1/10

Starfish Snake Plant

5.0 out of 5 (8 experiences)

Survivor

Fast grower

About Starfish Snake Plant

Did you know the genus name Dracaena comes from the Greek for ‘female dragon’? Some plants in this genus have thick, red resin which was reminiscent of dragon blood! 🐲 Dracaenas are native to Africa, Asia, and northern Australia, and are known for being super easy to care for. Some species can go months without water, and many can grow well in low sunlight.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Dracaena angolensis 'Boncel'

Genus

Dracaena

Family

Asparagaceae

Order

Asparagales

Also known as

Spear Orchid, Skyline Spear, Sansevieria 'Boncellensis' and Sansevieria 'Dwarf Boncel'

How to care for Starfish Snake Plant

💦 Water

How often to water your Starfish Snake Plant

Starfish Snake Plant 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 Starfish Snake Plant in your home

Starfish Snake Plant 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 Starfish Snake Plant in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Starfish Snake Plant

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Starfish Snake Plant: 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 Starfish Snake Plant after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Dracaena

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Starfish Snake Plant is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

Benefits of Growing Starfish Snake Plant →

Common Starfish Snake Plant Problems →

💦 Water Needs

Starfish Snake Plant 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.

Starfish Snake Plant Water Frequency →

Starfish Snake Plant Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Starfish Snake Plant 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 🏡.

Starfish Snake Plant Light Requirements →

Starfish Snake Plant Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Starfish Snake Plant is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. Starfish Snake Plant is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

💨 Humidity

Starfish Snake Plant 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.

Starfish Snake Plant Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Starfish Snake Plant 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 Starfish Snake Plant →

When and How to Successfully Repot Starfish Snake Plant →

What Are Healthy Starfish Snake Plant Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Starfish Snake Plant 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 Starfish Snake Plant →

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Starfish Snake Plant 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

Starfish Snake Plant is native to Africa to Southern Asia and Australia.

🌸 Flowers

Yes, you may see your Starfish Snake Plant bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.

Starfish Snake Plant Flowers →

Common Starfish Snake Plant Flower Problems →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Starfish Snake Plant is a clumping plant, meaning new growth will emerge from the soil around the parent plant.

Starfish Snake Plant Lifecycle →

Starfish Snake Plant Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Starfish Snake Plant →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Starfish Snake Plant can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Starfish Snake Plant Temperature Tolerance →

Starfish Snake Plant Hardiness Zones →

🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Starfish Snake Plant can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.

How to Propagate Starfish Snake Plant →

🧐 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.

Common Bugs Affecting Starfish Snake Plant →

What Eats Starfish Snake Plant? →

😖 Common Issues

Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Starfish Snake Plant. These plants are very sensitive to wet soil so if you notice your plant becoming squishy or translucent, overwatering is the likely culprit.

Cut your plant just past where the rot ends and allow it to callus over for a few days before replanting it in fresh, dry soil. Download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!