Sansevieria Care: The Ideal Plant for Beginners

Starting a houseplant journey can be both exciting and confusing. Beginners should choose easy-to-grow plants that look good and add greenery to their home. One such option for bringing greenery indoors is the Sansevieria plant.

The Sansevieria, or Snake Plant, is popular for homes and gardens. This plant, known scientifically as Sansevieria trifasciata, comes from dry areas in West Africa. It grows well in many different environments, and is suitable for both beginners and experienced gardeners.

Growcycle provides the proper nutrients for Sansevieria to help it grow strong and healthy. They offer different nutrients that meet the plant’s needs at each growth stage. The article below will explore all the essential details about Sansevieria, including its characteristics, types, and best care.

Botany of Sansevieria Plant

Sansevieria, also called snake plant, is a group of flowering plants from Africa, especially Madagascar, and southern Asia. These plants are popular houseplants for good reasons. They can survive without water for weeks and do well in low to medium light. Here are the key botanical features of the Sansevieria plant.

1. Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Genus: Dracaena
• Family: Asparagaceae
• Botanical Name: Sansevieria trifasciata
• Common Name: Snake Plant
• Plant Type: Evergreen houseplant

2. Origin and Habitat

• Native to South Africa, especially Madagascar and Southern Asia.
• Flourish best in bright light but can also survive in low light

3. Physical Characteristics

• Height and growth: Sansevieria plants can grow up to 3-4 feet in height and grow in vertical order.
• Leaves: Thick and fleshy leaves for water retention and drought tolerance.
• Color: These plants are available in various colors with green bases and yellow edges.
• Stem and Roots: Snake plants have underground stems that grow gradually and spread to form clumps.

4. Flowers

• Sansevieria species usually have greenish-white flowers but can also be rose, lilac-red, or brownish. They grow on simple or branched stems.
• In the wild, moths pollinate them but do not consistently flower or produce fruit, so only a few seeds are produced.

5. Reproduction

• Sansevieria plants typically reproduce through cutting or tearing propagation. Leaf cuttings can also grow multiple plants from a single leaf.
• Pups, natural offsets of the Sansevieria plant, can be used for quick reproduction.

Types of Sansevieria Plant

There are around 70 types of snake plants. They grow in Africa, Madagascar, and southern Asia. Long ago, people liked them for their strong fibers, which they used to make ropes and baskets. Here is a comparison of some of the few types of Sansevieria plants.

Benefits of Growing Sansevieria Plants in the Garden

The snake plant or Sansevieria, also called mother-in-law’s tongue, is a strong succulent growing from 6 inches to several feet tall. Snake plants not only improve the aesthetic appeal of any space, but they also have several health benefits, including:

• Purify Air: Like other household succulents, Sansevieria plants help clean the indoor air. This plant is unique because it can turn carbon dioxide (CO2) into oxygen at night. This makes it a great bedroom choice, as it helps keep the air fresh.
• Remove Toxins: Sansevieria plants can also remove harmful air pollutants. These plants can absorb dangerous substances, including CO2, benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, trichloroethylene, and toluene. By taking away these toxins, snake plants can help reduce airborne allergies.
• Easy to Care for Many people choose Sansevieria plants because they are simple. They can grow well on windowsills in homes, apartments, and public buildings. These plants tolerate low light and direct sunlight, occasional underwatering, drafts, and dry air. They do not need regular repotting and are rarely affected by pests.
• Help with Allergies: Sansevieria plants release oxygen and add moisture to the air, which can help lessen the effects of allergens like dust and pet dander. This benefit is important since poor air quality is linked to health issues like allergies and asthma.
• Health Benefits: Sansevieria plants can help heal skin wounds and burns, reduce swelling, support normal blood pressure, boost the immune system, remove parasites, and ease headaches.

How to Propagate a Sansevieria Plant?

There are various ways to propagate Sansevieria plants, some of which are:

1. Propagation through Division

A quick way to grow new Sansevieria plants is by dividing them. Here are some simple steps to divide a snake plant:

Rhizomes store the energy needed for growing plant leaves and stems. Take the plant out of its pot and use sharp scissors or a hand saw to split the base into sections. Usually, cutting it in half is enough unless the plant is old and has many rhizomes. A good tip is to keep at least three rhizomes and one healthy leaf for each new plant.

