Plant Library
Types of snake plants — 10 sansevieria varieties identified
The 10 most common types of snake plants — Laurentii, Hahnii, Moonshine, Cylindrica, Bantel's Sensation, Whitney and more — with care signals and ASPCA safety.
Types of snake plants — 10 sansevieria varieties identified
The snake plant has been an indoor staple for over a century, and most growers still call it Sansevieria — even though botanists reclassified the entire genus into Dracaena back in 2017 based on phylogenetic genetic analysis. This guide walks through the 10 most common cultivars and varieties of snake plant you will actually meet at US garden centers and big-box stores, with the visual cues that separate them, the care signal for each, and a clear note on the ASPCA toxicity status that applies to every variety.
Match a snake plant to your light: Photograph your spot in Growli and we measure the light level — then recommend which snake plant variety will hold its color in your room.
The 2017 reclassification — Sansevieria became Dracaena
Until 2017, snake plants were classified in the genus Sansevieria. Phylogenetic studies based on DNA sequencing demonstrated that Sansevieria was nested deeply inside the Dracaena genus, and the APG IV classification (published 2016) merged the two. The snake plant is now formally Dracaena trifasciata. The cylindrical snake plant is now Dracaena angolensis. Most retail tags, plant books, and casual references still use "Sansevieria" — both names refer to the same plant, but the current accepted botanical name is Dracaena.
We have used the current Dracaena names below with the older Sansevieria synonyms in parentheses so you can match either label.
How we group the 10 types
Snake plants split into three growth habits:
- Tall upright sword-leaved cultivars — Laurentii, Bantel's Sensation, Whitney, Black Coral, Futura Robusta. The classic "snake plant" silhouette.
- Compact rosette / bird's nest cultivars — Hahnii, Twisted Sister, Golden Hahnii, Black Gold. Smaller cluster-forming plants that stay under 1 foot tall.
- Cylindrical / spear-leaved cultivars — Cylindrica (African spear), Moonshine (rosette form with broad flat leaves). Reclassified separately as Dracaena angolensis in the case of the cylindrical species.
Tall upright sword-leaved snake plants
1. Laurentii — Dracaena trifasciata 'Laurentii'
The most common snake plant in US retail. Stiff upright sword-shaped leaves with dark-green centers banded in horizontal silver-grey waves and bold yellow edges. Reaches 2–3 feet at maturity. Holds an RHS Award of Garden Merit.
Care signal: Low to bright indirect light, water every 2–3 weeks.
Cross-link: see our snake plant care guide and /plant-care/snake-plant.
2. Bantel's Sensation — Dracaena trifasciata 'Bantel's Sensation'
The white-striped snake plant. Tall narrow sword-shaped leaves marked with alternating longitudinal white and dark-green vertical stripes. Developed by Gustav Bantel in 1948. Slower-growing than Laurentii because the white tissue contains less chlorophyll. Also holds an RHS Award of Garden Merit.
Care signal: Bright indirect light (needs more than Laurentii), water every 2–3 weeks.
3. Whitney — Dracaena trifasciata 'Whitney'
Compact upright cultivar with dark green leaves edged in silver and decorated with subtle silvery mottling toward the center. Stays under 18 inches. Easier to fit on a desk or windowsill than full-sized Laurentii.
Care signal: Low to bright indirect light, water every 2–3 weeks.
4. Black Coral — Dracaena trifasciata 'Black Coral'
Tall upright cultivar with very dark green, almost black-green leaves with subtle horizontal silver banding. No yellow edges. The dramatic, almost-architectural snake plant.
Care signal: Low to bright indirect light, water every 2–3 weeks.
5. Futura Robusta — Dracaena trifasciata 'Futura Robusta'
Stout broader-leaved Laurentii cousin. Wider, shorter, sturdier leaves with silver-green horizontal banding and minimal yellow edging. Reaches 2 feet. Less prone to leaning than tall Laurentii in low light.
Care signal: Low to bright indirect light, water every 2–3 weeks.
Compact rosette and bird's nest cultivars
6. Hahnii (bird's nest) — Dracaena trifasciata 'Hahnii'
The dwarf snake plant. Forms a rosette of 6–12 short funnel-shaped leaves with dark green coloration and creamy-white horizontal banding. Discovered in 1939 at the Crescent Nursery Company in New Orleans. Reaches 6–12 inches — ideal for desks and small terrariums.
