Houseplants You Can't Kill
Easy Care, Minimal Maintenance Indoor Plants By Marie Iannotti
Some houseplants pretty much grow themselves. In fact, your biggest problem may be what to do with all the baby plants they'll produce. Almost all the indoor plants shown here can be grown in the indirect light from a window and like the same indoor temperatures as most people (55 - 75 degrees F.) A few will require a bit more pampering, but nothing extreme. Where and how do these plants get these names? I don't like this name for this plant because of what it is saying with the sharp pointy leaves....
Mother-in-law's tongue, aka Snake plant (Sansevieria)
It's called Mother-in-law's tongue because of its long, sharp, pointed leaves and because it lasts so long. These are long-lived, easy-care houseplants. Mother-in-law's Tongue is tolerant of low light. Water sparingly or it will rot. Only 1 or 2 waterings are necessary indoors during the winter, depending on the humidity. Variegated forms need more light and can be more difficult to grow. There is also a dwarf variety, Sansevieria trifasciata 'Hahnii', called Bird's Nest. (USDA Zones 10+)
taken from https://www.thespruce.com/easy-houseplants-hard-to-kill-
Mother-in-Law's Tongue or Snake Plant
Botanical Name: Sansevieria trifasciata
Mother-in-Law's Tongue (also known as Snake Plant) is one of the most carefree house plants you can grow. It thrives in just about any light. Prefers dry air and soil. Rarely needs repotted.
Some varieties have leaves that are edged with yellow or white. 'Laurentii' is a popular variety that is edged in golden yellow. S. trifasciata 'Hahnii' is a low-growing (6 in/15 cm) variety. Its compact, rosette form gives it the common name Bird's Nest Sansevieria. 'Golden Hahnii' has yellow leaf margins...'Silver Hahnii' has silvery leaves marbled with dark green.
S.t. 'Hahnii' (shown at left) is a compact, low-growing variety that only reaches a few inches tall.
Clusters of small, white flowers sometimes grow at the base of a plant when it is a few years old. It rarely blooms indoors, and it may go years between flowering, so it's a nice surprise when it does.
Mother-in-Law's Tongue is ideal for beginners, but seasoned gardeners also love this accent plant's dramatic, sword-shaped leaves. Slow-growing, it will live for many years with good care.
Watering Tip
Water the soil, taking care not to get water on the leaves, which will cause them to rot. If the leaves turn yellow, or get soft and mushy at their base, it's overwatered.
Any problems with growing Sansevieria are usually related to watering. Allow the top inch (2.5 cm) of soil to dry out between waterings during the growing season. In winter, water just enough to prevent the soil from drying out. Overwatering will cause root rot.
Keep the leaves dust-free and glossy by wiping them with a damp cloth.
Repot in spring, only when plants get crowded and need dividing. Keep the rosette of the leaves at soil level. Use a wide, heavy container to prevent toppling. This tall plant can get top-heavy.
This article taken from http://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/mother-in-laws-tongue.html
till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa
Easy Care, Minimal Maintenance Indoor Plants By Marie Iannotti
Some houseplants pretty much grow themselves. In fact, your biggest problem may be what to do with all the baby plants they'll produce. Almost all the indoor plants shown here can be grown in the indirect light from a window and like the same indoor temperatures as most people (55 - 75 degrees F.) A few will require a bit more pampering, but nothing extreme. Where and how do these plants get these names? I don't like this name for this plant because of what it is saying with the sharp pointy leaves....
Mother-in-law's tongue, aka Snake plant (Sansevieria)
It's called Mother-in-law's tongue because of its long, sharp, pointed leaves and because it lasts so long. These are long-lived, easy-care houseplants. Mother-in-law's Tongue is tolerant of low light. Water sparingly or it will rot. Only 1 or 2 waterings are necessary indoors during the winter, depending on the humidity. Variegated forms need more light and can be more difficult to grow. There is also a dwarf variety, Sansevieria trifasciata 'Hahnii', called Bird's Nest. (USDA Zones 10+)
taken from https://www.thespruce.com/easy-houseplants-hard-to-kill-
Mother-in-Law's Tongue or Snake Plant
Botanical Name: Sansevieria trifasciata
Mother-in-Law's Tongue (also known as Snake Plant) is one of the most carefree house plants you can grow. It thrives in just about any light. Prefers dry air and soil. Rarely needs repotted.
Some varieties have leaves that are edged with yellow or white. 'Laurentii' is a popular variety that is edged in golden yellow. S. trifasciata 'Hahnii' is a low-growing (6 in/15 cm) variety. Its compact, rosette form gives it the common name Bird's Nest Sansevieria. 'Golden Hahnii' has yellow leaf margins...'Silver Hahnii' has silvery leaves marbled with dark green.
S.t. 'Hahnii' (shown at left) is a compact, low-growing variety that only reaches a few inches tall.
Clusters of small, white flowers sometimes grow at the base of a plant when it is a few years old. It rarely blooms indoors, and it may go years between flowering, so it's a nice surprise when it does.
Mother-in-Law's Tongue is ideal for beginners, but seasoned gardeners also love this accent plant's dramatic, sword-shaped leaves. Slow-growing, it will live for many years with good care.
Watering Tip
Water the soil, taking care not to get water on the leaves, which will cause them to rot. If the leaves turn yellow, or get soft and mushy at their base, it's overwatered.
Any problems with growing Sansevieria are usually related to watering. Allow the top inch (2.5 cm) of soil to dry out between waterings during the growing season. In winter, water just enough to prevent the soil from drying out. Overwatering will cause root rot.
Keep the leaves dust-free and glossy by wiping them with a damp cloth.
Repot in spring, only when plants get crowded and need dividing. Keep the rosette of the leaves at soil level. Use a wide, heavy container to prevent toppling. This tall plant can get top-heavy.
This article taken from http://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/mother-in-laws-tongue.html
till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky's Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa
