Snake plant, Sansevieria trifasciata , is so common that you probably have one growing somewhere in your home or office. If you don’t, probably someone you know does. This evergreen perennial of tropical origin has dark-green strap leaves and seems to be on everybody’s list of “easy care” plants.
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Snake Plant Information
Native to tropical West Africa, snake plant (also known as mother-in law tongue) is a low-growing perennial with upright succulent leaves that form rosettes up to 2 ft (60 cm) tall and wide. It produces white flowers at the crown in summer; blooms are short lived but they are followed by new created from the runners sent out by the plant.
Besides being popular with indoor gardeners, this not-too-hard-to-grow houseplant is also appreciated by many for its medicinal properties. Some of its varieties are used in herbal medicine to treat various ailments. These include asthma, coughs and colds, fever, liver diseased and headache (although more research is still needed in order to prove that snake plant indeed has these healing properties).
Snake Plant Care Tips
- This easy care low-maintenance perennial can survive neglect and still look great in your home or office landscape; however, you will get optimum results if you take a few extra minutes each month to tend to your plant’s needs.
- Growing snake plants is very simple; here are some basic steps to help you get started.
- Sunlight: Although they can tolerate low-light levels indoors (such as behind heavy curtains), snake plants prefer bright indirect sunlight . They will also do fine with filtered sun.
- Although they can tolerate low-light levels indoors (such as behind heavy curtains). They will also do fine with filtered sun.
- Temperature: Sansevieria trifasciata does well in average room temperatures; however, keep your plant away from drafts and heat/AC vents to prevent drying and possible damage to the leaves.
- Another simple way to protect your snake plant from excessive coolness is by moving it closer to a south or west facing window during winter.
Snake Plant Wikipedia, Benefits, Cautions, Types, How to Grow & more
Growing Conditions For Snake Plants
Although snake plant can thrive in almost any condition, there are a few things you need to be aware of when growing this houseplant.
First check the drainage hole in the bottom of your pot; if it is blocked, water will not drain but collect.
This situation will cause rotting problems that are difficult or impossible to solve. To prevent this from happening, give your snake plant a pot with good drainage holes.
Second, remember that snake plants do best in bright indirect light without direct sunlight.
It’s possible to keep them indoors year round; however, they will lose some their toughness and become somewhat softer.
Snake Plant For Sale
Snake plant is definitely one of the easiest houseplants to find at your local garden center. It’s very common, inexpensive, not too picky about growing conditions or light exposure, and it will even survive for a long time if you forget to water it now and then.
This “tough guy” doesn’t need much care; however, if you don’t want all this attention but still wish to grow snake plant in your home or office landscape here are some basic guidelines that should help you get started.
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