Sansevieria's stiff, upright, sword-like leaves stand tall in almost any light condition, making it one of the toughest and most tolerant houseplants for corners other plants have given up on.
Native to West Africa, sansevieria — better known as snake plant or mother-in-law's tongue — stores water in its thick, succulent-like leaves, letting it survive weeks of neglect while its bold, architectural form adds structure to any room.
Sansevieria tolerates almost any light level, from dim corners to bright sun, and wants a fast-draining succulent mix watered only once the soil is fully dry. Overwatering is by far the most common way to lose one — when in doubt, wait another week.
Sansevieria was another top performer in NASA's Clean Air Study, and it's also known for releasing oxygen at night rather than during the day, making it a popular choice for bedrooms.
