Another name
for Snake plant is Sansevieria and is also called mother-in-law's tongue. The
Snake plant is a popular and hardy houseplant with stiff, sword-like leaves. The
Snake plant is available in different varieties, a lot of them have
green-banded or striped leaves with a yellow or cream border.
The Snake
plant is an attractive, easy-to-grow houseplant that actually tolerates drought
and low light.
Snake Plant Info
The common name:
The common names are mother-in-law plant, Snake plant, mother-in-law's tongue.
The
botanical name: The botanical name is Dracaena trifasciata.
The family:
The Snake plants belong to Asparagaceae
family.
The plant type:
The Snake plant is evergreen perennial typically grown as a houseplant.
The mature size:
The mature size is 6 inches to 12 feet tall in native habitat depending on the variety;
2-5 feet tall when grown as a houseplant
The sun exposure:
Snake plant prefers sun to part shade.
The soil type:
Snake plant does well in sandy, well-drained soil.
The soil pH:
Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.
The blooming
time: The blooming time is Spring.
The flower
color: The flower color is white.
USDA
hardiness zones: Nine to eleven.
The native area:
Snake plant is native to West Africa.
Plant toxicity:
Snake plant is toxic to cats and dogs.
What is the Best Way to Grow a Snake
Plant?
The Snake
plant also known as Sansevieria is a good choice for beginners because the
plant tolerates a range of growing conditions. The Snake plant is
low-maintenance container plant that can add decorative interest when planted
indoors.
Light
requirement
The Snake
plants grow best with eight to ten hours of indirect sunlight or a few hours of
early-morning direct sunlight. Actually too much direct sun can burn the Snake plant
and also damage its leaves. The Snake plants can also tolerate some shade, although
lack of light can stunt the growth of the plant and also dilute the plant's
color.
Soil
requirement
Like any
other houseplant, the Snake plants actually prefer a loose, well-drained
potting soil mix. Snake plant does well in sandier soil which makes all-purpose
cactus potting soil a good choice. Make sure you avoid soil mixes that contain a
high percentage of peat, which can retain too much water.
Water
requirement
How often do
you water a snake plant? You can water your snake plant when the soil has
completely dried out, make sure you water deeply. During the winter, you need
to check the plant's soil mix every 2 weeks or so, the Snake plant might need
to be watered only once a month. If you notice that the leaves are brittle and
dry you can water immediately.
Remember
that overwatering the plant is the quickest way to kill the plant. Too much
watering of the plant or letting the plant sit in water will rot its root
system. Yellowing of leaves is one of the early sign of overwatering.
Temperature
and humidity requirement
The snake
plants grow best in warm temperatures between seventy degree Fahrenheit and ninety
degree Fahrenheit. Keep the snake plants away from cold drafts.
The snake
plant won't tolerate frost, and prolonged exposure to less than fifty degree Fahrenheit
can kill the plant. The snake plant will do fine with average household
humidity between thirty and fifty percent.
Fertilizer
requirement
You can
easily feed your snake plant once in spring and once in mid-summer with a
balanced, slow-release 10-10-10 fertilizer diluted to half strength. Don’t fertilize
your snake plant in winter.
Varieties of Snake Plant
The Dracaena
trifasciata 'Hahnii' variety: The Dracaena trifasciata 'Hahnii' is also called
bird's nest snake plant, they grows to just 6 inches tall.
The Dracaena
angolensi variety: The Dracaena angolensi has round, stiff leaves several feet
long, arching outward from a central crown.
The Dracaena
trifasciata 'Laurentii' variety: The Dracaena trifasciata 'Laurentii' is a
variegated cultivar that has creamy yellow leaf margins.
The Dracaena
trifasciata 'Twisted Sister': This particular variety has twisting leaves with
yellow variegated edges. This variety grows to fifteen inches tall.
The Dracaena
trifasciata 'Bantel’s Sensation' variety: The Dracaena trifasciata 'Bantel’s
Sensation' leaves are narrow with white vertical stripes.
The Dracaena
pearsonii variety: The Dracaena pearsonii are sometimes called rhino grass,
this variety features succulent red-tinted leaves and grows to twelve inches
tall.
Pruning
Snake Plant
You can prune
your snake plants during the growing season to encourage new growth. To control
the plant height, just remove the tallest leaves at the soil line with a
sterile cutting tool. The damaged leaves can be easily removed at anytime;
however, winter pruning can cause stress.
Potting and
Repotting Snake Plant
You can repot
your snake plant every 3 to 5 years, or when you see roots growing out of the
holes in the bottom of the pot. Other signs that your snake plant needs
repotting are when water draining out too quickly, the roots filling the entire
container, or stunted growth and a dull appearance.
Type of Pot
to Use
The snake
plants actually prefer wide, shallow pots with ample of drainage holes. The pot
diameter should be roughly twice the size of the root ball. You can Choose a
sturdy pot made from ceramic, terracotta, or clay, as strong roots can crack
and break plastic pots. Terra cotta pots wick away excess moisture, which can
help prevent overwatering.
When to
Repot Snake Plant
It's time to
repot your Snake plant again into a container 2 inches wider when the roots
become overcrowded or the plant outgrows its original pot. The best time to
repot your snake plant is in spring. When repotting your snake plant, you have
to place it at the same level as it was in the original container.
Pest Control
Actually all
snake plants are susceptible to common houseplant pests such as gnats, scales,
spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, and whiteflies. Most of these pests can be easily
removed by hand or with a gentle spray of water. You can treat infestations
with neem oil.
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