Discover the history of Snake Plant (Sansevieria), including why the plant is sometimes called Mother-in-Law Tongue. Snake Plant has an interesting history that includes the renaming of the plant over hundreds of years.
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Today’s video is another installment of my Plant Stories series, where I dive into the history of certain houseplants. This episode focuses on the beautiful and resilient Sansevieria, also commonly known as snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue.
I also have a care video and a plant spotlight video on snake plant, which I’ll link below, along with any other videos I mention.
Let’s explore how this plant made its journey from the wild into our homes and became a popular houseplant.
Sansevieria is native to dry, rocky habitats in tropical Africa, parts of Arabia, and India. While often referred to as a succulent, Sansevieria is actually a member of the Dracaena family.
It has undergone a fascinating history of classification and naming. Believe it or not, snake plant was first grouped with aloe by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, which may be why it’s often mistaken for a succulent.
The plant received its original botanical name from Raimondo di Sangro, a little-known Prince of San Severo in the 1700s and a patron of horticulture.
In 1903, botanist David Prain classified it in the genus Sansevieria, placing Sansevieria trifasciata in his list of Bengal plants. He later became the Director of the Kew Royal Botanic Gardens in 1905.
Modern genome sequencing, including studies at the DNA bank at Kew, reclassified the plant under its correct genus, Dracaena, in 2017. So, the plant is now officially Dracaena trifasciata, although many still refer to it as Sansevieria or snake plant.
The nickname mother-in-law’s tongue comes from the oxalic crystals in the plant’s flesh, which can swell and irritate the throat if ingested, making it difficult to speak.
Here are a few fun facts:
Snake plant is considered a gourmet delicacy for elephants, who love munching on it.
Its snake-like coloration helps it camouflage in the wild, offering some protection from hungry herbivores.
In Africa, it’s used to create sustainable, biodegradable yarn, rope, and textiles, as well as bow strings.
Indigenous peoples in Malaysia have used it to treat ear infections and swelling.
Horticulturists have developed several cultivars of Dracaena trifasciata, including the well-known ‘Moonshine’ and the striking ‘Bantel’s Sensation’.
So there you go — the intricate and meandering history of a plant that began as an aloe and ended up a Dracaena!
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FAQs About Snake Plant (Sansevieria / Dracaena trifasciata)
What is the current botanical name of the snake plant?
The snake plant is now officially classified as Dracaena trifasciata, though it was previously known as Sansevieria.
Why was snake plant originally classified as a succulent?
In 1753, Carl Linnaeus grouped it with aloe, which contributed to its long-standing reputation as a succulent.
Where is the snake plant native to?
Snake plant originates from dry, rocky habitats in tropical Africa, Arabia, and India.
What is the meaning behind the nickname “mother-in-law’s tongue”?
The name comes from the presence of oxalic crystals in the plant, which can irritate the throat if ingested, making it difficult to speak.
How is the snake plant used traditionally or culturally?
Snake plant has been used for textiles, ropes, bowstrings, and even as a traditional remedy for ear infections and swelling.
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