Caring for Mother-in-Law's Tongue Houseplants at Home (+21 Photos)

The Sansevieria, also known as Mother-in-Law's Tongue, is quite popular among houseplant enthusiasts. It blends perfectly into any interior and is easy to care for. There are approximately 60 varieties of this succulent, varying in color, shape, and size. Growing it indoors is easy; you just need to know a few care tips.

Characteristics of the mother-in-law's tongue flower and its species diversity

Sansevieria is a perennial, evergreen houseplant of the Asparagus family. There are over 60 varieties of this flower. All are stemless, with long leaves gathered in rosettes. Sometimes, Sansevieria produces greenish-white flowers with narrow petals and long stamens.

The most commonly grown species at home are:

1. Sansevieria tristriata (Sansevieria tristriata) has long, light green leaves with dark transverse stripes. The blooms are inconspicuous, lasting just over a week. Occasionally, berries may appear in place of the flowers.

   

   

2. Sensation Bentle. A selected variety of Sansevieria, it features white stripes and dark emerald speckles on its leaves.
3. Sansevieria Hanni. A low-growing species with leaves no longer than 30 cm. The tips of the dark green leaves are unusually curved outward, and the bush itself resembles a vase.

   

   

4. Silver Honey. A dwarf variety of pike tail, distinguished by its silvery-green coloration. This variety was artificially bred.

   

5. Twisted Sister. This plant has olive-green leaves speckled with dark green and edged with yellow. A distinctive feature of this species is its unusual bush shape.

   

   

   

This is just a small selection of all the existing varieties of snake plants. All snake plants are easy to care for, yet they come in a variety of colors and shapes. This makes the snake plant a stunning addition to any home.

Secrets and difficulties of caring for flowers at home

In the wild, Sansevieria grows in the arid climates of Africa, Sri Lanka, and India. This is why the plant requires little care. However, to achieve a truly "royal" bush, there are a few things to consider.

Lighting

In the wild, Sansevieria thrives in well-lit areas, so indoors it's important to provide the plant with plenty of sunlight. However, the light should be diffused, as direct sunlight can damage the plant. In summer, succulents placed on a south-facing surface should be moved or shaded.

Temperature and humidity

Sansevieria tolerates temperatures above 5°C (41°F). However, the ideal temperature is 16-21°C (61-70°F). During the summer, the plant can be placed outdoors, as it tolerates neither cold nor extreme heat.

Dry air is ideal for growing Sansevieria. Misting should be done very rarely and only during the summer. Dust can be periodically removed from the plant's leaves by wiping them with a damp cloth.

Watering and fertilizing

Dry soil isn't as harmful to sansevieria as overwatering. Therefore, it's important to adhere to a strict watering schedule. From April to October, the plant should be watered after the soil has dried thoroughly. Avoid getting moisture on the plant itself, as this can lead to rot. In winter, water the plant sparingly—every 14 days.

Fertilizing is not necessary during the winter. However, during the warmer months, you can fertilize the plant once a month. Specialized fertilizers for cacti and succulents are ideal for this purpose.

How to propagate a flower at home?

There are two ways to propagate the cuckoo's tail:

• By dividing the leaf. This is not difficult, but it's worth noting that variegated varieties will lose their pattern when propagated this way. So, to propagate Sansevieria, follow these steps:
  • prepare fully ripened leaves;
  • cut the sheet crosswise into several pieces (it is important to remember where the top and bottom sides of the sheet are);
  • leave the pieces to dry for 2 days;
  • plant the leaves in moistened sand with the bottom side down;
  • After 2 months, transplant the rooted flower into the soil.

    

    

    

• There's an easier way to propagate Sansevieria—by dividing the roots. To divide the plant this way, carefully remove it from the pot and separate the rhizome into several pieces. The resulting bushes can be planted directly in soil or placed in a jar of water. Before planting, dust the cut area with charcoal powder.

  

Transfer

Sansevieria grows quite quickly, so it needs to be repotted regularly. This should be done in early spring, before the succulent enters its active growth phase. Stop watering the plant a week before repotting. The pot should be shallow but wide enough and have drainage holes.

