'Twisted Sister' snake plant guide
Dracaena trifasciata 'Twisted Sister', also called Sansevieria 'Twisted Sister', twisted 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
- 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 in) tall
- Propagation
- Division or leaf cuttings
- Where to buy
- Plant shops
This page covers what makes 'Twisted Sister' snake plant different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the snake plant care guide.
What it is
‘Twisted Sister’ is a dwarf snake plant. Its short, dark green leaves have yellow edges, and they twist and ripple as they grow out from the center. Select-A-Plant lists it at 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 in) tall and notes it looks like ‘Twist’, only smaller.
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Leaves | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| ‘Twisted Sister’ | Short, twisting, yellow edges | Rippled leaves in a low rosette |
| Bird’s nest snake plant | Short, flat, banded rosette | Leaves stay flat and do not twist |
| ‘Twist’ | Taller, rippled, yellow edges | Upright and taller, 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 in) |
Care differences
Like other dwarf snake plants, water collects in the rosette. Water the soil at the edge of the pot. Let the soil dry all the way down between waterings.
Bright indirect light keeps the yellow edges bright and the twist tight. In low light, the leaves stretch and lose some of their curl.
Grow it from pups
It makes pups beside the main rosette. Cut a pup away with roots once it has a few leaves. Pups keep the twist and the yellow edges. Leaf cuttings often lose the yellow.
Buying it
‘Twisted Sister’ turns up at plant shops and some garden centers. Look for a compact rosette with clear twisting and crisp yellow edges. A loose, stretched plant has spent time in low light.