Plants That Look Like Snake Plants

If you love the sculptural look of a snake plant but want to mix things up, you’re in luck. There are many fantastic plants that look like snake plants, offering similar bold shapes and easy-care attitudes. This guide will help you identify these stunning lookalikes and show you how to care for them. You can build a diverse collection of striking foliage without sacrificing the low-maintenance vibe you love.

Snake plants, or Sansevieria, are famous for their upright, sword-like leaves and incredible toughness. Their architectural form is what many plant lovers seek. The varieties listed here share that strong vertical presence, often with similar leaf structure or growth patterns. They are all excellent choices for adding clean lines and modern greenery to your home.

Key Characteristics of Snake Plant Lookalikes

Before we look at specific plants, let’s note the common features. These plants usually have:

Stiff, upright leaves that grow in a rosette or cluster.
Thick, succulent-like leaves that store water.
Strong, often dramatic geometric shapes.
A preference for bright, indirect light but tolerance for lower light.
Excellent drought tolerance, needing infrequent watering.

1. Dracaena ‘Janet Craig’ Compacta

This plant is often confused with a snake plant at first glance. Its leaves are dark green, glossy, and grow very straight from the soil in a dense clump. Unlike some snake plants, the leaves are uniformly green without cross-banding, giving it a solid, deep color. It’s incredibly resilient and slow-growing.

Light: Low to bright indirect light. Avoid direct sun.
Water: Water when the top inch of soil is dry. It’s sensitive to fluoride, so use filtered water if you can.
Why it’s similar: The growth habit and rigid, dark green leaves mimic a robust snake plant variety.

2. Dracaena Angolensis (Formerly Sansevieria Cylindrica)

This one is a bit of a trick, because it was a snake plant! Botanists reclassified it as a Dracaena. It’s known as the cylindrical snake plant or spear sansevieria. Its leaves are smooth, round, and spear-like, growing in a fan shape. They can be braided for a unique look.

Light: Prefers medium to bright indirect light but adapts to low light.
Water: Water thoroughly, then let the soil dry out completely. Very drought tolerant.
Why it’s similar: It’s literally a cousin, sharing the exact same care needs and structural appeal.

3. Yucca Cane Plant

Yucca brings a bold, tree-like form with a woody cane and a puff of sword-shaped leaves on top. While larger, the individual leaves are very reminiscent of a snake plant’s—stiff, pointed, and strappy. It makes a dramatic floor plant that’s hard to kill.

Light: Loves bright, direct light. It will survive in lower light but may become leggy.
Water: Allow the soil to dry deeply between waterings. Overwatering is the main threat.
Why it’s similar: The leaf shape and texture are nearly identical; it’s like a tree-form snake plant.

4. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia)

The ZZ Plant is a champion of low light and neglect. Its glossy, oval leaflets grow on upright, arching stems. While the leaf shape is different, the overall effect of a tough, vertical plant with waxy foliage gives a similar modern feel. New growth often has a lime green color that darkens over time.

Light: Thrives in low light but grows faster in bright, indirect light.
Water: Water only when the soil is completely dry. It stores water in its potato-like rhizomes.
Why it’s similar: Its indestructible nature and sleek, upright growth pattern make it a spiritual sibling.

5. Spider Plant ‘Variegated Reverse’

This might seem like a surprise, but certain spider plant cultivars, especially the non-trailing types, have thick, upright leaves. The ‘Variegated Reverse’ has green edges with a white center, and the leaves stand quite straight before arching, resembling a softer, variegated snake plant.

Light: Bright, indirect light for best color. Tolerates medium light.
Water: Keep soil lightly moist in spring/summer, drier in winter. Less drought-tolerant than snake plants.
Why it’s similar: The upright, strappy leaf form and striking variegation can create a comparable visual impact.

6. Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea Recurvata)

With its thick, bulbous trunk and long, curly leaves that erupt from the top, the Ponytail Palm is uniquely charming. The leaves are slender and leathery, cascading like a fountain. While the form is different, the tough, dry-loving nature and the linear leaves connect it to the snake plant family.

Light: Prefers very bright light, even direct sun.
Water: Water deeply, then let the soil dry out completely. The caudex (base) stores water.
Why it’s similar: It shares the same drought-tolerant, sculptural quality and has long, narrow leaves.

7. Haworthia Species (Like Haworthiopsis Attenuata)

Many Haworthias are small, rosette-forming succulents with pointed, striped leaves. Haworthiopsis attenuata, often called the “Zebra Plant,” has raised white bumps on its leaves, similar to some snake plant patterns. They stay small, perfect for desks or shelves.

Light: Bright, indirect light. Some morning sun is okay.
Water: Use the “soak and dry” method. Water only when soil is fully dry.
Why it’s similar: The stiff, patterned leaves and rosette shape are like a miniature, ground-hugging snake plant.

8. Red Yucca (Hesperaloe Parviflora)

Not a true yucca, this plant forms a clump of slender, arching leaves that are remarkably like a fine-textured snake plant. It’s known for its tall flower spikes with coral-red flowers. The foliage color can have a blue-green or grey-green tone, adding cool color.

