'Moonshine' snake plant guide
Dracaena trifasciata 'Moonshine', also called Sansevieria 'Moonshine', silver snake plant, 'Moonlight' snake plant
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
- 45 to 75 cm (18 to 30 in) tall
- Propagation
- Division or leaf cuttings
- Where to buy
- Common
This page covers what makes 'Moonshine' snake plant different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the snake plant care guide.
What it is
‘Moonshine’ is a snake plant with broad, pale silver-green leaves. The leaves are wider and shorter than most snake plants. Select-A-Plant lists it at 45 to 75 cm (18 to 30 in) tall. Young leaves look almost white-silver. Faint darker green edges and bands show on some leaves.
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Leaves | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| ‘Moonshine’ | Broad, pale silver-green | Solid silver wash, wide leaves |
| ‘Laurentii’ snake plant | Banded green, yellow edges | Bold yellow edges |
| Whale fin snake plant | One huge, flat, dark leaf | Much wider and darker |
Care differences
The silver color needs light. In low light, new leaves turn a darker green and the silver fades. Give it bright indirect light to keep it pale. Hot direct sun can scorch the pale leaves.
Water care is the same as any snake plant. Let the soil dry all the way down.
Why it turns darker
‘Moonshine’ darkens with age and with low light. Older leaves often look greener than new ones. That is normal. If every new leaf comes in dark green, move it to a brighter spot.
Grow it by division
Divide the rhizome in spring so each piece has leaves and roots. Leaf cuttings work too, and ‘Moonshine’ pups keep their silver color better than ‘Laurentii’ pups keep their yellow.
Buying it
‘Moonshine’ is common at garden centers and big box stores. Look for pale, broad leaves with no brown spots. A plant that looks dark green all over may have sat in low light for a long time.