Snake Plant

Snake Plant

Mother in Law’s Tongue

Varieties

Sansevieria Aubrytiana / Bantel Sensation / Black Coral / Danish Crown / Fernwood / Javelin / Lancia / Laurentii / Mikado / Moonshine / Samurai / Sayuri / Zeylanica / Sansevieria Trifasciata

Origin

Native to Africa, Madagascar and southern Asia

Air purifying
For beginners
Low light tolerant
Toxic to pets/people

General Care

Light

Medium to bright filtered. Adapts to low light; growth may virtually stop if kept in poor conditions for long. Tolerates direct sun.

Temperature

18-24°C. Keep above 12°C.

Humidity

Average.

Water

Every 2-3 weeks. Water moderately and allow moist potting mix to dry fully, or, until leaves wrinkle. Avoid watering centre of growths. Sensitive to overwatering, and susceptible to root rot. Always check moisture level before watering. Aerate mix to improve its condition. 

Fertilizer

Once a month at half-strength (spring-fall or when actively growing). Use organic houseplant fertilizer, according to packaging instructions.

Maintenance

Every 1-2 weeks, rotate plant to ensure even growth. Every 1-2 months, dust leaves with a soft, damp cloth and inspect plant for pests, when doing so. Trim dried tips to a point. 

Potting and Repotting

Mix of 2 parts soil-based potting mix to 1 coarse sand or perlite. Transplant once leaves occupy most of the soil surface or once pot-bound. For smaller plants: every 1-2 years (in spring), move plant into a planter 1-2” larger (diameter and depth). For larger plants: every 2-3 years (in spring), move plant into a planter 2-4” larger (diameter and depth) until maximum convenient planter size is reached. Thereafter, repot in the same pot, using new soil, after partially trimming back roots and foliage.

Special Points/Common Problems: 

  • Releases oxygen at night, which makes them well-suited for a bedroom location.
  • Stiff, upright, metre-long spears are best achieved in bright light conditions.
  • Introduce plants slowly to bright light, as sudden and prolonged sun exposure can scorch leaves. 
  • May produce flower-bearing spikes annually (spring). Trim faded flower spikes back to leaf base.
  • Propagate through rootstock division or stem cuttings.
  • Tolerates bright fluorescent light alone (at least 8 hours per day).