Sansevieria (Snake plant) - Care tips

Sansevieria (Snake plant)

Sansevierias are also recognised by the name Snake plant, Mother in Law Tongue, Bowstring Hemp Plantor Devil’s Tongue. Sansevieria is a historically recognised genus of flowering plants. The plants are native to Africa, especially Madagascar, and South Asia, which is now included in the genus Dracaena. Approximately 70 species are included in this genus and Dracaena is now classified in the family Asparagaceae.

A fun fact about the Sansevieria! A study looked at how the air in space stations can be cleaned and filtered. It turned out that there are a number of plants that can naturally remove toxic substances from the air. The Sansevieria was one of the top performers! Sansevieria is a great example of how plants can improve the air around you and even help you sleep better. Special, right?

Sansevieria Care Tips

Light and placement for Sansevierias

The Sansevieria has few requirements regarding light intensity. However, it is advisable to place the plant a little further from the window. Close to the window can cause discolouration of the leaves. The Sansevieria does not care much about the amount of light. The plant does come from the desert and therefore prefers more sunlight, but shade is just as good. How versatile they are!

Water

The most important thing to know is that you can only water a Sansevieria wrongly if you water too much. The soil of this plant really needs to dry out before you water it again. The chance that root rot will occur and that the plant will die is big. In winter, the plant can easily do without water for a month and a half. In summer, once every two weeks is sufficient. Only if you place the plant next to a south-facing window you should water it twice as much.

Nutrition

The Sansevieria grows slowly, which means that this plant requires little or no extra fertiliser. In winter and autumn, it is not necessary to add any extra nutrition at all. In summer, you can choose to fertilise only occasionally.

Propagating Sansevierias

Sansevieras are incredibly easy to propagate, which means you can propagate your beautiful Sansevieria plants for your home or to share with friends! You can propagate the Sansevieria in two ways. You can cut off leaves and let them root in water or soil, or you can propagate this plant by division.

For a good leaf cutting you have to cut off a healthy leaf near the base. Make an inverted V-cut at the base, and place the leaf in a clean pot with water or in a pot of soil. Then it’s wait and see.

Division is a method of plant propagation in which the rootstock of a plant is split into two or more parts. Both the root and the crown of each part are kept intact. Plant the divided clods in their new pots and then you can watch them grow.

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Most common pest on Sansevierias

The Sansevieria is almost never affected by diseases. If they do suffer from something, it will be aphids. If there is some aphid on the plant, it can easily be removed with a hard jet of water. If the plant really suffers from a lot of pests, then it is advisable to combat these immediately. Check our PLNTS doctor page to find out which pests are bothering your plant and how you can best control them.

Are Sansevierias toxic for pets or children?

Although the Sansevieria is little or non-toxic to humans, Sansevierias are considered poisonous to pets such as cats and dogs. When chewing or eating any part of these plants, humans and animals run the risk of developing a severe allergic reaction leading to swelling of the tissues in the oral cavity and oesophagus. Consuming the plant in significant quantities can even be fatal for your furry friend. So be alert when you see your pets or children with this plant.