Chinese Money Plant
Pilea peperomioides
Pet-safe
Snake Plant Cylindrica
Dracaena angolensis · Asparagaceae
Easy
Toxic to pets
Low-light tolerant
Dracaena angolensis, formerly classified as Sansevieria cylindrica, is a succulent perennial native to the dry, rocky regions of Angola. It is distinguished by its smooth, cylindrical, upright leaves that taper to a sharp point and can reach 1 to 2 metres in height under good conditions. The plant is widely grown as a low-maintenance houseplant and is valued for its architectural, sculptural appearance.
☀ Light
Bright indirect light; tolerates low light
💧 Water
Allow soil to dry fully between waterings
🌡 Temp
15 to 35 degrees C
💦 Humidity
Low to moderate; tolerates dry air
🌿 Soil
Free-draining, sandy or gritty mix
🍽 Feeding
Monthly in growing season, not in winter
Photo: Mokkie / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
How to care for Snake Plant Cylindrica
Light
Dracaena angolensis thrives in bright, indirect light and will produce the most vigorous, upright growth near a window that receives several hours of filtered sun each day. It tolerates low light conditions reasonably well, making it suitable for offices or rooms with small windows, though growth will slow considerably and leaves may lose some of their firm, upright stance over time. Direct midday sun through glass can scorch the leaf tips, so some shading during the hottest part of summer days is advisable.
Watering
This species is highly drought tolerant and should be watered sparingly. Allow the compost to dry out completely between waterings, typically watering every two to four weeks in the growing season and reducing to once a month or less in winter. Overwatering is the most common cause of failure; the cylindrical leaves store water and the roots are highly susceptible to rot if left in wet compost for extended periods. Always empty saucers after watering to prevent the base of the pot from sitting in water.
Soil and potting
A free-draining, low-nutrient compost is essential. A proprietary cactus and succulent compost is suitable, or standard multipurpose compost blended with at least 30 to 50 percent horticultural grit or perlite. Good drainage prevents the root rot that can occur when moisture is retained around the roots for too long. Terracotta pots are preferable to plastic as they allow excess moisture to escape through the sides.
Feeding
Feed monthly during spring and summer with a balanced, diluted liquid fertiliser at half the recommended strength, or use a specialist cactus fertiliser. Do not feed during autumn and winter when the plant is not actively growing, as excess nutrients in cold, damp conditions can contribute to root problems. Overfeeding is rarely beneficial and can cause weak, floppy growth.
Humidity and temperature
Dracaena angolensis is adapted to arid conditions and copes well in the dry air typical of centrally heated homes. It does not require misting or humidity trays. It prefers temperatures between 15 and 35 degrees C and should not be exposed to frost or prolonged temperatures below 10 degrees C, which can cause tissue damage. Keep plants away from cold draughts, particularly in winter, and avoid placing them near radiators or heating vents that produce very intense, dry heat.
Repotting
Repot every two to three years, or when roots are clearly circling the base of the pot or emerging from the drainage holes. Choose a new pot only one size larger than the current one, as this species is tolerant of and even performs well when slightly root-bound. Spring is the ideal time to repot. When handling the plant, take care as the pointed leaf tips are genuinely sharp and can cause injury.
Pruning
Little pruning is required or desirable. Damaged or dried leaf tips can be trimmed back with clean, sharp scissors, cutting at a slight angle to mimic the natural form of the leaf. Note that once cut, the tip will not regrow and the cut end will remain blunt. If a whole leaf yellows and dies back to the base, it can be removed cleanly at soil level. Do not cut healthy green leaves, as this serves no horticultural purpose and permanently alters the plant's appearance.
Is Snake Plant Cylindrica toxic?
Pets: Toxic. According to the ASPCA, Dracaena species are toxic to both dogs and cats. Ingestion can cause symptoms including vomiting (sometimes with blood), excessive salivation, loss of appetite, depression and, in cats, dilated pupils. The toxic principles are saponins.