Transfer algorithm:

1. Carefully remove the plant from the pot. To do this, grasp all the leaves of the flower as close to the base as possible, tilt the pot slightly, and lift the plant out along with the root ball.

   

2. Separate the rosettes from each other by cutting the root with pruning shears and sprinkle the cut areas with charcoal powder.

   

3. Add a layer of drainage material to the pot. Top with a thick layer of soil.

   

4. Place the flower in the center and cover with soil.
5. Water carefully, trying not to get it on the rosettes.

   

When repotting a Sansevieria, it's not necessary to divide it. You can choose a large enough pot and transplant it using the transshipment method.

Diseases and pests of the mother-in-law's tongue plant

Despite the flower's exceptional ease of maintenance, it is not immune to diseases and pests. To detect them early, it is necessary to carefully inspect the plant.

Most often, sansevieria is affected by viral diseases, namely various rots:

1. Soft rot. With this type of rot, the bases of the leaf blades become soft and develop an unpleasant odor. It occurs due to high humidity or contaminated soil.
2. Root rot. This type of rot affects the plant's roots. As a result, shoots and leaves begin to rot, and dark spots appear. The disease can be caused by water getting on the basal part of the leaves.
3. Leaf rot. Round spots covered in spores appear on the plant's leaves. These spots gradually darken. Overwatering and frequent watering can cause rot.

The plant can also be attacked by various pests:

1. Spider mites. Yellowed leaves with white spots indicate the presence of the pest. If left untreated, the plant will eventually die.
2. Thrips. The leaves of an affected plant take on a brown tint with a silvery sheen. Colonies of the pest can be seen on the underside of the leaf, and light spots appear on the upper surface.
3. Mealybugs. A white coating appears on the leaves, which wilt and fall off. Small white insects can be seen on the underside of the plant.

To prevent disease, it's important to follow proper care guidelines. It should also be planted in sterilized soil.

If the plant is affected by rot, stop watering frequently. Remove affected and wilted areas, and repot the plant in new soil. To prevent re-infestation, pre-bake the soil in an oven.

If the flower is affected by spider mites, the following measures should be taken:

• wipe the leaves with a cotton swab soaked in an infusion of orange peels;
• treat the flower with Fitoverm.

If your sansevieria is affected by mealybugs, you need to:

• remove plaque from leaves using a cotton pad soaked in a soap solution;
• treat the flower with malathion.

When thrips appear, the plant must be regularly sprayed with insecticides until complete recovery.

Beneficial properties and use in folk medicine

Sansevieria has long been valued for its medicinal properties. To this day, it is used as a healing agent for various injuries. Medications for ulcers, gastrointestinal disorders, and cystitis are made from Sansevieria.

There are many folk recipes using pike tail, the most popular ones are listed below.

Sansevieria tincture for the treatment of cystitis and adnexitis. Ingredients:

• chopped pike tail leaves – 1/3 cup;
• vodka – 150 ml.

Preparation: Place the leaves in a dark glass bottle and pour vodka over them. Let it steep in the refrigerator for 21 days, then strain thoroughly.

Directions: Take 10 ml orally twice daily. Do not take on an empty stomach.

Sansevieria decoction for the treatment of itching and scabies. Ingredients:

• cuckoo's tail leaf;
• 200 ml of hot water.

Preparation: Chop the leaves and cover with water. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes. Strain the infusion.

Directions: Divide a glass of the decoction into small portions and drink throughout the day. Apply to affected areas with a cotton pad soaked in the decoction.

Mother-in-law's tongue root decoction to boost immunity. Ingredients:

• a handful of crushed roots;
• a glass of water.

Preparation: Boil water and pour it over the roots. Let it steep for 30 minutes.

Application: take 10 ml on an empty stomach 3 times a day.

Frequently asked questions about growing

Sansevieria is an easy-to-grow houseplant. It tolerates a variety of adverse conditions. For this reason, it can be used to decorate a wide variety of spaces: offices, classrooms, cafes, etc.