🌿 Do Snake Plants Grow Slow?
Yes — snake plants are naturally slow growers, especially indoors. But slow doesn’t mean weak — it just means steady. Once you understand their pace, you’ll know exactly how to help them thrive. 🐢✨
Yes — snake plants are naturally slow growers, especially indoors. But slow doesn’t mean weak — it just means steady. Once you understand their pace, you’ll know exactly how to help them thrive. 🐢✨
When I first got a snake plant, I thought something was wrong.
Weeks went by… nothing.
No new leaves, no visible change.
I even wondered if it was fake.
It turns out that sansevierias just grow at their own pace, and it’s slow.
But once I stopped expecting fast progress and learned what to look for, I realized these plants are doing more behind the scenes than I thought.
They store energy, push out strong leaves, and quietly adapt to their space.
If they’re growing slowly, it doesn’t mean they’re failing — it means they’re conserving energy to thrive long-term.
This knowledge is what I wish I had had back then.
If you’re wondering why your Mother in Law Tongue Plant isn’t growing (or seems to be growing weird), let’s walk through how these plants grow, how fast they’re supposed to grow, and how to give them a gentle boost when they need it.
If you’ve been staring at your snake plant for weeks with no change — you’re not alone.
On average, snake plants grow between 2 to 4 inches per month, at most, during their active growing season (spring through early fall).
But in winter?
Growth can come to a full stop.
Indoors, where light is filtered and conditions stay steady, growth is even slower.
I’ve had some of mine put out just one new leaf the entire year — and that’s completely normal.
Here’s what affects their growth speed:
So yes, they grow slow.
But once they get into their groove, you’ll start to notice those little wins — a fresh green tip, a new pup poking up, or a sturdy leaf rising tall.
Some Sansevieria varieties grow faster than others.
Here’s how a few of the most popular types compare in terms of size and speed:
| Snake Plant Variety | Typical Height | Growth Rate (Indoors) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sansevieria trifasciata (Mother-in-Law’s Tongue) | 2–3 feet (can reach 4 ft) | New leaf every 4–6 weeks (in spring/summer) | Most common type, upright growth; pups may appear after 6–12 months |
| Sansevieria cylindrica | 2–5 feet | 1–2 leaves per season | Slow vertical growth, prefers strong light; pups appear rarely indoors |
| Sansevieria laurentii | 2–3 feet | New leaf every 3–5 weeks (with bright light) | Variegated form of trifasciata, needs more sun for consistent growth |
| Sansevieria hahnii (Bird’s Nest) | 6–12 inches | New leaves every 2–4 weeks; pups every 3–6 months | Low and wide grower, often fills the pot quickly with new offsets |
| Sansevieria masoniana (Whale Fin) | Up to 4 feet | 1 leaf every 2–3 months (if conditions are ideal) | Large, dramatic leaves; extremely slow grower even in bright light |
🌱 Fun Fact
Snake plants grow from underground rhizomes — kind of like ginger! That’s how they spread and multiply.
While snake plants won’t shoot up overnight, their growth speed really depends on how you care for them.
I’ve tested mine in everything from dim corners to sunny patios — and the difference is night and day.
Here’s how various conditions affect how fast (or slow) they grow:
| Condition | Growth Speed | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| 🌑 Low Light (indoor corner) | Very slow | 1 new leaf every few months; and pups are rare |
| ☀️ Bright Indirect Light (near window) | Moderate | 1–2 new leaves every 4–6 weeks in warm seasons |
| 🌤️ Outdoor (warm climates) | Fastest | Multiple new leaves and pups in a growing season |
| 💧 Overwatered | Stalled | Little to no growth; risk of rot and drooping |
| 🪴 Very Tight Pot, Old Soil | Slow | Stunted roots; leaves may lean or stop forming |
| 🌱 Fresh Soil, Slightly Roomy Pot | Improved | Better airflow to roots = more consistent growth |
🪴 Quick Tip
If your snake plant hasn’t grown in months, it might need more light or a bigger pot.
💡 Did You Know?
Some snake plant varieties, like Whale Fin, can go a whole year without growing a single new leaf — and still be healthy.
Snake plants are a diverse bunch.
Some varieties stay small and compact, perfect for desks and shelves — others can grow tall enough to rival your houseplants’ tallest corner.
From dwarf types like Sansevieria hahnii to dramatic giants like the Whale Fin and Black Coral, there’s a huge range.
Some grow upward with tall leaves, while others prefer to spread outward with lots of pups.
If you’re not sure what kind you have — or you’re trying to pick one — here’s a breakdown of the most common and popular snake plant types, and how tall they typically grow under indoor care:
| Snake Plant Variety | Typical Height | Growth Pattern | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sansevieria trifasciata | 2–3 feet (up to 4 ft) | Upright, tall leaves | Most common; includes many hybrids |
| Sansevieria laurentii | 2–3 feet | Upright, variegated leaves | Golden-yellow leaf edges, faster in high light |
| Sansevieria black coral | 3–4 feet | Tall and narrow | Dark leaves with silver banding; slow-growing |
| Sansevieria masoniana (Whale Fin) | Up to 4 feet | Wide, thick leaf per plant | It can take years to grow a second leaf indoors |
| Sansevieria cylindrica | Up to 5 feet | Thick, spiky vertical growth | Slow but dramatic; loves bright light |
| Sansevieria zeylanica | 1.5–2.5 feet | Arching, upright leaves | Often confused with trifasciata; grows well indoors |
| Sansevieria hahnii (Bird’s Nest) | 6–12 inches | Short, rosette shape | Great for small spaces; grows out, not up |
| Sansevieria moonshine | 1.5–2.5 feet | Upright, silver-green leaves | Stunning color; grows faster in bright, indirect light |
📌 Tip: These heights are estimates based on indoor care.
Outdoors or in greenhouses, some varieties can grow even taller.
🔁 Growth Hack
Rotate your plant every few weeks so it grows evenly on all sides (especially if it leans toward the light).
✨ Small Changes Matter
Even a small increase in light can speed up your snake plant’s growth noticeably.
Sansevieria plants grow in a pretty unique way — and understanding that pattern makes it easier to know what’s normal (and what’s not).
Instead of constantly putting out leaves, they focus their energy on building a strong root system first.
They use rhizomes, which are underground stems that slowly spread out.
From those rhizomes, they send up new vertical shoots, called pups.
Each pup becomes a new leaf cluster — and that’s how snake plants multiply over time.
Here’s what their growth typically looks like:
Roots first, then leaves. If your plant seems inactive, it might be building roots or storing water.
Pups appear at the base. They look like baby leaves poking up — and they often pop up suddenly.
New leaves grow from the center of the rosette. You’ll see them unfold slowly over a few weeks.
Growth is seasonal. In spring and summer, they grow faster. In fall and winter, they rest.
And while you might not notice daily changes, your snake plant is still growing.
You can read more about the full growth process here — including how long roots, pups, and leaves each take to develop.
That’s the beauty of snake plants: quiet on the surface, but always working behind the scenes. 💪🪴
Embrace the spirit of horticulture and spread the seeds of wisdom
One Response
I was always concerned about my snake plant’s slow growth, but it’s nice to know that it’s normal. Do you think it would grow faster in a brighter location, or does that not really matter?