Mississippi State Extension calls Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’ (san-se-VEER-ee-uh try-fask-ee-AH-tuh law-REN-tee-eye) a classic snake plant: tall, stiff, upright leaves banded in dark and light green and edged in golden yellow. It brightens a corner and adds a strong vertical line to a room.
First, a name update. Genetic research moved snake plants out of Sansevieria and into Dracaena, so you’ll now see this plant listed as Dracaena trifasciata ‘Laurentii’ at NC State Extension and Penn State Extension. Garden centers still sell it under the old name, so it helps to know both.
Where do the names come from? The genus name Sansevieria honors an 18th-century Italian patron of horticulture, according to Missouri Botanical Garden. The species name, trifasciata, means “having three transverse stripes,” NC State says, after the banding on the leaves.
The cultivar name ‘Laurentii’ honors Emile Laurent (1861-1904), a Belgian botanist who collected plants across the Congo in the 1890s.
His biography from Belgium’s Royal Academy for Overseas Sciences credits him with bringing Sansevieria Laurentii into Belgian horticulture after the bordered, variegated leaves caught his eye.
You’ll find it sold as snake plant, mother-in-law’s tongue, viper’s bowstring hemp, good luck plant, variegated snake plant or simply Laurentii snake plant. It is a perennial in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae), and the species is native to tropical Africa.
Sansevieria Laurentii Quick Care Tips
- Botanical name: Dracaena trifasciata ‘Laurentii’ (formerly Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’)
- Common names: Snake plant, mother-in-law’s tongue, viper’s bowstring hemp, good luck plant, variegated snake plant
- Family and origin: Asparagaceae; native to tropical Africa
- Size: Up to 4 feet tall in its native habitat, often about 2 feet indoors; 1 to 2 feet wide
- Leaves: Dark green with zigzags of lighter green and yellow edges
- Light: Bright, indirect light; tolerates low light; protect from hot afternoon sun
- Temperature: Average home temperatures; Iowa State gives 70 to 90°F as ideal, Mississippi State 60 to 85°F as best; tolerates cool temperatures around 50°F; keep away from cold drafts
- Hardiness: USDA zones 10 to 12
- Water: Let the soil dry out completely between waterings; water far less in winter
- Soil: Cactus mix, or potting soil with perlite or grit
- Fertilizer: Light feeding with an all-purpose fertilizer at reduced strength in the growing season
- Propagation: Division (leaf cuttings lose the yellow edges)
- Pests and diseases: Mealybugs and spider mites; root rot from overwatering
- Safety: Toxic to cats and dogs; the sap can irritate skin
- Florida note: High invasion risk (UF/IFAS); keep it in a pot indoors (UF/IFAS Extension Orange County)
Sansevieria Laurentii Care
Size and Growth
In its native habitat the foliage can reach 4 feet tall, but it is often smaller, about 2 feet, on indoor plants, according to Missouri Botanical Garden, which lists a spread of 1 to 2 feet. NC State Extension says the leaves can be up to 4 feet long and 2 to 4 inches wide.
The leaves rise stiffly in a rosette from a thick underground rhizome. NC State describes ‘Laurentii’ as dark green with zigzags of lighter green and yellow edges, and Penn State Extension calls them bright yellow or golden bands along the margins. The yellow sits on the edges, not down the center.
NC State lists the growth rate as medium. Give it time, though, because these plants last.
UF/IFAS Extension in Sarasota County notes that some sansevieria varieties have been known to live 20 to 25 years, and Mississippi State Extension says snake plants can be enjoyed for years, sometimes decades.
Flowering and Fragrance
Yes, it can bloom, though it rarely happens indoors. Missouri Botanical Garden describes small, fragrant, greenish-white flowers on mature plants in spring, followed by orange berries.
Mississippi State Extension says blooms often appear in winter to early spring on mature, well-established plants, and that plants are more likely to flower when slightly root-bound and growing in bright, indirect light.
The flowers are often pleasantly fragrant, especially in the evening, and the stalk may drip sticky nectar, Mississippi State adds. Related: Details on the Snake Plant Flower
Light Conditions and Temperature
Laurentii handles a wide range of light, but it has a favorite. Mississippi State Extension says it tolerates everything from low light to bright, indirect light, and its colors look best with a little extra light.
Iowa State University Extension adds that low light can mute leaf coloration and patterns, so a plant in a dark corner may look duller.
