If you’re looking for an easy-to-care-for plant that is versatile and stylish, look no further than the sansevieria plant.
Sanseveria trifasciata is also known by one of their more common names like the snake plant, mother-in-law’s tongue, or devil’s tongue (some may consider them as one and the same). The snake plant has become a favorite among beginners as well as plant enthusiasts alike. Why so, you ask? Possibly due to its reputation as being extremely low maintenance, can tolerate low light level requirements, and interesting leaf shape, textures, and colors. Snake plants can be used in a variety of ways to brighten up your low-light home or office décor.
What is a Sansevieria plant and where do they come from?
The snake plant or Sansevieria is a group of arid, flowering plants that are native to dry, rocky, areas in tropical Africa as well as parts of southern Asia.
An overall great plant for indoors!
To most people, Sansevierias are well known to be very low-maintenance house plants. Snake plants are perfect for those who travel often or do not have a lot of time to micro-manage or care for high-maintenance house plants. With this versatility, snake plants may be used in a variety of ways to enhance your home décor. If you are looking for a plant that is not fussy, super easy to care for, and can add some pizzazz to most areas in your home, then a Sansevieria plant may be the right fit for you!
Note:
Snake plants are not only great easy-to-care-for house plants but they also make great plants for your patio and possibly your shade garden if your climate permits.
The different types of Sanseveria plants
This houseplant group consists of 70 different species of Sansevieria plants, but the most common snake plant species is Sansevieria trifasciata, the flat leaf houseplant commonly called “the mother-in-law’s tongue”. This plant gets its name from its long and narrow, dark green leaves with a yellow edge. The snake plant leaves can be pointy and somewhat sharp on the end, which gives reasoning to another common name for this species of plant “Devil’s tongue”. Sansevieria trifasciata, Sansevieria cylindrica and Sansevieria masoniana (common name of whale fin snake plant) are a few of my favorites species!
14 of the most popular varieties or species of Sansevieria plants
- Sansevieria arborescens
- Sansevieria bagamoyensis
- Sansevieria ballyi
- Sansevieria carnea
- Sansevieria cylindrica
- Sansevieria ehrenbergii
- Sansevieria eilensis
- Sansevieria fischeri
- Sansevieria kirkii
- Sansevieria masoniana (whale fin snake plant)
- Sansevieria pinguicula
- Sansevieria stuckyi
- Sansevieria suffruticosa
- Sansevieria trifasciata
Understanding and caring for Sansevieria plants
Bright light? low light? Full Sun? How much light is really needed?
We now know that the Sansevieria family contains many low-maintenance and versatile houseplants and that Sanseveria plants are tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions.
But what about lighting?
Snake plants can actually thrive in a fairly broad range of lighting conditions, aside from full, hot, direct sun. The snake plant can tolerate a wide range of lighting conditions, ranging from a few hours of the morning sun, bright indirect light, indirect light, or even in lower light or low-light areas.
Snake plants tend to look their best when kept in bright light or the middle range of lighting conditions. Too much full sun can burn or scorch the plants’ leaves, less light or not enough light will cause the plant leaves to stretch and the plant can become brittle and break.
Note:
A general rule of thumb is to avoid extremes, like hot, direct, afternoon sun, and super low lighting.
Water Requirements
When it comes to watering, sansevieria plants thrive on neglect, requiring only a little water every other week. Consider it more like sporadic watering.
During the growing season
Sansevieria plants prefer to only be watered when the soil is completely dry. A general rule of thumb to avoid root rot is to touch the top few inches of the soil with your finger to make sure it is dry. Or if available, use a moisture meter to insure the soil has had time properly dry out. If you are a plant fanatic like me, I recommend investing in a moisture meter!
Always water your snake plants until the liquid flows through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot. To avoid root rot, discard any excess water that has accumulated in the plant saucer. It is important to note that over-watering your snake plant can sometimes be just as harmful, if not more so than under-watering.
Soil Requirements
The soil requirements for snake plants are similar to that of succulents, which should be light, airy, and well-draining soil. An ideal or commonly used soil option is palm or cactus potting mix. This soil option has become more readily available due to the recent growth of popularity in cactus and succulents.
I can’t find the palm or a cactus potting mix!
If you live in a city or an area with limited garden supplies, or where you cannot find a succulent, palm, or cactus potting mix, consider making your own. It is easy to make your own arid potting mix. Simply start by measuring out one part sand, one part perlite, and one part general houseplant potting soil. Place all three components in an appropriate-sized bowl, or bucket and mix thoroughly. You will notice when finished mixing the arid soil mix, it has turned a light gray color. Don’t worry, not all plants require super nutrient-rich or dense soils. And Voilà! You have just created the perfect growing medium for your snake plant.
Note:
Keep this soil recipe in mind for all plants that require an arid, well-draining potting medium.
Fertilizer Requirements for snake plants
Sansevieria plants are not heavy feeders and do not require much fertilizer if any at all. A light application of a balanced liquid house plant fertilizer (diluted to half the recommended strength) once a month will be more than sufficient during the growing season. Really, that is all that is needed! It is best to fertilize snake plants when they are actively growing in the spring and summer months.
