If you’re a houseplant enthusiast, you’ll be delighted to discover that there is a wide range of snake plant varieties available for your indoor collection. Beyond the commonly seen long, narrow-leaved types, there are also cylindrical, dwarf, and even corkscrew variations that can serve as eye-catching focal points in your interior landscape. In this article, we will explore some of the most distinctive and visually appealing snake plant varieties that are perfect for indoor gardening. Get ready to be inspired and perhaps add a few new plants to your home!
Snake Plant Species and Cultivars
Snake plants, also known as Sansevierias, can be grown indoors anywhere in the world. This is great news if your region doesn’t offer the ideal conditions, such as warm temperatures all year round. It’s important to note that snake plants require USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11 for year-round outdoor growing. Outside those regions, indoor cultivation is recommended. That being said, snake plants can also be moved outdoors in temperatures above 60°F and brought back indoors when the weather cools down.
You're reading: 21 Unique Varieties of Snake Plants to Cultivate Indoors
However, a word of caution – snake plants are mildly toxic to both humans and pets, so it’s best to keep them out of reach of any curious nibblers. The toxicity is not limited to the berries that are produced after blooming. If you need comprehensive information on caring for snake plants, check out our detailed growing guide.
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Now, let’s dive into the exciting world of snake plant varieties and explore some of the most unique and visually alluring options for your indoor garden.
1. African Bowstring
One remarkable snake plant variety is Dracaena hyacinthoides, also known as African bowstring hemp. Although considered invasive in the wild, this species makes for an attractive houseplant. Its leaves are adorned with long, tough fibers that were traditionally used as bowstrings, hence the name. African Bowstring is a mid-sized species that can reach a height of about 10 to 12 inches at maturity. The leaves emerge from a central stem at the base and the plants can fill out a wider planter over time through rhizome offshoots. With their wide, mottled, light and dark green leaves and delicate white to pale green blooms, African Bowstring is sure to captivate your attention.
6. Canaliculata
For a wild and freeform appearance, consider D. canaliculata. This species displays the same firm, tubular leaves as other cylindrical snake plant varieties. However, unlike its more structured counterparts, Canaliculata has a charmingly unpredictable growth habit. The leaves are slimmer, ranging in height from a few feet indoors, with bands of soft green and gray tones. Some specimens may grow upright while others develop a curious leaning appearance. If a raceme blooms, you can expect soft lavender to pink buds opening to feathery white flowers arranged closely on a long stem. When grown outdoors during the summer, Canaliculata can tower at over three feet in height.
7. Fernwood Mikado
If you prefer edgier houseplants that demand attention, then D. bacularis ‘Fernwood Mikado’ is the perfect choice. This cultivar is like the punk version of the average snake plant. Its tough central stem produces thick, succulent green leaves adorned with gray banding. Unlike other varieties, Fernwood Mikado grows leaves tightly arranged on stoloniferous stems. This means that new stems sprout from the base of the existing stem, creeping horizontally until they generate roots to produce a new plant. While each stem reaches a height of around two feet at maturity, the spread can become quite wide as new stems continue to grow. Young Fernwood Mikado plants resemble other stemless snake plant varieties until they mature.
9. Gold Hahnii
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Looking to add some color to your collection? Gold Hahnii is the perfect option. This snake plant species starts as a small and nearly flat plant with just a few leaves. Over time, it develops upright foliage with a mottled, gray-green color pattern and undulating leaf margins. Container-grown plants can reach heights of up to four feet in ideal indoor conditions. For an even larger specimen, move the plant outdoors in temperatures above 60°F, where it can reach heights of up to six feet. Blooming in this species is truly special – a long stem with a tuft of buds and blooms at the tip, boasting a faint pink to lavender hue.
15. Starfish
A delightful cultivar of D. angolensis var. patula is ‘Boncel’ or ‘Starfish.’ This petite variety showcases thick, stout cylindrical leaves and is sometimes referred to as the “spear orchid,” despite not actually being an orchid. Mature Starfish specimens typically reach a height of 10 to 12 inches, with rare ones growing up to 18 to 20 inches in ideal conditions. The leaves have the familiar fan shape and green-gray banded pattern found in most D. angolensis plants. Offshoots can develop and fill a pot from wall to wall, allowing you to propagate them easily. While blooming is rare for this cultivar, full sunlight may induce the growth of a long raceme with pink to white buds and tuft-like white flowers.
16. Starlight
For a short and stout snake plant, consider the dwarf D. hahnii ‘Starlight.’ This cultivar features light green leaves with darker green and gray banding. The leaves are arranged in a tight rosette and are tipped along the margins with cream or pale yellow. Starlight will add a touch of elegance to any space.
These are just a few examples of the exciting snake plant varieties available to indoor gardeners. Each has its own unique characteristics and charm. Whether you’re a novice plant owner or a seasoned enthusiast, there’s a snake plant variety for everyone to enjoy. So, go ahead and explore the fascinating world of snake plants and bring some greenery and beauty into your home today!
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Category: Snake Plant
