This plant checks off many boxes on the “plant grim reaper” list, but you might find yourself asking a few questions, such as how fast does snake plant grow?
The Growth Rate of Snake Plants
Typically, snake plants grow slowly in moderate light or indoors. Snake plants can grow rapidly if they are grown in enough sunlight. The height and width of your Sansevieria tree will depend on the variety you plant. The most common type is S. trifaciata laurentii, which is also called as Mother-in-Law’s tongue. This nickname is as a result of the long, straight, sharp leaves that extend from the root system.
How Large Do They Grow?
When the snake plant is discussed, the variety trifaciata laurentii is most commonly mentioned. Green stripes up either side of the center of the variegated leaves form a snakeskin effect. While it does not flower often, the plant may produce a small stem of sweet-smelling flowers with a fast-growing stalk. In ideal conditions, this species of Sansevieria can reach a height of approximately 1-2 feet, with some plants reaching heights greater than 3 feet. In fact, some have reported it growing as high as five feet!
There is also a snake plant variety called S. trifaciata. Similar in many ways to the S. trifaciata laurentii, just without the laurentii. Their leaves have no yellow stripes on the sides, just green “snakeskin.” They tend to grow along with S. trifaciata laurentii as well.
The Sansevieria cylindrica, also known as the Spear Sansevieria, tends to be a little more exotic. As they mature, Sansevieria cylindrica leaves will not bend without breaking. The leaves are fan-shaped and grow upward and outward. It’s easy to bend new leaves, and some nurseries make use of this ability. The leaves of the snake plant are braided or woven into plaits, as with “lucky bamboo” or “money trees.” It is also important to note the size difference between Sansevieria trifaciata/Sansevieria trifaciata laurentii and Sansevieria cylindrica.
Sometimes, the Sansevieria trifaciata/Sansevieria trifaciata laurentii can reach heights over 3 feet, and the Sansevieria cylindrica can reach heights over 7 feet. The variety Sansevieria trifaciata “hanhii” is on the opposite end of the spectrum in size, standing no more than 4-8 inches tall. It has similar coloring to S. Trifaciata laurentii, with yellow stripes with a green snakeskin interior.
How fast does snake plant grow? The S. trifaciata cultivar is a dwarf variety, which is the reason why this kind keeping it small. The slow growth and this characteristic make it one of the most popular plants for terrariums.
How To Stunt The Growth Of A Snake Plant
All kinds of snake plants can have their growth stunted through a few ways if you want the plant to look a certain way. Clipping the tip off a leaf will prevent it from taking on any more height. The Sansevieria leaves produce a hormone that promotes upward growth, but when you clip them off, this hormone is not released. The leaf, therefore, stops growing upwards.
How fast does snake plant grow? If you are asking this question because you don’t want it to grow too fast, then you don’t have to worry. The Sansevieria can also be stunted in terms of growth outward. A pot’s size plays a part in this. Because of the limited space in the pot, the roots of the plant will have to restrict their growth.
Because of this, the snake plant is unable to grow additional leaves or move outward from the base. Snake plants don’t mind being contained in a smaller pot, or being root bound, but it’s a good idea to repot them every few years if you want them to continue to grow. The roots can also damage the clay pot to the point of cracking or breaking it. Before replanting the Sansevieria, some gardeners actually wait until the pot breaks.