The real charm of the Snake Plant—also famously known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue—lies in those striking, architectural leaves that shoot straight up toward the ceiling. However, things can get a little tricky when those leaves start getting *too* tall for your space. That’s why it’s a great idea to check out the expected size of your plant before you bring it home from the nursery.
Snake Plants (Sansevieria)
Snake plants belong to the genus *Sansevieria*, which is actually part of the asparagus family (*Asparagaceae*). There are about 70 different species in the genus, and many of those have several unique cultivars or varieties to choose from.
Size and Growth Habits
When we talk about the size of a *Sansevieria*, we’re really talking about the height of its leaves. Depending on the species, these can range anywhere from a tiny 8 inches to a towering 5 feet tall! While the width of these houseplants is usually limited by the size of the pot they’re in, tall varieties can become quite top-heavy as they age since their height often far exceeds the diameter of the base.
Size Guide for Popular Sansevieria Species
- Sansevieria bacularis: up to 67 inches
- Sansevieria burmanica: 18 to 67 inches
- Sansevieria concinna: 6 to 10 inches
- Sansevieria cylindrica: up to 40 inches
- Sansevieria francisii: up to about 12 inches
- Sansevieria hyacinthoides: up to 47 inches
- Sansevieria liberia: 18 to 43 inches
- Sansevieria longiflora: up to 60 inches
- Sansevieria parva: 8 to 18 inches
- Sansevieria raffillii: up to 60 inches
- Sansevieria senegambica: 16 to 67 inches
- Sansevieria subspicata: 8 to 24 inches
- Sansevieria zeylanica: 24 to 28 inches
Size Guide for Sansevieria trifasciata
*Sansevieria trifasciata* ‘Laurentii’ is probably the most iconic Snake Plant out there. You’ll recognize it instantly by its:
- Marbled light and dark green centers
- Bright golden-yellow edges
But ‘Laurentii’ isn’t the only kid on the block. There are several other varieties of *trifasciata* that reach very different heights:
- Craigii: up to about 32 inches
- Golden Flame: up to 40 inches
- Hahnii (Bird’s Nest): up to about 10 inches
- Laurentii: up to 40 inches
- Moonshine: up to about 40 inches
- Robusta: up to 60 inches
Pruning and Maintenance
With most houseplants, if they get too big, you just grab your shears and give them a haircut. With Snake Plants, it’s a bit different. While you *technically* can trim the leaves if they’re taking over your living room, they will lose their natural, tapered shape. Once you cut the tip off a leaf, it won’t grow back with that signature point, and the plant’s aesthetic value is pretty much gone for good. That’s why I always recommend planning ahead—think about how much vertical space you have for growth and pick a dwarf variety if you’re working with a small shelf!