Like many succulents, snake plants make pups or plantlets, which are small plants that grow from the same root. Gardeners can remove a plantlet from the parent plant once it has grown enough roots. When someone re-pots the larger snake plant, it is a good time to take some pups from it.

Gardeners can pot the plantlet using the same original soil in its small container. Water the new plant lightly and wait to fertilize until it is settled in its new pot. This way, a homeowner can get an instant plant similar to the parent plant.

2. Propagation through Seeds

Growing snake plants or Sansevieria from seeds can be challenging. Since snake plants grow slowly, gardeners should be patient when starting from seeds.

The seeds are dark brown and have a hard, wrinkled shell. Soak them for one day before planting. Some suggest wrapping the seeds in moist paper towels and putting them in a sealed plastic bag. To use this method, keep the bag in a bright spot with a temperature between 65 and 80 degrees F. After the seeds sprout, plant them.

Another option is to soak the seeds for a day and plant them immediately in a moistened cactus or low-soil mix. Water the plants once weekly or when the soil's top inch (2.5 cm) feels dry.

3. Propagation through Cuttings

This is the method of propagating Sansevieria by cutting its leaves. At the beginning of spring, use a clean, sharp knife to take a 4-8 inch (10-20 cm) piece of leaf. While some growers recommend using rooting hormone, many professional growers simply insert the basal end into a soilless medium. The preferred medium for commercial cultivation is a 3 to 1 mixture of sphagnum moss and coarse sand.

Before planting, lightly dampen the medium, ensuring it stays moderately moist but not overly wet. Excess moisture can lead to bacterial root rot in the cutting. Place the cutting in a warm location, and roots will begin to form within 4-6 weeks.  New leaves will appear in about 4-6 months.

4. Propagation in Water

Water propagation is a simple way to grow plants but requires some steps. Gardeners can use tap water, but filtered or distilled water is better because it prevents germs. Pick a healthy leaf that isn’t too old and cut it cleanly with scissors.

Place the cut end in enough water to cover the bottom of the leaf. Keep the cutting in a bright and indirect light. Change the water each week and rinse the container. After seeing good roots, move the new plant into a soilless medium.

5. Soil Propagation

Regular potting soil keeps too much moisture and is too heavy for snake plants to grow roots. A mix of perlite, sand, vermiculite, coarse sand, sphagnum, peat moss, or any combination of these is better for propagation.

When using flats to root snake plants with this mix, insert them about 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) deep in the soil. Insert 4-inch (10 cm) sections of snake plant leaves into the damp mix. Give the cuttings 4-5 hours of bright light, keep the temperature at least 65 degrees F, and cover the tray to increase humidity.

Sansevieria Plant Care

Although Sansevierias, or Snake Plants, are easy-to-care-for houseplants, here are some ways to care for this plant:

Light

The snake plant can grow well in different lighting conditions. It tolerates low light, making it a good choice for offices or rooms with little light. To help snake plants thrive, place them in bright light. This setting will help them to grow faster and produce more leaves. However, excessive direct sunlight can harm the leaves.

Direct sunlight can harm the snake plant, so keep it away from windows that get a lot of sun. If the plant isn’t doing well, try moving it to a brighter spot to see if it improves.

Soil

The snake plant is quite adaptable to soil. It thrives in all-purpose potting mixes and cactus or succulent soils. The key is to choose a well-draining blend, as overly wet soil can result in root rot. 

A soil mix containing pumice, perlite, or wood chips will provide good drainage for healthy growth. It is also advisable to re-pot the snake plant every few years to renew the soil and give it more space to expand.

Water

The snake plant thrives in dry conditions, so it is important not to overwater it. Water the plant after every 2 to 3 weeks, and let the top inch of soil dry out completely before watering again. Always water at the base of the plant to keep water off the leaves.

In winter, watering is reduced since the plant needs less moisture. Also, ensure excess water drains properly from the pot to prevent overwatering, which can cause bacterial problems.

Temperature and Humidity

The snake plant is most favored because it can survive all kinds of temperature and humidity conditions. It can easily thrive in temperatures as low as 50°F, allowing it to thrive in even cooler spaces. However, its ideal growth is attained within the range of 70-90°F.

The snake plant does not need any specific humidity requirements. It performs well in arid and humid settings, so there’s no need to worry about incorporating a humidifier into its environment.

