Hahnii Snake Plant

Hahnii Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata 'Hahnii'), also called the dwarf mother in law's tongue, is a snake plant that stays low. It forms tight rosettes of variegated, funnel shaped leaves only 20 to 30cm high, so it fits a desk, bedside table or hall console where taller snake plants would not. It asks for very little.

Why you'll love it

• Stays small. At 20 to 30cm high it is the snake plant for tight spots, and it never outgrows a shelf.
• Tough and easygoing. It wants the soil to dry out completely between drinks, so it forgives forgotten waterings better than most houseplants.
• Patterned rosettes. Variegated leaves form a tight, tidy rosette, which gives each plant a sculptural look.
• Free new plants. As it matures it sends up pups at the base, which you can lift and pot up to share.
• Indoors or out. It lives happily in a well lit room, and in a frost free garden it will grow outside in part shade.

Where it works best

Desks, shelves and consoles. Its low height suits a home office desk, a bedside table or a hall console. Keep it where pets cannot chew the leaves.

Bowls and small pots. Group three or four rosettes in a shallow bowl, or use a single plant in a small decorative pot.

Frost free gardens and courtyards. Plant 30cm apart as a low edging in part shade, in neutral to alkaline soil.

Growing Hahnii Snake Plant in Australia

Position and climate. Bright, filtered light gives the best leaf colour, and it tolerates anything from full sun to part shade. Indoors, choose a well lit spot. Outdoors it needs a frost free site, so it is a plant for the subtropics and sheltered courtyards. Protect it from frost.

Soil. Free draining soil is essential, whether in a pot or in the garden. Use a good potting mix indoors. Outdoors it needs neutral or alkaline soil.

Water and feed. Allow the soil to dry completely between waterings. Overwatering is the main way to lose a snake plant. Feed during spring with an organic liquid fertiliser mixed at half strength.

Pruning. There is no real pruning, only the removal of a damaged leaf at the base. As the pups multiply and the pot becomes crowded, lift the young plants and share them or repot.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Hahnii Snake Plant as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. A snake plant is a slow grower, so the tube is a small starter plant, and the 140mm and 200mm pots give a bigger plant sooner. Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, and the notify button emails you the day it is back.

Plants travel upright and settle fast. Pot up soon after delivery in free draining mix and water sparingly while it settles.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse house and indoor plants
• Low light indoor plants
• Plants that suit pots
• Indoor plant tips for beginners

Common questions

Is Hahnii Snake Plant safe for pets?

No. Snake plants are mildly toxic to cats and dogs if chewed, and can cause drooling and an upset stomach. Keep the plant out of reach of pets that nibble leaves.

How often should I water it?

Only when the soil has dried out completely. In a cool room that may be every few weeks, and overwatering is the usual cause of rot.

Is it the same as Dracaena trifasciata?

Yes. Botanists now class snake plants in the genus Dracaena, but they are still widely sold as Sansevieria.