Snake Plant and ZZ for Low-Light Winter Rooms

For dim winter rooms, snake plant and ZZ plant are the two most forgiving choices. Both tolerate low light, dry indoor air, and missed waterings. The one thing that kills them in winter is too much water: let the soil dry almost completely, which usually means watering every 3 to 6 weeks from late fall to early spring.

Low light is not no light. Both survive several feet from a north window, in a hallway, or in an office with only overhead lighting, but they grow slowly there. A single grow bulb in a nearby lamp keeps them looking full.

Snake plant vs ZZ: which fits your room?

• Snake plant (sansevieria, now classified as Dracaena trifasciata) has stiff, upright, sword-shaped leaves. Its narrow footprint suits corners, spots beside a door, and floor pots. Yellow-edged Laurentii, silvery Moonshine, and compact bird's nest types fit shelves and desks.
• ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) grows arching stems of glossy, waxy leaflets. It looks fuller and bushier, which suits a side table or a low stand. The Raven type has nearly black leaves.
• Both store water in thick rhizomes under the soil, which is why they shrug off neglect and why they rot when kept wet.

Light in winter

• Best: bright, indirect light within a few feet of a window.
• Tolerated: the back of a room, a north window, or a windowless office with lights on during the day.
• Signs it is too dark: snake plant leaves flop or lean; ZZ stems stretch long and sparse. Little new growth in winter is normal, so judge by shape, not speed.
• Easy boost: a full-spectrum LED grow bulb in a desk or floor lamp, on 8 to 12 hours a day, makes a big difference.
• Avoid cold glass. Both dislike temperatures below about 50°F, so pull them back from frosty windows at night.

Watering in winter

1. Check deep. Push a finger or a moisture meter 2 inches down. Water only when the soil is dry through most of the pot.
2. Water thoroughly, let it drain completely, and never leave the pot sitting in a saucer of water.
3. Adjust for the room. A cool, dim room may go 6 weeks or more. A warm room near a heat source may need water every 3 weeks.
4. Water the soil, not the plant. Water pooling in the center of a snake plant's leaf cluster can start rot.
5. Know the rot signs: a mushy base, soft yellow leaves, or a sour smell. Unpot, cut away soft tissue, let the cuts dry for a day, and repot in dry, gritty mix.

Soil, pots, and feeding

• Use a gritty, fast-draining mix. Cactus and succulent mix works, or blend regular potting mix with about a third perlite.
• Clay pots help. Terracotta wicks extra moisture from the soil. A drainage hole is not optional.
• Snug is fine. Both like being a little root-bound. Repot in spring every 2 to 3 years, one size up.
• Skip fertilizer from late fall to late winter. Feed lightly two or three times between spring and late summer.

Dry heat and humidity

Unlike a peace lily, neither plant needs extra humidity. They handle the dry air from forced-air heat well. Just keep them out of the direct blast of a heat vent, which can scorch leaf edges, and wipe dust off leaves monthly so they can use the light they get. If you grow both humidity lovers and these two, keep these off the wet pebble trays. See peace lily care in dry indoor heat for the opposite end of the scale.

Styling a low-light room

• Floor accent: a tall snake plant in a heavy pot beside a sofa, bed, or entry door.
• Lift it up: set a ZZ on a plant stand to raise it into better light and fill an empty corner.
• Desk pair: a bird's nest snake plant and a small ZZ under a desk lamp with a grow bulb.

Pet safety

Both plants are toxic to pets. The ASPCA lists snake plant as toxic to cats and dogs because of saponins, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. ZZ plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth and can cause drooling and vomiting; its sap can also irritate skin, so wear gloves when dividing or trimming and wash your hands afterward. Keep both out of reach of curious pets and call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if one is chewed. More detail: is snake plant safe for cats and is snake plant toxic to dogs and cats. If you need a pet-friendly plant for low light, the ASPCA lists cast iron plant and parlor palm as non-toxic.

Bottom line

For dim winter rooms, choose snake plant for upright corners and ZZ for fuller tabletop greenery. Water only when the soil is dry deep down, often every 3 to 6 weeks, use gritty mix in a draining pot, add a grow bulb if the room is very dark, and keep both away from pets.

Related reading

• Humidity trays and grouping for winter houseplants
• Peace lily care in dry indoor heat
• Is snake plant safe for cats
• Plants toxic to dogs (ASPCA reference)

Ready to match plants to your location? Try the PlantWise Plant Finder →