Are you looking to add a touch of elegance to your indoor garden? Snake plants are the perfect choice. With their sculptural-like appearance and easy maintenance, they have become a favorite among indoor gardeners. While the common varieties are widely available, there are some rare gems within the snake plant family that deserve attention. Let’s explore these unique and captivating varieties that will surely make a statement in your home.
Key Takeaways
African Spear Plant
The African Spear Plant is an extraordinary snake plant with long, tube-like leaves. These grassy green leaves feature bright green stripes of various widths, adding a touch of vibrancy to its appearance. It thrives when exposed to full direct sunlight, maintaining its vivid colors and robust growth. However, it can also adapt to shade. When it flowers, delicate white blooms emerge from the center, creating a stunning display. This plant is perfect for both indoor and outdoor spaces, and shorter versions can even serve as lovely accents on desks or windowsills.
Bantel’s Sensation Snake Plant
Bantel’s Sensation Snake Plant, also known as the White Sansevieria, is a truly unique variety. Created by a breeder named Gustav Bantel, this plant features thin, dark green leaves with striking white vertical striping. While it produces fragrant flowers in the spring, it’s important to keep it away from harsh winter sunlight. This snake plant adds a touch of elegance to any space with its distinctive foliage pattern.
Black Dragon Snake Plant
The Black Dragon Snake Plant belongs to the rare Dragon Dwarf Sansevieria species. Its deep, dark forest green foliage is captivating and non-variegated. With lance-shaped leaves, this variety thrives in specific environments with moderate humidity. It can tolerate various levels of sunlight, rewarding its owner with black-gold green leaves under direct sunlight and darker green foliage when grown in the shade. This unique plant will add a touch of mystery to your indoor garden.
Cleopatra Snake Plant
Compact and vibrant, the Cleopatra Snake Plant, also known as Sansevieria Cleopatra, boasts beautiful medium-green leaves with dark stripes in an irregular pattern. The edges feature reddish-brown and whitish bands, creating an eye-catching contrast. This variety can grow up to four feet tall and has a long lifespan with proper care. Not only is it visually stunning, but it also has medicinal uses.
Golden Bird’s Nest Snake Plant
The Golden Bird’s Nest Snake Plant, scientifically known as Sansevieria trifasciata “Golden Hahnii,” is a unique snake plant with oval-shaped leaves. Its bright and dark green rippling foliage, along with golden edges and points, make it a stunning addition to any space. This compact plant reaches a height of only six to eight inches, making it perfect for indoor environments. With its drought resistance and low maintenance, it’s an ideal choice for indoor spaces with fluorescent lighting or as a ground cover in temperate climates.
Metallic Sansevieria Silver Siam
The Metallic Sansevieria Silver Siam, also known as “Tom Grumbley,” is a perennial snake plant variety characterized by linear, pointed foliage that forms a rosette. With its leathery and stiff leaves adorned with fine greyish-green bands, this plant adds elegance to any space. As it matures, the leaves arch gracefully, giving the plant a full appearance. It thrives in sandy soil with good drainage but can also adapt to porting soil. This dracaena species is a true showstopper.
Moonshine Snake Plant
The Moonshine Snake Plant, scientifically known as Dracaena trifasciata “Moonshine,” is a truly beautiful variety. Its large silver-green foliage with sharp edges and leaf tip points creates a mesmerizing display. Dark green edges and paler green stripes add to its unique charm. Reaching up to four feet in height, this plant requires generous amounts of indirect sunlight. Like other snake plant varieties, the Moonshine is drought-tolerant, making it a low-maintenance choice for any indoor garden.
Samurai Snake Plant
As rare as they come, the Samurai Snake Plant, originally named Sansevieria ehrenbergii, grows only between four and seven inches. Its dark green foliage with pointy tips grows in alternating rows, sometimes displaying reddish edges and tips. This short snake plant, also known as the Samurai Dwarf, is attractive and resilient, thriving in bright indirect light. Ideal conditions include well-drained soil formulated for cacti and succulents, with temperatures ranging between 60°F and 70°F. The Samurai Snake Plant is an excellent choice for small spaces or as a unique addition to your collection.
Star Snake Plant
The Star Snake Plant, scientifically known as Sansevieria kirkii “Star,” truly lives up to its name. Its sword-shaped leaves create a star-like appearance, with multiple points that drape gracefully outward. The leaves feature irregularly patterned green and white stripes and patches, with undulating edges tinted a captivating copper brown. This snake plant thrives in moderate light, as excessive light can cause the edges to turn yellow. When it blooms, the scented whitish-green flowers add a touch of beauty to this already stunning plant.
Whale Fin Snake Plant
The Whale Fin Snake Plant, scientifically known as Sansevieria masoniana, is a unique variety with a single giant leaf resembling a whale fin. Its mottled leaves feature lighter green patches, creating a visually striking appearance. While it can adapt to lower lighting conditions, brighter light enhances its colors. This indoor plant adds a touch of sophistication and intrigue to any space.
In Conclusion
Rare snake plants and Sansevieria varieties come in an array of captivating forms. The ones mentioned here are just a glimpse into the remarkable world of these unique plants. Whether you’re a seasoned plant enthusiast or a beginner, these varieties are sure to make a lovely decorative statement in your home. Explore the beauty of snake plants and discover a whole new level of indoor gardening.
Welcome to the fascinating world of rare snake plant varieties! To learn more about these plants and find a wide selection, visit Ames Farm Center. Happy gardening!