Care signal: Low to bright indirect light, water every 2–3 weeks.
7. Golden Hahnii — Dracaena trifasciata 'Golden Hahnii'
Variegated Hahnii sport. Cream-yellow and green striped leaves in the bird's-nest rosette form. Also holds an RHS Award of Garden Merit.
Care signal: Bright indirect light (needs more than green Hahnii), water every 2–3 weeks.
8. Twisted Sister — Dracaena trifasciata 'Twisted Sister'
Compact rosette cultivar with leaves that twist and curl as they grow, with yellow edges and silver-green centers. Reaches 12–15 inches. Looks almost like a small agave.
Care signal: Bright indirect light, water every 2–3 weeks.
9. Black Gold — Dracaena trifasciata 'Black Gold'
Compact cultivar with very dark green leaves edged in bright yellow — the contrast is more dramatic than Laurentii. Stays around 18 inches at maturity.
Care signal: Low to bright indirect light, water every 2–3 weeks.
Cylindrical and unusual forms
10. African spear — Dracaena angolensis (formerly Sansevieria cylindrica)
The cylindrical snake plant. Smooth round pencil-thick green leaves arranged in a fan, often sold braided or fanned out by growers. Native to Angola. Holds water like a succulent. Reclassified separately from the trifasciata complex as Dracaena angolensis in the 2017 revision.
Care signal: Bright indirect light, water every 2–3 weeks.
Bonus: Moonshine — Dracaena trifasciata 'Moonshine'
Silver-leaved variety with broad flat pale silvery-grey leaves edged in narrow dark green. Reflects light dramatically — the snake plant for east-window setups where standard cultivars look too dark. Worth a mention even though it pushes us to 11 listings, because Moonshine is the snake plant most likely to lose color in low light.
Care signal: Bright indirect light (loses silver color in low light), water every 2–3 weeks.
Snake plant pet safety — what ASPCA actually says
The ASPCA lists snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata, also listed under the older synonym Sansevieria trifasciata and as "mother-in-law's tongue") as toxic to dogs and cats due to saponins. Ingestion can cause nausea, drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. The toxicity is generally rated as mild — far less severe than sago palm or lily — but real. Every snake plant cultivar on this list shares the same toxicity status because the saponins are present across all Dracaena trifasciata varieties and D. angolensis (cylindrical snake plant).
Keep snake plants out of reach of cats and dogs that chew houseplants. If ingestion is suspected, call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.
How to choose the right type of snake plant
For most US apartments, start with a Laurentii in a 6-inch pot ($15–30). It tolerates the dimmest light of any common houseplant, survives a month between waterings, and the yellow edges hold up in moderate light. If you want a dwarf for a desk or a shelf, swap in Hahnii ($10–20). Both are the cultivars most likely to be in stock at any big-box retailer.
Step up to the silver Moonshine, white-striped Bantel's Sensation, or twisted Twisted Sister only if you have a bright spot. The lower-chlorophyll variegated cultivars want bright indirect light to maintain their color — in a dark north-facing corner, Moonshine drops to dull grey-green and Bantel's Sensation loses contrast on new growth.
For an architectural floor specimen, look at Black Coral (dark, dramatic, no yellow), Whitney (silver-mottled), or Futura Robusta (broad-leaved, sturdy). For an unusual conversation piece, the cylindrical Dracaena angolensis (African spear) is unmistakable.
The snake plant has a NASA Clean Air Study reputation as an "air-purifying" houseplant. The study was real (1989), but the realistic air-purification effect in a typical home is too small to measure — you would need dozens of plants per room to make any meaningful difference. Choose snake plants for their durability and looks, not air quality.
Common care across the genus
Four rules cover every snake plant on the list.
Light. Snake plants are the lowest-light-tolerant common houseplant — Laurentii and Hahnii survive 6+ feet from a window. Variegated cultivars (Bantel's Sensation, Moonshine, Golden Hahnii) want brighter conditions to keep their color. None tolerate direct afternoon sun for long.
Water. Snake plants store water in thick rhizomes and rot fast in damp soil. Water only when the soil is dry several inches down — typically every 2–3 weeks in summer, once a month in winter. The most common snake plant killer is overwatering.
Soil. Use a gritty cactus or succulent mix, or cut standard potting compost 1:1 with perlite. A terracotta pot with a drainage hole wicks excess moisture and reduces rot risk further.
