How Big Can a Snake Plant Get
Depending on the variety and conditions, a snake plant can grow anywhere from a compact 6 inches to over 5 feet tall indoors—and yes, they can surprise you.
Depending on the variety and conditions, a snake plant can grow anywhere from a compact 6 inches to over 5 feet tall indoors—and yes, they can surprise you.
I used to think snake plants were just small, stiff, desktop plants—until I saw my ‘Laurentii’ stretch to nearly chest height one summer. Turns out, how big a snake plant gets depends heavily on the variety, the size of the pot, light exposure, and how root-bound it is. Some types stay tidy and short, while others will keep climbing taller if you give them the space and the right care.
What I’ve learned from growing different types over the years is this: taller varieties thrive in deep, narrow pots and do especially well with consistent light and a light-touch watering routine. Meanwhile, compact snake plants (like ‘Hahnii‘) naturally stay under a foot tall no matter what you do. That’s why it’s so important to know which type you have—and what’s realistic to expect from it.
Let’s take a look at how tall different snake plant types can grow so you know what to expect—and whether that towering plant you saw online is even the same kind you have at home.
🌱 Snake plants grow from the base up, not from the leaf tips—tall leaves don’t grow taller, new ones replace them.
Technically, yes—but only certain types of snake plants have the genetics to grow really tall. Most of the time, when someone says their snake plant is “getting too big,” they either mean it’s outgrowing its pot, getting top-heavy, or crowding their space. I’ve had to rehome one of mine because it hit 5 feet and started leaning from the weight of its leaves.
So before assuming yours will turn into a monster, here’s a quick look at some common varieties and how big they typically grow indoors:
| 🌿 Snake Plant Variety | 📏 Typical Height (Indoors) | 📌 Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Laurentii | 2–4 ft | Classic tall type, bold leaf margins |
| Black Coral | 2–3.5 ft | Dark foliage, grows tall in strong light |
| Moonshine | 1.5–2.5 ft | Silvery leaves, moderately tall |
| Hahnii (Bird’s Nest) | 6–10 inches | Compact and bowl-shaped, won’t grow tall |
| Banana or Mason’s Congo | 3–5 ft | Very broad leaves, slow-growing but massive |
| Zeylanica | 2–3 ft | Similar to Laurentii but without gold edges |
If your plant is getting too tall for your shelf or leaning heavily, it might be time to repot it into a deeper, more stable pot—or simply trim a few outer leaves to lighten the load.
🪴 Taller plants need heavier pots—use terra cotta or add stones to prevent tipping.
Getting your snake plant to reach its full height isn’t really about forcing it—it’s about creating the right conditions and letting it do its thing. I’ve had some grow slowly for years and then shoot up by a foot in one season, just because I tweaked the light and pot size.
Here’s what’s worked best for me:
If you’re doing all this and still not seeing growth, don’t panic—some varieties (like ‘Banana’) are just naturally slow, while others take time to “wake up” from repotting or changes in environment.
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When it comes to pot size, bigger is not always better. I’ve found the best results when I only size up about 1–2 inches wider than the current pot. That way, the roots don’t drown in excess soil and the plant still feels supported as it grows taller.
If the pot is too big, the soil stays wet longer than the roots can handle—especially with tall snake plants that already hold a lot of moisture in their leaves. That’s when you start seeing drooping, mushy leaves, or stalled growth.
For tall varieties (3+ feet), I use deep, heavy-bottomed pots to prevent tipping. Terra cotta works well because it helps dry the soil faster and keeps the plant upright.
And always—always—make sure there’s a drainage hole.
🌤️ Growth spurts happen in spring and summer—don’t expect much during winter.
🌿 Some varieties max out naturally—‘Hahnii’ won’t grow over a foot, no matter what you do.
Embrace the spirit of horticulture and spread the seeds of wisdom
