Sansevieria

Sansevieria

Common names: mother in law’s tongue, snake plant

Why do I love the snake plant?: I have to be honest I did not like the idea of owning a sansevieria when my husband first suggested he wanted one. I didn’t particularly have anything against the snake plant, I have just always associated them with boring offices and sterile environments. It just didn’t feel like a plant I needed in my life, but now I see the error of my ways.

The day my husband and I went to the greenhouse to pick out some plants I was still trying to talk him into other options. What about a palm? Cactus?. When we got there, he b-lined for snake plants picked out a one-gallon pot of variegated sansevieria and we checked out.  Compromise.

Once we got the little beauty home, he was so happy, and decided we needed it in the darkest room of our house. His rationale was that we could see it. He was not wrong, we could see it and in the back of my head I was telling myself, “we can see it die”. I mean come on! Plants need light.

The Snake plant proved me wrong. It survived in that same spot looking no worse for the wear for months.  Eventually I moved it into the sunroom to make it easier for me to take care of.

With the relocation of the snake plant my opinion really changed. Once it was in the sunroom, I started observing it instead of just walking by it. Its leaves are all individuals, and once it had more light there were small baby offshoots! Basically, every time I watered it and inspected it there was something new to appreciate.

Then it bloomed! At this point I’m obsessed. The flower stalk is sneaky it just seemed to appear one day. The flowers are delicate and white.

 Now I feel the Snake plant is a style icon and a must have for the home. If you are into a modern low profile with high contrast vibes; or a bohemian ultra-chill macramé hang out there is a snake plant cultivar out there for you. Not to mention they tolerate low light environments. The heavy cuticle that covers the leaf makes it very tolerant to underwatering.

Their native environment is Africa, Madagascar, and southern Asia. They do thrive in a full sun window, but not required. My style for all my house plants is a rotation throughout the house so that every plant gets enough light.

Care tips:

• Use your smart phone’s compass app or a real compass to determine the direction your windows face
• I would suggest an east, southeast, south, or southwest facing window.
• Let the soil dry out between watering (I use my finger to test the moisture level in the soil)
• Fertilize with a indoor plant fertilizer per the directions of the fertilizer you choose during the summer.
• I move my biggest plant outside in a shady spot during the summer when there is no chance of frost.

Start writing or type / to choose a block

Follow me @ https://www.instagram.com/alchemy_of_plants/

Email Me @ The.Alchemy.Of.Plants@gmail.comNo comments to show.Paragraph

Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.Subscribe