7 reasons why snake plants make the best houseplants (2023)

What is a snake plant?

A common houseplant, theSansevieria trifasciataIt is native to Asia and Africa. It can be recognized by its sword-shaped evergreen leaves that grow upright and almost look like artificial foliage.

Snake plants are often used as home decor as they are easy on the eyes, easy to care for, and require little water to survive.

Snake plants are considered relatively safe, but they are slightly toxic if eaten. Its leaves contain a poison that can cause swelling and numbness of the tongue if ingested in large doses. It is advisable to keep this plant away from children and animals that tend to nibble on it.

snake plant benefits

Snake plant, commonly called mother-in-law's tongue, is a hardy succulent that can grow from 6 inches to several feet.

In addition to providing a bit of ambience, snake plants have a number of health benefits, including:

1. filter indoor air
2. remove toxic contaminants
3. can help improve mental health
4. easy to care
5. effective against allergies
6. can help increase the “energy” of a space, according to feng shui
7. can help with minor ailments

1. Filters indoor air even at night

Like other succulent house plants, snake plants help filter indoor air. What is unique about this particular plant is that it is one of the few plants that can convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) in oxygen at night.

This quality makes it an ideal plant for decorating bedrooms, as it can help regulate healthy airflow.

2. Eliminate Toxic Contaminants

Snake plants are also known for their ability to help remove toxic pollutants from the air. In small contributions, snake plants can absorb cancer-causing pollutants, including:

• CO₂
• benzene
• formaldehyde
• xylene
• tricloroetileno
• toluene

With the ability to absorb and eliminate harmful toxins, snake plants can act as an effective defense against airborne allergies.

3. Reinforcement of mental health

While the mental health benefits of houseplants still warrant further scientific investigation, the concept that plants play a positive role is well established, according tosurvey 2018.

Horticulture is even used in the treatment of mental health due to its therapeutic effects.

Houseplants can be added to workplaces, schools, and medical facilities as a low-risk, inexpensive way to enhance these environments.

4. Low maintenance and easy care.

The snake plant is a common houseplant for many reasons. One is that it is so easy to care for.

“Vasosansevieriaplants are common on all continents”, explainsNatureza IDbotanist Halina Shamshur. "Being very undemanding, they are often grown on the windowsills of houses, apartments, and different public buildings."

According to Shamshur, snake plants can tolerate direct sunlight and shade, submersion, drafts, and dry air. They also do not require frequent replanting and are almost never infested.

5. Effective against allergies

By releasing oxygen and adding moisture to the air, snake plants can help lessen the impact of airborne allergens such as dust and dander.

Since poor indoor air qualitywas linkedto many health-related problems, such asallergiesmiasma, this is a definite benefit.

6. A little feng shui can go a long way.

“The Chinese love the snake plant for its ability to absorb negative energy,” says Shamshur. "In accordance withFeng Shui, putting upsansevieriain a classroom facilitates learning.”

Shamshur notes that snake plants are believed to absorb negative energies and remove bitterness and jealousy. She suggests placing them in a room where people tend to argue or near devices that emit harmful radiation.

While this isn't backed by scientific evidence, there's nothing wrong with trying it.

7. Relieves minor physical ailments

Shamshur shares that there are several other benefits of snake plants that are not scientifically proven but are widely accepted by plant experts.

For example, snake plants are said to:

• heal wounds and skin burns
• reduce inflammation
• standard blood pressure support
• help strengthen the immune system
• help eliminate parasites
• relieve headaches

"You can apply the sap from the leaves of the plant on wounds, burns and inflammations," he says. "Aromatherapy can help you get rid of a headache."

As a reminder, Shamshur says to be careful when using snake plants for healing purposes.

Its leaves contain saponins, which are poisonous substances, in large quantities. Saponins are commonly part of manydiuretic,choleretic, milaxativedrugs

Be sure to consult a doctor before using the snake plant to treat any symptoms. Never eat or drink any part of the snake plant.

Cobra Plant Types

The most common foliage of the snake plant appears as thin green leaves with gray or silver horizontal stripes. This plant can grow several feet tall and does well in areas with low light.

OsansevieriaThe genus now encompasses about 70 species, according to Shamshur. Some of the more common types of snake plants include:

• Bird's nest snake plant.Also known as Hahnii, this plant is relatively small, growing just 6 inches tall. The leaves form clusters that resemble a cup, similar to a bird's nest.
• Cylindrical cobra plant.OSansevieria cylindricait has round leaves that can grow several meters long. The leaves of this plant extend outward to resemble a crown.
• Lorenzo Sansevieria.OLorenzoit is also a popular snake plant, known for its green colored center and yellow margins.
• evil sister.OSansevieria trifasciata"Twist" is a dwarf cultivar ofSansevieria trifasciataand reaches only about 15 inches in height. This hard-to-find plant consists of twisting variegated leaves of gold and green.
• White snake plant.OSansevieria trifasciata"Bantel's Sensation" is another unique variety ofSansevieria trifasciata. It has dark green leaves with white vertical stripes.
• rhino grass. Sansevieria pearsoniiit is an attractive houseplant that produces a tight cluster of upright leaves.
• Sansevieria desert.Also known as elephant stick, this plant often has a fanning effect.

Caring for a snake plant.

Perhaps one of the most popular reasons people include snake plants in their decor is that they are low maintenance and require little attention to grow. They are hardy, hardy plants and can survive in relatively dry environments, both indoors and outdoors.

If you plan to have a snake plant in your home, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Don't water too much.Too much water is the weakness of this plant. Place a snake plant in a well-draining pot to avoid overwatering it, as it can rot. Only water the soil when it is completely dry.
• Indirect sunlight is best.Partial sun works best for snake plants, although it can still grow in darker corners or brighter window areas. If fully shaded, the plant may look dull and the leaves may be a bit limp.
• How to propagateSnake plants are not only easy to care for, but also easy to multiply. Just follow these guidelines:
  1. Cut a healthy leaf near its base and make an inverted V cut at the bottom.
  2. Then place the leaf in a jar of clean water. Make the water level slightly above the V-cut.
  3. Once roots start to form (3 to 5 weeks), you can either keep it in water or transfer it to soil.

Place a snake plant in a well-draining pot to avoid overwatering it, as it can rot. Make sure the pot has a hole to allow for drainage.

oh take away

Snake plants have proven to be as useful as they are visually appealing. They can grow indoors and outdoors with little to no maintenance.

Additionally, snake plants can also help filter indoor air, a quality that can keep you safe and healthy. Consider adding a snake plant to your home for aesthetic and health reasons.