Sansevierias, also known as snake plant, devil’s tongue, mother-in-law’s tongue, or St. George’s sword, are plants of great value to improve the atmosphere of a home. It is not only an attractive plant companion; it also can purify the air in the spaces where it is located. If you want to learn how to take care of your plant of this species at home, join us in this article on the care of Sansevieria laurentii.
Characteristics of Sansevieria laurentii
When we talk about Sansevieria laurentii, we are actually referring to Sansevieria trifasciata laurentii, a variety of the well-known common Sansevieria trifasciata or Golden Hahnii. Here are some of its characteristics:
- Like its relative, Sansevieria laurentii is a plant of the Asparagaceae family, with elongated leaves in the shape of those tongues or swords that give it its common names, which grow with marked verticality and can reach over a meter in length.
- And how does Sansevieria laurentii differ from the common Sansevieria laurentii? Its distinguishing mark is its leaves, which, although they are also variegated leaves with yellow margins when the plant is in good condition, show horizontal veins in their pattern.
- Sansevieria trifasciata laurentii also has a discreet but beautiful bloom, although the conditions for this are not always met. When they appear, their small whitish flowers, grouped in inflorescences, perfume the spaces with their slightly sweet aroma.
- One of its particularities, which we have mentioned before, is that NASA recommends the cultivation of this plant to clean the air in the home, since it filters toxic elements such as formaldehyde or benzene, among others.
Location and Climate for Sansevieria laurentii
These plants are quite strong, so their care is not demanding and any amateur, even a beginner, can take care of them. In the case of Sansevieria laurentii we are dealing with a plant that can be grown both indoors and outdoors.
Its ideal location will depend on the type of climate you are in: if the winters are cold and the temperature drops below 32°F (0 ºC) for long periods, it will be convenient to place the plant indoors, while if the climate is warm and dry, it will be perfect outdoors.
The plant can thrive well in shady or semi-shady conditions, although ideally, it should receive some light for at least a few hours a day. If your Sansevieria laurentii seems to lose the yellow tinge to the edges of its leaves, it is probably because it needs a little more light. Move it to a slightly brighter area if this happens, but don’t make abrupt changes all at once.
Watering Sansevieria laurentii
This plant is especially vulnerable to excess moisture. You could say that this is its only major weakness because, like many succulents, it does not tolerate waterlogged or permanently wet soil.
If you water your Sansevieria too much, chances are that its roots will rot and this is much more difficult to heal than a lack of watering. Therefore, do not water your tiger’s tongue until the substrate or soil is completely dry, especially during the cold months. In spring and summer, you can provide moderate watering, always without puddling, allowing the water to permeate deeply and waiting until it has dried out completely before repeating.
If your Sansevieria is potted and has a saucer underneath, be sure to remove excess water from the saucer about ten minutes after watering so that moisture does not accumulate and reach the roots.
- MOTHER IN LAWS TONGUE HOUSE PLANT: Sansevieria is a herbaceous evergreen, hardy and with rigid leaves. The dramatic Snake Plant excites the curiosity as a standing accent, showcasing contrasting colors and horizontal patterns.
- BEAUTIFULLY BANDED EDGES: This wavy succulent plant has pointed leaves banded with solid yellow streaks along the edges. A lush indoor house plant with grey-green variegation that thrives in a small-medium pot or planter.
- STEMLESS, BASAL ROSETTE: Sansevieria, Devil’s Tongue Plant, grows upright from the base with firm foliage. This slow-growing species becomes a vibrant houseplant that is easy to care for and does not require pruning. These resilient plants will enjoy moderate to bright indirect sunlight.
Soil and Fertilizer for Sansevieria laurentii
Since the plant does not tolerate excesses of humidity, it is best to take care of your health and prepare a substrate as light and well-drained as possible. If it is also rich in nutrients, so much the better for the plant, so the ideal will be to use a mixture like the universal one we usually recommend: peat, worm humus, and coconut fiber in equal parts, with a handful of vermiculite and perlite. If you plant it outdoors, make sure that the area drains well and, if this is not the case, make a large hole and fill it with the aforementioned mixture.
Regarding fertilization, it will be sufficient to apply some organic fertilizer such as humus or compost around the base every 15 days during the spring and autumn months or use specific fertilizer for green plants.
- EASY CARE! Water when top inch of soil feels dry, water once a week, allow water to drain. Never allow the soil to become saturated.
- LIGHT: Tolerates low, medium and bright light. Can grow in any room in your home, or office.
- SHIPS IN GROWER POT: Ships planted, fully-grown, in an 8.75-inch black growers pot. Change the look by inserting the grower pot into a decorator basket or planter. These lush plants are grown by the horticultural experts at Costa Farms.
Propagation of Sansevieria laurentii
Another advantage of mother-in-law’s tongue is its easy multiplication, which is available to anyone:
- The most popular method is rhizome division, which consists of dividing the plant from its subway stem. To do this, just cut, always with a disinfected and well-sharpened tool, at the point of attachment of the rhizome, and plant the new individual in its new location.
- It is also easy to multiply it by cuttings, which are usually successful in a high number of cases and can be planted as soon as they have been cut.
Learn more about Propagate Snake Plant in Water and Yellow Leaves on Snake Plant.
