Sansevieria hahnii, the dwarf snake plant (also called the bird's nest snake plant or dwarf Mother-in-law's Tongue), is a compact, rosette-forming snake plant that grows to around 30 cm tall. Care is simple: bright, indirect light, a free-draining mix, and water only when the soil has dried out, roughly every 3 to 4 weeks in warm months and much less in winter. Botanically it is Sansevieria trifasciata 'Hahnii' (now Dracaena trifasciata 'Hahnii'), a cultivar of the common snake plant rather than a separate species.
It is increasingly popular because it is compact, has attractive foliage and is very easy to look after indoors. If you are new to snake plants, our snake plant care guide covers the basics that apply to every type.
Dwarf snake plant at a glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Sansevieria trifasciata 'Hahnii' (Dracaena trifasciata 'Hahnii') |
| Common names | Dwarf snake plant, bird's nest snake plant, dwarf Mother-in-law's Tongue |
| Height and spread | Around 30 cm tall, around 20 cm wide, spreading as offsets form |
| Growth habit | Rosette-forming, clump-forming over time |
| Foliage | Green with banding, with yellow or silver variegation on some varieties |
| Flowers | Inconspicuous |
| Drought tolerant | Yes |
| Frost tolerant | No |
What makes the dwarf snake plant different?
Most snake plants grow tall, sword-like leaves. Hahnii instead forms a low, tidy rosette of short, wide leaves, a bit like a bird's nest. It suits desks, shelves, bedside tables and small pots where a tall snake plant would be too much. As it matures it sends out offsets (pups) from the base, so one plant slowly becomes a clump.
Hahnii varieties
- Hahnii: the classic green, banded rosette.
- Golden Hahnii: silvery-green leaves with golden-yellow variegation.
- Silver Hahnii: a paler, silvery form.
- Jade Hahnii (Black Dragon): a deeper green rosette.
- Cleopatra: a compact rosette of stiff, grey-green leaves.
See our guide to types of snake plants to compare these with the taller varieties.
Light
Dwarf snake plants grow best in bright, filtered light indoors. They tolerate lower light, but the actual height will depend on how much light the plant receives. In very low light it tends to stretch and grow taller, and very low light can also lessen the impact of the variegation. Keep it out of hot direct sun, which can scorch the leaves.
Watering
Water only when the soil has dried out. Most growers find watering roughly once a month is adequate, a little more often in summer and less often in winter. Water the soil, not the plant, and keep water out of the centre of the rosette, where it can pool and cause the crown to rot.
Do not mist spray. Misting increases humidity, which can cause fungal problems, and water on the foliage can also mark the leaves. For a full seasonal guide, see how often should you water a snake plant?
Soil and pots
Use a free-draining cactus and succulent mix in a pot with drainage holes. Hahnii spreads sideways by rhizomes, so a shallow, wide pot suits it better than a deep, narrow one. When repotting, do not increase the pot size too much, as this plant grows best with a constricted root run.
Offsets, repotting and fertilising
Hahnii will usually send out offsets over time, so expect to repot about every two years, or sooner if the pot is crowded. Use fresh potting mix each time. These are not hungry plants, so the nutrients in the potting mix are generally adequate. If you want to feed, a light application of slow-release fertiliser in spring is plenty. Remove old, dead foliage as it appears.
Propagating Hahnii
The easiest method is to divide offsets:
- Tip the plant out of its pot in spring or early summer.
- Find an offset with its own roots and cut or tease it away from the main plant.
- Pot it into a small pot of free-draining mix.
- Wait a few days before the first light watering.
Hahnii can also be grown from leaf cuttings taken in spring. Plain green and silver forms generally come true, but golden-variegated forms tend to revert to plain Hahnii. Our propagation guide explains why.
Temperature, indoors and outdoors
Normal room temperatures are fine indoors. Keep the plant away from cold draughts, and protect it from frost, because Hahnii is not frost tolerant. In frost-free climates it can be grown outdoors in shade or part shade, but we recommend pots. The common snake plant, Sansevieria trifasciata, and its cultivars are regarded as environmental weeds in parts of Australia, so never dump offsets or leaves in bushland. See can you grow snake plants outdoors in Perth? for more.
Is the dwarf snake plant safe for pets?
No. Like other snake plants, Hahnii is considered toxic to cats and dogs, so place it out of reach. Our guide to snake plants and pets explains the symptoms and what to do.
Troubleshooting a dwarf snake plant
- Rosette opening up or leaves stretching: too little light. Move it somewhere brighter.
- Soft or mushy centre or leaves: overwatering, or water pooling in the crown. Check the roots, and see why is my snake plant dying?
- Fading variegation: too little light.
- Brown tips: over-fertilising or irregular watering.
Dwarf snake plant FAQs
How big does a dwarf snake plant get?
Generally around 30 cm tall and around 20 cm wide, spreading over time as it produces offsets.
How often should I repot a Hahnii?
About every two years, or when offsets crowd the pot. It prefers a snug pot, so only go up one size at most.
Is Hahnii the same as a normal snake plant?
It is a cultivar of Sansevieria trifasciata, so the care is the same, but it grows as a compact rosette rather than tall upright leaves.
Can a dwarf snake plant live in low light?
It will survive, but it grows slowly, stretches and loses some of its variegation. Bright, indirect light gives the best result.
Shop dwarf snake plants
Le Botanist offers one of Australia's largest ranges of snake plants (Sansevieria), with 16+ varieties, including several compact Hahnii-type plants. Browse our snake plants. We ship Australia-wide and offer Perth pickup.
