The Ultimate Houseplant Face-Off: Monstera vs Snake Plant — Who Wins?
Standing in the plant store, torn between that Instagram-famous Monstera with its dramatic split leaves and the practically indestructible Snake Plant promising to survive your questionable watering habits? You’re not alone.
These two houseplant superstars couldn’t be more different—one’s a tropical drama queen that’ll transform your space into a jungle paradise, while the other’s the reliable friend who’ll forgive you for that three-week vacation. But which one deserves a spot in your home?
Whether you’re a nervous beginner wondering if you can keep anything green alive, or a seasoned plant parent ready for your next leafy challenge, choosing between these popular plants doesn’t have to be a guessing game. We’ve created the ultimate comparison guide (complete with an interactive quiz!) to help you discover your perfect plant match.
Ready to end the debate once and for all? Let’s dive in.
Monstera vs Snake Plant Comparison
Monstera vs Snake Plant: Complete Comparison
Everything you need to know to choose the perfect plant for your home
🤔 Which Plant Should You Choose?
Choose Monstera Deliciosa if:
- You want a dramatic statement plant
- You have bright, indirect light available
- You enjoy regular plant care routines
- You have space for a large, growing plant
- You love the tropical jungle aesthetic
- You want fast, visible growth
- You’re an experienced plant parent
Choose Snake Plant if:
- You’re a beginner or want low maintenance
- You have limited space or low light
- You travel frequently or forget to water
- You want superior air purification
- You prefer slow, steady growth
- You want a “set and forget” plant
- You like clean, modern aesthetics
🌱 Care Requirements Comparison
Monstera Deliciosa
Snake Plant
📏 Size & Growth Expectations
Monstera Deliciosa
Snake Plant
⚖️ Benefits vs Challenges
Monstera Deliciosa
Benefits:
- Stunning visual impact and Instagram appeal
- Fast, rewarding growth you can see
- Unique split-leaf fenestrations
- Good air purification capabilities
- Can be trained to climb decoratively
- Easy to propagate and share
Challenges:
- Needs significant space as it grows
- Requires consistent care and attention
- Sensitive to overwatering and poor drainage
- Needs climbing support (moss pole)
- Toxic to pets and children if ingested
- May need frequent repotting
Snake Plant
Benefits:
- Superior air purification, removes toxins 24/7
- Produces oxygen at night (unlike most plants)
- Extremely drought and neglect tolerant
- Thrives in low light conditions
- Perfect for beginners and busy people
- Compact size fits anywhere
Challenges:
- Very slow growth rate (patience required)
- Can easily rot if overwatered
- Less dramatic visual appeal
- Limited propagation methods
- Toxic to pets and children if ingested
- May seem “boring” to some plant enthusiasts
💰 Cost Comparison
First Year Investment Breakdown
Monstera Deliciosa
Snake Plant
📊 Quick Reference Comparison
| Factor | Monstera Deliciosa | Snake Plant |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty Level | ||
| Light Requirements | Bright, indirect light | Low to bright (very adaptable) |
| Watering Frequency | Weekly | Every 2-3 weeks |
| Space Needed | Large (6-10 ft when mature) | Compact (1-4 ft) |
| Growth Speed | Fast (2-3 ft/year) | Slow (6-12 in/year) |
| Air Purification | ||
| Pet Safety | ❌ Toxic to pets | ❌ Toxic to pets |
| First Year Cost | $80-230 | $30-90 |
🏆 Final Recommendation
For Beginners: Start with a Snake Plant. It’s forgiving, budget-friendly, and will boost your confidence.
For Plant Enthusiasts: Go for the Monstera if you want drama and don’t mind the extra care.
Can’t Decide? Get both! They complement each other perfectly and thrive in different areas of your home.
Botanical Characteristics
Monstera plants and Snake plants have very different botanical characteristics. Monstera plants are climbing evergreen vines that are classed as hemiepiphytes. While a Monstera plant’s main roots anchor it to the forest floor, its aerial roots climb nearby trees.
Most species of Monstera plants produce large evergreen leaves with distinctive holes and splits known as fenestration. Some varieties of Monstera plants have massive leaves that grow up to 35 inches long.
Meanwhile, Snake plants have spiky dark green succulent leaves with horizontal bands and yellow-green edges. These blade-like leaves can grow up to 6 feet tall in the right conditions. Different types of Snake plants have different patterns and growth shapes.
Growth Expectations
In their native habitat, Monstera plants can climb up to 65 feet tall (20 meters) using their aerial roots. Some types of Monstera plants, like Monstera adansonii, can trail up to 13 feet long. Even in the best conditions, Snake plants will rarely grow higher than 6 feet tall in the wild.
Indoors, Monstera plants such as Monstera deliciosa will reach approximately 10 to 15 feet high – depending on the variety. Species like Monstera adansonii are ideal if you want a smaller, more manageable Monstera plant. Snake plants reach approximately 4 feet tall indoors.
Most Monstera plants have a faster growth rate than Snake plants. Monstera plants generally add approximately 1 to 2 feet of new growth annually. Snake plants are slower growers and usually add between 2 and 12 inches of new growth per year.
Lifespan
Monstera plants have longer average lifespans than Snake plants. Some types of Monstera plants can live up to 40 years when given the proper care. However, Snake plants are still pretty long-lived. Snake plants can live for approximately 10 to 25 years if they receive optimal care.
Monstera Plants vs Snake Plants: Available Plant Types
Both Monstera plants and Snake plants offer plenty of variety, although Monstera plants are more varied than Snake plants. Different Monstera species, such as Monstera Peru and Monstera standleyana have different types of leaves. Monstera plants also come in variegated varieties.
Most types of Snake plants reach similar sizes but can grow in slightly different ways. Sansevieria ‘Moonshine’ has silver-green leaves, while Sansevieria cylindrica has rounded leaves.
Cost Differences
Generally, Monstera plants are more expensive than Snake plants due to their larger size. Variegated Monstera cultivars tend to be the most costly types of Monstera plants. Monstera adansonii is usually the cheapest Monstera variety. Snake plants tend to be reasonably affordable, although unusual varieties can be expensive.
Wrapping Up
Monstera plants and Snake plants are very different in several ways. Most types of Monstera plants are native to warm, humid rainforests, while Snake plants come from arid, rocky areas of tropical West Africa. Snake plants are usually easier to care for than Monstera plants. Snake plants require more sunlight but less water than Monstera plants. If you’re looking to add both to your collection, I think snake plants still make excellent companion plants for Monstera.
Andrew is the Editorial Director at Petal Republic. He holds a BSc degree in Plant Sciences and has trained professionally at leading floristry schools in London and Paris. In amongst overseeing a global editorial team, Andrew's a passionate content creator around all things flowers, floral design, gardening, and houseplants.