'Laurentii' snake plant guide
Dracaena trifasciata 'Laurentii', also called Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii', variegated snake plant, mother-in-law's tongue
Published 2026-11-08
Quick care
- Light
- Low
- Water
- When the soil is dry all the way down
- Humidity
- Dry room air is fine
- Temperature
- 15 to 29°C (60 to 85°F). Keep above 10°C (50°F).
- Soil
- Cactus and succulent mix
- Feeding
- Half-strength fertilizer two or three times in spring and summer
- Pets
- Mildly toxic to cats and dogs if chewed
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Mature size
- Leaves 60 to 120 cm (2 to 4 ft) tall
- Propagation
- Division or leaf cuttings
- Where to buy
- Common
This page covers what makes 'Laurentii' snake plant different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the snake plant care guide.
What it is
‘Laurentii’ is the classic snake plant. It has tall, sword-shaped leaves banded in dark and light green, with bright yellow edges. Select-A-Plant lists it as the most popular snake plant and the easiest to find. It grows 60 cm to 1.2 m (2 to 4 ft) tall.
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Leaves | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| ‘Laurentii’ | Banded green, wide yellow edges | Wide, bright yellow edges and gray-green bands |
| ‘Black Gold’ snake plant | Dark green, narrow gold edges | Darker leaves and thinner edges |
| ‘Twisted Sister’ snake plant | Short rosette, yellow edges, twisting | Short and twisted, not tall and straight |
Care differences
Care is the same as for any snake plant. The yellow edges stay bright in bright indirect light. In a dark corner the plant still grows, but slower.
Why pups lose the yellow
Leaf cuttings of ‘Laurentii’ grow pups with plain green leaves and no yellow edges. That happens because the yellow sits in a separate layer of the leaf, and a leaf cutting does not pass it on. To keep the yellow edges, divide the plant instead. Each divided piece keeps its pattern.
Grow it by division
Slide the plant out of its pot. Pull or cut the rhizome apart so each piece has leaves and roots. Pot each piece on its own and wait a week before you water.
Buying it
‘Laurentii’ is sold everywhere, from grocery stores to garden centers. Look for firm, upright leaves with crisp yellow edges. Skip plants with soft, wrinkled, or mushy leaves at the base. That points to root rot.