A snake plant, the stiff upright rosette of sword-shaped leaves that is about as hard to kill as a houseplant gets.
Correctly Dracaena trifasciata now, though almost everyone still buys it as Sansevieria and knows it as mother in law's tongue. The leaves are flat, rigid and upright, dark green with lighter grey-green cross banding and edged in a band of gold, and they make a strong vertical shape that suits a plain modern room. It grows slowly and holds that shape for years.
It will grow in bright indirect light and equally in a dim corner, though growth slows in the shade. Keep it out of long spells of harsh direct sun. Watering is the only thing that matters: let the compost dry right out between waterings, water sparingly, and cut back hard in winter. Overwatering is what kills these plants, so if in doubt leave it. Ordinary household humidity is fine and it never needs misting. Keep it above about 10C and out of cold draughts. Feed once a month in spring and summer, wipe the leaves occasionally, and repot every two or three years into a gritty, free-draining compost.
Supplied as one established plant with a 5 litre, 21cm root ball, ready to pot into a container of your own. Snake plant is harmful if eaten and is toxic to cats and dogs because of the saponins it contains, so keep it out of their reach.
Cultural Information
Common Name: Snake plant, mother in law's tongue, sansevieria
Fully Grown Height and Spread: 60 to 120cm x 30 to 60cm indoors
Growth Habit: Upright, clump-forming rosette of stiff sword-shaped leaves
Perfect For: Living rooms, bedrooms, offices, hallways and plain modern interiors
Foliage: Stiff dark green leaves with grey-green cross banding and gold margins
Flowering Time: Grown for foliage; it rarely flowers indoors
Planting Position: Bright to low indirect light indoors
Soil Type: Gritty, free-draining compost or a cactus and succulent mix
Hardiness: Tender, indoor only; keep above 10C
Maintenance: Easy; the only real risk is watering it too often
Seasonal Interest: Evergreen foliage all year
Type: Evergreen architectural houseplant, supplied in a 5L pot
