The Sansevieria, it looks like a plant that you either love or hate. That may also have to do with the old and dusty image of the Sansevieria. However, the Sansevieria has so much to offer. For us, a plant that deserves a spot in the spotlight!
The Sansevieria occurs naturally in warm and dry areas in Africa. The Sansevieria is a true desert plant, is used to difficult circumstances and therefore an excellent green companion for the home. A plant that resists temporary neglect. And that is really handy! Characteristic of the Sansevieria are the fleshy, often long, bayonet-shaped leaves with a sharp point and a beautiful leaf pattern. Common nicknames for Sansevieria are: Tongue, Bayonet Plant or Snake Plant in English.
The choice is huge!
There are many different types of Sansevierias. The most well-known species are perhaps the “Laurentii” and the “Trifasciata”. The first mentioned can be recognized by the yellow border that frames the leaves. The Trifasciata has a dull dark green leaf pattern. Both types can get quite high over time. A somewhat new species is the “Kirkii Friend” with its thin and bright green leaves. You may have been bored with these species, but it is definitely too early to ignore the Sansevieria!
Do you know the‘Whale Fin’ and the ‘Golden Flame’ for example? These types of Sansevierias have a unique appearance and cannot be found in most plant stores. Fortunately at The Plant Dynasty! The Sansevieria Mass. Victoria is also called “Whale Fin” called, which seems logical when you see the leaf. The “Golden Flame” also has a high decorative value with its golden-yellow flamed leaves.
Care
Due to the succulent-like properties of the Sansevieria, this plant is a true survivor. Light or lots of sun? That’s no problem! Forgot to water once? The Sansevieria will also forgive you for that. You don’t get the Sansevieria just like that (thankfully). The Sansevieria has one very important rule: Never give too much water! With regular flooding, the plant will eventually fail. Preferably you give your Sansevieria a light spot in the room where the temperature does not fall below 14 degrees Celsius for a longer period of time.
Water
As said, the Sansevieria needs little water, but how much is that exactly? Generally it is sufficient to give the Sansevieria a splash of water once every two weeks. Is it really very hot, during a heat wave, then you can give it an extra splash. Conversely, in the winter months: ‘less is more’. A splash of water once a month is more than enough.
Nutrition
In the period that the Sansevieria grows (usually from June to September) you can add some extra plant food when watering. Once a month a little extra nutrition will do the plant and the growth well.
Grow baby grow!
Sansevierias create new growth points that grow up from the roots. After a while you will see small points appear in the pot. With good conditions, such a small growing point can grow to the height of the mother plant within a month.
Note: Do you see new growth points appearing and do you notice that the mother plant is tilted? Then there is probably a tightness in the pot. The growth drive of a Sansevieria is accompanied by a lot of power. So it can happen that the pot breaks.
How do i propagate my Sansevieria?
To prevent your Sansevieria from literally bursting out of the pot, here are a few options for cutting or propagating your plant.
Leafcuttings
First, remove a number of long leaves from the mother plant, preferably the outer leaves. Or a leaf was broken by accident, perfect! You can also easily make leaf cuttings with this.
After you have removed one or more leaves from the mother plant, cut the leaves into a number of pieces of approximately 10 cm long. Then let the leaf dry for a few days first. Remember what the top and bottom is! For example, put a small line on the bottom with a pen.
When the cuttings have dried for a few days you can continue. You can put the leaf cuttings on water or directly in the ground.
If you want to put the leaf cuttings on water, grab a glass or preserving jar and put the leaf cuttings there (of course with the bottom down). Then fill the glass with a little water, approx. 5 cm. Then put the glass away in a warm place and be patient. Over time, roots will appear at the bottom of the leaves. As soon as you see this you can pot the leaves. Just as with an adult plant, new growth points will now emerge from the roots.
Golden tip: Put your glass with leaf cuttings in the shed. In the summer it is pleasantly warm and the cuttings can certainly have roots within a month. This works great for us!
Preferably place your leaf cuttings directly in the ground, that is of course also possible! Once the leaf cuttings have dried up, place them in the ground, bottom-down, and ensure that the soil temperature remains high, around 25 degrees Celsius. You can achieve this by putting the cutting in a small greenhouse.
Tip: You shouldn’t do leaf cuttings with colorful versions of the Sansevieria. The roots grow from the green part of the leaf. This forms the new growth points that, logically, therefore grow completely green.
Tearing
Tearing through the plant is a simple method that requires less patience. Carefully remove the Sansevieria from its pot and then tear the plant into pieces. You can choose to divide the plant into two equal pieces or you can choose to tear only the outer newest leaves. Make sure that there are always enough roots on both torn pieces.
The tearing method is ideal when you want to remove a small new growing point from the pot. In this case, it is best for the new cutting if it is approximately half the height of the mother plant. The cutting then most likely has enough roots to grow further.
