It isn’t a widely held notion—among gardeners or botanists—that there’s any “taboo” around talking about a snake plant’s age. In fact, most horticultural sources don’t mention any specific superstitions related to how old a snake plant is. If you’ve encountered the phrase “Age is taboo for snake plant,” it may come from one of two possibilities:

1. A Misunderstanding or Cultural Folklore

   • In some cultures, there can be plant-related beliefs—often tied to luck, prosperity, or longevity. For example, the snake plant (often called Mother-in-Law’s Tongue or Sansevieria/Dracaena trifasciata) is known in Feng Shui to purify the air and bring positive energy. However, there is no mainstream custom suggesting that talking about or revealing its age is considered inauspicious or taboo.

2. They Don’t “Show” Their Age Readily

   • Snake plants can live for decades under the right conditions, yet they don’t develop the kind of visible markers (like thick woody trunks or growth rings) that other long-lived plants do. Because they maintain a similar appearance year after year, it might be that someone jokingly referred to “age being taboo” in the sense that the plant itself doesn’t “disclose” its age.

Caring for a Long-Lived Snake Plant

If your real concern is about helping your snake plant thrive so it can live a long time (maybe even for decades), here are a few pointers:

1. Light
   • They prefer bright, indirect light but also tolerate low light conditions very well, which is one reason they’re popular as houseplants.
2. Watering
   • Overwatering is the top mistake. Water sparingly, letting the top inch of soil dry before watering again—especially in cooler seasons.
3. Soil & Drainage
   • Plant in well-draining soil (such as a succulent or cactus mix). Sitting in waterlogged soil can cause root rot.
4. Temperature
   • They do best in average home temperatures (around 65–85°F / 18–29°C) and are not frost-tolerant.
5. Fertilizer
   • Feed lightly (e.g., once a month in spring/summer) with a balanced, diluted fertilizer if you want to encourage growth. In low-light settings, they can do fine without much fertilizer at all.

Bottom Line

• There is no widely recognized taboo about disclosing or discussing a snake plant’s age.
• Snake plants are hardy, long-lived succulents that can appear almost “ageless” because they don’t develop obvious signs of aging like woodier stems.
• If you heard “Age is taboo for snake plant,” it’s likely just an informal expression or a very niche bit of folklore, rather than any recognized horticultural or cultural belief.