Calling all avid houseplant collectors and first-time plant owners, let’s dig into the world of the easy-to-care-for Sansevieria. A hardy addition to any space, a Snake plant or Mother-in-Law’s tongue will add texture and movement all the while purifying the air! A greenhouse favourite for its most tolerant behaviour, and ability to withstand low light conditions – this is the plant you’ve been looking for to fill that not-so-bright corner of your home!
Adored for their unique leaves and form, some varieties of Sansevieria offer long sword-shaped flat leaves whereas others resemble cylindrical daggers popping out of the soil, with pointed ends.
Native to Africa, Madagascar and Southern Asia, the Sansevieria genus consists of 70 species the plant was named by Swedish botanist Carl Peter Thunburg after an illustrious inventor, Italian Prince Raimondo di Sangro. The Snake plant has a cultured history being used and tested for many of its attributes:
- The leaves are used to produce fibre for things like rope and baskets in most African countries.
- The sap can be used as an antiseptic and their leaves are used to make bandages for first aid kits.
- Used as a welcoming offering for businesses or events in Korea.
- Considered an element of adding Feng Shui to a space.
- Included in a NASA’s Clean Air Study, that examined how the air in space stations could be cleaned and filtered. Sansevieria was one of the top-performing houseplants for removing toxins in the air. It can remove benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene and toluene, and it was even shown that one plant per 100 square foot was enough to efficiently clean the air in a space station!
Care & Maintenance for Sansevieria Plants:
- Light: Bright, indirect light. However, they will do fine in low-light areas and can also withstand full sun.
- Water: Allow soil to completely dry between watering. Be sure to keep the leaves dry when watering. Ensure adequate drainage. Unlike most plants, it can withstand drought as it exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide during the night, which prevents water from escaping through evaporation.
- Fertilizer: Cactus fertilizer every 3 months.
- Maintenance: Low maintenance. Bring indoors during the winter months and reduce watering. When choosing a place for your Snake plant, try to keep it away from a direct path of air vents.
- Growth: 2-4′ tall/ 1-2′ tall
Sansevierias are unfortunately toxic to pets so be sure to keep them away from cats or dogs if they tend to nibble plants.
Here at Anna’s we carry a wide assortment of Sansevieria plants with new varieties continuing to arrive! Check out what we have in-stock and shipping Canada-wide below!