Fertilizer

Sansevieria plants are great feeders and can benefit from occasional fertilizer. Use a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer and dilute it to half-strength. Apply this during spring and summer when the plant is growing. Avoid fertilizing in fall and winter because the plant is used to dormant at this time.

Applying too much fertilizer can harm the snake plant, so follow the instructions in the product manual and avoid over-fertilizing.

Pruning

Removing dead or damaged leaves helps the plant grow better and stronger. Pruning is a great way to keep the plant looking nice and tidy. Plus, it can encourage new growth, which is always good. A nicely pruned plant can brighten up any space and make it more inviting.

Seasonal Adjustments

The care for a Sansevieria plant changes with the seasons. During winter, water is less because it needs less moisture. Check the soil; only water when the top inch feels dry. Also, pay attention to light. Snake plants prefer bright and indirect light but can survive in lower light conditions for short periods. Long periods of low light can hurt its growth.

Be careful not to overwater. Make sure the pot has drainage holes so extra water can escape. This helps prevent root rot. These tips will keep the snake plant healthy and strong throughout the year.

Common Problems to Face while Dealing with Sansevieria

Sansevieria are easy to handle and can live for many years. Most problems come from overwatering, which can cause fungal infections and root rot. Some of them are:

• Foul-Smelling Soil: Root rotting is the biggest reason for foul-smelling soil. To prevent it, remove the soil from the pot and check the roots. Cut away any brown, mushy roots and leaves, and then repot the healthy parts of the rhizome.
• Yellow or Brown Leaves: Healthy snake plant leaves are green with cream, yellow, or white edges. If there are yellow or brown leaves, it’s likely due to overwatering, pests, or root rot. Keep these issues at bay by watering only when the soil is dry.
• Curling Leaves: If the leaves are curling, snake plants might have thrips, a common pest. Trim off the badly affected leaves and spray the plant with neem oil to keep those little pests away.
• Leaves Falling Over or Drooping: Snake plant leaves normally grow upright, but if they’re drooping or falling over, it could be from too much water, not enough light, or poor soil. To prevent leaves from falling, move the plant to a brighter spot, reduce watering, and use a better-draining soil mix.
• Pest Infestation: Snake plants can attract common houseplant pests like scales, gnats, spider mites, aphids, mealybugs, and whiteflies. Most pests can be knocked off by hand or light water spray. Use neem oil to deal with any infestations.

FAQs

Is Sansevieria suitable for the house?

Yes, Sansevieria is an excellent choice for home. It is easy to care for, grows in different light levels, and cleans the air by warding off harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene. Its attractive look and strength make it ideal for beginners and experienced plant lovers, helping to create a healthier indoor space with little effort.

What is the difference between the snake plant and Sansevieria?

The snake plant and Sansevieria are the same. "Snake plant" is a common name for the Sansevieria type, with tall, sword-shaped leaves. The name "snake plant" describes its look, while "Sansevieria" is its scientific name.

Does Sansevieria purify air?

Yes, Sansevieria helps to clean the air. It removes toxic substances like formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon dioxide from the air, improving indoor air quality. It also conducts photosynthesis at night, providing oxygen. Therefore, it is great for use in bedrooms.

The Bottom Line

Sansevieria, also called the snake plant, is a great option for indoor gardening. This strong and adaptable plant is perfect for anyone looking to add greenery to their space. Snake plants are special because they help clean the air, making them a great choice for all types of gardeners. With the right care and knowledge, homeowners can enjoy the beauty and benefits of snake plants indoors or in their gardens.

Growcycle offers high-quality soil and potting mixes designed for home gardeners. These products provide the nutrients snake plants need to grow healthy and strong. The soil and mixes are made to suit different plants, including Sansevieria. For anyone wanting to grow lush Sansevieria, Growcycle is an excellent choice for reliable gardening products.

Disclaimer: This material is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for legal, medical, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

Sources:

1. Wiki - Sansevieria

2. Gardenersworld - How to grow snake plant (Sansevieria)

About the Author

Victor Miller

Environmental Journalist Focused on Sustainable Agriculture

Victor Miller is an environmental journalist at Growcycle, where he covers the latest news, trends, and innovations in sustainable agriculture. He has a deep passion for storytelling that emphasizes ecological balance and responsible farming practices.

Before joining Growcycle, Victor worked for several agricultural and environmental publications, reporting on significant environmental issues and interviewing key figures in the sustainability sector. His work has been featured in various industry journals and online platforms.