Plants/Easy
Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata
The snake plant is famously indestructible. Its stiff, upright leaves store water like a succulent, so it tolerates neglect, low light, and dry rooms better than almost any other houseplant.
It grows slowly but steadily, sending up new spears from the rhizome. The main way to kill one is to love it too much — soggy soil quickly turns the base to mush.
Common problems
Soft, mushy leaves at the base
Root rot. Unpot, cut away rotten roots and leaves, and repot in gritty, well-draining soil.
Full guide: Root Rot →Wrinkled, curling leaves
Underwatered for a long time. Give a deep soak and resume a light schedule.
Leaves flopping outward
Too little light. Move it to a brighter spot and rotate the pot every few weeks.
Questions, answered
How often do you water a snake plant?+
Only when the soil is bone dry — typically every 2–3 weeks, and even less in winter.
Do snake plants clean the air?+
They filter modest amounts of household air pollutants and release oxygen at night, which is unusual for a houseplant.
Can snake plants live in low light?+
Yes, they tolerate it, but growth slows dramatically. Bright indirect light produces the best colour.