This regal plant is like a kingdom. A crown of thorns. A dinosaur crest. Giant fingers. Do you follow?
How else to describe my newly acquired starfish snake plant or more properly known as a Sansevieria Cylindrica plant?
Starfish snake plants have unique fan-shaped light-green foliage with dark-green concentric circles top to bottom. The plant can also bear small flower spikes arising from the base of the spears.
Its stiff, tubular leaves emerge from the basal rosette and can grow to a maximum length of about 10 inches. Growth is near vertical without branching.
Boasting silvery green foliage, this compact, low-light and drought tolerate plant will be the center of attention at your next party.
So if your work desk needs a plant pick-me-up and you’re so over the lucky bamboo, look no further than the starfish snake plant to sizzle your space!
Here’s some fun facts and trivia you’ll want to share!
Easy tips to care for the starfish snake plant
Generally, it’s considered a houseplant. I can’t imagine taking mine outside.
But starfish snake plants can be moved outdoors during the summer months and into part-sun. They just must be transitioned to handle higher levels of light and heat first and this change must be slow and gradual.
Indoors or outside, the starfish snake plant would prefer to stay above 50 F (10 C). Protect it from cool temps and drafts.
What I appreciate most about the starfish snake plant is that it can be acclimated to deep shade or bright light. As flexible as your middle child!
And also like the middle child, thrives on neglect. Forget to water? No issue. Being root bound is no problem, either.
Overall, I find watering every other week to be sufficient. Sometimes three weeks pass before I remember to water the starfish snake plant and it’s always fine.
If you choose to fertilize, feed the starfish snake plant once every three weeks with a general all-purpose houseplant food diluted by half. Do this from April to the end of September.
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Jack’s Classic Indoor Plant food works well as a powder, a quick release fertilizer that is mixed with water to provide nutrients to a plant that has been in a container for an extended time.
Another option is Osmocote Indoor/Outdoor granular, slow release fertilizer that can be applied while potting and planting.
Starfish snake plant fast facts!
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Let there be light!
So snake plants are often the welcoming committee in a windowless office building atrium where the plant may have little or no natural light.
In fact, fluorescent light may be the only light they ever receive. Crazy that plants with this type of stamina can thrive with no natural light whatsoever!
Not that they complain getting bright, dappled light. Sheltered behind a curtain getting some dappled sunlight is ideal. And a little morning sun is never a problem. But extensive direct sunlight is bad.
Too much light, even artificial light could cause browning in your cherished plant.
Certainly, snake plants add that vertical element to any garden design we all crave, especially at the office. And the starfish snake plant relishes its role as a showstopper.
The problem is that they are very slow growing. Go too small, and you’ll never see that huge plant you’ve envisioned.
A word on watering….
The starfish snake plant collects water in its leaves. Overwatering the plant will rot it down to its roots. So starfish snake plants that are watered too often will not survive.
The starfish snake plant likes to dry out almost completely between waterings. I poke my finger in the pot. If I feel any moisture at all, I wait another week to water.
If you are unsure whether to water or not, the less risky move is to not water at all.
Snake plants can go weeks before being watered again. In the winter you’ll water less, in the summer you’ll water more.
Never allow a snake plant to stay or sit in water because that will cause root rot. Their pots must be well-drained. A saucer with no drainage holes underneath is bad.
Now for the tricky part. When you water do so thoroughly to make sure all the roots, including the sprawling ones at the bottom of the pot receive adequate water.
Frequent watering but with small amounts of water is bad. The result of these less than full waterings will be dead roots at the bottom of the pot, leaving short roots above.
Water fully, let the starfish snake plant dry out completely, then water again. Usually, this means watering every other week.
Potting advice
I also line the bottom of my pots with a coarse orchid bark to increase drainage. I mix perlite in both the succulent potting mix and the orchid bark for even better drainage.
So the bottom half of my pot is orchid bark and the top a sandy succulent combination for a 50/50 mix.
If you are using indoors pots with no drainage holes, then the orchid bark is essential so roots don’t stay wet.
To keep your starfish snake plant happy, it’s a good idea to repot annually or at least every other year in spring with fresh succulent potting mix, orchid bark and perlite.
Keep in mind, starfish snake plants don’t mind being root bound. Sansevieria grow via rhizomes, which you’ll find crowds the pot. This is totally fine!
Some growers say (I think half in jest) to repot the snake plant when the pot breaks indicating those rhizomes have run out of room. But I wouldn’t wait that long!
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Propagating the starfish snake plant
If you sit back and relax, over time, you’ll discover young “pups” or “starfish arms” will spring from the base of the mother plant and can be easily transplanted to propagate new plants.
But when I say “time” I mean it. This is a very slow-growing plant. Watching paint dry is quick in comparison. So you’ll wait a bit for pups to emerge.
I was fortunate in that the plant I acquired already had three decent sized pups ready to be divided and planted in their own containers.
Each pup had two spiky leaves already and had sent out runners underground that needed to be divided.
All I had to do was take the mother plant out of the pots and gentle untangle the roots/runners.
Most important is to ensure each pups gets a good bit of root so it’s ready to expand into the ground when transplanted.
You don’t want a top-heavy plant with little or no root system as it decreases the chances of the pup surviving.
And that’s not what you want. When your family and friends visit they are going to first ask you what this plant is and then they’ll ask for a clipping.
Trust me…it happens!
This is on my wife’s wish list! So pretty!
Now that is one plant I may be able to keep alive!
I love this plant. It would be perfect for my kitchen.
I remember long ago, my grandmother always had a Snake Plant growing somewhere!
I have this one on my list already!
