One of the most popular indoor plants in some homes is the Moonshine Snake plant. Sansevierias are strong and low maintenance plants, so you can be sure that your experience with this houseplant will be exhilarating.
A succulent belonging to the Asparagaceae family, this plant is commonly called Sansevieria trifasciata. The species is native to West Africa, particularly Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, and Guinea.
Its robust endurance to thrive in wild conditions enables Mother in Law’s Tongue (which you will read about below) to juggle its role as an indoor and outdoor landscaping plant.
Sansevieria Moonshine a.k.a. Mother in Laws Tongue
Snake plant is also known as:
- Silver Moonshine
- Moonshine snake plant
- Sansevieria Futura Silver Offset’
- Moonlight Sansevieria
These names are attributed to its curly leaves, which are light-green and tough regardless of the season.
The leaves of this plant are quite sharp and the plant is also referred to as “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue” because of its appearance.
You can grow the snake plant with just minimal effort, so it’s perfect for beginners looking for an impressively tolerant succulent. The plant will grow up to 2′ tall so you can place it near a windowsill, unless you want to use growth hormones and fertilizer in the spring and summer.
The more you give it, the bigger and taller it may become.
Moonshine Snake Care Guide
Soil Requirements
Plant your moonshine snake in a typical succulent potting mix to ensure that its rhizomes have a firm support base.
In this scenario, potting soil for cacti plants would also be ideal. Compared to loamy soil, it is much more permeable, which facilitates the drainage process. Be aware that if the roots are left in water for too long, they will rot and you will eventually lose the plant.
Although you have the autonomy to transplant your Moonshine plant whenever you deem fit, it’s best to be a little patient so your rooting hormones and your rhizome structure can both fully mature prior to repotting it.
Watering
One thing to remember is that the leaves of this succulent don’t need too much water to remain strong and healthy. This plant naturally has robust roots that can endure dry periods. But if it takes longer hours to drain the water, it can become rotten.
While the Moonshine snake is remarkably drought-resistant, you still need to let the soil dry up completely before you give it another watering session.
The watering frequency should also be reduced during winter as the rooting hormones become numb due to the extremely cold conditions. The roots would be ruined if they were soaked in water for too long, so the nutrient-intake and water absorption would come to a halt.
In order to increase the growth rate and foliage quality of your plants, you can use a fertilizer that can be used for all purposes, but you should not use it more than once a year, when the optimum conditions exist.
Grooming & Maintenance
Snake plants thrive despite minimal grooming efforts, which is quite impressive. But that doesn’t mean you have the leverage to deprive your plant of the attention it deserves. A plain houseplant on your apartment’s balcony is something you don’t want to have.
Keep the medium in a spot where it gets moderate to intense light to maintain its exotic and elegant appearance. You are at risk of root rot if your plant’s leaves begin to turn yellow.
Light & Temperature
Under bright, indirect light, like morning sunlight, the moonshine snake takes on a striking appearance. Nevertheless, this tweak does not need to be rigidly followed because it still can be adjusted to either high or low light conditions. The USDA hardiness zones 10 through 11 suggest the secret sauce to help your plant thrive consistently is to grow it at temperatures between 55-8°C.
How to Propagate Your Moonshine Snake Plant
By division, you will be able to generate a wildly sprouting moonshine rhizome structure. You must use a sharp, sterilized knife when dividing the rhizome to protect it from being infected.
If you prefer to propagate your snake by leaf cuttings, make sure the cuttings are at least 2 feet in length and remove them from mature leaves.
We noted earlier that it is far better to plant your plants in well-draining potting soil—which is considered to be incredibly permeable, which helps the roots have a firm base, and which does not get waterlogged for too long.
In addition, make sure the leaf-cuttings are also planted at least one foot deep. The roots will then grow rapidly and will need more space to develop a rigid support system. The growing medium should be positioned in an area that receives filtered light since direct sun rays can scorch the leaves.
Common Pests & Diseases You Might Deal with
You won’t need to deal with any serious infections or pests because this plant is extremely hardy. Growing this plant is less trouble and possible problems aren’t hard to fix. Almost all pests and diseases can be controlled with mealybugs and spider mites.
Dark spots tend to appear on the leaves when the temperatures are persistently too cold, or when the roots are soaked for long hours in water, so you need to watch for this sign.
Is The Moonlight Snake Toxic?
When ingested by humans or pets, Sansevierias contain mild toxicity levels that could cause irritation. When you consume large amounts of these toxic elements, you would begin to feel nauseated and begin to vomit in due course.
Potting
Silver Moonshine plants are excellent for container gardening. They look great in planters, pots, and flower pots.
Make sure to always pot or grow plants in pots or containers with drainage holes. Terracotta pots work well for drier plants.
There is no need to repotted the Sansevieria Moonshine often. In fact, Silver Moonshine flourishes when root-bound. Root bound Silver Moonshine plants have a slightly higher probability of flowering.
You will most likely be able to tell when your plant needs a new pot if it feels overcrowded. It’s time to replace your Sansevieria Moonshine if it bursts or breaks out of its pot. Repotting plants every three years is a good idea rather than waiting for them to break their pot.
The process of repotting Silver Moonshine is as simple as carefully removing its current pot and moving it into a larger one. If necessary, add some extra potting soil.
A Silver Moonshine is best replanted during the warmer months. During the cooler months, the plant goes into a resting phase, so repotting during this time may cause it to go into shock.
Sansevieria Moonshine Propagation
It is certainly a good idea to propagate these magnificent plants if you wish to expand your collection. Propagating Silver Moonshine is straightforward. You can divide it, take cuttings, or use offsets.
You can divide your overcrowded plants by dividing their leaves when they are fully grown. It is then necessary to separate the clusters of leaves from the rootstock.
Some roots may still be attached to the clusters in most cases. These can then be planted into individual pots into a well-drained potting mix. Moistening the soil around your Silver Moonshine’s roots will help preserve them.
To propagate offsets you should separate them from the parent plant, with a healthy leaf of your Sansevieria Moonshine. Offsets are also known as new rhizomes.
Let the offsets dry out for about a week before watering the Silver Moonshine plants. Next, you can simply plant the offshoots in well-draining soil.
Finally, Sansevieria Moonshine propagation can be accomplished with leaf cutting. Cut a mature leaf into pieces that are at least 5cm (2in) long, and let it dry out and become calloused. This may take a day or two.
Once scabbed over, the cuttings can be planted 2.5cm (1in) deep in well-draining soil. Within a short time, the cuttings will grow roots of their own.
Plants of all kinds must be located in bright, indirect light.
Common problems with Sansevieria Moonshine
Generally speaking, Sansevieria Moonshine plants are problem-free. Their only possible downside is if they are mistreated. This is usually easy to rectify.
These issues include root rot, darkened leaves, and pest problems. The Sansevieria species is prone to root rot if it’s overwatered.
Although able to adjust to various light levels, leaving your plant in very low light conditions can result in its leaves turning a dark green color. Unfortunately, this cannot be reversed.
Spider mites and mealybugs are the only insects that can affect Silver Moonshine. These pests are easy to avoid. They are also easy to get rid of.
Tips to keep Sansevieria Moonshine problem-free
The Silver Moonshine plants are easy to maintain. Only water them when the soil is dry, but do not give them too much water. Make sure they are not placed in direct sunlight to prevent their leaves from getting scorched. Also, to keep them pest free, wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to remove any dust buildup.
The Sansevieria Moonshine can thrive and thrive with just that. It is not necessary to overthink your plant’s care schedule. Doing too much could cause more harm than good.
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