Blog: Easy-care succulents, aka snake plants, are ideal houseplants for beginners
Succulents are hugely popular, and some of the best houseplants are Sansevieria – here’s how to grow mother-in-law’s tongue or snake plant.
We have to get used to replacing the name Sansevieria with Dracaena. Originally, botanists classified the plants based on their appearance. However, modern DNA tests have moved them to the genus Dracaena. As you can imagine, there’s a lot of confusion on the internet! That said, I’m going to continue to call them Sansevieria in this article, simply for continuity.
Ideal for beginners as they are tolerant of neglect, low light and drought, interior designers love their stark and architectural silhouette. Never was a plant’s common name so obvious! Mother-in-law’s tongue comes from its sharp and thick pointy leaves, and snake plant because of each leaf’s similarity to a snake. The less popular name, viper’s bowstring hemp, is because the plant fibres were used to make bowstrings in Africa. Other names for the 70+ species include devil’s tongue, jinn’s tongue and snake tongue.
According to a NASA Clean Air Study, mother-in-law’s tongues can purify the air by removing pollutants such as formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. Plants absorb carbon dioxide at night, releasing oxygen during daylight, making them ideal bedroom plants. Don’t put them in kids’ rooms – the leaves are poisonous if eaten. More on air-purifying houseplants can be found here.
How to grow mother-in-law’s tongue – my favourites
All of my plants, apart from the S. trifasciata var. laurentii, came from www.theplantworkshop.co.uk.
- S. trifasciata var. laurentii: This most widely cultivated type – you’ll find it in supermarkets. Leaves are upward-pointing, dark green with golden yellow edging and attractive banding. Great for tight spaces. I’ve got one of these in flower at the moment. Its flowers are off-white, like tiny lilies. The fragrance is rather odd, and they exude a sticky residue. It’s virtually indestructible, although my partner’s tried very hard to kill off some offshoots! 1.2m.
- S. cylindrica (African spear): Leathery, upright, smooth, tubed-shaped foliage. Very low maintenance and loved by contemporary stylists. 1m.
- S. bacularis Fulwood Mikado: Like the African spear, the foliage is slim and tube-shaped and upright, although it grows slightly taller. 1.2m.
- Moonshine: Unusual silvery-green tones on broad, stiffly upright leaves, softly infused with faint horizontal bands. Grows to just 60cm.
- Black Coral: A newer variety, in darker tones than usual, irregularly banded by a paler green. The lighter bands on my plant are more dominant since being moved to a lighter place. The fleshy leaves are very upright. 1m.
Plant uses and purposes
Mother-in-law’s tongues are popular as houseplants all over the world. In China, dragons and phoenixes decorate the potted plants. Korean tradition has them presented during the opening ceremonies of businesses or other auspicious events. Known as money plants in Barbados, as the green reminds people of US dollars!
In their native Africa, the leaves are used for fibre production. The sap has antiseptic qualities, and the leaves are used for bandages in traditional medicine.
Propagating new plants
The easiest way is by division. Plants don’t come true to type from leaf cuttings. When repotting in spring, use a pruning knife to cut the original plant into several sections and pot up into new compost. Make sure each piece has a decent amount of root with it.
Flowers can be followed by red or orange berries, pollinated in the wild by moths. However, not many viable seeds are produced. The flowering stem (raceme) oddly won’t produce new leaves after it has bloomed. Don’t worry, the plant won’t die like agave. Plantlets will still be produced from their rhizomes.
How to grow mother-in-law’s tongue
- Sansevieria are tolerant of most things, except overwatering, as the roots can rot. Never overwater. Let the soil dry out in between each watering.
- Keep in a room with a temperature between 15°C and 24°C.
- Plants like a well-lit position with shade and sun throughout the day.
- They can survive draughts, so good for entrance halls.
- Feed between March and September.
- Use well-drained cactus soil.
- Repot or split plants in spring, as pot-bound plants regularly split pots!
- Don’t worry about nicks or scars on their leaves.
