Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Mother-in-Law's Tongue
Mother-in-Law's Tongue, also called snake plant, has stiff, upright, strap-like leaves up to about 2 feet long. Outdoors in the Valley it is a foliage accent for shaded entries and decorative containers, out of the western sun. It needs little care, with no pruning and no common pests. Many people grow it in pots they can move with the seasons.
Best for: shaded entries, decorative containers, and small foliage accents out of the western sun.
Its stiff, upright leaves make a strong foliage accent by a shaded entry. Keep it out of the western sun, and give it a spot in partial to full shade.
It does well in decorative containers with a fast-draining mix. A pot lets you move it out of frost in winter and hot sun in summer.
It needs little to no pruning and has no common pests or diseases. Divide crowded clumps every 3 to 5 years.
Western sun, freezing nights and summer heat above about 110°F all harm it, so give it shade and move it under cover on frost nights. It is toxic to dogs and cats if chewed.
- Group plantingAt least 12 in apart
Water about every two weeks in summer and about monthly in winter, letting the soil dry between waterings. Never let it sit in soggy soil.
Outdoors in the Valley it needs partial to full shade, with no western sun at all. Summer heat above about 110°F can damage it.
It cannot take freezing temperatures. Move potted plants indoors or under cover on frost nights.
Divide crowded clumps every 3 to 5 years. Replant the divisions in fast-draining soil.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
Can snake plant grow outside in Phoenix?
Yes, in partial to full shade with no western sun. Protect it from freezing nights and from summer heat above about 110°F.
Is it toxic to pets?
Yes. It is toxic to dogs and cats and can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea if chewed. Keep it out of reach of pets.
How often should I water it?
Water it when the soil dries out, about every two weeks in summer and about monthly in winter. Do not let it sit in wet soil.
How big does it get?
Clumps grow about 3 to 5 feet tall and 1 to 3 feet wide, with strap-like leaves up to about 2 feet long. Give each clump that much room in a pot or bed.
Is it the same as Sansevieria?
Yes. Sansevieria trifasciata is now listed as Dracaena trifasciata, and it is still sold under both names.
Does it need pruning?
It needs little to no pruning. Divide crowded clumps every 3 to 5 years to make new plants.
Is it frost hardy?
No. It cannot take freezing temperatures, so move pots inside or cover plants when nights drop toward 32°F.
Can I keep it in a pot?
Yes. It does well in decorative containers with a fast-draining mix, and a pot is easy to move under cover on frost nights.
Mother-in-Law's Tongue for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Mother-in-Law's Tongue, or snake plant, now listed as Dracaena trifasciata, is an upright foliage plant. Outdoors in the Valley it needs shade and protection from frost. Below are answers to the questions homeowners ask about growing it outside, watering it, pets and pots.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
Can snake plant grow outdoors in Phoenix?
Yes. Snake plant can grow outdoors in partial to full shade with no western sun. It needs protection from frost and extreme summer heat.
How often do you water snake plant?
Water it about every two weeks in summer and about monthly in winter. Let the soil dry between waterings.
Is snake plant toxic to pets?
Yes. Snake plant is toxic to dogs and cats, so keep it where pets cannot chew on it.
Can snake plant grow in a pot outside?
Yes. It does well in decorative containers, which you can move out of frost and hot sun.
Is snake plant a Sansevieria or a Dracaena?
Both names refer to the same plant. Sansevieria trifasciata is now listed as Dracaena trifasciata, and it is still sold under both names.
When should you divide snake plant?
Divide crowded clumps every 3 to 5 years to refresh them and make new plants.
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