The snake plant, known for its stiff, upright leaves and extreme resilience, has become one of the most popular houseplants globally. Often called Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, it is celebrated for its ease of care and striking, architectural appearance. The question of how many types exist is complex because the number depends on the distinction between naturally occurring species and human-cultivated varieties.
Scientific Context and Classification
The number of snake plant varieties includes species found in nature and numerous cultivated varieties developed by breeders. Botanists recognize around 70 distinct species occurring naturally across Africa, southern Asia, and Madagascar. However, the houseplant market is dominated by hundreds of cultivars, which are plants selectively bred for specific colors, shapes, or sizes.
A significant shift in classification occurred when the genus, formerly known as Sansevieria, was reclassified. Genetic analysis determined that snake plants shared a closer common ancestor with plants in the Dracaena genus. The snake plant is now officially classified under Dracaena, though Sansevieria remains widely used in retail and common conversation. This change aligns the taxonomy with the plant’s evolutionary relationships, grouping it with other houseplants like the corn plant.
Major Upright Cultivars
The most commonly recognized snake plants are the tall, upright cultivars, characterized by sword-shaped leaves that grow vertically from the soil. These varieties, typically cultivars of Dracaena trifasciata, can reach heights between two and four feet, providing a strong vertical element.
The most recognizable variety is Dracaena trifasciata ‘Laurentii’, known for a bright gold or yellow margin along the edge of each leaf. The leaf center is dark green with lighter, horizontal bands. Dracaena trifasciata ‘Zeylanica’ lacks the yellow border of ‘Laurentii’, displaying distinct, wavy, horizontal stripes of dark and light green.
Dracaena trifasciata ‘Moonshine’ is prized for its pale, silvery-green foliage. The broad leaves have a soft, matte sheen and may feature a faint dark green margin. To maintain its silvery coloration, ‘Moonshine’ requires brighter light; in lower light, its leaves tend to deepen into emerald green.
Dwarf and Rosette Varieties
Dwarf and rosette varieties are often informally called “bird’s nest” snake plants due to their compact, cup-like shape. These plants feature short, broad leaves that grow outward, forming a tight, open rosette at the soil line. This growth habit means they generally remain under 12 inches in height, making them excellent choices for tabletops.
The original and most common variety is Dracaena trifasciata ‘Hahnii’, patented in 1941. This cultivar forms a dense, funnel-shaped cluster of leaves that rarely exceeds eight inches tall. The ‘Hahnii’ group has led to other popular forms, such as ‘Golden Hahnii’, which adds yellow variegation to the short leaves.
Other rosette types include ‘Silver Hahnii’, characterized by silvery-white leaves mottled with darker green, and ‘Twisted Sister’, which has leaves that twist and turn, often with bright yellow edges. Their compact size results from a genetic mutation that causes the leaves to remain short and close to the base.
Unique and Cylindrical Forms
Another major category includes varieties with a cylindrical or tubular leaf structure, distinct from the flat leaves of upright and dwarf cultivars. The most prominent example is Dracaena angolensis, formerly Sansevieria cylindrica, commonly called African Spear. This type is visually striking and adds a sculptural element.
The leaves of D. angolensis are rigid and subcylindrical, resembling long, stiff rods up to one inch in diameter. They are typically gray-green with indistinct horizontal dark green banding, growing from a basal rosette. Mature leaves can reach five to seven feet in optimal conditions.
A popular presentation is the “braided” snake plant, where the long, flexible leaves are physically woven together when young to create an ornamental, rope-like appearance. These braided forms result from cultivation techniques, not the plant’s natural growth habit. Other unique types include paddle-shaped varieties, such as ‘Whale Fin’, which features a single, large, round leaf resembling a whale’s flipper.