I am just not good at indoor plants. I sort of throw seeds or bulbs out into some good soil outside and let them fend for themselves. It is hit or miss but I guess that is better than nothing at all. Indoor plants do not have a chance of living in my home lol
My sister has these plants.
What a beautiful plant! I’d love to grow one!
This one looks cool. I’ve had snake plants in the past but not a starfish.
Wow, these are really cool plants! I have reptiles that like to hang out in plants–I need to check if they are safe for them. I like that it likes to ‘go dry’ lol, I am good at forgetting to water!
Would like to grow one day!
That’s a neat looking plant.
I have snake plants. I have not seen these before
Interesting article
I have never been a fan of this plant. Think it’s because I over water.
I love how thick it is and it really does look like a starfish! It’s an amazing plant!
The snake plant brings back fond memories of my Grandma!
This plant is on my wishlist!
Love this plant. It’s so different!
Not had this plant. I have the “Mother-in-laws tongue plant. Looks similar.
My Mom has one of these plants and I love it.
Cool plant!
i like this plant, it’s different
I’m looking for a few new low light plants. This would certainly fit the bill. Thanks.
that is so pretty I love it
What an interesting name for a plant!
Perfect plant for my daughters new apartment.
beautiful plants
I have never seen a snake plant before – this plant is so fascinating!
I’m not a fan of this type of plant but I do like the variegated coloration of this one.
Hmmmm…. is this plant related to aloe vera plants? I have had many succulents in the past, but don’t think I’ve ever seen one of these.
I really like this plant
I need one of these for my apartment. I have North and South facing windows and have very little sunshine coming in.
The shape remind me of a plant my aunt had many years ago. It’s a really pretty plant.
Interesting plant
The combination of pleasing foliage and low light requirements would possibly allow me to enjoy a Starfish Snake Plant in a home location I’ve never tried growing plants before. And, it’s oh so cool!
Just what I need – low maintenance!
I believe I have seen this plant before, although I didn’t know what it was called. Maybe I just blocked it out because of the snake part ..
Interesting plant. It’s not for me.
I have had had these before. So easy to care for.
A perfect plant for my solarium!
Green can be beautiful
I have these in my flower garden and love them
I had a snake plant for a long time before it finally died, but I’ve never heard of the starfish snake plant. I like it.
Love those plants! So different.
The leaf color is beautiful and it sounds like a perfect indoor plant.
Healthy are the indoor plants.
Very Pretty!
Cool plant. Thanks for the break down with all the specific details, makes it easy to find what the info you need.
never seen this plant before…like to try one out..
I have not heard of this plant. Does it have ant medicinal properties?
Here’s another interesting one- perhaps will find one and give it a home.
I just love this blog!
Lovely I am going to get one,
I like the banding
Absolutely amazing
This is one plant I can grow.
This plant is at the top of my list for my next houseplant buying expedition
This is the only kind of “snake” I like!! Thanks for the post!
Such a pretty and easy to care for plant. I need one – or two
I’ve never seen this version, but love the snake plant.
This does sound like a good plant for us, as low light is an issue…
I have successfully killed all my indoor plants. I am great with outdoor plants but bring it inside an my green thumb turns brown.
I had one of these a long time ago and would love to get another one.
My mom used to grow these when I was younger, they are on my wish list for my new home.
this plant sounds like a wonderful addition to my houseplants and I love the easiness of propagating. Thanks for your wonderful blog posts!
Never grew this one.. cool
On the other non related subject those spring bulbs I’d love to win!
Thanks for the info about this Snake Plant.
I’ll have to pass on this one. It’s a beautiful plant, but it’s toxic to cats.
I’ll have to find a snake plant for my family room, as it gets little light.
I would love to add a starfish snake plant to my collection. It’s gorgeous!
Love him!
Very interesting. Thanks.
This seems like a perfect low maintenance plant for that darker corner in the family room! Thanks for the information
This plant is so pretty! It is definitely on my wish list.
What a cool looking plant!
Cool form and color on this plant!
What a unique plant and I love the starfish name. I can see why they call it that. Thank you for all the information. I think I may have to get one of these for myself. I love anything that can propogate easily & I can share with friends.
we have one
This is a pretty plant! My mom has plants in our front window, and this would make a great addition!
Love this!
We still have not moved. I am glad I did not find this plant yet because it is one I want for the sunroom. An added bonus is every single window withe the exception of the kitchen and living room have oversized window ledges!
I love snake plants. Not seen this variety
These are so cool! I’m adding this to my list.
Sadly, I had a different type snake plant, and I killed it. It was fine for years, but then there were no roots and when I tried to transplant them, they all died. I was sad, I had had them for a long time.
love the bulb giveaway!
I’d never seen a starfish snake plant before. I’ve had snake plants though. I had one that bloomed for me a few times and the flowers smelled beautiful.
I’d like to try this one, since I just threw out my 18 years old bamboo plant.
I need a new office plant. I’ll be searching for this one!
I have grown snakes in the past but not had the starfish variety! Really nice!
This sounds like the ideal houseplant for my environment. Most of the rooms in my house are devoid of natural light and it gets very dry especially in the winter. I’ll have to give this pretty plant a try.
I love how this plant looks. It’s been a while since I’ve had any snake plants. I love that it can thrive in low light environments.
Succulents are so sturdy, yet beautiful.
My grandmother always had snake plants in her house.
Sounds easy to grow.
I really need a bigger house for the plants that are taking it over in the south windows. I have never seen a starfish snake plant. He and I would get along quite well.
I am totally without any indoor plants right now. I need to get at least one and the snake plant is very pretty.
I thought this was a type of aloe at first. I would like to see if I could grow this outside, here.