Repotting. Snake plants prefer being root-bound — repot only every 3–4 years when roots crack the pot. Spring or early summer is the best time. Use the same pot one size up.
Sansevierias rarely have pest problems but mealybugs occasionally hide in leaf bases. Wipe with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol and check weekly for return visits.
Try Growli: Snap a photo with Growli — get instant ID and a care plan in 60 seconds.
Related articles
- Snake plant care — light, water, common problems — the deep care guide
- Types of houseplants — 30+ varieties — the broader category
- Low-maintenance houseplants — 20 nearly unkillable picks — snake plants top this list
- How to identify a houseplant — 4 methods — once you have a plant in front of you
- Types of succulents — 25+ varieties — snake plant counts as a succulent
- Pet-safe houseplants — 20 non-toxic plants — safer alternatives for pet households
Reviewed and updated by the Growli editorial team. For questions about anything here, open Growli and ask — or email hello@getgrowli.app.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common types of snake plants?
The 10 most common types are Laurentii (yellow-edged classic), Hahnii (bird's nest dwarf), Moonshine (silver), Cylindrica / Dracaena angolensis (African spear), Bantel's Sensation (white-striped), Whitney, Black Coral, Black Gold, Twisted Sister, and Futura Robusta. Laurentii dominates retail; Hahnii is the desk-sized dwarf; African spear is the unmistakable cylindrical form.
Are snake plants still called Sansevieria?
Botanically, no. The genus Sansevieria was merged into Dracaena in 2017 based on phylogenetic DNA studies showing Sansevieria was nested inside Dracaena. The snake plant is now Dracaena trifasciata, and the cylindrical snake plant is Dracaena angolensis. In retail and casual usage, Sansevieria remains widely used — both names refer to the same plant. Current botanical authorities (Kew, RHS) use Dracaena.
Are snake plants toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA lists snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata, listed under the Sansevieria trifasciata synonym and 'mother-in-law's tongue') as toxic to both cats and dogs due to saponins. Ingestion causes nausea, drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. The toxicity is rated as mild — rarely serious but real. All cultivars (Laurentii, Hahnii, Moonshine, Bantel's Sensation, etc.) share the same toxic status. Keep out of reach of plant-chewing pets and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 if ingestion is suspected.
What is the easiest snake plant for beginners?
Laurentii (Dracaena trifasciata 'Laurentii'). It tolerates the widest light range of any cultivar, survives the longest dry spells, costs $15–30 at any big-box retailer, and holds an RHS Award of Garden Merit for reliable performance. Hahnii is the dwarf alternative if you have less space. Avoid variegated cultivars like Bantel's Sensation as a first snake plant — they need brighter light to maintain color.
How often should I water a snake plant?
Roughly every 2–3 weeks in summer, every 4–6 weeks in winter, in a 6-inch pot in average home conditions. Water only when the soil is dry several inches down. Snake plants store water in thick rhizomes and fail far more often from overwatering than underwatering. A terracotta pot with a drainage hole and a gritty cactus mix dramatically reduce rot risk.
Why is my snake plant drooping or leaning?
Three common causes. First, overwatering — soggy soil softens the rhizomes and the leaves lose rigidity from the base. Second, insufficient light — Laurentii in deep low light slowly stretches and individual leaves tilt outward. Third, top-heavy growth in a small pot. Cut watering, move to brighter indirect light, and repot to a heavier pot if needed. Leaves that have already creased at the base will not recover — propagate the upper portion from cuttings.
Can snake plants grow in low light?
Yes — Laurentii, Hahnii, Black Coral, and Whitney are among the most low-light-tolerant houseplants you can buy. They survive 6+ feet from a window indefinitely. Variegated cultivars (Bantel's Sensation, Moonshine, Golden Hahnii) need brighter indirect light to maintain their pale colors and slowly revert toward green in deep shade. The cylindrical African spear (Dracaena angolensis) wants the brightest light of any common snake plant cultivar.
Do snake plants flower?
Yes, but rarely indoors. Mature Laurentii and the larger cultivars occasionally throw a tall spike of small fragrant cream-colored flowers that smell strongest at night. Flowering typically requires the plant to be root-bound, given bright light, and occasionally stressed by a dry winter. Many growers never see a snake plant bloom in 20 years of ownership.