There are a number of different varieties of Sansevieria trifasciata (Sansevieria hahnii). Also known as Dwarf mother in law’s tongue, Bird’s nest Sansevieria or Bird’s nest snake plant. A miniature succulent, this succulent is only about 15-25 cm tall and has a beautiful rosette shape. The varieties also come in silver green color and interesting variegation. It is ideal for indoor use in your home or office due to its small height. Find out how to grow Sansevieria Hahnii plants and how to care for them.
Originally a garden plant, Bird’s Nest has no stems. The plant was discovered in Louisiana by William W. Smith, Jr. in 1939. Tropical West African regions are the native habitat of the mother plant. Hahnii is the name given to the cultivar due to the patent granted to Sylvan Hahn. Unlike most Sansevieria species, Hahnii grows easily and is very hardy.
Plant Growth and Appearance
There are no plants that can grow higher than one foot (30 cm). There are tight rosettes of flat green leaves with distinct light green horizontal bands on the leaves. Different types of plants have different leaf patterns. There are, however, common characteristics of all Hahnii varieties, including spirally arranged leaves. It is possible for this species to produce sweetly fragrant greenish white flowers in summer, but this cultivar seldom does. Plants may refuse to bloom even when they are grown in ideal conditions.
Plants of the Dwarf Sansevieria family grow fast and spread on the ground, making them easy to cultivate. When grown outside in the sun, its underground rhizomes enable it to reproduce rapidly, forming dense stands wherever it is planted. Snake plants make good houseplants like this one. There is almost no difference in the care required by Sansevieria Hahnii and standard snake plants. Water accumulation on the leaves or excessive cold may make it more prone to suddenly rotting.
Uses and Benefits
- As an edging plant and ground cover, Sansevieria hahnii is often grown outdoors. This species is drought-tolerant, which makes it perfect for xeriscaping.
- When grown indoors as a houseplant, it makes a great ornamental plant. This plant can be grown in small pots or dish gardens as a tabletop plant due to its small size. In combination with other succulents of the same size, it looks fantastic.
- In addition to removing formaldehyde, the Bird’s Nest also removes airborne pollutants, including dust and pet dander. During the night, Sansevieria plants produce oxygen and filter airborne toxins.
- Sansevieria hahnii also has the benefit of being very easy to cultivate. This plant is ideal for pots since it needs little care.
Soil
Hahnii snake plants, like most Sansevierias, are susceptible to root rot when water sits around rhizomes and roots for too long. Therefore, drainage capacity should be an important consideration when choosing soil. Snake plants thrive in soil that is sandy, coarse, and fast-draining. Over time, the soil can become compact and dense, so replace it every 2-3 years.
It is possible to make your own potting mix if you have regular garden soil and some additives. Drainage can be improved by mixing pumice, perlite, or gravel. For a more dense potting mix, add coir or peat to retain moisture. In addition to succulents and cacti, Sansevieria Hahnii thrives in standard potting mix.
Pots
In pots or planters, Hahnii snake plants can be controlled despite their tendency to spread rapidly when grown outdoors. Several plants can be grown in a larger container or one in a small pot. Terracotta, ceramics, wood, plastic, or any other material can be chosen, depending on the style of your architecture. You can also hang them from a trellis.
Smaller plants do well in glass pots. However, most of them do not have drainage holes. In a container for any Sansevieria, drainage holes are the most important feature to look for. It is important to drill some drainage holes in the bottom of your pot if it does not already have one. Ensure you choose a pot that is proportionate to the size of the plant. A large plant can overwater.
Lighting Requirements
Plants that grow in bird’s nests do best in moderate to bright indirect light. However, they can also adapt to low light and partial shade. Growing and blooming seem to be encouraged by bright light. Additionally, it can enhance the color of the foliage. Furthermore, the light does not have to be sunlight. The plant can grow under fluorescent lights too, which makes it a popular choice for offices.
Even full sun is no problem for Sansevieria hahnii when slowly acclimated. Don’t let the afternoon sun damage the plants. Avoid too dark areas as well, as they can stunt the growth of plants.
Schedule for Watering
Because Sansevieria Hahnii thrives under drought conditions, it doesn’t need frequent watering. Plants die from root rot caused by overwatering. Bird’s nest plants should be watered as follows:
- Before watering, let the soil dry out. It is important to check the surface of the soil (1-1.5 inches) before watering. Make sure that it’s completely dry.
