Sansevieria: home care and propagation

Sansevieria, also known as "mother-in-law's tongue" or "pike tail," doesn't require special care indoors, but it is one of the main sources of oxygen. Repotting and propagating sansevieria is very simple, and even novice gardeners can do it. This houseplant is a perennial with long leaves that grow upward from the root. The leaves can reach up to 1 meter in length. There are approximately 10 species of sansevieria, and they are popular both in homes and offices due to their low maintenance.

Lighting

Sansevieria thrives in any light conditions. It will grow in both full sun and shade. However, variegated varieties may lose some of their color if grown in a shady spot. During the summer, the plant should be moved to a balcony or veranda, but be careful not to expose it to rain.

Temperature

Sansevieria is completely insensitive to temperature fluctuations. In summer, it thrives at temperatures between 18 and 25°C, and in winter, between 14 and 16°C, but not below 10°C. Lower temperatures may slow growth or even stop it altogether.

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Watering and air humidity

When caring for sansevieria at home, remember not to overwater the plant. Watering should be moderate and only after the soil has dried out. In summer, once every seven days is sufficient, and in winter, about once a month. However, if the plant is near a radiator, water it only when the soil dries out.

This houseplant tolerates dry air in apartments well, and any dust that forms on the leaves can be wiped off with warm water.

Top dressing

Sansevierias only need to be fed with liquid cactus fertilizer once a month during the spring and summer. For top dressing, dilute the fertilizer in water at a ratio of 2:1, or 3:1 for varieties with pronounced stripes. Otherwise, overfeeding can cause the "mother-in-law's tongue" to lose its color.

Sansevieria transplant

Sansevieria shouldn't be repotted frequently; once every two to three years is sufficient. This plant thrives in shallow, wide, and deep pots, as its roots grow outward. Repotting is recommended when the roots begin to emerge from the soil.

Reproduction of Sansevieria

How to properly propagate sansevieria at home? This plant propagates quite easily:

• leaf cuttings.

If you have a long wait before repotting, this option is suitable. Small pieces, approximately 5-7 cm long, are cut from an old leaf of the houseplant, perpendicular to the veins. For this method, it's best to use a leaf from the rosette that will no longer produce new leaves.

Cuttings obtained this way are not planted immediately; they are given time to dry slightly, then buried in damp sand up to a third of the way and covered with plastic wrap or a glass jar. Watering is done through the tray. Rooting occurs after 6-8 weeks. The temperature should be maintained between 21 and 25°C.

• division of the root.

This method is preferred when repotting Sansevieria. To do this, carefully remove the mature plant from its pot. Wipe away any soil from the roots. Use a knife to separate any side shoots. Trim the Sansevieria's root system, leaving 7-10 cm.

To reduce moisture evaporation, cut the leaves of the cuttings to 30 cm. Sprinkle the cut areas with crushed charcoal and let them dry for several hours in a shady, well-ventilated area. Plant the divided seedlings in separate containers. Plant the root sections at the same depth they were before transplanting. Water them after 24 hours.

• By lateral shoots. When propagating this way, carefully separate the lateral shoots along with the roots and plant them in a separate container.

Types and varieties of Sansevieria

Despite the variety of species, sansevieria is one of the most low-maintenance and decorative indoor plants. They are most often used by designers to create flower arrangements or decorate interiors.

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Hanny

This low-growing and rather attractive houseplant was bred in 1941 from Sansevieria Laurentii by the renowned breeder S. Hahn. Hence the name. This rosette variety grows no more than 30 cm tall.

In 1953, Khan developed another cultivar with yellow stripes on the sides of its leaves—Golden Honey. Unlike other varieties of "pike tail," this cultivar prefers bright light, but note that the plant should be used in very sunny weather. In shady areas, especially in winter, supplemental lighting is necessary. Under the right light, the coloring becomes more vibrant.

In summer, the temperature ranges from 20 to 25°C, in spring and autumn from 18 to 20, and in winter and during the dormant period, 15°C is the optimal temperature.

Three-lane sansevieria

This type of Sansevieria is the most common, and the height of this plant at home ranges from one meter to 150 cm.

