Plant · GBIF taxon 11041822
Dracaena trifasciata
Dracaena trifasciataAlso known as Mother-in-Law's Tongue, Saint George's Sword, Viper's Bowstring Hemp, Magic Sword
Snake plants thrive in dry tropical understories where their thick, succulent leaves store water through prolonged dry seasons. Leaves rise directly from subterranean rhizomes in dense erect rosettes, displaying distinctive grey-green cross-banding that breaks up their silhouette in dappled shade. At night, these plants open their stomata to fix carbon dioxide via Crassulacean acid metabolism, conserving vital moisture in arid environments.
SucculentEvergreenArid-Adapted
Licensed referenceMokkie / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
- Mealybugs
- Scale insects
- Vine weevils
ThreatsRoot rot from overwatering, habitat conversion in native range
HabitatsDry tropical forests, arid rocky slopes, coastal thickets
Life span20–50 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderAsparagales
- FamilyAsparagaceae
- GenusDracaena
- SpeciesDracaena trifasciata
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Contains saponins that are toxic to dogs and cats if ingested; keep plants out of reach of pets.
- Why it is dangerous
- Contains saponins that cause gastrointestinal distress, excessive drooling, and vomiting in cats and dogs.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognizable by its stiff, erect, sword-like leaves patterned with dark green wavy cross-bands.
- What to do
- Position potted specimens on elevated shelves away from pets and wash hands after pruning cut leaves.
Responsible observation
- Light Needs: Tolerates low light conditions but grows best in bright, indirect sunlight.
- Watering Protocol: Allow the soil to dry completely between waterings to prevent root rot.
- Pet Safety: Position pots on elevated stands to keep foliage away from inquisitive cats and dogs.
Ecological Competitor 
Close Relative Mokkie / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Genus Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by Ina Siebert · cc0
Genus Relative No machine-readable author provided. B.navez assumed (based on copyright claims). / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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