Note:
If liquid fertilizer is not your cup of tea, you can also use a slow-release granular or pellet fertilizer. Or consider one of my favorite options, worm castings or organic compost as an alternative to liquid fertilizer.
Notes:
The 4 Basic care Tips for a Sanseveria plant
1. Place your Sanseveria in an area with indirect bright light.
2. Do not water your Sanseveria more than once every two weeks, at the max, every week. You may need to water less or more depending on the humidity and light levels where you place your plant.
3. Allow the soil to dry out before watering again.
4. If your Sanseveria starts to lose its leaves, it may be due to over-watering; reduce watering until new leaves begin to grow.
There are many creative ways to use Sanseveria plants in home décor.
Uses for Snake plants in home décor
The snake plant’s dramatic, tall, and slender leaves, make for a beautiful statement piece in any home, classroom, or office.
No matter what your style is, your space has a place for a sansevieria. Since Sanseveria can grow several feet tall, a sleek no-brainer option is to use a unique pot, planter, or vessel as a focal point floor plant. Or for the hands-on helicopter plant parent, consider keeping a closer eye on your new favorite Snake plant by creating a low-maintenance table centerpiece. Also, consider grouping several small species of Sanseveria plants together in different color ranges and heights. Keep in mind that some snake plant leaves grow faster and taller than others.
All the colors
The colors of a snake plant leaves can range greatly, from super dark green with a bright yellow strip or edge, (like sansevieria black gold), to light and dark green and yellow (like variegated sansevieria trifasciata), to mint green with dark green stripes or mint green with yellow or even a silvery gray color (like sansevieria Moonshine). The snake plant’s long colorful leaves make for a unique and interesting conversation piece at any gathering place and are sure to grab some attention.
How to propagate a Snake plant
Snake plants produce underground runners or rhizomes that are easily divided. Think of rhizomes as underground stems that connect the visible leaves and channel water and nutrients. Cuttings can be taken from any species of snake plants year-round.
For division
- Simply remove the snake plant from the existing pot and gently divide it into several sections using a sharp knife, being mindful of the rhizomes and roots. Each section should have at least one healthy leaf with roots.
- Replant each section in a terracotta pot (if possible) filled with moistened potting soil.
- Water your snake plant thoroughly and to avoid root rot, discard any excess water that has accumulated in the plant saucer.
Also, consider the possibility that Snake plants can be propagated by a leaf cutting.
For leaf cutting propagation
- Trim off an inconspicuous healthy leaf from the mother plant. All parts of the snake plant leaf will root when handled correctly. Allow the newly trimmed snake plant leaf to dry out and callus for a day before planting.
- Insert the cutting into the moistened potting mix soil, and tamp down the soil to hold the snake plant leaf in place.
- Lightly water your snake plant leaf and to avoid root rot, discard any excess water that has accumulated in the plant saucer.
Note:
Leaf cuttings for snake plants root faster when in a somewhat humid environment. Consider rooting them in a ventilated terrarium or covering them with a cloche.
Be patient and give your snake plant room to grow.
Now that you have your newly propagated snake plants (depending on the species), they will be considered a very slow grower to start. While in this sensitive state, be sure to keep your new plants out of direct light and never leave them sitting in standing water. It may take over a year for your new snake plant to show signs of growth and produce adequate roots and new leaves.
Keep an eye out for new growth
As the new leaves begin to grow and you find roots poking through the bottom of the pot, you know that you have successfully propagated your favorite snake plant. Once roots appear it is safe to leave the plant in this pot for 6 months to a year before the need to repotting.
Repotting your snake plant.
Snake plants have very shallow roots and tend to despise excessive watering. Only re-pot your snake plants when they have completely filled the current pot that they are currently living in. Since snake plants prefer airy light soil conditions, choosing the correct size of the container will help ensure the success of your favorite snake plant. A deep container or too large of a container will retain much more water than a low bowl or shallow container.
Sansevieria pest and disease
Sansevieria can be susceptible to pests and diseases.
Common pests for snake plants are mealybugs and spider mites. Unfortunately, they are the most common pest for most house plants, and they can be difficult to get rid of. Fungal infections are also a common problem for sansevieria, and they can also be difficult to treat.
The best way to get rid of pests is to prevent them.
Always clean and inspect your new plants when you find a new treasure to bring home. I recommend quarantining any new plant, before introducing it to the rest of your indoor garden.
My top two secret tips are to use
- Citrus scented Windex
- a 50/50 mix, of rubbing alcohol and distilled water.
With either choice, they can be placed in a spray bottle and used to clean the leaves of your plants. I spray the leaves and use my hand to gently clean the surface, I like to leave the solution on the leaves and come back the next day with second spraying, finishing with a microfiber towel dry.
Note:
If an infestation appears, or one of my easy go-to household sprays does not work, then it’s time to use a natural or organic insecticide.
When shopping for your next new plant, consider a snake plant!
I hope you enjoy watching your snake plant grow, thank you for reading my Sansevieria blog!
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