Go easy on direct sun. Missouri Botanical Garden says to protect the plant from hot afternoon sun, and Mississippi State says that while snake plants can take some morning sun, direct afternoon sun scorches the leaves. NC State suggests direct sun for only part of the day, 2 to 6 hours.
For temperature, Iowa State University Extension says average home temperatures work, though the plant prefers it a little warmer, with 70 to 90°F ideal.
Mississippi State Extension puts the best range a little lower, at 60 to 85°F. NC State says it tolerates cool temperatures around 50°F, and Mississippi State says to keep it away from cold drafts and chilly windows in winter.
Outdoors, Missouri Botanical Garden and NC State both list USDA hardiness zones 10 to 12. Colder than that, it is a houseplant.
Watering and Feeding
Here’s the rule that matters most: let it dry out. Iowa State University Extension says to water only after the soil is completely dry. NC State says to let the soil dry between waterings from spring to autumn, and in winter, water only every 1 to 2 months.
When you do water, water the soil. Missouri Botanical Garden says not to pour water into the center of the rosette. Use a pot with drainage holes, and don’t let the pot sit in a saucer of drained water.
Feed lightly. Iowa State says frequent fertilizing isn’t necessary, and that an all-purpose fertilizer at half or quarter strength in the spring promotes healthy growth.
Penn State Extension feeds a little more often, monthly through the growing season (spring and summer) at half strength. Both keep feeding to the growing season, so skip fall and winter, and follow the product label.
Soil Type and Transplanting
Use a fast-draining mix. Iowa State recommends a well-drained potting soil, such as cactus mix or potting soil amended with perlite, and Penn State Extension’s Allegheny County Master Gardeners suggest a cactus potting mix or one with added perlite or grit.
Pick the pot with care. Penn State says the plant doesn’t mind being snug in its container, but it can break a clay pot if it gets too root-bound, and taller snake plants do best in a heavy pot because the weight of the leaves can tip it over.
Missouri Botanical Garden says wider-than-tall clay pots help keep this tall, narrow plant from toppling. Always choose a pot with drainage holes.
How often to repot? Not often. Penn State says snake plants like fresh potting mix every 5 years or so, and Iowa State says dividing helps manage badly pot-bound plants. Related: What Kind of Sansevieria Soil Mix?
Grooming and Maintenance
- Dust the leaves occasionally, as Penn State suggests. A damp cloth does the job.
- If a leaf is damaged, Penn State recommends removing it by cutting it off at the soil level. Use a sharp, clean tool.
- Separate pups when the clump crowds its pot (see propagation below).
Laurentii Snake Plant Propagation
Division is the best option for Laurentii, and for good reason. Iowa State University Extension says cultivars with variegated leaf edges, such as Laurentii, lose their coloration when propagated by cuttings, because the variegation comes from a chimera. A leaf cutting will still root, but the new plant will lack those yellow edges.
To keep the pattern, divide. Iowa State recommends separating clumps or rosettes by cutting the thick underground rhizome, ensuring each section has both roots and shoots.
Penn State says snake plants are easiest to propagate by division, and that after a few years the plant produces offspring you can split off.
Repotting time is the easiest moment. Slide the plant out, cut the pups away from the parent with a sharp, clean tool, and pot each one in fresh, fast-draining mix. Then treat them like adult plants.
Related: More on propagating snake plants
Sansevieria Laurentii Pest and Disease Problems
NC State Extension calls this plant quite durable, easily grown and difficult to kill. Give it bright, indirect light, a fast-draining mix, warmth and the right amount of water, and problems are uncommon.
Two insects to watch for: Missouri Botanical Garden and NC State both list mealybugs and spider mites.
The bigger risk is root rot, and it comes from overwatering. Iowa State says that if plants stay wet, root rot develops, causing leaves to turn yellow, collapse, and eventually kill the plant.
Soft, mushy, yellowing leaf bases on a plant that has been kept wet or left standing in water are the warning sign.
What can you do? The University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension says that often the best and most cost-effective way to deal with a houseplant with root rot is to throw it out.
If you want to try saving it, it says to reduce soil moisture, and to disinfect tools, work surfaces and clay pots afterward. A practical step many growers try is to cut away any healthy pups or firm sections, pot them in fresh mix, and fix the watering.
Is the Laurentii Toxic or Poisonous?
