If you’re searching for a unique and low-maintenance green gift, try snake plants. These beautiful plants not only add a touch of greenery to any space but also come with a range of benefits, such as air purification and easy care.
Whether your loved ones have a green thumb or struggle to keep plants alive, there’s a snake plant variety perfect for everyone.
In this article, we’ll explore the best indoor and outdoor snake plant varieties for gifting.
Best Indoor Snake Plant Varieties for Gifting
Indoor snake plants are known for their adaptability and ability to thrive in various light conditions.
They can be placed in living rooms, bedrooms, offices, or even bathrooms, making them versatile and suitable for any indoor environment.
Starfish Snake Plant
Botanical Name: Sansevieria cylindrica ‘Boncel’
Origin: Angola
Size: Up to 8 inches tall
Light: Bright indirect light to low light conditions
Water: Allow soil to dry between waterings, about two weeks apart
Toxicity: Toxic if ingested
Sansevieria starfish, also known as starfish snake plant, is a captivating variety of the Sansevieria genus with a distinct star-shaped leaf arrangement.
The long, narrow strap-like leaves of the Sansevieria starfish grow in compact clusters, resembling the arms of a starfish radiating outward with glossy green textures.
Some specimens may even exhibit white stripes that add an extra element of color and interest to the plant’s appearance.
It’s a versatile indoor plant thriving in a range of lighting conditions, from bright indirect light to lower light environments. It adapts well to different indoor settings, making it an excellent choice for various spaces in your home or office.
The Sansevieria starfish can surprise you with a cluster of small purple flowers that bloom in the center of the plant after approximately three years and can last up to six months.
Best for: Anyone seeking a unique and visually striking indoor plant. Its star-shaped foliage and easy-care nature make it a great choice for homes, offices, or even as a decorative piece on a shelf or tabletop.
Moonshine Snake Plant
Botanical Name: Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Moonshine’
Origin: Chile
Size: Up to 2 feet tall
Light: Moderate to bright indirect light
Water: Allow soil to dry between waterings
Toxicity: Toxic if ingested
Sansevieria moonshine is a unique snake plant variety that brings a touch of sophistication to any indoor space with its striking pale silvery-green leaves.
It showcases elongated, lance-shaped leaves that grow upright, reaching heights of up to 2 feet. Its distinctive coloration adds a fresh and contemporary vibe, making it a popular choice among plant enthusiasts and interior designers alike.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Sansevieria moonshine is also renowned for its air-purifying properties. It effectively filters airborne toxins, contributing to improved air quality in your home or office and creating a healthier living environment.
This snake plant variety is relatively low-maintenance and can thrive in moderate to bright indirect light. It adapts well to various lighting conditions and can even flourish in areas with limited natural sunlight.
Best for: Those who need a low-maintenance plant companion, appreciate contemporary aesthetics, and want to enhance the air quality in their space
Cylindrical Snake Plant
Botanical Name: Sansevieria cylindrica
Origin: Angola
Size: Up to 3 feet tall
Light: Bright indirect light
Water: Once every week
Toxicity: Mildly toxic if ingested
The Sansevieria cylindrica features long, cylindrical leaves that grow upright, resembling clustered spears. Its leaves have a smooth texture and can grow up to 3 feet tall, creating a dramatic and visually striking display.
Placing Sansevieria cylindrica near a window or in a well-lit area will help promote its growth and maintain its vibrant appearance.
Additionally, it’s important to allow the soil to dry between waterings to prevent overwatering, as this variety is more tolerant of drought conditions.
Aside from its unique appearance, the cylindrical snake plant offers the benefits of air purification. It helps to filter the air, improving the overall air quality in your home or office.
Best for: Individuals who appreciate modern aesthetics
Ceylon Bowstring Hemp
Botanical Name: Sansevieria zeylanica
Origin: Sri Lanka
Size: Up to 2 feet tall
Light: Moderate to bright indirect light
Water: Once to twice a week
Toxicity: Mildly toxic if ingested
The Sansevieria zeylanica, commonly known as Ceylon bowstring hemp, is a captivating snake plant variety that showcases long, sword-shaped leaves with attractive dark green coloration and light gray-green horizontal stripes.
It grows to medium size, reaching up to 2 feet in height.
