 Feet
- Width: 2-3 Inches
This variety of Snake plants will grow in beautiful rosette shapes with shorter, cylindrical leaves. They have grooved leaves that can reach incredible heights!
Their leaves are generally darker green, with lighter green borders. When the time comes for this Snake plant to go into bloom, it will produce great tight clusters of white-grey flowers.
Like other Sansevieria Snake plants, this type will grow to its fullest potential in bright light conditions. A brighter light source will help to encourage the plant’s natural green color, but it could also survive in lower light levels.
Water your Sansevieria Patens deeply but infrequently. If you live in a colder area, it would be best to grow this type of Snake plant indoors, as it’s not cold or frost-hardy.
8. Sansevieria Francisii
- Common Name: Chahin Snake Plant
- Origin: Kenya
- Height: 2 Feet
- Width: 1 Foot
The Sansevieria Francisii is a unique species of Snake Plant that grow and looks very different from other common Snake plants.
This type of Snake plant will produce densely packed rows of leaves all along its stem, and when the stem become fully stacked, stolons will be created from the stem of the leaf base. The leaves will grow in five distinct rows tightly arranged in a beautiful spiral shape.
They are round, short, and red-brown with white pointed tips.
For this reason, it would be best to grow this Snake plant outdoors, where it can receive plenty of sunlight and water.
9. Sansevieria Liberica
- Common Name: Leopard Lily
- Origin: West Africa, Central African Republic
- Height: 43 Inches
- Width: 7 Inches
This beautiful Snake plant features six belt-shaped, leather-like dark green leaves with green transverse brands.
This variety of snake plants is often cultivated as garden plants, but they are regularly dumped and removed, where they will grow and spread into bushlands, forming very dense plant colonies. For this reason, it would be best to plant these fast-growing Snake plants in your garden instead of using them as a container or indoor plant.
It will thrive in bright to medium light but can tolerate lower light conditions as well as direct sunlight. It requires only deep watering when the soil is completely dried out.
10. Sansevieria Cylindrica
- Common Name: African Spear
- Origin: Angola
- Height: 6 Feet
- Width: 78 Inches
This type of Snake plant is larger than most other varieties of Sansevieria, with its smooth and rounded leaves. It makes for a beautiful plant for gardening and landscaping in warmer climates.
When grown indoors, this plant should be provided with lots of filtered light for optimal growth. Like almost other Snake plants with a few exceptions, the Sansevieria Cylindrica should be grown in soil with well-draining properties, with light and infrequent watering.
Fun Fact: The sansevieria cylindrica is a mildly toxic Snake plant, so when grown close to children or animals, practice caution.
11. Sansevieria Masoniana
- Common Name: Shark’s Fin, Whale’s Fin
- Origin: Central Africa
- Height: 4 Feet
- Width: 8-10 Inches
This specific Snake plant consists of beautiful mottled, broad green leaves.
These fin-shaped leaves could also be variegated, as it will depend on how it’s cultivated. This Snake plant can be identified by looking at its purple sheath, but it is often hidden under the soil’s surface.
The Sansevieria Masoniana will thrive in brighter light conditions, as it will be very unlikely to bloom if it is not provided with adequate sunlight. It would be best if you only watered it when the topsoil is dry to the touch, and this plant should never stand in water for long periods.
12. Sansevieria Fischeri
- Common Name: Sansevieria Fischeri (Baker) Marais
- Origin: Tropical East Africa
- Height: 16 Inches
- Width: 1 Inch
Sansevieria Fisheri is another smaller variety of the Snake plant, making them ideal for indoor plants and container gardening.
However, they can also be grown successfully outdoors, and in summer, these plants will produce an inflorescence with a beautiful cluster of tubular white flowers.
This variety of Snake plants will do best when they get plenty of sunlight and are planted in well-draining soil. If you live in a colder climate, it would be better to use the Sansevieria Fisheri as a decorative indoor plant, as they are not frost-tolerant.
Conclusion
These Sansevieria varieties of Snake plants are some of the most beautiful and low-maintenance varieties of all. Snake plants are very versatile, making them ideal for indoor gardening and outdoors.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener; you’ll find yourself getting lost in the beauty of these different Snape plant varieties.
