Moonshine Snake Plants – Care Tips for Beginners

Discover how to keep your Moonshine Snake Plant happy and healthy with this simple guide. Learn all the tricks and tips on light, soil, water, and more to ensure you provide the best Moonshine Snake Plants Care.

Botanical Name: Dracaena trifasciata ‘moonshine’

Common Names: Snake Plant Moonshine, Mother-in-Law’s Tongue Moonshine, Moonlight snake plant

Moonshine Snake Plant is a new addition to the snake plant family that is also resilient, like the common snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata). The broad and upright foliage features beautiful silver-green hues making it stand apart from other snake plant varieties. It’s a hardy plant and can survive neglect, but it’ll grow lush and healthy with proper care. Here is all you need to know about Moonshine snake plants care!

You might also be interested to know about Snake Plant Care Indoors!

How to Grow Moonshine Snake Plants

The moonshine snake plant is an easy-to-grow, low-maintenance plant. It can be grown in bright light or darker areas, but it will retain the trademark silver-green coloration in bright indirect sunlight. The moonlight snake plant does not need much water and can survive in small amounts for long periods without any problem.

Propagate Moonshine Sansevieria

Moonshine Snake plants can be easily propagated by dividing the offsets that form at the base of the plant. Remove the offsets, allow them to callus over for a day or two, and then pot them in well-draining soil. Another easy way to propagate it is via leaf cutting, which roots in soil and water.

Here is the detailed post on Snake Plant Propagation!

Choosing the Container

It’s a slow-grower that likes to remain a bit pot-bound, so frequent repotting isn’t required. Initially, go for a medium-sized pot (10-14 in), preferably terracotta, as it will soak up the extra moisture, preventing root rot. Make sure that pot has drainage holes at the bottom!

Location

The plant prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate low-light conditions. Place the moonlight snake plant at the center of a well-lit room or near a south-facing window for optimum growth. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight, as this can cause the leaves to turn yellow and the plant to dry out.

NOTE: Prolonged exposure to low lighting will make leaves take on darker green tones.

Soil

A well-draining cactus or succulent potting mix is best for Snake plants. For homemade potting mix, remember to add perlite to improve drainage. Preferably go for coco-coir-based potting mixes instead of peat moss, as peat moss gets compact with time.

Watering

Moonlight Snake plants are drought-tolerant and can go long periods without water. When you do water, thoroughly soak the soil and allow a couple of inches of soil to dry out before watering again. Ensure not over-water, as this can lead to root rot.

Temperature and Humidity

Temperatures between 60-90°F (16-32°C) are suitable for snake plants, including Moonlight. Avoid exposure to temperatures below 50°F (10°C) as it won’t survive long. Also, ensure to keep snake plants away from cold wind drafts in winter. Snake plants tolerate a wide range of humidity levels but prefer moderate to low humidity.

Moonshine Snake Plant Care

Fertilizer

Moonlight Snake plants do not need frequent fertilization! Feed your plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted half to its strength in the growing season, spring and summer. Fertilizing twice a month will suffice, so do not overfertilize.

Pests and Diseases

Pests usually tend to steer clear of snake plants, including moonshine sansevieria. Even if some common pests such as aphids, mites, and mealybugs find their way to foliage, get rid of them by wiping the foliage or spraying neem oil solution. Apart from root rot caused due to overwatering, nothing bothers the moonshine snake plant.

Moonshine Snake Plant

Like other snake plant cultivars, the moonshine snake plant is also toxic to cats and dogs. As per ASPCA, ingesting snake plants can cause Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. So, keeping snake plants away from pets and children is advisable.