32 Types of Snake Plants: Sansevieria Varieties Identification

The snake plant seemed almost forgotten for a while before it was rediscovered as an ornamental plant a few years ago. What makes it so special is not least its somewhat bizarre appearance and the special drawing of the leaves. The easy care of most sansevieria types is also impressive. There are over 70 different types of sansevieria. We have compiled the most interesting ones in the list below for Sansevieria varieties identification.

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Snake Plant Varieties With Names and Pictures

Sansevieria bacularis

This Sansevieria has leaves that can grow up to 67 inches long. The leaves are dark green with light bands across them. The tips of the leaves are soft. White flowers with a purple stripe appear in the spring.

Place the plant in a warm and bright area. It can be moved outdoors during the summer. Water sparingly, and it can tolerate short periods of dryness. Like other snake plant types, this plant is not frost-resistant, so bring it indoors before the first frosts.

Sansevieria burmanica

This plant originates from India. It has up to 5-inch wide, upright leaves that form a rosette. The leaves can reach a length between 18 and 30 inches and are green with light bands. The smooth top of the leaf may have up to three vertical stripes. The leaf margin is green but can turn white as the plant ages. White inflorescences, resembling panicles, appear and can be between 24 and 30 inches long.

It prefers a sunny to partially shaded location with temperatures around 68°F and not below 57°F. Water moderately and reduce watering in winter. Fertilize every two weeks during summer and use potting soil with a high proportion of sand.

Sansevieria concinna

Sansevieria concinna is one of the types of sansevieria that are native to South Africa. It has lanceolate leaves that grow upright from a thick rhizome and form a rosette. The leaves can reach a length between 6 and 10 inches and are green with pale green bands across them. The leaf surface is smooth, and the edges of the leaves are not hardened. White spike-shaped inflorescences appear, measuring between 6 and 12 inches.

Place the plant in a shady location with a consistent temperature of 68°F. Water moderately but avoid waterlogging. Let the soil dry out a bit between waterings. Fertilize from spring to autumn. The substrate should be slightly sandy.

Sansevieria cylindrica

This is one of the Sansevieria types that are native to South Africa and is relatively uncommon. Its upright, columnar leaves can grow up to 39 inches long and are 0.8 to 1.2 inches thick. The leaves are green to grayish, and young plants may have dark green bands. With age, the leaves may become slightly furrowed. There are various Sansevieria cylindrica varieties, including “Spaghetti,” “Skyline,” and “Patula.”

This plant requires lots of light and loves a sunny location. During the summer, it can be placed outdoors. Water evenly and tolerate short dry periods. Maintain at least 60% humidity and a temperature around 68°F. Fertilize from spring to autumn using cactus fertilizer or liquid fertilizer for succulents.

Sansevieria francisii

This Sansevieria originates from Kenya and has a trunk-like growth with upward-pointing leaves. It reaches a height of 12 inches. The leaves are marbled, ranging from dark to light green, and taper to a point. The plant produces runners with offsets that can be used for propagation.

It prefers a sunny to partially shaded location and can tolerate blazing sun. Water sparingly and allow the soil to dry out before watering again. Avoid waterlogging. Fertilize from spring to autumn, and maintain a consistent temperature of 68°F, not dropping below 59°F. Use cactus soil or a mixture of potting soil, fine sand, and clay granules as a substrate.

Sansevieria hyacinthoides

The “African bowstring hemp” is native to Africa and grows in dense groups in the shade of trees. The leaves can reach a length of 47 inches. They are medium green with dark green bands and are broad, standing loosely in a rosette. The plant also forms long rhizomes.

Place the plant in a location with at least 4 hours of sunlight per day. The temperature should range from 68°F to 86°F. Water moderately in a permeable substrate.

Sansevieria liberica

This Sansevieria species is originally from the Central African Republic and West Africa. It has up to six lanceolate leaves that grow upright on a single shoot. The leaves can be 18 to 43 inches long and are dark green with pale green bands. The leaf tips are slightly pointed and turn white with age. The leaf margin is slightly reddish-brown and slightly cartilaginous. White flowers are arranged loosely in panicles, with the flower stem measuring between 24 and 32 inches in height.

It prefers shady locations and should be watered sparingly, avoiding waterlogging. Let the soil dry between waterings. Maintain a temperature range of 68°F to 86°F. The substrate should be well-drained, dry, and somewhat granular.

Sansevieria longiflora

This Sansevieria species primarily grows in Angola, Namibia, and the Congo in Africa. The dark green leaves are lightly spotted or irregularly banded and have a smooth surface. They can reach a length of 59 inches and are 1.2 to 3.5 inches wide. At the leaf tip, there is a brown spine measuring 0.1 to 0.2 inches long. The leaf margin is hardened and colored red-brown to yellowish. White panicle-like flowers appear.

