Susie

Snake Plant

Sansevieria; Mother-in-law's tongue; Viper's bowstring hemp

• 
  Most light conditions
• 
  Almost unkillable

• Susie likes...
  • 
    Light watering

    She doesn't need much water. Give her a drink when her soil feels dry, about every few weeks. Less in winter.

  • 
    Most light conditions

    She’ll thrive in almost all light conditions (though not a windowless room). More is better, but anything is fine.

  • 
    Dusting

    Every now and again - just whenever you remember - give her leaves a light wipe to keep her pores free of dust.

• Quick facts

  Botanical name

  Sansevieria trifasciata

  Nickname

  Snake plant; Mother-in-Law’s tongue; Viper’s bowstring hemp

  Plant type

  Indoor; evergreen perennial

  Air purifying?

  Yes

  Plant height (including pot)

  20-30cm; 50-60cm; 70-80cm; 90-100cm

  Pet/baby safe?

  Mildly toxic if ingested

  Nursery pot size

  12cm; 17cm; 21cm; 27cm

• About sansevieria laurentii

  If you’ve never taken care of a plant before and want an easy start, our range ofsnake plantsare the one for you, and Susie is a star member. You’d have to try pretty hard to actually kill Susie as she thrives on neglect, responding best to the lightest of watering and then just being left alone. She will appreciatea feed with liquid fertiliseronce per month in spring and summer, but that's about as much special attention as she needs. If you want to know more, have a look at ourfull care guide.

  She is a great bedroom plant as it stores up oxygen throughout the day, then releases it all at night.

  Low-key as they are, snake plants have long been treasured all over the world. In Nigeria, they are associated with Ogun, the deity of war. In other parts of Africa, they are connected to Oya, the bringer of storms. In China, it's the ‘Tiger’s tail orchid’; in Japan, the ‘Tiger’s tail’; in Brazil, the ‘Sword of Saint George’; in Russia, ‘Pike’s tail’. Basically, this plant is pretty famous.

  For more very easy plants, check out ourUnkillablesrange.

  Did you know?

  Another nickname for this plant is ‘Viper’s bowstring hemp’, because its strong fibres were once used to make strings for bows.