People: Generally considered mildly toxic to humans if ingested. Sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Keep out of reach of young children. Wash hands after handling.
People: Generally considered mildly toxic to humans if ingested. Sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Keep out of reach of young children. Wash hands after handling.
Common problems
Soft, mushy base to the leaves or stem
Likely cause: Root rot caused by overwatering or poorly draining compost Fix: Remove the plant from its pot, cut away all rotten roots and soft tissue with sterilised tools, allow the cut surfaces to dry for a day or two, then repot in fresh, gritty compost. Withhold water for at least two weeks. If the rot has reached the entire base, the plant may be unrecoverable, though healthy offsets can be salvaged.
Yellow leaves
Likely cause: Overwatering, waterlogged soil or, less commonly, natural senescence of older outer leaves Fix: Check the soil moisture and drainage. If overwatering is the cause, allow the compost to dry out fully and reduce watering frequency. If only the oldest outer leaves are yellowing one at a time and the rest of the plant looks healthy, this is normal and those leaves can simply be removed.
Brown, dry leaf tips
Likely cause: Low humidity, underwatering, fluoride or salt build-up from tap water or fertiliser, or physical damage Fix: Trim the brown tips neatly. Use rainwater or filtered water if tap water is heavily chlorinated or fluoridated. Flush the compost through with water occasionally to remove salt build-up. Ensure the plant is not positioned directly next to a heat source.
Leaves leaning outward or losing upright form
Likely cause: Insufficient light, overwatering causing weak tissue, or pot being too large Fix: Move the plant to a brighter location. Check watering practices and reduce if necessary. If the pot is very large, consider repotting into a smaller, better-fitting container. Leaves cannot be straightened once they have bent.
White cottony clusters or sticky residue on leaves
Likely cause: Mealybug infestation Fix: Remove visible bugs manually with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Treat the whole plant with an insecticidal soap or neem oil solution, repeating every seven to ten days for several weeks. Isolate the plant from others while treating.
Fine webbing between leaves or at soil level; leaves looking dull
Likely cause: Spider mite infestation, more likely in dry, warm conditions Fix: Increase ambient humidity temporarily, wipe down leaves with a damp cloth, and treat with an insecticidal soap or a specialist miticide. Repeat applications are usually needed. Ensure good air circulation around the plant.
How to propagate
Division of offsets
Dracaena angolensis produces basal offsets (pups) that emerge from the rhizome at soil level. When a pup is at least a few centimetres tall and has its own roots, it can be separated from the parent plant with a clean, sharp knife and potted individually into well-draining compost. This is the most reliable propagation method as it produces an immediately established plant.
Leaf section cuttings
Cylindrical leaves can be cut into sections of approximately 5 to 8 centimetres in length, ensuring the cut orientation is noted so the section is planted the correct way up. Allow the cut ends to callous for 24 to 48 hours before inserting them into barely moist, gritty compost. Rooting is slow and can take several months; keep in a warm spot and water very sparingly.
Rhizome division
When repotting a mature plant, the rhizome can be divided into sections each bearing at least one growing point. Allow cut surfaces to dry before planting in fresh compost. This method works well and produces plants more quickly than leaf cuttings, though care must be taken not to damage the roots unnecessarily.
Where Snake Plant Cylindrica comes from
Native to Angola, southern tropical Africa.
Story and origins
The genus name Dracaena comes from the Greek word 'drakaina', meaning a female dragon, a reference to the blood-red resin produced by some species in the genus, most famously the Canary Island dragon tree (Dracaena draco). The species epithet angolensis means 'of Angola', reflecting the plant's native range in that country. The former genus name Sansevieria honoured Raimondo di Sangro, Prince of Sansevero (1710 to 1771), an Italian nobleman and inventor who was a patron of the sciences.
