9 Fascinating Facts You Didn’t Know About Snake Plants

Many people around the world love to keep snake plants inside. They look nice, are easy to take care of, and can live in harsh circumstances.

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But did you know that snake plants are more than what they seem? There are 9 interesting facts about snake plants that will surprise you in this blog.

1. Snake Plants Can Produce Oxygen at Night

Photosynthesis is the process that most plants use to make air during the day. At night, though, they stop making oxygen and start taking in carbon dioxide. Snake trees aren’t like other plants.

Even at night, snake plants can keep making air. They use a unique type of photosynthesis known as Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) to do this. (Source)

Because of this, they make great sleeping plants because they clean the air while you sleep.

2. Snake Plants Can Survive with Very Little Water

Do you often forget to water your plants? If so, you should get a snake plant.

Snake plants can live for weeks without getting any water. Their thick, fleshy leaves keep water in, so they don’t need to be watered for a long time.

They are great for people who move a lot or are always on the go.

But giving them too much water can hurt them. If they get too much water, their roots can rot, which will kill the plant.

For that reason, don’t water your snake plant until the soil is nearly dry.

3. Snake Plants Can Adapt to Almost Any Environment

One of the hardest pets to take care of is the snake plant. They can grow in full sun, dim light, or even light that comes from a bulb.

They can also handle a lot of different temperatures, which makes them great for places that are warm or cold.

Since snake plants can grow in a lot of different places, you can find them in homes, businesses, and hospitals. They will grow no matter where you put them—in a sunny window or a dark spot.

4. They Were Used as Fiber Plants in the Past

People used snake plants for something else before they became popular as pets. They were used to make fibers.

The leaves of the snake plant are strong and fibrous. In Africa and Asia, people used them to make:

Ropes
Baskets
Mats
Bowstrings

So, the formal name for the snake plant is Sansevieria trifasciata. It was named for Raimondo di Sangro, an Italian prince who was interested in plant fibers.

5. Snake Plants Can Grow in Water

Most people grow snake plants in soil, but did you know they can also grow in water?

To do this, simply:

Cut a healthy leaf from the plant.
Place the cut end in a glass of water.
Change the water every few days to prevent bacteria.
After a few weeks, roots will start growing!

You can move the plant to dirt or keep growing it in water as a hydroponic plant once the roots are long enough.

6. Snake Plants Have Many Different Names

Snake plants are known by many names around the world. Some of the most common names include:

Mother-in-Law’s Tongue – Because the sharp leaves resemble a sharp tongue!
Saint George’s Sword – Named after a legendary knight because the leaves look like swords.
Viper’s Bowstring Hemp – Because the fibers in the leaves were once used to make bowstrings.

No matter what you call it, this plant remains a favorite among plant lovers.

7. Snake Plants Are Almost Impossible to Kill

If you have ever struggled to keep a plant alive, you will love the snake plant.

They are one of the hardiest houseplants in the world. They can survive:

Weeks without water
Low light conditions
Poor soil
Temperature changes

Don’t worry—your snake plant will still be there even if you forget about it for a while. That’s why both new and expert gardeners love them.

8. Some Snake Plant Varieties Can Grow Very Tall

Snake plants are often thought of as small plants that you put on a table. Some kinds, though, can get as tall as 8 feet (2.5 meters).

The tallest types of snake plants include:

Sansevieria Laurentii – Grows up to 3-4 feet.
Sansevieria Cylindrica – Can reach up to 6 feet.
Sansevieria Stuckyi – Can grow over 8 feet tall!

If you want a dramatic, tall indoor plant, a large snake plant is a great choice.

9. Snake Plants Can Bloom with the Right Care

Snake plants can make flowers, did you know that?

Snake plants can grow if they are healthy and happy, but this doesn’t happen very often. The flowers are small and white, and they grow on long stems. They also have a sweet, vanilla-like smell.

To encourage blooming, make sure your snake plant: