They might not have the most sexiest names, but Snake Plant, Mother in Law’s Tongue, Viper’s Bow String Hemp, and Devil’s Tongue are certainly recognizable! We’ve rounded up 20 facts you have to know about Sansevieria!
Sansevieria Trifasciata – Most Commonly Found Species
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Sansevieria trifasciata is the most commonly found species on the market because it grows much more rapidly than the other non-commercially grown species. There is so much variety in the shape and color of this species, that if you are looking for one of each, you could obtain a very large collection!
Easy to Care Plant
Africa, Madagascar, and southern Asia are the countries where these indoor plants are from. Since they are found in arid climates and thrive in harsh conditions, they are among the easiest plants to care for indoors.
Air Purifier
Snake plants are among the best air purifying plants. Their unusual behavior is the fact that they release oxygen at night using a process known as Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM). To prevent dehydration, they only open their stomata at night. CO2 is captured and released, organic acids are stored in the leaves for use in photosynthesis during the day.
Sick Building Syndrom Fighter
Sick building syndrome, have you heard of it? It occurs when people who spend long periods of time inside buildings start feeling ill for no apparent reason. It has been found that the severity of symptoms increases when people spend more time indoors, and decreases when they spend more time outdoors.
Despite that medically there is no proof that this illness exists, I believe that it is true!
Our indoor air is cleansed of toxins like formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, and nitrogen oxides by plants. Although most workspaces and homes have built-in air circulation systems, the presence of snake plants in these places is especially beneficial during the night when the air conditioning systems are turned off. You can clean the air a lot with greenery!
We use all kinds of manufactured materials to construct our homes and offices, including carpets, furniture, glue, sealers, etc. It’s good to know that plants can filter out these harmful chemicals over time since they emit fumes continuously.
Snake Plant as an Element for Interior Design
As a side note, Sanseveiria is one of my favorite elements for interior design. I have not yet found the sculpture or décor item that can do what a statuesque snake plant can.
The little horizontal space they take up makes them perfect for small rooms and hallways. A blank wall or corner becomes more striking when they have vertical elements. Compared to faster growing plants that need to be moved, they are relatively slow growing and can remain in one place for years. Whether grouped or single, they are the backbone of interior plant design.
Low Light Plant
Low light is no problem for these indoor plants. These plants thrive in conditions that are less than ideal and are extremely resilient. Low light makes them grow very slowly or at all. If you want to keep your plant as large as it was when you purchased it or inherited it, low light is the ideal environment for it. Keep in mind that the less light your houseplants receive, the less you should water them. Yes, low light doesn’t mean no light as most plants require light to survive!
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Sansevieria prefer medium to bright lighting. They can thrive in direct light if properly acclimated. When you place a shady plant right in the direct sunlight, you run into leaf burning problems.
I recommend giving your snake plant as much indirect sunlight as possible if you want it to grow faster and bigger. Even so, they will do fine almost anywhere in your home.
Avoid Overwatering
Plants can survive for long periods without water because they store it in their leaves. Dry weather is best for them. They come from very dry regions and expect long periods of drought. Overwatering is the biggest mistake. Overwatering can lead to root rot and a rapid decline in the health of the plant. You should water them when they are completely dry. You should resist the urge to water just because you are watering other plants nearby.
Choose the Right Pot
If stretch pants were made for plants, snake plants are sure to be the first to buy them. The reason is that they like a tight fit. Oversizing too early can cause problems. You should let your snake plants develop a muffin top, they benefit from being slightly rootbound. When it’s time, they will burst open their ceramic pots and bulge out of their grow pots. Although it might seem like you are neglecting them, these plants enjoy their alone time.
Getting to this point will take longer if they have less light. You may need to wait years before you have to go pot shopping.
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