This snake plant thrives in moderate to bright indirect light, making it suitable for a range of lighting conditions. It can tolerate lower light levels, but providing it with ample sunlight will promote optimal growth and maintain its vibrant colors.
Aside from its aesthetic appeal, the Ceylon bowstring hemp is also known for its air-purifying qualities. It helps to filter the air, contributing to a healthier living environment.
Best for: Anyone seeking to enhance their space with a visually appealing and air-purifying plant. Its moderate size and easy care requirements make it suitable for various lifestyles and levels of plant care experience.
Best Outdoor Snake Plant Varieties for Gifting
These snake plant varieties thrive in garden beds, patio containers, or as part of a stunning landscape.
They can withstand various weather conditions and add a touch of greenery and sophistication to any outdoor area.
Whale Fin Snake Plant
Botanical Name: Sansevieria masoniana
Origin: Africa
Size: Up to 3 feet tall
Light: Bright indirect light to partial shade
Water: Water when almost dry
Toxicity: Mildly toxic if ingested
The Sansevieria masoniana, also known as whale fin snake plant, is an impressive outdoor snake plant variety with broad, paddle-like leaves, resembling the fin of a whale.
With a mature height of up to 3 feet, the whale fin snake plant adds a bold and tropical touch to any outdoor space. Its leaves have a unique pattern and texture, making it a standout feature in garden beds, borders, or patio containers.
The Sansevieria masoniana is a hardy plant that can withstand different weather conditions, including heat and drought. This variety thrives in bright indirect light to partial shade, making it adaptable to various outdoor lighting conditions.
Its ability to tolerate neglect and still maintain its striking appearance makes it an ideal gift for those who may have limited time for plant care or live in regions with challenging climates.
Best for: Anyone looking to enhance their outdoor spaces with a unique and tropical plant. Its impressive size and distinctive foliage make it a statement piece in any garden or patio.
Bird’s Nest Snake Plant
Botanical Name: Sansevieria hahnii
Origin: West Africa
Size: Up to 6 inches tall
Light: Indirect moderate to bright sunlight
Water: Twice a week
Toxicity: Mildly toxic if ingested
The Sansevieria hahnii, commonly known as bird’s nest snake plant, gets its name from its rosette-like growth habit, resembling a bird’s nest.
It’s short and compact, reaching up to 6 inches tall. Its leaves grow in a tight rosette pattern, with dark green coloring and subtle variegation.
The Sansevieria hahnii is a low-maintenance and resilient plant that can withstand outdoor conditions with ease. Its compact size and unique growth habit make it an excellent choice for small gardens, rockeries, or patio containers.
Best for: Anyone looking to add a touch of charm to their spaces. Its compact size and easy care requirements make it suitable for outdoor garden arrangements.
Samurai Snake Plant
Botanical Name: Sansevieria ehrenbergii
Origin: East Africa
Size: Up to 3 feet tall
Light: Medium to bright light
Water: Twice a week
Toxicity: Toxic if ingested in large quantities
The Sansevieria ehrenbergii, commonly known as samurai snake plant, is a striking and architectural outdoor variety that stands out with its long, blade-like leaves.
The samurai snake plant has robust leaves that can grow up to 5 feet long stacked on each other, creating a dramatic display.
This variety thrives in medium to bright light, making it adaptable to different lighting conditions in outdoor environments. It can tolerate some direct sunlight but will benefit from protection during the intense midday sun.
It’s also important to allow the soil to dry between waterings to prevent overwatering and ensure the plant’s optimal health.
Best for: Those seeking a touch of architectural elegance and intrigue to garden beds, borders, or patio areas in their outdoor spaces
Fernwood Snake Plant
Botanical Name: Sansevieria fernwood
Origin: Africa
Size: Up to 4 feet tall
Light: Bright indirect light to partial shade
Water: Allow soil to dry between waterings
Toxicity: Mildly toxic if ingested
The Sansevieria fernwood, also known as fernwood snake plant, is a variety that has tall and slender leaves. The leaves have a dark green color and grow in a tight, upright manner, resembling the spikes of a punk hairstyle.
The Sansevieria fernwood isn’t only visually striking but also relatively low-maintenance. It can withstand neglect and adapt to different environmental conditions.
Best for: Individuals with a penchant for unique and trendy plant varieties. Its edgy and unconventional appearance adds a touch of personality and style to any outdoor space.
