Where to Put Snake Plant
The best place to put a snake plant is where it gets bright, indirect light—but it’s one of the few plants flexible enough to survive almost anywhere in your home.
The best place to put a snake plant is where it gets bright, indirect light—but it’s one of the few plants flexible enough to survive almost anywhere in your home.
I’ve tried placing sansevierias in nearly every room you can think of—living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, bathrooms, even next to entry doors. What surprised me most is how forgiving these plants are. While they do best in spots with filtered sunlight, they’re strong enough to handle everything from low-light corners to bright sun (with a little adjustment).
When I’m deciding where to place a snake plant, I look at two things: how much light the spot gets during the day, and how much airflow or temperature fluctuation it’s exposed to. For example, putting it too close to a heater vent or right behind a curtain that traps moisture can create issues over time—even if the lighting seems perfect.
One thing I’ve learned is that these plants really settle in well near windows that get morning or late afternoon light—but not full midday sun. A few feet away from a bright window, especially in rooms you use often, is usually ideal. But if you only have dim corners to work with, that’s okay too—just don’t expect fast growth. In fact, one of my snake plants sat in a windowless bathroom for over a year and still looked decent, even if it wasn’t thriving.
So yes, they’re versatile—but placement still matters if you want your snake plant to stay healthy, upright, and produce new leaves or pups.
Let’s look at what spots actually work best, and where to avoid putting them long-term.
| 📍 Location | 🌞 Light | ✅ My Take |
|---|---|---|
| Living Room (near window) | Bright, indirect | 💚 Best overall spot—consistent light & airflow |
| Bedroom (corner or shelf) | Medium to low | 😴 Great for oxygen boost at night, slow growth in low light |
| Bathroom (with small window) | Low, humid | 🚿 Works if there’s some natural light and airflow |
| Entryway or hallway | Very low | 🕯️ Decorative only—survives, but rarely grows |
| Next to heater or AC vent | Varies | ⚠️ Avoid—can dry out or stress the plant quickly |
🪴 Rotating your plant every 2–3 weeks helps even out leaf direction and sun exposure.
If you want your snake plant to actually grow—not just survive—placement matters more than people think. I’ve kept sansevierias in almost every room, and while they’re famously tolerant, I’ve definitely seen better results in specific conditions and spots.
From what I’ve experienced, the sweet spot is bright, indirect sunlight. A few feet from an east- or west-facing window is usually perfect. My plants there grow faster, stay upright, and produce new pups more often. Direct sun for too long (especially from a south-facing window) can burn the leaves, while deep shade tends to slow everything down.
If I had to rank it:
Here’s where I’ve personally had the most success placing snake plants indoors:
| 🛏️ Room | 👍 My Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Living Room | Next to a window with filtered light. Great airflow and visibility. |
| Bedroom | East-facing window shelf. Bonus: adds nighttime oxygen benefits. |
| Bathroom | As long as there’s a window. Low light + humidity = slow but steady. |
| Hallway/Entryway | Okay decoratively, but growth is very minimal in most cases. |
It depends on the direction the window faces, but generally, I place mine 2–4 feet away from a bright window. That gives it the light it needs without risking leaf burn. I once had a snake plant right against a west window and the outer leaves faded fast from direct sun exposure.
Here’s what works best for me:
As a rule, I always test a new placement for a couple of weeks and watch how the leaves respond. **If they stretch, wrinkle, or fade**, I move it slightly until it looks strong and upright again.
🚿 Snake plants in bathrooms can thrive if there’s a small window and airflow.
I didn’t think much about Feng Shui at first, but after a few people asked me where I placed my snake plant “energetically,” I did some digging. Turns out, this plant has a pretty strong reputation in Feng Shui circles. It’s seen as a protective plant that deflects negative energy, thanks to its upright, sword-like leaves.
If you’re following Feng Shui principles, here are some placement tips I found helpful and have personally tried:
The best places to put a snake plant for positive energy are in the eastern, southeastern, or southern areas of your home—especially near entrances. These areas relate to health, wealth, and reputation in the traditional Bagua map.
Placing one near the front door can act like a silent guardian, cutting through negative chi. I have one in my entryway facing out—it looks great and gives me that calm “shielded” feeling when I walk in.
Because of their strong, sharp energy, snake plants aren’t recommended in the center of your home or too close to places meant for rest, like the bedroom headboard or dining table. I once had one directly across from my bed, and I swear my sleep felt a little “tense”—coincidence or not, I moved it, and sleep improved.
If you do want one in a restful space, just place it to the side, at floor level, or in a corner rather than facing directly toward where you sit or sleep.
Snake plants are considered to bring strong, upward-moving energy. In Feng Shui terms, that’s associated with protection, growth, and boundary-setting. If you feel like a certain space in your home is “heavy,” cluttered, or energetically flat, putting a snake plant there can add structure and lift.
I use mine almost like a natural room divider or energy reset point—especially near entrances or the corners of rooms where energy feels stagnant. They’re tough, elegant, and symbolic—perfect for people who want a plant with both beauty and meaning.
🌱 Don’t place them directly on cold tiles—raise them with a stand or cork mat.
🔮 In Feng Shui, snake plants are known as “sword plants”—symbolizing protection and clarity.
Embrace the spirit of horticulture and spread the seeds of wisdom
