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Viper's Bowstring Hemp

About Viper's Bowstring Hemp

Records of Dracaena fossils have been found in Europe and North Africa, near the site of the Tethys Ocean, which existed 252 to 66 million years ago. More recently, snake plant leaves and stems have been used to treat fever, pain, bleeding, and inflammation throughout many cultures in Africa and India. 🤒

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Dracaena trifasciata 'Black Gold Superba'

Genus

Dracaena

Family

Asparagaceae

Order

Asparagales

Also known as

Black Gold Snake Plant, Black Gold Snake Plant, Sansevieria Black Gold, Saint George's sword, mother-in-law's tongue, viper's bowstring hemp, Golden Birds Nest and Good Luck Plant

How to care for Viper's Bowstring Hemp

💦 Water

How often to water your Viper's Bowstring Hemp

Viper's Bowstring Hemp needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Black Gold Snake Plant in your home

Viper's Bowstring Hemp can tolerate being far from a window and light source.

Place it less than 6 feet from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Viper's Bowstring Hemp in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Viper's Bowstring Hemp

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Viper's Bowstring Hemp: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Viper's Bowstring Hemp after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Dracaena

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Viper's Bowstring Hemp thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Black Gold Snake Plant Water Frequency →

Black Gold Snake Plant Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Viper's Bowstring Hemp can tolerate being far from a window and light source. Place it less than 6 feet from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Black Gold Snake Plant Light Requirements →

Black Gold Snake Plant Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.

If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.

Black Gold Snake Plant Toxicity to Cats →

Black Gold Snake Plant Toxicity to Dogs →

Black Gold Snake Plant Toxicity to Humans →

💨 Humidity

Viper's Bowstring Hemp enjoys lots of humidity. Provide humidity for your plant by watering regularly and thoroughly, since plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves. They may also benefit from being placed next to a humidifier.

Black Gold Snake Plant Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Viper's Bowstring Hemp is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Black Gold Snake Plant →

When and How to Successfully Repot Black Gold Snake Plant →

What Are Healthy Black Gold Snake Plant Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Viper's Bowstring Hemp grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Black Gold Snake Plant →

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Viper's Bowstring Hemp to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.

🌎 Native Region

Viper's Bowstring Hemp is native to Africa to Southern Asia and Australia.

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.