Yes, they are the same plant. "Snake plant" and "Mother-in-law's Tongue" are two common names for Sansevieria trifasciata, the upright, sword-leaved houseplant. Botanists have since moved Sansevieria into the genus Dracaena, so the accepted scientific name is now Dracaena trifasciata, but you will still see Sansevieria on most plant tags and shop listings, including ours. This guide explains what each name means, where the change came from and what it means for you as a plant owner.
The names at a glance
| Type of name | Name |
|---|---|
| Common names | Snake plant, Mother-in-law's Tongue, Good Luck Plant |
| Long-used scientific name | Sansevieria trifasciata |
| Current accepted scientific name | Dracaena trifasciata |
Why is it called a snake plant, or Mother-in-law's Tongue?
Both names come from the leaves. "Snake plant" refers to the banded, snakeskin-like pattern and the upright, slithering shape of many varieties. "Mother-in-law's Tongue" is a joke about the long, sharply pointed leaves and sharp tongues, and it is the traditional name in Australia.
You may also come across "Good Luck Plant", which the ASPCA uses in its plant database, and the older name "bowstring hemp", which refers to the strong fibres in the leaves.
Is every snake plant the same species?
No. When people say "Mother-in-law's Tongue" in Australia, they usually mean Sansevieria trifasciata, especially the tall, yellow-edged Laurentii. "Snake plant" is used more broadly and covers other species too, such as the round-leaved Cylindrica, the paddle-leaved Whale Fin and the Kenya Hyacinth.
Within Sansevieria trifasciata itself there are dozens of cultivars, such as Laurentii, Hahnii, Moonshine and Black Gold. The cultivar name is what really tells plants apart, so it is worth looking for. Our guide to snake plant types shows how the varieties compare.
How to read a plant tag
A full plant name has up to three parts. In Dracaena trifasciata 'Laurentii', Dracaena is the genus, trifasciata is the species, and 'Laurentii' in single quotes is the cultivar, a named variety selected for a particular look. For snake plants, the species name tells you the general shape, but the cultivar tells you what you are actually getting: yellow margins, a compact rosette or silvery leaves. If a tag only says "Mother-in-law's Tongue", look for the cultivar name or a description.
The name change: from Sansevieria to Dracaena
Here is how the reclassification unfolded:
- 2017: botanist David Mabberley proposed placing Sansevieria in the genus Dracaena, based on DNA evidence. This appears in the 2017 edition of Mabberley's Plant-Book.
- 2018: a paper in the journal Phytotaxa by Takawira-Nyenya and colleagues found that Sansevieria forms a group nested within Dracaena, using DNA sequence data.
- 2021: a follow-up paper in Phytotaxa by Takawira-Nyenya, Thiede and Mucina formally merged Sansevieria into Dracaena and published the new names for the species affected.
The result is that the plant we know as Sansevieria trifasciata is now Dracaena trifasciata (Prain) Mabb. in current botanical references.
Why did botanists merge the two genera?
Modern plant classification aims for genera that are natural groups, meaning every member descends from the same common ancestor. DNA analysis showed that the sword-leaved snake plants sit inside the Dracaena family tree, alongside plants such as the corn plant (Dracaena fragrans), the Madagascar dragon tree (Dracaena marginata) and the dragon tree (Dracaena draco). Keeping Sansevieria separate would have left Dracaena as an unnatural group, so the two were combined.
It may feel odd, because a snake plant looks nothing like a corn plant. In classification, ancestry matters more than appearance.
What the change means for you
- Your plant's care does not change. It is the same plant it was yesterday. Do not assume the care for other Dracaena species applies, though. Snake plants store water like succulents and want much drier conditions than leafy dracaenas. See our snake plant care guide.
- Tags and listings vary. You may see Sansevieria, Dracaena or both. Many retailers and growers, including us, still use Sansevieria because that is what most people search for.
- Cultivar names carry over. Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii' is now Dracaena trifasciata 'Laurentii'.
- Search under both names when you are researching, for example when checking whether a plant is toxic to cats and dogs or how to grow it outdoors in Perth. References do not always use the new name yet.
Old name, new name: some examples
| Name on many tags | Current botanical name |
|---|---|
| Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii' | Dracaena trifasciata 'Laurentii' |
| Sansevieria trifasciata 'Hahnii' | Dracaena trifasciata 'Hahnii' |
| Sansevieria cylindrica | Dracaena angolensis |
| Sansevieria masoniana (Whale Fin) | Dracaena masoniana |
Plant databases do not all agree yet, which is another reason you will keep seeing both names for a while.
Which name should you use?
Any of them. In conversation, "snake plant" and "Mother-in-law's Tongue" are perfectly clear. When buying, the cultivar name matters most. When researching care, pests or pet safety, search under both Sansevieria and Dracaena so you do not miss older or newer sources. If you label your own plants, Sansevieria trifasciata is easier for friends and shop searches, while Dracaena trifasciata matches current botanical references.
Snake plant name FAQs
Is a snake plant a Dracaena?
Botanically, yes. Current references classify the common snake plant as Dracaena trifasciata, following DNA studies that placed Sansevieria inside the genus Dracaena.
Is Mother-in-law's Tongue the same as a snake plant?
Yes. Both common names usually describe Sansevieria trifasciata. "Snake plant" is also used more widely for related species, such as Cylindrica and Whale Fin.
Is Sansevieria still the right name to use?
It is still widely used by plant growers, retailers and gardeners, and it is the name most plant tags carry. Botanical references now prefer Dracaena. Using both is the safest approach.
Why do some shops list both Sansevieria and Dracaena?
Because the change is relatively recent and not every reference has adopted it. Listing both helps customers find the plant whichever name they search for.
Will my snake plant's care change because of the new name?
No. The plant has not changed, only its classification. Bright, indirect light, a free-draining mix and watering only once the soil has dried out all still apply.
Can I propagate it the same way?
Yes. Division and leaf cuttings work as before, although variegated cultivars usually revert to plain green from leaf cuttings. Our propagation guide explains which varieties come true.
Shop snake plants by their old or new name
As Perth's snake plant specialists, Le Botanist offers one of Australia's largest ranges of snake plants (Sansevieria), with 16+ varieties. Browse our snake plants (Mother-in-law's Tongue). We ship Australia-wide and offer Perth pickup.