This plant grows well in sunny to shady locations and should be watered moderately, avoiding waterlogging. Instead, allow the soil to dry out a bit between waterings. Maintain a temperature range of 68°F to 86°F and provide a sandy and well-drained substrate.

Sansevieria parva

This is one of the snake plant varieties that mainly grows in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. The linear to lanceolate leaves are dark green with transverse bands and arranged loosely in a rosette. White to pink flowers appear, and the plant is relatively easy to care for.

Provide lots of light, preferably in a sunny location. It can also tolerate partial shade. Maintain temperatures between 68°F and 86°F. The substrate should be somewhat granular and permeable. Water sparingly.

Sansevieria raffillii

Sansevieria raffillii is one of the snake plant varieties that are native to Kenya and Somalia. It grows upright with lanceolate leaves reaching up to 59 inches in length. The leaves have a smooth surface and green-yellow spots or transverse bands at the base. Older plants may have faded markings. The leaf margin is hardened and reddish-brown. The greenish-white inflorescences form panicles and can reach a length of 35 to 47 inches.

Place the plant in a shady location and water sparingly, avoiding waterlogging. Maintain a temperature range of 68°F to 77°F. Use a loose, well-drained, and sandy substrate.

Sansevieria senegambica

Sansevieria senegambica is native to West Africa and forms a rosette with up to four loosely arranged leaves. The leaves grow upright, taper to a point, and slightly bend backward. The dark green leaf surface has barely visible transverse bands, while the underside is brighter with visible bands. The leaves measure 16 to 28 inches in length, and the leaf margin is green. The white flowers appear in panicles and turn purple in the sun. The flower stems are 12 to 20 inches long.

Like other snake plant types, this variety prefers a shady location and should be watered moderately, avoiding waterlogging. Maintain a temperature of 68°F. Use a permeable and loose substrate.

Sansevieria subspicata

This variant of Sansevieria originates from Mozambique. The lanceolate leaves grow upright and slightly bend backward. They measure between 8 and 24 inches in length and are green to slightly bluish. The leaf margin is green and turns white with age. The greenish-white flowers form panicles, and the inflorescences reach a height of 12 to 16 inches.

Plant it in a sunny to partially shaded location. Water sparingly and avoid waterlogging. Maintain a temperature of 68°F to 77°F. The substrate should be slightly sandy, loose, and permeable to water.

Sansevieria trifasciata

The Sansevieria trifasciata is the most well-known among all Sansevieria plant types. It is native to tropical West Africa. It is commonly known as the snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue. The linear-lanceolate leaves grow from creeping rhizomes, reaching lengths of 16 to 24 inches. They are green with white to light green transverse bands.

The “Laurentii” cultivar, with golden yellow stripes along the leaf margins, is popular. There are other varieties of Sansevieria, such as the “Hahnii” with colorful rosette-shaped leaves or the “Golden Flame” with golden yellow stripes. This plant thrives in narrow pots.

Place it in a sunny to partially shaded location, avoiding direct sunlight. Maintain a temperature of 68°F, not dropping below 57°F. Keep the soil moderately moist, tolerate short periods of drought, and avoid waterlogging. Use potting soil with 50% loam and sandy additives as a substrate. Fertilize from spring to autumn using cactus fertilizer or liquid fertilizer for succulents. Propagation can be done through seeds, leaf cuttings, and offsets.

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Sansevieria zeylanica

The Sansevieria zeylanica, a species of snake plant, is originally from Sri Lanka. In its native habitat, this plant thrives in dry sandy, and rocky areas. It has an upright growth pattern and can grow to a height of 24 to 28 inches. The leaves are green with white markings and have a slightly leathery texture, displaying green, gently undulating lines on their surface. These plants develop a shallow root system. Repotting is only necessary when the roots become too large for the pot. At that point, the plant can also be divided.

Place the plant in a location that receives either direct sunlight or partial shade. Water sparingly, allowing the soil to completely dry out between waterings. Fertilize once a month using either cactus fertilizer or liquid fertilizer specifically formulated for succulents.

Is a snake plant a succulent?

Yes! It is classified as succulent because it stores water in its leaves to reduce the need for hydration. Snake plants are perfect for warm humid or dry climates and they grow well in low-to-medium light levels.

Famous for its ability to remove toxic chemicals from the air like formaldehyde and xylene, this is one houseplant worth having around. Not surprisingly, it’s used as an ornamental plant in landscapes where it grows wild as well as indoors.