Key Takeaways

  • Companion planting with snake plants can save space and create visually appealing arrangements with other houseplants.
  • Snake plants can be paired with pothos, aloe plants, ZZ plants, spider plants, and peace lilies for compatibility and mutual benefits.
  • When combining snake plants with companion plants, it's important to consider factors such as water needs, lighting, and soil drainage.

Houseplants naturally purify air, have mood-boosting effects, and add color and life to all areas of the home. Integrating houseplants into home design is an easy way to spruce up any space...but only if the plants are healthy. Some houseplants, like the snake plant, will be healthier and happier when placed close to other plants. When combined, certain plants flourish.

Companion planting involves growing two or more plants together for insect control, pollination, and nutrient uptake. If two or more plants have similar needs for soil, water, and temperature, they will grow and flourish together. Take care of a snake plant by growing it with its many friends!

1 Light Green Pothos Is a Pretty Contrast

A vine with all the best qualities of snake plant

Pothos plant growing indoors
Image credits: sweetlouise via Pixabay

Snake plants and pothos plants are good buddies, since both act as air purifiers. Pothos has many of the same snake plant benefits that make its companion plant so popular. Both plants remove toxins from breathable air, such as formaldehyde. Both plants also enjoy similar needs, so if you can take care of a snake plant, you already know how to maintain pothos.

Latin name

Other names

Epipremnum aureum

devil's ivy, hunter's rove, golden pothos

  • When planting pothos and snake plant together, it's crucial to have drainage holes in planter and pots, as pothos and snake plants are prone to overwatering. Don't overdo it on fertilizer, either! Once a month during the growing season will suffice.
  • Pothos can endure a wide range of temperatures, surviving outdoors in temperatures as low as 40 degrees F. When grown indoors, keep pothos in an environment that is above 65 degrees F.
  • Both pothos and snake plant are drought-tolerant, surviving without water for 10 days or more at a time.

2 Add the Spiky Leaves of Aloe Plants

Two succulents that grow well together

Aloe vera is a wonderful plant to combine with snake plants because they're both succulents. Create a healthy, beneficial environment for yourself by incorporating the healing properties of aloe with the air purification of snake plants in your indoor garden. While many home gardeners don't know about all the snake plant benefits they can reap from growing this plant, aloe's reputation as a beneficial plant is well known.

Latin name

Other names

Aloe vera

aloe, babosa

Aloe plants are ideal for gardeners with brown thumbs, as they require minimal care. The soil needs to dry out between watering. Overwatering can lead to root rot in these drought-tolerant plants.

When planting aloe and snake plant together in an indoor garden design, place them in a bright, sunny spot where they can enjoy the sun's rays for at least six to eight hours. These plant buddies will tolerate low light conditions but keep an eye on your aloe vera, as a lack of sunlight will cause this plant to extend towards the sun. The result is that aloe vera ends up appearing leggy and weak. The short stature of the aloe plant (3 feet) pairs nicely with the elongated leaves of the snake plant (which reach over 4 feet).

Use a cactus or succulent potting mix with perlite for healthier growth and good drainage.

3 ZZ Plant is a Space-Saving Pop of Green

Tolerant to neglect and low maintenance ZZ plant is a perfect companion

ZZ plant potted growing near other houseplants
Image credits: Coplay via Shutterstock
 

Snake plants and ZZ plants are good friends that thrive when planted together in an indoor garden. Both houseplants are hard-to-kill plants and are known for handling neglect. Both plants also do well with limited room, thriving even in smaller planting areas. Taking care of a ZZ plant, like taking care of a snake plant, is a pretty hassle-free home chore.

Latin name

Other names

Zamioculcas zamiifolia

zuzu plnat, aroid palm, eternity plant, Zanzibar gem, emerald palm

The two plants thrive together since they require the same amount of indirect sunlight and are both drought-tolerant. So, if you're a forgetful gardener, you might have just discovered a new favorite companion plant pairing.

Both plants require well-draining soil, such as cactus potting mix.

4 Spider Plant Brings the Color

Similar growing conditions make for great plant friends

Spider plants are low-maintenance and attractive plants that are a great addition to any plant collection. Spider plants can brighten and enliven an entire space with their long, flailing, variegated leaves. Similar to snake plants, spider plants are drought-tolerant and are great at removing toxins from the air. Spider plants share many of the same snake plant benefits indoor gardeners look for, and this is one of the most popular indoor plants.

Latin name

Other names

Chlorophytum comosum

ribbon plant, spider ivy

Spider plants don't require a lot of bright light, so give them a home in indirect sunlight. As snake plants tolerate a wide range of lighting, you can plant them with spider plants without worry. The two houseplants have so many things in common, you will see why they are such natural companions.

Plant this houseplant in well-drained soil to keep it healthy. Spider plants prefer indoor temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees F, which overlaps with the preferred temperature range for snake plant.

5 Peace Lily

Peace lily growing with other houseplants
Image credits: Hoerwin56 via Pixabay

Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) are beautiful evergreen plants that can thrive in low light. When it comes to giving your plant a drink, err on the side of caution. Overwatering is one of the main downfalls of peace lilies. Allow their soil to dry out between watering, checking it every two weeks. When given proper watering, these stunning plants bloom in shades of creamy white.

The glossy green leaves of peace lily tend to collect dust. Wipe them down gently with a damp cloth to get them shiny again.

Snake plants and peace lilies are good buddies and great companion plants, since both have many beneficial properties.

Get Your Houseplant a Friend

The snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) thrives in nearly all light levels, but its favorite spot is an east-facing window that provides bright, indirect morning light. Water it when the top couple of inches of soil are dry. Snake plants are pretty forgiving and ideal for beginners and busy plant parents. It does not take much to take care of a snake plant! Snake plants require a good, well-draining potting mix to flourish and receive critical nutrients.

Use companion planting techniques with your houseplants to create a beautiful indoor garden space with plants that have similar needs and growing conditions. Good companion planting cuts down on the work you have to do to keep plants healthy. Moreover, the multiple colors and sizes combine to create an eye-catching, interesting design.