ophidian plant life are problematic , require minimum care , and are fun to grow . In this post , I ’ll tell you all you want to know to take care of your mother - in - law ’s tongue plant .
There are few flora well for beginners to grow than the snake works . They ’re grim maintenance , do n’t require much attention , and are beautiful indoors or outdoors .
These stunning specimens look awe-inspiring as the focal plant in mixed containers or garden bed , and are evenly stunning on their own .
Mother-in-law’s tongue varieties
In this snake flora care guide you ’ll learn how to put up the best soil , urine , and light to keep them thriving .
I ’ll also give you steer for repotting , propagate , and troubleshoot any problem you might have .
Table of Contents
Snake Plant Quick Care Overview
Information About Snake Plants
snake in the grass plants , or Sansevieria , are tropical succulent - type specimens that are native to Africa . The thick , gullible foliage grows upwardly from rootstalk under the soil .
The wide leave-taking narrow to a taper at the top . This sharp shape is how they get their nickname ‘ mother - in - law ’s tongue ’ .
They ’re forgive and can resile back from a wad of negligence , which makes them idealistic for fledgeling .
Though you may often find little snake flora at garden centers , in the correct condition they can grow very tall – with some case reaching up to 8 ’ .
Different Snake Plant Varieties
There are dozens of smorgasbord of Sansevieria you could raise , and all feature alone coloring or marking on the leave .
Some of the more popular type include ‘ Moonshine ’ , which has wan silvery give that form in a circular crown .
The ‘ Twist ’ multifariousness has variegated deep and light dark-green leaves that almost curl as they spring up upwards .
But perhaps the most popular is the ‘ Laventii ’ or ‘ Gold Band ’ salmagundi whose leaves have grey / unripened marbling along the center , and yellow borders .
No matter if you choose only one or several of these , all case of snake plants require the precise same care .
Snake Plant Benefits
There are many benefits to growing a ophidian works in your place . They ’re jolly paw - off , adapt to different spark storey , and are patient of of drouth condition .
They ’re also fairly fast cultivator in the good conditions , quickly create a striking vertical head of interest group in any way .
But they ’re also a greatair purifying plant . So even if you ignore them , they ’ll be helping to keep your family ’s melodic line clean .
Flowers
trust it or not , snake plants can flower when give the proper care . The flower work on tall stalks , each hold clusters of belittled , white , fragrant flower with slight petals that curl back from the cardinal stamen .
It ’s very rare for them to blossom indoors . Even outdoors only mature specimens will bloom .
Toxicity
concord to theASPCAwebsite , snake in the grass plants can be toxic to both pets and humans when ingested .
So if you ’re concerned , it ’s best to keep them out of range of cats , dog , and small children that may endeavor to snack on them .
How To Grow Mother-In-Law’s Tongue
Before we talk about the specifics of serpent plant care , first I ’ll avail you foot the best place to raise them . take a upright smirch will keep them expand for a tenacious time .
Hardiness
Mother in law ’s natural language plants are very sensible to cold , so they can only be grown outside year - round in zones 10 + .
If your region experiences temperatures below 50 ° fluorine , bring them indoors for winter to prevent hoar impairment . prolong stale exposure will finally lead to death .
Where To Grow Snake Plants
For nurseryman who can acquire Sansevieria alfresco all year , plant them in arenaceous , well - draining soil in a shaded area .
Though some varieties can take the heat and direct sun , most do in force in a position where they ’ll be protected from the live afternoon beam .
For the rest of us , they do very well in containers , and can handle a wide range of indoor conditions .
Indoors , place them in a fix where they will get bright , indirect sunlight , in a pot that has well - draining territory , and passable drainage holes .
Once the temperature are above 60 ° F at night in the springtime , you may move them outside for the summer if you ’d like .
Snake Plant Care & Growing Instructions
Light
One of the many welfare of mother - in - law ’s tongue is that they can exist happily in either low or bright light conditions .
In dim context , they may receive slower increase , and the vividness can start fading . This is especially true for variegated variety , or those with yellow leaves .
To forestall these problems , give them shiny , indirect sun , or use agrow lightindoors . They can bear some verbatim sun during the break of the day or eventide minute , but the leaves may burn in the red-hot good afternoon electron beam .
Water
Beginners have it off serpent plants because they do n’t need a lot of water . In fact , overwatering can lead to root rot .
You ’ll only need to irrigate when the soil is dry a few inch down .
In the saltation and summer water deep until it runs out of the bottom , and run out off any surfeit . In the gloam and winter , hold off until it ’s completely dry .
An inexpensivemoisture gaugeis a utile cock for anybody who skin to give their plant life the proper amount .
Temperature
The best temperature for growing Sansevieria is between 55 - 85 ° atomic number 9 . When it falls below 50 ° atomic number 9 , they can start to suffer .
Frost can cause severe damage to the leave , and below freezing temporary worker will finally kill the works .
They can tolerate the heat fairly well . But they ’ll need some protection from the acute good afternoon sunshine to prevent combustion , and may also need more frequent tearing .
Fertilizer
You do n’t need to fertilize your mother in law ’s lingua as a regular part of your care routine for it to thrive . But to animate it and keep the deep coloring , use ageneral houseplant fertilizer , orcompost tea .
Apply it once a month in the spring and summertime , then arrest completely in the declivity in winter .
If you utilize a water soluble type , be sure not to overwater in the process . you could also useslow - loss granulesa few clip during the bounce and summer months .
Whatever type you choose , I always recommend using all - instinctive products over chemical fertilizers , which can actually damage or burn the plant .
Soil
serpent plants are not fussy about acidity . Anything from moderately alkaline to acidic is fine , but they do prefer it to be immobile draining .
Acactus pot soilis nonsuch , but you could also make your own mix . A combining of equal part ofa oecumenical mix , perlite , andcoarse sandwill keep them glad .
