Bird’s Nest Snake Plant Care – How to Grow a Sansevieria Hahnii

The Bird’s nest Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata hahnii) is a compact and distinctive cultivar of the snake plant family. The leaves are deep green and marked with light, horizontal variegation. They grow in a tight rosette, resembling a little bird’s nest.

The bird’s nest plant tolerates low light, and infrequent watering, making it a great choice if you want an easy-care plant that

Bird’s Nest Snake Plants

The Bird’s nest snake plant is native to West Africa where it can be found in regions such as Nigeria, the Congo, and Cameroon.

Note that the genus Sansevieria has recently been reclassified to the genus Dracaena. So officially the Sansevieria Bird’s nest plant is now a Dracaena trifasciata ‘Hahnii’, but many plant enthusiasts and nurseries still use the traditional name.

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Need a succulent plant care refresher? Check out the Beginners Guide to Succulent Care.

Light Requirements

In its natural habitat, it grows under the shade of larger plants and trees, which is why it can tolerate growing in low light. However, it’s important to note that while the birds nest can survive in low light, it may not thrive or grow as quickly as it would in brighter conditions.

For optimal growth, provide your snake plant with bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, while too little light can lead to slower growth and less vibrant foliage.

Read more: Do succulents need sun?   

Watering

The Bird’s nest Snake plant is very drought-resistant. Like most succulents, it stores water in its leaves.

Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. When you do water, be generous. This is called the soak-and-dry method. Saturate the soil, then let it dry out before watering again.

Slow down watering in fall and water very sparingly in winter. Overwatering is the most common problem with these plants and can lead to root rot. Overwatered leaves are soft and mushy, turning yellow before going brown or black.

If in doubt, don’t water yet. Underwatering is easier to fix than overwatering. If you are uncertain, you can use a moisture meter to help you with when to water. And read up on How often to water succulents for all the basic watering instructions. 

Related reading: Fascinating Facts about Snake Plants.

Fertilizing

Sansevieria plants are not very needy when it comes to fertilizer. You can fertilize your bird’s nest snake plant to supplement poor soil or to give it a boost during the growing season.

Fertilize once a month in spring and summer with a diluted liquid succulent fertilizer. You can also treat your plant to a specially formulated fertilizer for snake plants. 

Avoid fertilizing in the winter when the plant’s growth naturally slows down.

It’s always better to under-fertilize than to over-fertilize, as excessive nutrients can harm the plant. If you notice any signs of fertilizer burn, such as brown or crispy leaf tips, reduce the frequency or strength of the fertilizer.

Humidity

The Sansevieria Bird’s nest plant likes warm temperatures and is not very needy regarding humidity. They prefer medium to high humidity levels but can grow in lower household humidity conditions. No real need for misting or using a humidifier to raise the humidity.

Soil and Repotting

Repot in spring in a pot one size up when roots have filled the pot, or when you see roots growing from the bottom of the pot. 

Another sign to repot your plant is when it literally bursts its way out of the pot. Snake plants grow rhizomes underneath the soil. These grow horizontally first before going up to the surface where they grow new leaves.

The rhizomes may push against the inside of the pot. If your plant is in a plastic pot, you will see or feel bumps on the side. Rhizomes growing tight in a clay pot might actually crack it.

Even if your plant still has room to grow, repot every two to three years. The soil will have lost its nutrients and will need to be replaced with fresh well-draining succulent soil.

Make sure the new pot has drainage holes on the bottom. Without those, excess water has no way to get out and will drown the roots.

Read more: How to repot your houseplants. 

Bird’s Nest Snake Plant Propagation

Propagating bird’s nest snake plants can be done through leaf cuttings or division by removing offsets.

The offsets, also known as pups, grow from underground rhizomes around the base of the mature parent plant. The baby pups can be removed with roots already attached, ready to be potted, and grown into full new plants.

Propagating leaf cuttings is another easy method to propagate the birds nest. Gently remove a healthy leaf from the plant, allow it to callus for a day or two, and then place it in a well-draining soil mix. Keep the soil lightly moist until new roots and growth appear.

Patience is key in propagating snake plant cuttings. Snake plants can take weeks or months to grow roots and new leaves.

Read more: How to propagate your snake plants

Are Bird’s Nest Snake Plants Toxic to Cats?

The bird’s nest Sansevieria Hahnii, like the other Sansevieria Snake plants, is considered mildly toxic to cats. It can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea when ingested.

Although it is uncommon for pets to get seriously hurt from eating plants, keep this one out of reach of children and pets. 

For more information read my post about Sansevieria Snake Plants Toxicity and more about Toxic Plants in Your Home.