If you think you know snake plants, think again. Beyond the common varieties, there exists a world of rare snake plants – hard-to-find exotic varieties that will truly surprise you. These unique specimens offer stunning shapes, colors, and patterns that can make any plant collection stand out.
Finding them can be a fun challenge. Caring for them is often just as easy as their common cousins. Let’s look at some of the most sought-after types and how you can add them to your home.
Rare Snake Plants – Hard-to-Find Exotic Varieties
This list highlights some of the most exceptional and difficult-to-acquire snake plant types. Their rarity often comes from slow growth, specific propagation needs, or simply being new to the horticulture scene.
Sansevieria ‘Bantel’s Sensation’
This is a true standout with its vertical white stripes. The leaves are tall and slender, featuring deep green and bright white variegation. It grows in a tight, upright clump.
- Key Feature: Distinct, almost painted-looking white vertical lines.
- Care Tip: Needs bright, indirect light to maintain its strong variegation. Too little light and the white may fade.
- Why It’s Rare: It’s a slower grower than most, and the variegation is unstable, sometimes reverting to plain green.
Sansevieria masoniana ‘Whale Fin’
This plant makes a dramatic statement with just a single, massive leaf. The leaf is wide, paddle-shaped, and has a beautiful mottled pattern. It can grow enormous over time.
- Key Feature: One or two huge, whale fin-shaped leaves per growth.
- Care Tip: Use a well-draining, chunky soil mix. Be patient; it grows slowly but steadily.
- Why It’s Rare: Propagation is typically by leaf cuttings or division, which is slow. Each new leaf takes considerable time to develop.
Sansevieria ‘Cylindrica’ (Starfish Sansevieria)
This variety looks nothing like a typical snake plant. Its leaves are smooth, cylindrical, and radiate out from a central point, resembling a starfish or a burst.
- Key Feature: Round, spear-like leaves that fan out in a circle.
- Care Tip: It prefers bright light and infrequent watering. The cylindrical leaves store lots of water.
- Why It’s Rare: While becoming more available, the unique form and slower growth rate keep it in higher demand.
Sansevieria ‘Golden Hahnii’
A dwarf, bird’s nest type with stunning yellow borders. The leaves form a low, rosette shape. The bright golden edges contrast sharply with the green center.
- Key Feature: Compact size with vivid yellow leaf margins.
- Care Tip: Great for small spaces. Provide moderate light to keep the yellow coloring bright.
- Why It’s Rare: The specific, stable variegation is not as common in cultivation as the all-green Hahnii.
Sansevieria ‘Moonshine’
Known for its wide, silvery-green leaves. The color is a soft, muted sage that almost seems to glow. It has a very modern and elegant appearance.
- Key Feature: Broad, silvery- gray-green foliage with subtle dark green margins.
- Care Tip: Can tolerate lower light but its silvery sheen is best in bright, indirect light. Avoid overwatering.
- Why It’s Rare: Its unique coloration and popularity make it sell out quickly at specialty nurseries.
How to Find and Acquire These Plants
You won’t likely find these at your local garden center. You need to know where to look. Persistence is key, as stock can be limited.
- Specialist Online Nurseries: Search for shops that focus on rare succulents and aroids. Read reviews carefully.
- Plant Auctions & Swaps: Websites like Etsy and dedicated plant auction sites often have rare listings. Local plant swap groups can be goldmines too.
- Social Media Plant Groups: Facebook and Instagram communities are where collectors connect. You can often buy cuttings or small plants from other enthusiasts.
- Botanical Garden Sales: Some botanical gardens sell rare plants during their annual or seasonal sales events.
What to Expect When Buying Online
Ordering rare plants online comes with considerations. Always check the seller’s reputation and policies.
- Size: You may recieve a small starter plant or a cutting, not a large specimen. This is normal for rare varieties.
- Shipping Stress: The plant may look tired after shipping. Give it time to acclimate to your home before worrying.
- Cost: Be prepared for higher prices. Rare plants command more due to their scarcity and propagation time.
Caring for Your Rare Snake Plants
The good news is their care is very similar to common snake plants. They are tough and forgiving. The main differences often involve light needs for variegation.
Light Requirements
Most rare varieties with color or unique shapes need brighter indirect light. This helps them maintain their distinctive features.
- Variegated types (like ‘Bantel’s Sensation’) need good light to keep their patterns strong.
- Silver types (like ‘Moonshine’) can lose their glow in low light.
- Avoid harsh, direct afternoon sun which can scorch leaves, especially on lighter-colored plants.
Watering and Soil
The golden rule is always “when in doubt, wait it out.” Overwatering is the main cause of problems.
- Use a cactus/succulent mix or make your own with potting soil, perlite, and coarse sand.
- Ensure the pot has a drainage hole. This is non-negotiable.
- Water deeply only when the soil is completely dry all the way to the bottom of the pot. In winter, this could be once a month or less.
Propagation Tips for Rare Varieties
Propagating can help you grow your collection or share with friends. But note: some variegated types will revert to plain green if propagated from leaf cuttings.
- Division: The best method for stable variegation. Separate a pup with roots from the main plant during repotting.
- Leaf Cuttings: Works for many solid-color types. Cut a healthy leaf, let it callous for a few days, then place it in soil. This method for variegated types often results in all-green pups.
- Patience is essential. Rare snake plants often propagate slower than common ones.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Even experinced gardeners face issues. Here’s how to handle common problems with rare varieties.
Dealing with Pests
Check your plants regularly, especially under the leaves. Early detection is easiest.
- Mealybugs: Look for white, cottony masses. Dab with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
- Spider Mites: Fine webbing and stippling on leaves. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth and increase humidity slightly.
- Isolate any new plant for a few weeks to ensure it’s pest-free before placing it near others.
Addressing Leaf Issues
Yellowing or soft leaves usually mean too much water. Let the soil dry out completely and check for root rot.
Brown, crispy tips often indicate low humidity or fluoride in tap water. Try using filtered or distilled water for watering.
If a variegated plant sends up a plain green shoot, you can remove it to direct the plant’s energy to the variegated growth.
Building a Collection
Starting a collection of rare snake plants is a rewarding hobby. Focus on quality over quantity, and learn the specific needs of each type.
Keep a simple log. Note where you got each plant, when you water, and any changes you observe. This helps you understand what works best in your home environment.
Don’t be afraid to ask for advice. The plant community is generally very welcoming and happy to share knowledge about these special plants.
FAQ
Are rare snake plants harder to care for than regular ones?
Not usually. They have the same basic needs: well-draining soil, infrequent watering, and appropriate light. Some need brighter light to keep their colors.
Where can I buy rare snake plant varieties?
Look online at specialty nurseries, Etsy, eBay, and in plant enthusiast groups on social media. Local plant swaps are also excellent sources.
Why is my rare variegated snake plant turning green?
It’s likely not getting enough light. Move it to a brighter location with indirect light. Also, propagation from a leaf cutting can sometimes cause reversion.
How often should I repot a rare snake plant?
Only every 2-3 years, or when you see roots growing out of the drainage hole. They actually prefer to be slightly root-bound and too much space can lead to soil staying wet too long.
What’s the most expensive rare snake plant?
Prices fluctuate, but varieties like ‘Bantel’s Sensation’, a large ‘Whale Fin’, or newly hybridized types can be among the most costly for a single plant.
Adding these rare snake plants – hard-to-find exotic varieties to your space brings unique texture and interest. With a little effort to find them and the same simple care you’d give any snake plant, you can enjoy these extraordinary specimens for years to come. Remember, the hunt for the next unique plant is all part of the fun.