Readers Ask: How to Care for the Snake Plant?
Is Sansevieria a struggle to keep? Read on to find out
The Sansevieria trifasciata cultivar, more commonly known as the snake (or snakeskin) plant and quite amusingly as mother-in-law’s tongue, is one of the top picks for homes. Here are some of the possible reasons for its popularity, and how you can make it thrive in your home.
Hence, you will find Sansevierias looking great in small dish gardens, as in the case of its bird nest type, as well as in tall pots, with its leaves growing up to about 60 centimetres long, commanding a corner.
More container plants for the tropics
More container plants for the tropics
Indoor air cleaner
The NASA Clean Air Study says that this herbaceous shrub is effective in removing indoor air pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene and toluene.
Easy to find, easy to keep
Being one of the more familiar ornamental plants, this variety is readily available in nurseries. It is also one of those plants that are really great as a starter plant if you are just growing a greenthumb.
The NASA Clean Air Study says that this herbaceous shrub is effective in removing indoor air pollutants such as benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene and toluene.
Easy to find, easy to keep
Being one of the more familiar ornamental plants, this variety is readily available in nurseries. It is also one of those plants that are really great as a starter plant if you are just growing a greenthumb.
How much maintenance is involved?
To be perfectly honest, not much. But to get you on track, here are some tips to consider:
To be perfectly honest, not much. But to get you on track, here are some tips to consider:
Start right
Get off to a good start by choosing a plant with firm, upright leaves in the healthiest green colour. Pale, as well as wilted, leaves are an indication of disease or maltreatment that may require considerable effort to repair.
Get off to a good start by choosing a plant with firm, upright leaves in the healthiest green colour. Pale, as well as wilted, leaves are an indication of disease or maltreatment that may require considerable effort to repair.
Keep it tight
While matted roots in other plants is an indication that the plant has outgrown its container, for a snake plant, it is best. Cramped and tight quarters are preferred conditions for them to bloom.
Tip: The time to re-pot is when the plant is so tall and thick that the container can no longer stand upright. But don’t overdo the size of the pot. Just go for a slightly larger container that doesn’t trap water. Fill it with fresh, well-draining soil mix as the snake plant’s roots are prone to rot.
While matted roots in other plants is an indication that the plant has outgrown its container, for a snake plant, it is best. Cramped and tight quarters are preferred conditions for them to bloom.
Tip: The time to re-pot is when the plant is so tall and thick that the container can no longer stand upright. But don’t overdo the size of the pot. Just go for a slightly larger container that doesn’t trap water. Fill it with fresh, well-draining soil mix as the snake plant’s roots are prone to rot.
Follow the light
While they are generally very forgiving of low light conditions, snake plants love and will flourish with plenty of light. In order to keep them healthy, consider rotating your plants so they all get the chance to be in a sunny spot once in a while.
Under, not over
It is is better to err on the side of under-watering. This species is a succulent – it stores water in its leaves – and will rot if it is given too much water.
Tip: A snake plant’s leaves is a barometer of its health; drooping leaves means that you have been overwatering.
While they are generally very forgiving of low light conditions, snake plants love and will flourish with plenty of light. In order to keep them healthy, consider rotating your plants so they all get the chance to be in a sunny spot once in a while.
Under, not over
It is is better to err on the side of under-watering. This species is a succulent – it stores water in its leaves – and will rot if it is given too much water.
Tip: A snake plant’s leaves is a barometer of its health; drooping leaves means that you have been overwatering.
Important note:
While it is one of the most forgiving of plants when it comes to living conditions, this plant is toxic to cats and dogs, causing diarrhoea and vomiting. If you have pets, you might consider other alternatives instead.
TELL US
What other house plants would you like to read about? Let us know in the Comments section.
While it is one of the most forgiving of plants when it comes to living conditions, this plant is toxic to cats and dogs, causing diarrhoea and vomiting. If you have pets, you might consider other alternatives instead.
TELL US
What other house plants would you like to read about? Let us know in the Comments section.
Very versatile
It works well in just about any contemporary design theme and in any part of the home. There are actually two types of snake plants: the upright growers and the bird nest/rosette-like ones.