Yes, keep it away from pets. The ASPCA lists the snake plant as toxic to dogs and cats. It names saponins as the toxic principle and lists nausea, vomiting and diarrhea as the clinical signs.
If you suspect your pet ate some, the ASPCA says to call its Poison Control line at (888) 426-4435 or your local veterinarian as soon as possible.
NC State Extension rates the poison severity as low, but says the plant is toxic if ingested. Its symptom list also includes depression, loss of appetite, drooling and, in cats, dilated pupils. NC State adds that the sap can irritate the skin, so wash your hands after handling or trimming the plant.
Related: Are Snake Plants Poisonous?
Is the Laurentii Plant Considered Invasive?
In Florida, yes. The UF/IFAS assessment for Sansevieria trifasciata concludes that it is predicted to be invasive and is not recommended by IFAS in North, Central or South Florida (assessed in 2011, reassessed every 10 years).
It spreads by underground rhizomes. UF/IFAS Extension in Sarasota County says the runners don’t quit, and that planted in the ground without a barrier it can overgrow a yard.
UF/IFAS Extension in Orange County says any part of the plant, including leaves, seeds or underground tubers, can regenerate, that no herbicides are labeled for snake plant control, and that it is best kept in a pot indoors.
So if you garden in Florida, keep it potted. UF/IFAS rates snake plants a high invasion risk, and UF/IFAS Extension Orange County advises keeping them in a pot indoors rather than planting them in the landscape. Outside Florida, check your own state’s invasive plant list before planting it in the ground.
Suggested Uses for the Laurentii Sansevieria Plant
Laurentii is an easy, forgiving houseplant that adds a strong vertical line to a room. It will do best in the bright, warm spots described above.
As a potted plant, it looks great in a group. UF/IFAS Extension in Sarasota County suggests pairing sansevieria with plants that also need less water, such as succulents, air plants and cacti, for container combinations.
It can enjoy summer outside, too. Missouri Botanical Garden says indoor plants may be placed in shady outdoor spots in summer.
Mississippi State Extension says to wait until temperatures are consistently warm and nighttime lows stay above 55°F, then set it in bright shade or filtered sun, out of direct afternoon sun. Bring it back in before the weather turns cold.
What about clean air? UF/IFAS Extension in Sarasota County notes that sansevieria was one of the plants used in NASA’s clean air study. But Iowa State University Extension says that, in reality, houseplants have little effect on air quality in a home or office because NASA tested them in small, sealed chambers, and real buildings have a constant air turnover. Grow Laurentii for its looks and easy care.
More Sansevieria Snake Plants to Grow and Collect
Do you have a Laurentii with a few pups ready to divide? Tell us how yours is growing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much light does a Laurentii snake plant need?
Bright, indirect light is best. Mississippi State Extension says Laurentii tolerates everything from low light to bright, indirect light, but its colors look best with a little extra light. Keep it out of hot sun: Missouri Botanical Garden says to protect the plant from hot afternoon sun, and Mississippi State says direct afternoon sun scorches the leaves.
How often should I water Sansevieria Laurentii?
Water only after the soil has completely dried out, not on a set schedule. That is Iowa State University Extension’s advice. NC State Extension says to let the soil dry between waterings from spring to autumn and to water only every one to two months in winter. Use a pot with drainage holes, and do not pour water into the center of the rosette.
Can I grow a Laurentii snake plant from a leaf cutting?
It will root, but the new plant won’t keep the yellow edges. Iowa State University Extension says variegated-edge cultivars such as Laurentii lose their coloration from leaf cuttings because the variegation comes from a chimera. To keep the pattern, divide the plant by cutting the thick underground rhizome so each piece has both roots and shoots. See our guide to propagating snake plants.
Is the Laurentii snake plant toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA lists the snake plant as toxic to dogs and cats, naming saponins as the toxic principle and nausea, vomiting and diarrhea as the clinical signs. NC State Extension rates the poison severity as low but says the plant is toxic if ingested. If you think your pet ate some, the ASPCA says to call its Poison Control line or your veterinarian.
Can I plant Laurentii outdoors in Florida?
It is better kept in a pot. UF/IFAS rates snake plants a high invasion risk, and UF/IFAS Extension Orange County advises keeping them in a pot indoors rather than planting them in the landscape. The UF/IFAS assessment predicts the snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) to be invasive and does not recommend it in North, Central or South Florida. UF/IFAS Extension in Orange County also says any part of the plant can regenerate and no herbicides are labeled for it.