Laurentii Snake Plant

Laurentii Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii') is the classic gold edged form of the world's most forgiving houseplant. Each stiff upright leaf carries a buttery yellow margin around grey green banding, and the plant stands about 90cm tall by 60cm wide, a vertical accent that fits where nothing else does. It stores water in those thick leaves, so weeks of neglect leave it completely unbothered.

Why you'll love it

• The variegation does the decorating. The gold margins turn a plain corner into a design choice, with more presence than plain green forms.
• Nearly impossible to kill. Watering every few weeks is enough, and the most common cause of death is kindness.
• Tolerates low light. Hallways, offices, bedrooms and bathrooms all suit it, though the gold edges colour best in bright indirect light.
• Tall and narrow. The upright habit gives height in a footprint smaller than a dinner plate, ideal for shelves and tight corners.
• Handles heat, humidity and poor soil. Outdoors in frost free climates it is equally unfussed by baking courtyards and coastal humidity.

Where it works best

Indoors. Most Laurentii live indoors and earn the spot: sculptural, striking and content with the light a few metres from a window.

Pots, balconies and courtyards. A heavy pot suits the vertical form and stops wind toppling it. In frost prone areas, pots let you shift plants under cover for winter.

Mass planting and borders. In tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens, plant 30cm apart for a solid architectural band along a path or wall.

One honest caveat: the leaves are toxic to cats and dogs if chewed, so keep it above floor level around curious pets.

Growing Laurentii Snake Plant in Australia

Position. Bright indirect light is ideal, and it accepts anything from low light to some gentle direct sun. Harsh western sun through glass can scorch the leaves.

Soil. A free draining succulent mix in a pot with a drainage hole, or sandy open ground outdoors. Rich soil is unnecessary; drainage is everything.

Water. Soak thoroughly, empty the saucer, then let the mix dry out completely: every two to four weeks in the warm months, stretching to five or six over winter. When unsure, wait another week.

Feed and climate. Half strength liquid fertiliser once or twice over summer is plenty. It is frost tender, so outdoor planting suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate zones only; everywhere else, keep it as an indoor or movable pot plant.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Laurentii from tube stock through to established 300mm pots, with the 140mm, 200mm and 250mm sizes sold as multi plant packs for mass planting. Tube stock does drift onto backorder between propagation batches. The thick leaves travel exceptionally well, so plants arrive in good order.

Give a new arrival a week somewhere bright before its first watering, and expect a quiet month before new leaves push. 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

• How to keep your indoor plants alive
• The best low light plants for the home
• Browse the full indoor plant range
• More plants for low light rooms

Common questions

How often should I water it?

Only when the mix has dried right through: every two to four weeks in warm weather, less in winter. Yellowing, mushy leaves at the base mean too much water, not too little.

Is it safe around pets?

No. The leaves contain saponins, toxic to cats and dogs if chewed, typically causing drooling, vomiting and mouth irritation. Serious cases are rare, but keep it up on furniture if your pet nibbles plants.

Will it keep its gold edges in low light?

The plant stays healthy in low light, but the contrast softens and new leaves grow slimmer. For the boldest banding, give it bright indirect light for part of the day.

Can I grow it outside?

Yes, in frost free tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens with free draining soil. One touch of frost blackens the leaves, so elsewhere keep it in a pot you can bring in.