This species should be placed on bright windowsills, with the exception of northern ones. The leaves of "mother-in-law's tongue" are a rich green with pale yellow hues along the edges. The leaf itself is covered in an unusual pattern, which adds to its beauty.

Blooms in spring or fall: the flowers are small, very fragrant, and light green. Geranium soil is quite suitable for planting and growing.

Cylindrical Sansevieria

This Sansevieria variety is unlike other species due to its elongated leaves. The name comes from the shape of the leaves: they are rounded along their entire length, resembling a cylinder.

This species was bred by selective breeders, so it's not found in the wild. At home, with proper care, it can reach a height of 130 to 150 cm.
The flowers of the Cylindrical Sansevieria are also unlike those of its relatives. They range in color from white to pink, appearing on a meter-long stem.

Laurenti

This is the main variety of Sansevieria, from which breeders have developed many new species. Laurenti's leaves grow upward, and a yellow stripe may run along the leaf margin.

Zeylanika

The most popular variety of "pike tail," it's in high demand along with the three-striped sansevieria. However, this variety has its own distinctive features: the leaves of the zeilanica are wide and covered with small spots that take on a silvery hue when the houseplant reaches maturity. They also have the traditional pattern, but instead of the white or yellow stripe along the edge, the stripes run the entire length of the central leaf.

White sansevieria

Senseichion Bantel, or White Sansevieria, was developed in 1948 by breeder Gustav Bantel. This variety stands out from others due to its unusual coloring: the leaves have white longitudinal stripes alternating with dark green.

Due to the fact that white sansevieria grows rather slowly, it is therefore one of the rare species.

• Sansevieria Kirki;
• Sansevieria Pinguicula ("walking");
• Sansevieria Stuckey;
• Sansevieria Francisi;
• Sansevieria Ehrenberg;
• Twisted Sister;
• Sansevieria Eilenzis;
• Silver Queen.

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Diseases and pests

The main diseases and pests of the “pike tail” are:

• Spider mites. The plant's leaves turn pale yellow, white spots appear, and the leaf itself dies—all of this indicates that this pest has appeared on the houseplant. Dry air may be the cause. To prevent the disease, periodically wipe the sansevieria leaves with a damp cloth. Actellic is a good treatment.
• Anthracnose is a disease that manifests itself by the appearance of gradually increasing brown spots on the leaf surface. Over time, the leaves dry out. This disease is often caused by insufficient watering, or more precisely, by overwatering. Treatment with a fungicide solution is recommended.

• Thrips—this pest lays large numbers of eggs on the underside of leaves. The upper surface is speckled with white spots, later developing a grayish-brown tint with a silvery sheen. Chemicals are used for treatment.
• Mealybugs breed at the base of the rosette leaves, where they suck the sap from the houseplant. This causes the leaves to curl, eventually turning yellow and dying. To treat, remove all pests and wipe the leaves with a sponge soaked in warm water. If the plant is severely infested, treat it with Malathion.

• If the leaf is overly wet, it will turn yellow and become soft at the base. To prevent further rot, it's recommended to repot it and remove any damaged leaves. However, if the root system has begun to rot, saving the plant is almost impossible.
• At temperatures below 15°C and a dry soil lump, sansevieria leaves become wilted and rot. The only solution is to adjust the temperature and remove all damaged areas. If stem rot has occurred, you can root the undamaged upper sections of the leaves.

Potential problems when growing at home

When caring for sansevieria at home, the following problems may arise:

• Direct sunlight has a detrimental effect on sansevieria, ranging from loss of color brightness to sunburn.

• When fertilizing the plant with cactus fertilizer, it's important to follow the proper proportions, meaning dilute the fertilizer with water twice as much as the 2:1 recommended in the instructions. If you don't follow these guidelines, the pike tail will begin to rot from the excess fertilizer.

• If the soil composition is incorrect, sansevieria will grow slowly or may even stop growing altogether. The recommended composition is a mixture of turf, leaf mold, and sand, in a ratio of 4:2:1.
• Problems with excess moisture. Avoid frequent watering. In the spring and summer, water no more than once a week, and in winter, reduce to once a month.

If you take proper care of your sansevieria, it will delight you not only with its fragrant flowers, but also saturate your home with oxygen.