The snake plant is a popular, resilient houseplant known for its architectural, upright foliage. Its common name is a direct reflection of its distinctive physical appearance. To understand why it is called the snake plant, one must examine its characteristic leaves, which have inspired its most recognized name.
The Visual Inspiration for the Common Name
The name “snake plant” references the unique aesthetics of the plant’s leaves, which mimic the appearance of a serpent. Common varieties feature stiff, upright leaves that grow vertically from the soil, resembling a snake poised to strike.
The leaves also exhibit a distinct pattern reinforcing the serpentine association. Many types, such as Dracaena trifasciata, display horizontal bands or mottling in alternating shades of green, similar to reptile scales or skin. This visual effect led observers to compare the plant to specific snake species.
The overall appearance is completed by the leaves’ sword-like shape and pointed tip. This sharp termination point evokes a sense of alertness, like the head of a viper. This combination of vertical posture, scaly pattern, and pointed tips made “snake plant” an accurate and lasting common name.
The Official Scientific Identity
While the common name is descriptive, the plant’s scientific identity is subject to botanical nomenclature. For over two centuries, the snake plant was classified under the genus Sansevieria, with the most common species known as Sansevieria trifasciata. This classification was based on the plant’s morphology.
Modern taxonomy shifted this identity using molecular phylogenetics. Genetic analysis revealed that Sansevieria species were more closely related to plants in the genus Dracaena. Botanists reclassified all Sansevieria species into Dracaena, making the scientific name for the common snake plant Dracaena trifasciata. Despite this change, which occurred in the late 2010s, “snake plant” remains the most recognized common term.
Other Common Names and Their Meanings
The snake plant’s striking features inspired several other common names. “Mother-in-law’s Tongue” is a widely known alternative, referring to the plant’s sharp, pointed leaf tips. This name is often interpreted as a humorous commentary on the perceived sharpness of a mother-in-law’s words.
Another historical name is “Viper’s Bowstring Hemp,” which highlights the plant’s fibrous properties. The leaves contain strong fibers historically used to manufacture durable bowstrings, explaining the “bowstring hemp” part of the name. The inclusion of “viper’s” references the pointed, sword-like shape of the leaves, linking the plant’s utility back to its reptilian appearance.