Snake Plant vs. Spider Plant

The main difference between the Snake plant and the Spider plant is their leaves.

Snake Plant leaves are broad and upright, and often display variegated patterns. In contrast, Spider Plant leaves are narrow, arching, and characterized by vibrant green and white stripes.

But there are other differentiating factors as well, along with some interesting similarities between these two indoor plants. So, let's explore them in more detail in the following guide.

Jump To:

• What Is Snake Plant?
• What Is Spider Plant?
• Snake Plant vs. Spider Plant - The Similarities 
• Snake Plant vs. Spider Plant - The Differences
• FAQs

What Is Snake Plant?

The Snake plant, also known as Dracaena trifasciata, is a typical desert plant. Sometimes, it is also referred to as the mother-in-law's tongue plant due to its peculiar leaves shape.

It is typically found in West African regions and grows perennially in such tough weather conditions. It comes under the category of succulent plants that blooms once in a while. Like many desert plants, the Snake plant also grows in rosette formation. 

As per the Nasa Clean Air Study, the plant is considered one of the best air-purifying plants in the world.

What Is Spider Plant?

Spider plant, also known as Chlorophytum comosum, is a flowering plant and belongs to the perennial category of plants. It is native to the African region as well, though it is generally found in Southern Africa.

The plant has a tuberous root system, which is a typical phenomenon in plants that grow in harsh weather conditions. This type of root system allows the plant to store enough water for difficult times.

The Spider plant can also be kept indoors, though it doesn't tolerate a lot of heat and humid weather. The plant is on the list of air-purifying plants, too.

Snake Plant vs. Spider Plant - The Similarities 

	Snake Plant	Spider Plant
Type	Perennial	Perennial
Produces Pups	Yes	Yes
Grows Indoor	Yes	Yes
Flowering Plant	Yes	Yes
Leaf Variegation	Yes, in some species	Yes, in some species
Root System	Rhizomes	Rhizomes
Air Purifying Properties	Yes	Yes
Availability	Across the world	Across the world

Let's learn more about some of these similarities below.

1. They Grow Well In Indoor Conditions

The Snake plant and Spider plant can be grown indoors, as they do just fine with limited resources.

However, both of them do require a good amount of sunlight. Without sunlight, you can't expect these plants to do well at your home.

2. Both Plants Produce Pups

Yes, that's the most fun part of growing these plants at home.

When the Snake plant and Spider plant reach a certain age and turn mature, they produce new offspring as a part of their growth phase. The Snake plant produces small pups around the plant if there is enough space in the pot.

The Spider plant also produces similar pups, and it sends out aerial runners through which the new plants are born.

For both plants, you can remove their pups from the mother plant and move them to a new pot. This is also the reason why these plants are so popular among new gardeners.

You can also gift these tiny cute-looking pups to your friends, as they generally do well with a little bit of care.

3. Both Are Perennials

Yes, these are perennial plants, which means you can grow them for many seasons.

The best thing about perennials is you can even propagate them many times in their lifecycles. These plants also produce new pups if they get the right conditions. So, with these types of plants, you don't have to buy a new plant every year or so.

Just use any of the propagation techniques, and you will never have to go back to your local nursery for the same plant.

4. Both Of Them Produce Flowers

Yes, both the Snake plant and Spider plant produce flowers. These are not the typical flowering plants in your outdoor garden, but their flowers look absolutely stunning when they grow in indoor settings.

However, the flowering process depends on a lot of different factors, and environmental conditions do play a significant role in whether the plant will bloom in a particular season or not.

Note: You won't see these plants flowering when they are young. 

5. Leaf Variegation

Leaf variegation is another commonality between the Snake plant vs. Spider plant comparison.

Both these plants have different varieties of variegated plants, and these plants look quite stunning in indoor gardens.

For those who don't know, leaf variegation is something that happens naturally in plants. When the plant doesn't produce enough chlorophyll, the part of the leaf remains discolored.

It happens because of cell mutation, and it's an organic process in plants. The type of variegation, though, might depend on the genetic (inherited from earlier generations) as well as the chimeric process (random).

Snake Plant vs. Spider Plant - The Differences

	Snake Plant	Spider Plant
Origin	West Africa	South Africa
Leaf Structure	Wide	Narrow
Height	Can grow up to 2 m	Grows up to 30 cm
Aerial Pups Production	No	Yes
Easy To Care	Yes	Slightly Difficult

Now, let's have a look at some of the main differences between these two plants.

1. Snake Plant Is A Succulent 

Even though it seems like a regular plant, the Snake plant belongs to succulents. On the other hand, the Spider plant is a typical flowering plant that can be grown indoors.

2. Aerial Pups In Spider Plants

The Spider plants often produce aerial pups with the help of runners. These aerial pups grow a complete plant structure of their own, which can be used for transplant purposes.

As for the Snake plant, it doesn't produce any such aerial offspring. It generally sends out new shoots from the soil, which can also be divided and potted into a new plant container.

3. The Leaf Structure

Both these indoor plants have different leaf structures. The Snake plant leaves are quite wide as compared to the narrow leaves of the Spider plant.

The Snake plant leaves will also hold their shape for a long period. However, the Spider plant leaves tend to lean down when they grow bigger in size.

FAQs