The African Flag Plant, Dracaena trifasciata, is a resilient houseplant originating in the tropical regions of West Africa. Formerly classified as Sansevieria, it is commonly known as the Snake Plant or Mother-in-Law’s Tongue. Renowned for its stiff, sword-like, mottled leaves, its exceptional hardiness and tolerance for neglect make it a favorite low-maintenance indoor ornamental.
Essential Care Requirements
Focus care on preventing excess moisture, as overwatering is the most common cause of decline. Its succulent nature means the soil must be allowed to completely dry out between waterings. Successful cultivation requires a highly porous, fast-draining soil, typically a commercial cactus or succulent mix, to prevent saturated conditions.
The plant prefers warm temperatures, ideally between 70°F and 90°F. Avoid exposure to temperatures below 50°F, which can cause cold damage.
While the plant tolerates low light, it thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. In low light, growth slows and leaf patterns may fade. Direct, intense sun can scorch the foliage; filtered light is recommended in south-facing windows.
Propagation and Maintenance
Division and leaf cuttings are the two primary methods for generating new African Flag Plants.
Division
Division is the fastest and most reliable method, preserving variegation. This involves removing the plant from its pot and using a sharp tool to separate the plantlets, or pups, which grow from the rhizomes.
Leaf Cuttings
Leaf cuttings efficiently multiply the plant, but variegation is lost, resulting in solid green new growth. To take a cutting, excise a healthy leaf and allow it to sit for a few days until a dry callus forms over the cut end. The callused segment is then placed into well-draining soil or water until roots and shoots develop.
Maintenance
The African Flag Plant is a slow grower and prefers to be slightly root-bound, so repotting is necessary only every two to five years. Repot when the plant becomes dense enough to risk cracking its container or when roots emerge from drainage holes. Though generally pest-resistant, it can be targeted by mealybugs and spider mites. Treat these pests by wiping them off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or by applying horticultural oil, such as neem oil, to all leaf surfaces.
Safety and Air Quality Claims
The African Flag Plant is mildly toxic if ingested, which is relevant for homes with pets and small children. It contains saponins, which cause gastrointestinal distress in animals, resulting in symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
The plant also contains needle-shaped crystals of calcium oxalate, which cause immediate, temporary irritation in the mouth and throat upon chewing. The ASPCA lists the plant as toxic to cats and dogs, advising placement out of reach.
The plant gained its reputation as an air purifier after the 1989 NASA Clean Air Study. This study demonstrated its ability to absorb specific Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde and benzene. However, these results were obtained in a controlled, sealed chamber, and the air-filtering effect in a typical household environment is significantly less pronounced.