I have reached that point in summer where I look around my house and feel like I owe several apologies to my houseplants. The heatwaves have been relentless, the air feels so dry my own thirst levels are at forever at maximum, and somehow the plants I thought I understood have decided this is the year they test my patience.
Yes, every single one of my houseplants is wilting and drooping like made – and even my beloved mold-solving ivy has betrayed me. I know, I know; I never thought I’d say that either. Ivy has always been the plant I could rely on, but lately it has been looking deeply unimpressed with the whole situation, dropping leaves, turning a les-than-fetching brown color, and generally acting as though it would like to speak to my manager.
Thankfully, though, there is one houseplant that well and truly has my corner: my snake plant is standing there looking almost offensively healthy. Quite honestly, it’s standing straighter than I am in this horribly hot weather.
All Of My Houseplants Are Dying In The Heat… Except For This One
Yes, you guessed it; my snake plants have become the smug survivors of my indoor garden (just call them the sexy cockroaches of the houseplant world). They don’t care that the temperature has climbed or if I succumb to my overheated state and forget about them for a while. And they certainly don’t need the constant attention that some of my more dramatic houseplants seem to demand in a heatwave.
Snake plants, also known as Sansevieria or Dracaena trifasciata, have earned their reputation as one of the easiest houseplants around (some even call them unkillable houseplants) for good reason. Primarily because their thick leaves store water and help them cope with dry conditions.
This means that, unlike many tropical houseplants that wilt dramatically when they miss a watering, snake plants are designed to handle periods of neglect. In fact, the biggest mistake many people make with them is being too kind.
Basically, snake plants are some of the best houseplants to tend to during a heatwave because they don’t want constant watering or soggy soil. Their roots prefer to dry out between drinks, which makes them ideal for anyone who loves plants but occasionally forgets they exist.
They also tolerate a surprisingly wide range of indoor conditions, from bright indirect light to lower-light corners where many other houseplants struggle. No wonder that, despite long being associated with offices and waiting rooms, they’ve become one of the trendiest houseplants going.
And you don’t just have to stick to the classic yellow-edged ‘Laurentii’ (even if it’s still a favorite), as there are so many more interesting options now. ‘Moonshine’ has silvery-green leaves that almost look painted; ‘Black Coral’ has deep green foliage with striking dark tones; ‘Bantel’s Sensation’ has elegant narrow leaves with creamy vertical stripes; and the dramatic Whale Fin snake plant has a single enormous paddle-shaped leaf that looks like something from a designer plant showroom.
Shop the Best Snake Plants:
Snake Plant ‘Laurentii’
The classic for a reason, with bold yellow-edged leaves that suit almost any room.
Snake Plant ‘Moonshine’
A softer, silvery variety of snake plant that feels incredibly modern.
Whale Fin Snake Plant
A statement snake plant with huge architectural leaves.
The best part about investing in a pretty new snake plant of your very own? These are exactly the kind of plants that reward you for doing less. After years of trying to keep fussier houseplants from dying in the heat (or throwing a dramatic flop over some other perceived slight), there’s something wonderfully satisfying about having a plant that simply gets on with life.
Honestly, while my ivy is currently staging a dramatic protest and several other houseplants are wilting more than I am, my snake plants remain completely unbothered. We could all learn something from them.
