Sansevieria trifasciata or Snake plant

Care of the indoor plant Sansevieria trifasciata or Snake plant

The genus Sansevieria, family Asparagaceae, includes more than 100 species of herbaceous plants native to Asia and Africa. Some species are: Sansevieria trifasciata, Sansevieria cylindrica, Sansevieria zeylanica, Sansevieria pinguicula, Sansevieria aethiopica. The most used cultivars in gardening are: Sansevieria trifasciata Laurentii and Sansevieria trifasciata Hahnii.

Common names: Snake plant, Saint George's sword, Mother-in-law's tongue, Viper's bowstring hemp. This species is native to tropical West Africa.

They are perennial rhizomatous herbaceous plants that reach 90 cm (2.95 feet) in height. The long wavy sword-shaped leaves are grayish-green mottled to dark green and may have yellow margins, depending on the variety. They can produce little decorative but highly perfumed flowers. They bloom in spring and summer.

Snake plant is commonly used as indoor, greenhouse and terrace, balcony and patio plants (keep them indoors in winter). In regions with a tropical or subtropical climate, it's used in borders and flowerbeds.

Sansevieria trifasciata needs an illuminated exposure without direct sun or semi-shade receiving direct sun in the early hours of the morning. It resists well the heat of the Mediterranean summer; in winter the temperature should not be lower than 13 ºC (55.4 ºF).

The soil can be normal garden soil with 1/3 coarse sand or perlite and a little organic matter. The transplant is done in early spring if necessary.

Water moderately in spring and summer, waiting for the substrate to dry; more or less at the rate of one watering every 2 weeks. In autumn and winter water only once a month.

In spring and summer, fertilize every 30 days with mineral fertilizer for cacti and succulents.

Mother-in-law's tongue does not need pruning but wilted flower stalks can be removed if it does flower.

Sansevieria trifasciata is a resistant plant to the usual pests and diseases but very sensitive to excess humidity.

Saint George's sword is easily propagated by division in early spring. It's also propagated by leaf cuttings but it is a more complicated process.