Learn all about thebest case of soil to use for them here , and get my recipe to make your own too .
Repotting
How often you repot mother - in - law ’s glossa depends on how quickly it grows .
In ideal conditions , it may need to be done annually . But those kept indoors or in low light conditions wo n’t need it as often .
You ’ll lie with it ’s metre when the roots are coming out of the drainage gob in the bottom of the container .
opt a pot just 1 - 2 ” expectant than the current one , and always bury the rootball at the same depth it was at before . Get the full footstep by footmark book of instructions here .
Pruning
If you ’re glad with the height of your snake plant , there ’s no need to prune it as a veritable part of your care function . However , you may trim it back as needed to reduce the size , or to remove dead or discredited leave .
habituate a sharp , sterile pair ofprecision pruners , and hold the top of the leaf . Then cut horizontally across the bottom as stuffy to the filth line as possible .
It ’s best to work from the outside in to keep the appearance , but you could also target the magniloquent leave to reduce height . In that case , cut them at the same angle as the leaf tips to maintain their natural shape .
Pest Control Tips
When give the proper care , respectable Snake River plants seldom have any issue with pests . But on function fungus gnats , scurf , spider mite , and mealybug can become a problem .
gratefully , all of these bugs can be handle with organicinsecticidal soapor aneem oilsolution . lap the leaves and address the soil to kill off the pestis , and forbid them from repeat .
you could make your own spraying by amalgamate 1 teaspoonful ofmild liquid soapwith 1 l of water . For bugs on the leave , dip a cotton swab inrubbing alcoholto kill and withdraw them cursorily .
Mother-In-Law’s Tongue Propagation Tips
Sansevieria propagation is easy with either folio cutting off or by dividing the rhizomes . This can be a large path to grapple one that is apace fill its container .
For individual leaves , make a clean baseball swing near the grunge , and leave it to callous for a few days . Then dip the cut terminal inrooting hormone , and place it in afast - draining grease .
Keep it warm and in a shiny location . Either waitress for novel ontogenesis , or repot when the antecedent are retentive and unfearing . Get the full step by step instructions here .
To divide , use a sharp-worded knife to slit through the rootball . part the rootstalk that have roots and at least one leaf . potentiometer in well - run out grunge , and keep it somewhat damp until you see fresh leave forming .
Troubleshooting Common Snake Plant Problems
Mother - in - law ’s tongue is very tolerant , and can recover well from most issues . But to keep them thriving , below are my unspoiled pourboire for fixing some of the more common problems .
Leaves Falling Over
When snake plant leaves get fall over , it can be because of a few different things . If several are falling , it can be either overwatering or firing extremes .
countenance the soil dry out out several column inch down , then water profoundly , and dump all of the excess from the tray . Amoisture gaugeis a really helpful tool for this .
They ’re patient of of down in the mouth and bright light . But a lack of illumination for too long , or too much direct sun can also induce foliage to fall .
If however , it ’s just one or two at times , there ’s nothing to worry about . The weight of arduous leaves can sometimes cause them to bend or rake , and return . rationalize them to maintain the size , and get them fend upright again .
Brown Spots
Brown spot on a snake plant are most commonly from fungal disease , pest problems , over or under lachrymation , cold photo , or chemical buildup in the dirt .
cover it withneem oilorinsecticidal sprayif you see any signal of bug . Fungicide sprayer can aid with disease .
Keep the temperature above 60 ° F , and seek to habituate filtrate , make pure or rainwater to preclude chassis up of salts and chemical substance from pat water .
Also check that you ’re watering deeply , but only when the top inch or so of filth has dry out completely .
Brown Tips
chocolate-brown tips on the other helping hand are an reading of too much sunlight , fertilizer burn , desiccation , or humble humidness .
Keep them out of direct Dominicus , and increase how often you irrigate if the ground is bone dry . If the air in your home base is very wry , see melt down ahumidifieror fog occasionally .
For fertilizer buildup , flush the soil by lean water through the container for 2 - 3 minutes , and letting the excess unravel off completely .
Yellow leaves
Yellowing leaves on your female parent in law ’s tongue is usually a signaling of overwatering . But it could also be get by inconsistent watering or bugs .
Trim off any damaged leaves , and allow the grease to dry several inches down before watering again .
However , assay not to go for very long periods without any wet , or allow the soil to become bone dry , as that can be nerve-wracking for them .
FAQs About Snake Plant Care
Why is it called mother-in-law’s tongue plant?
It ’s call off mother - in - law ’s natural language plant life because the farsighted , pointed leave-taking of the snake plant are said to resemble the penetrative tongue of a female parent in law .
Do snake plants grow fast?
ophidian plant life can grow fairly fast when given the proper care , including the respectable brightness level , H2O , and soil conditions .
How can I make my snake plant grow faster?
you may make your snake in the grass plant to grow faster by couch it into bright , indirect luminosity , watering deep when the soil is dry , and keeping it in a degenerate draining mixture . episodic feedings with a born fertilizer will also aid .
Should I mist my snake plant?
You do n’t take to mist your snake flora , they tolerate blue humidity grade very well . However , if it ’s extremely arid , they will enjoy occasional misting . Just check that the leave never remain pissed for long periods of prison term .
Can you put a mother-in-law’s tongue outside?
you could put your mother - in - jurisprudence ’s tongue outside when it is above 60 ° F at dark , as they ca n’t handle very insensate temperature . Protect it from the intense afternoon sunlight , and bring it back at heart before it gets too chilly .
A Sansevieria is the perfect introductory houseplant for beginner because it requires fiddling caution to thrive . With the growing tip in this snake industrial plant aid guide , you ’ll have intercourse how to set yours up to expand for a long fourth dimension .
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