- When watering, keep the leaves dry. Since the leaves are rosette-shaped, water can accumulate between them, resulting in fungal infection or rot.
- Slowly and deeply water the plant until it begins to drip. Drain away excess water as freely as possible. Once the drainage saucer has been emptied, discard it. You shouldn’t let the collected water sit on your plant.
- In general, depending on the climate and the surroundings of the plant, you should water once or every other week. Shaded plants, for example, use less water than those kept in bright light. Your plant may need even less water if you live in a colder climate.
- When winter begins, reduce the frequency of watering to once a month.
The Temperature
From 60 to 85 degrees F (15-29 degrees C), Sansevieria hahnii will be happy. A short period of time at 10° C (50° F) is also acceptable. When the temperature drops in winter and fall, take extra care. There are not as many houseplants that are cold-hardy as this one. Winters should be frost-free. The temperature may need to be raised to meet your climate needs.
Fertilizer
Plants like Sansevieria hahnii require little maintenance and don’t need a lot of supplemental feeding. During the growing season, feed a weak dose of general-purpose feed. Organic fertilizers can also be used. But be careful not to over fertilize this plant.
During the spring and summer there is more growth in your plants, which necessitates fertilizing them. Don’t apply the fertilizer more than once a month, and dilute it by half (20-20-20). During the winter, do not feed your plants. Here is a fertilizer guide with more information.
Diseases and Pests
There are usually no serious diseases or pest problems with this Hahnii snake plant. Snake plants are hardy and have strong succulent leaves. You are more likely to encounter mealybugs or spider mites if a pest invades your Sansevieria Hahnii. Pest control is an easy task. Here’s how to avoid common insect and fungal problems with snake plants.
Low temperatures and overwatering seem to be the most common enemies of Bird’s nest plants. Watering a rosette’s leaves increases the likelihood they will rot, since they have a rosette shape. In particular, water left on the inner young leaves results in mushy leaves and fungal infestations. Leaving the plant in freezing temperatures for too long may cause scarring on the leaves. To spot disease early, look for signs such as soft, drooping, or yellowing leaves.
Repotting
After reaching a certain height, your Sansevieria hahnii won’t require frequent repotting. Plants should only be transplanted when they are pot-bound or if you want to replace the soil. A good idea is to replace your soil every two to three years in order to make sure it drains freely. The best time to repot your plant is in spring to early summer, although it can be done at any time of year. You can repot your snake plant using these basic steps:
- You can use the same pot or get a pot with the right size. This plant doesn’t require a large pot. Reusing a pot requires thorough cleaning.
- To cover the drainage holes, lay rocks or pebbles on the bottom. Then cover it with soil.
- Shake clean the roots of your plant after you remove it from its old pot. Put the root ball in a new pot. Add the remaining potting mix to the container.
- Put it in the same place where it was before. Leaves should not be buried in the soil mix. The soil level should be at least 1 inch below the rim of the pot.
- Let the water drain from the plant after you have watered it thoroughly.
- For more information on repotting a snake plant, click here.
Maintenance and Grooming
Sansevieria Hahnii is known for its low-maintenance nature. Even though it thrives on its own, you shouldn’t completely ignore it. The leaves may need to be removed. Eventually, some leaves will die, so those should also be trimmed.
Except for pruning the leaves once in a while, there is not much maintenance required. You can split your plant from the roots if it has grown beyond its container, though.
Propagation
Generally, Sansevieria hahnii plants are propagated by division because of their strong rhizome and root structure. Leaf cuttings are another popular way to propagate plants. On the other hand, it takes up to 3 months for leaf cuttings to develop strong enough roots. Since hahnii plants spread rapidly through their rhizomes, dividing the plant from its root ball seems to be an easy, quick and reliable procedure. Here’s how you can do it:
- If you want to dive the roots, you will need a mature plant with well-established roots and multiple leaf sections.
- Sansevieria Hahnii forms rosettes in the shape of vases. You can easily divide the roots of your plant if it has multiple rosettes. Using one rosette per section, separate the sections.
- Put each new container into each section. To keep your soil mix draining fast, use a pot with drainage holes.
- After that, water your plants deeply, discard the drained water, and let them settle into their new home.
- It is possible to propagate a plant using leaf cuttings or waiting for it to form pups if it is not large enough. When rooted from leaves, variegated cultivars will not produce variegated offspring.