Snake Plant Varieties

A comparison of the most popular Snake Plant varieties — learn which one is right for your space and skill level.

Variety Key Feature Care Difficulty Price Range
Dracaena trifasciata Laurentii Distinctive bright yellow margins on every leaf edge Easy Varies
Dracaena trifasciata Zeylanica Pure dark green with lighter mottled banding, no yellow edges Easy Varies
Dracaena trifasciata Moonshine Silvery pale green leaves that appear to glow Easy Varies

Variety Details

Snake Plant Dracaena trifasciata Laurentii variety — Distinctive bright yellow margins on every leaf edge

Dracaena trifasciata Laurentii

The most popular snake plant variety with striking yellow-edged leaves and dark green horizontal banding. Grows 2–4 feet tall and makes a bold architectural statement in any room.

Distinguishing feature: Distinctive bright yellow margins on every leaf edge

Care notes: Variegation may revert to solid green if propagated by leaf cutting — use division to preserve the yellow edges

Snake Plant Dracaena trifasciata Zeylanica variety — Pure dark green with lighter mottled banding, no yellow edges

Dracaena trifasciata Zeylanica

A robust variety with dark green leaves marked by lighter green horizontal bands. More subtle than Laurentii but equally tough and tolerant of neglect.

Distinguishing feature: Pure dark green with lighter mottled banding, no yellow edges

Care notes: Slightly more drought-tolerant than Laurentii; excellent for low-light office environments

Snake Plant Dracaena trifasciata Moonshine variety — Silvery pale green leaves that appear to glow

Dracaena trifasciata Moonshine

A stunning variety with broad silvery-light green leaves that almost glow in low light. The leaves are wider and shorter than most snake plants, giving it a compact, sculptural look.

Distinguishing feature: Silvery pale green leaves that appear to glow

Care notes: Color is best in brighter light — too little light and the leaves darken to standard green; avoid direct sun which scorches the pale leaves