There are many names for this perennial succulent and it is commonly called the Blue Sansevieria, the Sword Sansevieria, and the Sansevieria Samurai.
Even a miniature cultivar of this eye-catching plant is known as the Samurai Dwarf.
Originally native to the arid regions of tropical Africa and Asian parts, the Sansevieria Samurai is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. The Sansevieria Ehrenburgii has been named after the German naturalist Christian Ehrenberg. Dracaena is the genus to which it now belongs.
The Sansevieria Ehrenbergii is easily recognized by its interesting appearance. Their blade-like leaves fan out in two opposite rows in a zig-zag pattern. A reddish-brown edging may also be observed on the thick and pointy leaves of this plant.
Sansevieria Ehrenbergii Care Guide
Soil
Waterlogged soil is the worst nightmare of the Sansevieria Samurai. Like other succulents of its kind, the Sansevieria Ehrenbergii stores its water in its leaves.
You need to plant your Sansevieria Samurai in porous, fast-draining sand for it to thrive. A gritty potting mix for succulents would work best. This will allow drainage while not containing too much moisture to cause disease.
Light
You should get your Sansevieria Samurai in bright light since this is a sun-loving plant, but it can survive in almost any condition.
Sansevieria Ehrenbergii does well in all kinds of conditions: full sun and deep shade. The Sansevieria Samurai plant prefers bright indirect light when grown outdoors in tropical regions.
If your Sansevieria Ehrenbergii is kept in optimal light, you may see increased growth rates.
Watering
Maintaining a healthy Sansevieria Samurai is straightforward. The key to keeping your plant happy is not overwatering.
These plants require water only once to twice a week, despite being drought-tolerant. Sansevieria Samurai should be watered monthly in winter. It is better to check if it needs water before committing further watering.
Before watering your Sansevieria Ehrendergii, you should allow the soil to completely air-dry. Thorough watering is perfect.
The best way to water Sansevieria Samurai is to deeply water it, stopping when you see water drip from the drainage holes. Discard all the water collected in the saucer after your Sansevieria Ehrenbergii has fully drained.
When left in excessively wet soil, it becomes root rotten and the Sansevieria Samurai will die.
Temperature
Sansevieria Ehrenbergii can tolerate temperature fluctuations. In general, it prefers temperatures that are comfortable for humans.
Sansevieria Ehrenbergii prefers temperatures ranging from 15°C to 29°C (60°F to 85°F). At temperatures below 10°C (50°F), your plant will begin to suffer.
Although hardy, sansevieria Samurai is not impervious to extreme cold and wet soil conditions.
Frost and indoor cold drafts should also be kept away from your Sansevieria Ehrenbergii.
Humidity
With humidity levels that are 50% or higher, the Sansevieria Samurai will not suffer, but it would benefit from a bit more humidity during hotter weather.
You can raise the air humidity around Sansevieria Ehrenbergii’s pot by putting it over a pebble tray on a warm day.
Fertilizer
Sansevieria Ehrenbergii fertilizer requirements are relatively low.
The best time to feed your Sansevieria Samurai is during the growing season. During this time you only need to fertilize once a month. Spring and summer are known to be the most active growth seasons for this plant.
You should choose a balanced liquid fertilizer for succulents or a water-soluble fertilizer. In order not to overwater your plant, fertilizing should replace watering. Fertilizing should be skipped altogether in winter months.
Propagation
The easiest way to propagate your Sansevieria Ehrenbergii is through division. There are many ways to accomplish this.
Sansevieria Samurai can be propagated by leaf and rhizome cuttings and offsets.
Growth
Sansevieria Ehrenbergii grows very slowly, much like other plants in the genus. Growing is most active during warmer seasons such as summer or spring. Growth slows dramatically during the colder months of the year.
Leaves of the Sansevieria Samurai tend to grow very long and curved as they increase in length.
Due to it growing from the bottom up, Sansevieria Ehrenbergii leaves often appear brown at the tips.
Leaves of a mature, full-sized Sansevieria Samurai can reach 1.5m (5ft) in length and 8cm (3.5in) wide.
Sansevieria Ehrenbergii miniature cultivars are much smaller and compact than regular cultivars, measuring between 10.2cm (4in) and 15.2cm (6in) in height and width.
This plant’s leaves have blueish-green coloring and are rightfully known as Blue Sansevieria. Sansevieria Ehrenbergii’s leaves have a reddish brown coloring in between its white tips and the tips of its edges.
Despite its rarity, Sansevieria Samurai can be found blooming. Its flowers appear in spiraling clusters.
The coloring can vary sometimes from grayish-white or grey-green with a purple tinge on occasion. Interestingly, the Sansevieria Ehrenbergii’s flowers only open at night.
Growing problems are relatively rare for Sansevieria Ehrenbergii. Overwatering and excessively cold temperatures cause immediate decline in this Sansevieria.
Despite being small, the leaves of the Sansevieria Samurai dwarf still grow in the same fan or blade type formation.
Both green and variegated leaves are available on these stubbier varieties.
There is also the Banana, a dwarf variety of the Sansevieria Ehrenbergii plant. The leaves are shaped like a banana.
Potting
The Sansevieria Ehrenbergii can be grown indoors and outdoors. Heavy clay pots are ideal for this plant as it is very top-heavy. Whatever pot you choose for your Sansevieria Samurais must have drainage holes.
Sansevieria Ehrenbergii is a slow-growing plant, so it is not necessary to repot it often. Repotting may be required if the plant’s growth is causing the pot to lean.
Your Sansevieria Samurai will take well to being rootbound, but should be repotted if it has become crowded or rootbound. However, this plant does best in a rootbound situation and is more likely to produce flowers.
When selecting a new pot for your Sansevieria Ehrenbergii, a wide pot is a better choice due to its ability to contain the long blades.
Samurai Sansevierias grow rapidly, so you’ll be able to tell when they’ve outgrown their pot. If they outgrow their clay pot, they’ll crack.
Sansevieria Ehrenbergii In-depth Propagation Guide
These plants have such a uniquely beautiful look, who would want to get their hands on them?
You can propagate the Sansevieria Samurai in a few ways. There are a few methods of propagation available for you to try.
It is easiest to propagate your Sansevieria Ehrenbergii by division. Plant division is not difficult, as excess soil should be dusted off the roots that are in containers or on the ground.
Once separated, your Sansevieria Samurai plants should have large roots and a clump of leaves on their own. These parts can then be planted separately.
There will be times when the Sansevieria Ehrenbergii will produce offsets. These offsets can be removed easily from the parent plant. Replant the offset, but give it some time to grow and form more complete roots.
One popular way to propagate your Sansevieria Samurai is through leaf cuttings. Cut the leaves into pieces of at least 4in in length and use a healthy, mature leaf.
The cut end will need time to scab over to prevent rotting. This drying process may take a few days but once complete you can plant your cuttings.
Sansevieria Ehrenbergii leaf cuttings can be planted in succulent potting mixes.
The cuttings should be pushed into the soil about 3cm (1in). The soil should be kept only barely moist until the roots have taken hold.
Conclusion
This succulent makes a perfect starter plant for children. Because the Sansevieria Ehrenbergii is very forgiving, it is an ideal plant to teach children how to take care of plants. However, they shouldn’t be the only ones to enjoy taking care of these plants!
Sansevieria Samurai dwarfs are a beautiful living decoration for all rooms in your house! You can’t help but love this plant. This really belongs in every garden and home.
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