Viper’s Bowstring Hemp: Outstanding Guide to Grow the Plant (2021)

Houseplants like viper’s bowstring hemp are known for their toughness and hardiness. Snake plant is also known as Sansevieria trifasciata, Mother-in-law’s tongue, and Saint George’s sword. Besides its succulent leaves, it also has lovely leaf patterns. Foliage that grows upright forms an interesting shape. Africa is the native home of these plants. Due to their robust nature, they can be grown anywhere except in extremely cold climates. A great choice for a busy gardener and a lovely addition to your home, Viper’s bowstring hemp makes a lovely addition.


Growth Rate and Plant Appearance

The leaves of Viper’s bowstring hemp are fleshy, evergreen, and succulent. Leaf growth is upright and tough. In addition, both sides of these grapes have distinct horizontal bands of greenish grey.

Most Sansevieria species display this characteristic leaf pattern. This plant produces tough fibers when its leaves are dried out. Bowstrings have traditionally been made from the fiber obtained from the leaves. That’s why it’s called Viper’s bowstring hemp.The growth rate of mother in law’s tongue is slow to medium. You can keep these plants alive for decades with just a little water and care. Viper’s bowstring plants can grow up to 6 feet tall under ideal conditions.


Benefits and Uses

Bowstring hemp plants grow well in pots as well as outdoors. Plants with upright foliage do well in small spaces. Because this species is not very winter hardy, it is best suited for outdoor cultivation in warmer climates. The plants can also be planted directly in the ground, but make sure to keep them in a shaded area.

Viper’s bowstring hemp offers some amazing benefits, just like other Sansevieria species. It can remove harmful air pollutants from indoor environments. Even at night, it releases oxygen, thereby helping you sleep better. The lucky plant is also considered auspicious and has some Feng Shui benefits.


Watering Schedule

Viper’s bowstring hemp can store water in its leaves, roots, and rhizomes since it is a succulent. Unlike a lot of other species, it does not require regular watering. Watering too much can cause the plant to rot and die. Water the plant efficiently by following these steps:

  • Touch the top layer of soil (1-1.5 inches) before you water. It is best not to water the soil surface between waterings.
  • Depending on the climate and surrounding conditions, you can water once a week or every other week. Shaded plants require less water than brightly lit plants. Tropical regions require more frequent watering.
  • Slowly and thoroughly water until it starts to drip from the drainage holes. Once the excess water has drained, let the drainage saucer sit for about 30-40 minutes before emptying it. Don’t let the drained water sit on your plant.
  • When the temperature starts to dip, water only about once a month. Water your plant just enough so that the soil doesn’t completely dry out in the winter.

Soil

The rhizome and root structure of snake plants are susceptible to root rot when water stands around them. Thus, the drainage capacity of the soil you choose is extremely important. For these plants, a coarse and fast-draining soil is ideal. Keep Bowstring hemp away from soaking potting soil for too long. Stagnant water can surely cause root rot over time.

Add soil ingredients that improve drainage to your potting mix to make it breathable. Regular soil can be improved by mixing in pumice, perlite, or gravel for better drainage. Keep the soil mix moist without making it too dense with coco coir or peat. Viper’s bowstring hemp can also be grown in potting mix used for succulents and cacti.


Pot

It is the perfect pot plant for Viper’s bowstring hemp. You may need to buy a new pot when you purchase baby plants from a nursery or whenever your plant outgrows its current container. When choosing a pot, make sure it has drainage holes. The roots of the plant need to be comfortable in the pot and not drown in water. If your pot does not have holes already, drill some at the bottom. Put your plant in a container with drainage, and place it inside a larger ornamental pot if that isn’t possible. The exterior will appear great and the drainage will be good too.Don’t forget to choose a pot that is proportional to the size of your plant. Overwatering can occur if the pot is too large. There are many different types and sizes of beautiful containers on the market. Popular materials include terracotta, plastic, ceramic, as well as wood, metal, and concrete. The container you choose should drain well, look nice, and suit your decor.


Light Requirements

For Sansevieria plants, indirect sunlight with medium to bright intensity is optimal. The plant, however, is tolerant of full sun provided it is not overly harsh. Low-light conditions will also be fine for bowstring hemp. You should stay away from dark areas so that your plants can grow properly.

An ideal spot to place a snake plant is a north or south-facing window. With bright filtered light in the morning and during the day, the plant seems to thrive. Even if you cannot provide direct sunlight to the plant, don’t worry. As long as it is bright enough, artificial lighting also works well.


Temperature

Originally from tropical regions, Viper’s bowstring hemp thrives in warmer climates due to its ability to tolerate high temperatures. Your plant should be kept in a shaded or semi-shaded area during the summer. There are a few exceptions to this, though. During the winter, you may need more heat and dry air for your plant, depending on your climate.

Snake plants thrive at temperatures between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (15 and 29 degrees Celsius). In regions where winter temperatures don’t get too low, these plants are winter-hardy. If leaves are exposed to temperatures below 40°F (4°C), they can be permanently damaged. The foliage can also be damaged and even killed by winter frost.


Fertilizer

Snake plants can be fed with a general-purpose fertilizer made for houseplants. A balanced mix is a ratio of 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N-P-K). It is also possible to use organic or natural fertilizers such as worm compost, but you should use them sparingly.Mother in law’s tongue doesn’t require much fertilizer. Two to three feedings per year are sufficient for your plants. Spring and summer are ideal times to do so. If you’re growing your crops during the summer, use liquid fertilizer half the strength of the regular formulation. If you use a slow release fertilizer, apply it only once a year at the beginning of summer. Don’t overfeed your plants. 


Diseases and Pests

There have been no serious diseases or pest problems reported with Viper’s bowstring hemp in the past. Snake plants are hardy and have strong succulent leaves, so pests cannot easily harm them. Mealybugs or spider mites are the most likely pests to bother your plant. These pests, however, are not too difficult to deal with. You can easily get rid of them and make your plant healthy again. Find out how to protect your snake plant from common pest problems in this post.

Regarding other issues, snake plant and overwatering are two of its biggest enemies. Placed in freezing temperatures for too long, your plant can develop scarring on its leaves. The soil can become contaminated by fungus and rot due to too much water. Watch for brown tips, drooping leaves, and yellow leaves on your plants. So you can identify and treat problems before they become severe.


Maintenance and Grooming

Viper’s bowstring hemp is known to be a fairly low-maintenance plant. There is no reason to completely ignore this plant even though it is said to thrive when left alone. Keep an eye out for signs of disease on the plant so you can control it. It might be necessary to remove yellow, damaged, or drooping leaves. There will be some leaves that naturally die, and those need to be trimmed as well.

The only grooming required is to prune the leaves from time to time. However, if your plant has outgrown its container, you may need to take action. Plants can be divided from the roots, or repotted into a larger pot.


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