Dracaena angolensis is native to Angola in southern Africa, where it grows in dry, rocky scrubland. It was formally described and introduced to Western botany in the nineteenth century during a period of intensive botanical collection across sub-Saharan Africa. It gained popularity as a houseplant throughout the twentieth century, prized for its tolerance of neglect and its bold, geometric form, which suited the aesthetic preferences of modernist interior design. In some African traditions, plants in this genus are grown near homes and believed to offer protection, and they are sometimes used in local craft production for their strong leaf fibres.
Varieties to know
Dracaena angolensis 'Boncel'
A compact cultivar producing shorter, stubbier, fan-shaped clusters of cylindrical leaves. It grows more slowly than the straight species and is well suited to smaller spaces.
Dracaena angolensis 'Skyline'
A selection noted for producing particularly straight, uniform, upright leaves with a very tidy, symmetrical habit.
Dracaena angolensis 'Patula'
A cultivar with leaves that arch outward in a pronounced fan or spray shape rather than growing strictly upright.
Fun facts
- Dracaena angolensis was reclassified from Sansevieria cylindrica to its current name following a 2017 molecular phylogenetic study that merged the genus Sansevieria into Dracaena.
- The cylindrical leaves of this species are not round in cross-section by accident; the reduced surface area and thick cuticle are adaptations that minimise water loss in its native semi-arid habitat.
- In parts of Angola and other African countries, the long fibres extracted from the leaves of related Dracaena species have traditionally been used to make rope and bowstrings.
- The plant can survive for several weeks without any water when dormant, making it one of the most forgiving houseplants for irregular watering routines.
- Braiding the young, flexible shoots of multiple plants together while they are still small is a popular decorative practice, creating a woven, sculptural appearance as they grow upward and harden.
Snake Plant Cylindrica FAQ
How often should I water my cylindrical snake plant?
During spring and summer, watering every two to four weeks is usually sufficient, allowing the compost to dry out completely between waterings. In autumn and winter, reduce this to once a month or even less. Always check that the soil is fully dry before watering again, rather than following a rigid schedule.
Why are the tips of my plant's leaves going brown?
Brown leaf tips are most commonly caused by inconsistent watering, low humidity, fluoride or salt accumulation from tap water, or physical damage. Try using rainwater or filtered water, reduce fertiliser applications, and ensure the plant is not positioned immediately next to a radiator. The brown portion can be trimmed off neatly, though it will not regrow.
Can I grow Dracaena angolensis in a bathroom with low light?
It will survive in lower light conditions, including a bathroom, as long as temperatures remain above 15 degrees C and the soil is not kept too moist in the reduced-light environment. However, it will grow much more slowly and may become slightly less rigid than specimens in brighter light.
Is it safe to keep this plant around my cat or dog?
No, the ASPCA classifies Dracaena species as toxic to both cats and dogs. Ingestion can cause vomiting, excessive salivation, lethargy and, in cats particularly, dilated pupils. It is best kept well out of reach of pets, or replaced with a non-toxic alternative if your animals tend to chew houseplants.
My plant has small plants growing at the base. What should I do with them?
Those are offsets, or pups, and they are the easiest way to propagate the plant. You can leave them in place to create a fuller, clumped appearance, or once they are a few centimetres tall and have their own root system, you can carefully separate them with a clean knife and pot them up individually.
Can I put my cylindrical snake plant outside in summer?
Yes, it can be moved outdoors in summer once night temperatures are consistently above 15 degrees C. Position it in a sheltered spot with bright but indirect light, as direct midday sun can scorch the leaves. Bring it back indoors well before the first frosts of autumn.
Why is my plant suddenly called Dracaena angolensis when I bought it as Sansevieria cylindrica?
In 2017, a large-scale genetic study concluded that the genus Sansevieria is not distinct enough from Dracaena to be maintained as a separate genus. As a result, all Sansevieria species were formally transferred into Dracaena. The old name Sansevieria cylindrica is now considered a synonym. Both names may still appear in shops and online, and they refer to the same plant.
