Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Variegated Mother-in-Law's Tongue
Variegated Mother-in-Law's Tongue is the yellow-edged form of snake plant, sold as 'Laurentii'. Its stiff, sword-like leaves carry gray-green bands and bright yellow margins down their full length. The leaves usually reach about 2 feet, and older clumps can grow taller. It brightens a shaded entry or a decorative pot outdoors in the Valley.
Best for: bright color in shade, decorative containers by an entry, and patios out of the western sun.
Its yellow leaf edges light up a shaded entry or covered patio. Keep it where it gets partial to full shade and no western sun.
The stiff, upright leaves look sharp in a decorative pot. Use a fast-draining mix, and move the pot under cover on frost nights.
Divide crowded clumps to make new plants. Divisions keep the yellow edges, while leaf cuttings usually grow back plain green.
Intense direct sun can scorch or bleach the leaves, and freezing nights damage it. It is toxic to dogs and cats if chewed.
- Group plantingAt least 12 in apart
Let the soil dry completely, then water, about every two weeks in summer and monthly in winter. Never let it sit in soggy soil.
Outdoors in the Valley it needs partial to full shade, with no western sun. Strong direct sun can bleach the yellow edges or scorch the leaves.
It cannot take freezing temperatures. Move potted plants indoors or under cover on frost nights.
Divide crowded clumps every few years. Divisions and pups keep the yellow edges, while leaf cuttings usually do not.
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.
What is Laurentii snake plant?
It is the snake plant variety with bright yellow margins running the full length of each leaf. Care is the same as the plain green form.
Can it grow outside in Phoenix?
Yes, in partial to full shade with no western sun. Protect it from freezing nights and from the hottest summer sun.
Why did my leaf cutting lose the yellow edge?
Leaf cuttings of this variety usually grow back plain green. To keep the yellow edges, divide the clump or replant pups from the base instead.
How big does it get?
Leaves usually reach about 2 feet tall, and older clumps can reach 3 to 4 feet. A clump spreads 1 to 3 feet wide.
How often should I water it?
Let the soil dry completely, then water, about every two weeks in summer and about monthly in winter. Do not let it sit in wet soil.
Is it frost hardy?
No. It cannot take freezing temperatures, so move pots under cover or cover plants when nights drop toward 32°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.
Why are the leaves turning pale?
Intense direct sun can bleach or scorch the leaves. Move it to a shadier spot out of the afternoon sun.
Variegated Mother-in-Law's Tongue for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Variegated Mother-in-Law's Tongue is the yellow-edged 'Laurentii' form of snake plant. Below is what to expect on the yellow edges, shade, water, frost, dividing and pets in a Valley yard.
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.
Laurentii snake plant outdoors in Phoenix
It grows outdoors in partial to full shade with no western sun. Protect it from frost and the hottest summer sun.
Snake plant with yellow edges
Laurentii is the variety with bright yellow margins along each leaf. It grows and is cared for like the plain green form.
Propagating variegated snake plant
Divide the clump or replant pups to keep the yellow edges. Leaf cuttings usually grow back plain green.
Watering Laurentii snake plant
Water about every two weeks in summer and monthly in winter, letting the soil dry between waterings.
Is variegated snake plant toxic to pets?
Yes. It is toxic to dogs and cats if chewed, so keep it out of their reach.
Snake plant in a pot outside
It does well in decorative containers with a fast-draining mix, and pots are easy to move out of frost.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.