Light: Needs full sun to bloom but grows foliage in bright indoor light.
Water: Very drought tolerant. Water infrequently indoors.
Why it’s similar: The leaf structure is almost identical to a snake plant, just more fibrous and finer.

How to Care for Your Snake Plant Lookalikes

Most of these plants thrive on a bit of benign neglect. The golden rule is always: when in doubt, don’t water. Here’s a simple care framework.

Light Requirements Simplified

These plants generally fall into two light categories:

Bright Light Lovers: Yucca, Ponytail Palm, Red Yucca, Dracaena Angolensis. Place them near a south or west-facing window.
Adaptable to Lower Light: ZZ Plant, Dracaena ‘Janet Craig’, Snake Plant itself, Haworthia. They’ll do fine further from a window in north or east-facing rooms.

The Right Way to Water

Overwatering is the number one cause of problems. Follow these steps:

Check the soil moisture. Stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil.
If it feels completely dry, it’s time to water.
Water slowly and evenly at the soil line until water runs out the drainage hole.
Empty the saucer under the pot after 15 minutes. Never let the plant sit in water.
Wait until the soil is dry again before even thinking about more water.

Soil and Potting Needs

Fast-draining soil is non-negotiable. A standard cactus or succulent mix is perfect. You can make your own by mixing:

2 parts regular potting soil
1 part perlite or pumice
1 part coarse sand

Always use a pot with a drainage hole. Terracotta pots are great because they wick away extra moisture from the soil.

Fertilizing for Growth

These are not heavy feeders. Fertilize sparingly during the active growing season (spring and summer).

Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (like a 10-10-10) diluted to half strength.
Apply it once a month at most.
Do not fertilize in fall and winter when the plants are resting.

Common Problems and Easy Solutions

Even tough plants can have issues. Here’s how to spot and fix them.

Yellowing Leaves

This is almost always a sign of too much water. Check your watering schedule and make sure the pot drains well. If the base of the stem is mushy, you may need to take cuttings to propagate a new plant.

Brown, Crispy Leaf Tips

This can be caused by low humidity, fluoride in tap water, or under-watering. Try using filtered or distilled water for a while. You can also trim the brown tips off with clean scissors, following the natural leaf shape.

Leaves Becoming Floppy or Leggy

The plant is not getting enough light. It’s stretching to find a light source. Move it to a brighter location gradually to avoid sunburn. The new growth should come in more compact.

Pests to Watch For

These plants are pest-resistant but not immune. Check occasionally for:

Spider Mites: Look for fine webbing and stippling on leaves. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth or use insecticidal soap.
Mealybugs: Look for small, white, cottony masses. Dab them with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.

Design Ideas for Using These Plants

Their architectural shapes make them perfect for modern interiors. Here are some ways to style them.

Create a Grouping: Cluster a snake plant, a Yucca, and a ZZ plant together in different heights for a textured, vertical display.
Use as a Statement Piece: A large Ponytail Palm or Yucca in a simple, neutral pot can anchor a room corner.
Line a Shelf: Smaller Haworthias or a Dracaena ‘Janet Craig’ Compacta look great lined up on a long shelf.
Pair with Contrasting Shapes: Place a spiky Yucca next to a plant with round leaves, like a Pilea, for visual interest.

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

What is the most common plant mistaken for a snake plant?
The Dracaena ‘Janet Craig’ Compacta is very commonly mistaken for a snake plant due to its growth habit. Dracaena Angolensis is also frequently confused because it was once classified as a Sansevieria.

Are these lookalike plants as easy to care for as snake plants?
Yes, almost all of them share the same easy-care, drought-tolerant nature. The ZZ Plant and Ponytail Palm are particularly known for being nearly indestructible, just like snake plants.

Which plant that resembles a snake plant is best for very dark rooms?
The ZZ Plant is the champion of extremely low-light conditions. The Dracaena ‘Janet Craig’ also tolerates lower light very well, though it’s growth will be slower.

Do any of these similar plants have air-purifying qualities?
Yes, many do. Snake plants, ZZ plants, Dracaenas, and Spider Plants are all noted in NASA’s Clean Air Study for removing certain household toxins from the air.

Can I propagate these lookalikes like I propagate snake plants?
Most can be propagated easily, but methods vary. ZZ Plants are propagated from leaf cuttings or division. Yucca and Ponytail Palm are typically propagated from offsets or pups. Dracaenas can be propagated from stem cuttings.

Adding variety to your plant collection doesn’t mean giving up the sleek style you love. By choosing these plants that look like snake plants, you get the same architectural beauty with slighty different textures, forms, and colors. Each one brings its own unique character while fitting seamlessly into a low-maintenance routine. With the care tips outlined here, you can keep them all thriving for years to come, creating a lush, modern indoor jungle that’s surprisingly easy to manage. Remember, the key is bright light (for most), sparse watering, and well-draining soil. Your home will look fantastic with these striking plants.