The full count of how many snake plant varieties exist sits at more than 70 species plus hundreds of cultivars. Most plant shops stock only a small slice of this huge group. The rest live in specialty nurseries and private collections.
I once toured a specialty greenhouse in Florida that had 47 distinct snake plant types on a single bench. The owner had grown some from imported seeds and traded for others from collectors in Asia and Africa. That single visit changed how I saw this plant group.
Two big terms cause some confusion when you start counting. Species are the kinds that grow in the wild on their own. Cultivars are the ones humans have bred or kept after a natural mutation. Both count as varieties when you shop.
The first Sansevieria species count was near 70 species per Britannica. Penn State Extension lists this same range in plant guides. All of these moved into the Dracaena genus in 2017. Gene studies showed they belonged there all along.
On top of those 70 wild species sit hundreds of named Dracaena cultivars. Each one has slight differences in leaf color, shape, size, or growth habit. Some come from chance mutations in nursery stock. Others come from careful breeding over many years to fix a trait.
Most home growers will only ever see 10 to 15 snake plant types in stores. These few cultivars cover the bulk of retail sales across the United States and Europe. The other 60 plus species stay rare and hard to find without joining a plant trading group.
Common Retail Cultivars
- How many: Around 10-15 cultivars make up most retail stock at big box stores and local garden centers across the country.
- Top sellers: Laurentii, Moonshine, Hahnii, Zeylanica, and Bantel's Sensation dominate shelves and account for most snake plant sales.
- Price range: Expect $10-$30 for a 6-inch potted plant since high supply keeps prices low for the most popular types.
Rare Cultivars
- How many: Roughly 50-100 rare cultivars circulate among plant collectors and specialty nurseries with limited stock.
- Examples: Whale Fin, Mason's Congo, Star Power, and Boncellensis show up in collector trades and online plant shops.
- Price range: Plan for $40-$200 per plant since slow growth and limited propagation keep supply tight year round.
Wild Species
- How many: Over 60 wild species remain rare in cultivation and mostly grow in their native African and Asian ranges.
- Examples: Sansevieria pinguicula, ehrenbergii, and stuckyi rarely show up outside botanical gardens and research facilities.
- Where to find: Botanical garden plant sales and importers are the only path to most of these obscure snake plant types.
If you want to build a collection, start with the common retail types. They cost less and teach you the basic care needs. Once you can keep five of those alive for a year, you can branch out into rarer cultivars without much risk.
The total varieties out there will keep growing as breeders release new sports and mutations. New named cultivars hit the market each year. The current count of named Dracaena cultivars sits well over 100 with more on the way from breeders in Thailand and the Netherlands.
My own collection started with three plants and grew to twelve over four years. The jump from common to rare types took some patience and a bit of luck with shipping. Most of the rare ones came from online plant sales rather than local shops.
You do not need every single variety to have a great collection at home. Pick 5-10 favorites that fit your space. This gives you plenty of variety without breaking the bank. Your shelves will also feel more curated than crammed.
I keep a short wish list of three rare cultivars to chase each year. Once I find one, I cross it off and pick a new target. This trick stopped me from buying every plant I saw online during a stressful work week.
Read the full article: 15 Best Snake Plant Varieties
