We love sansevieria. Why? Well because they are super easy! They tend to thrive off of neglect and can grow in most light conditions. The major thing with these guys is not to over water them! I’ll be honest. At first I thought these were so common that I did not understand why they were so popular. But one night while staring at the divider between my dining room and living room I thought of this genius idea. Why not separate the living area more by filling it with snake plants?! So as I do everything I started designing the idea in my head. Then just days later my favorite nursey had a sale on them. I think it was like $3 a plant. So as anyone in their right mind would do, I went and bought like five of them. It started with five. Then a couple more for the night stands in the bedroom. I figured there wold be a good place because they can live in low light and there was not a plant on eihter of them. Then, I realized there were other species of course. These included more colors, looks etc. Some of which were hard to find, and I love me a good challange. So the first rare one I found was the sanseveria cylindrica. Now this one is dangerous as I found a big one and they get rather tall and pointy. Luckily my husband sits on that side of the dining room table so he has to dodge it as it is quite pointy and firm. This is also the one that I first learned they can flower. It is not the most interesting flower, but hard to make happen from my understanding. I recentely learned that to get them to flower they needto be slighly stressed. So, not quite sure if I am proudof that or not after that little tid bit of informaiton. It is not the most impressive flower, but an “accomplishment” at least. Of couurse there is a second smaller one that entertains me on the kitchen window as I do dishes. The sanseveria moonshine was the next one I found. It is quite stunning with its color. It is more of a silvery Green. I picked up a few other colors/styles and added them the collection. Most recently was able to add the sansevieria masoniana. This is one that I had been looking for, but for an affordable one. That evil local nursery of mine finally got them in for $20! So, I found myself there just shortly after their opening to grab one of my own. I was able to find one with a pup, so it was an even better deal! Eventually I want to find a varigated one, but for now I will be quite happy. Now one thing you will notice for the sanseviera page here is that I am not doing seperate pages. That is because as I am learning with these is that the care is really the same. Some may disagree, and I may find out later that I am horribly wrong, but this is all about my experience and this is what I am learning with my experience.
It is said that they can grow in any light condition. Where as that is true, the ones that I have in better light conditions tend to grow better. Those ones on my nightstands are there no more. The never looked sick or anything. They just did not grow like the other ones. Yes, these can be slow groweres, but they never grew. The other ones closer to light grew. And, quite well might I add. So now I have them closer windows. Not all are all right up at one, but they at least get some light throughout the day.
This is crucial, and where things can go wrong easily. Do not let them get over watered. This will be it’s worst enemy. I tend to water them at least once a month. And give them a good soak. All of mine but one is in terra cotta pots. And that one that is not for sure has a hole in the planter to drain.
Fast draining soil will be a sansevieria’s best friend. Remember, if they set in soil they will get root rot. You want water to drain through the pot, not to sit in it. I tend to water most of them at the same time and have them closer to a window to help it dry faster. When the soil is fully dry than you can water them again. The leaves are good to pay attention to. If they look a little wrinkley it is telling you water is needed.
I have yet to propagate one of these so I only have what I have researched thus far. Firstly, one thing you will notice is that a sansevieria will grow pups. This is a new plant that will grow up from the dirt from the original plant. These can be divided and made to antoher plant. Secondly, you can cut the leaves and either set them in water or soil. Root growth hormones will help them grow faster. Takes a fair amount of time, but can be done. I have yet to try simply because once you cut the leaf up I’m not sure how it will leave the plant to look. That, and honestly I have plenty, so do not find the need to make more.
This has many names. Sansevieria is it’s scientific name (followed by the genus). It is also more commonly known as a snake plant, mother-in=laws tongue, Saint George’s sword, vipers bowstring hemp etc. And of course the Different ones will have different names, such as the whale fin.