Sansevieria “Futura Superba” is easily distinguished from other members of the Sansevieria family by its sword-shaped leaves and dark green foliage with yellow edges.
Since it has a nest-like growth habit, this Sansevieria is sometimes called a bird’s nest Sansevieria. Its scientific name is Sansevieria trifasciata, variety “Futura Superba”.
This hardy tropical West African native plant is grown in both gardens and indoors. It is also called snake plant or mother-in-laws tongue. It is an ideal house plant for small apartments because it takes up so little space.
The Sansevieria “Futura Superba” is known for its air-purifying ability and is recommended for bedroom, living room, office, and hospital rooms. In Feng Shui, it is considered a lucky plant.
There is nothing that requires more care than Sansevieria “Futura Superba”, a nearly indestructible plant, so it is perfect for indoor gardening beginners.
Sansevieria “Futura Superba” care
Typically, Sansevieria “Futura Superba” grows to a height of 12 to 18 inches, reaching a maximum of 24 inches. The plant thrives in the same conditions that humans do – temperatures ranging from 18 to 24°C (65-75°F). It does not require frequent watering and can go without watering for up to a month. It can even be grown under fluorescent light.
Soil
The roots of Sansevieria “Futura Superba” require well-draining soil, and soil that retains too much water will cause them to rot. There are only a few problems this Sansevieria may suffer from, so plant it in a soil mix where there is a lot of coarse material (pine bark, coarse sand, and/or perlite).
Mix the coarse material with organic compost, and your plant will thrive with little fertilization, little watering, and little care. Cactus and succulent potting mixes work very well.
Watering
Sansevierias are tolerant of drought and can survive without water for a month or so. Let the soil dry completely between waterings and then water thoroughly until excess water drains out of the drainage hole in the pot. The roots cannot be allowed to sit in water.
It is better to underwater rather than overwater your Sansevieria furfuracea during the summer, when it is hot.
Because they can survive weeks without being watered, Sansevierias are extremely popular with travelers.
In order to avoid overwatering your Sansevieria, you should plant it in a very well-draining soil. That way all excess water will leave the pot and allow root aeration.
Light
Most indoor plants prefer bright to moderate indirect light. However, Sansevieria ‘Futura Superba’ is very tolerant of much less light, and can easily be grown under a fluorescent lamp, without natural light.
Sansevierias are happy in bright light, but direct sun will burn their leaves, so keep them away from a south or west window.
In the summer, you can bring your Sansevieria out onto the balcony or porch. Let it adjust to it by keeping it in the dappled shade at first, then gradually move it to the light source.
Sansevieria “Futura Superba” is commonly found in offices, hospital rooms, hotel lobbies, and other places with low natural light.
Temperature
Sansevieria Futura Superba can grow at a wide range of temperatures, but at a temperature that is comfortable for humans, from 18 to 24°C (65-75°F).
Because this is a tropical plant, it tolerates higher temperatures but will need more frequent watering. If you plant it outside on your porch or balcony, it will survive very low temperatures but bring it in before the first frost.
Make sure your Sansevieria plant is removed from drafts and air conditioning or heating elements.
Humidity
You know by now that your beautiful Sansevieria “Futura Superba” can tolerate just about any living condition in your home. Humidity is included, so you will not hear them complain about how dry the air is and they will be happy if you have a humid bathroom.
Sansevierias are tolerant plants that grow in any environment as long as they receive some sunlight or at least fluorescent light. It will provide a nice touch of greenery and purify the air.
Fertilizer
Despite not fertilizing at all, Sansevieria “Futura Superba” will not notice much difference, apart from perhaps slower growth.
The organic compost in your soil mix will provide all the nutrients your Sansevieria needs.
Add a layer of organic compost to the top layer of soil in spring, before the active growth begins, since Sansevierias like to be pot-bound and are not repotted after each year.
A diluted general-purpose or cactus liquid fertilizer should be used if your potting mix contains peat or regular garden soil. Don’t feed your plant during the fall or winter but feed once a month in spring and summer .
Repotting
It is not wise to disturb your “Futura Superba.” Sansevierias are slow growers and prefer to stay in pots. They might even bloom when potted!
Occasionally, roots even break the pot! If this happens, you should repotted it into a one-size-larger pot every three to five years.
You don’t need to repot your Sansevieria for five to ten years if you have it growing in low light.
You can simply repot the Sansevieria in the old pot, shake off the old soil and pull out the pups it has grown. Pups are the easiest way to propagate your Sansevieria – just pot them in new pots.
Water the mother plant well and drain the excess water completely. Place it in a fresh pot and fill it with the same coarse soil mix as before.
Pruning
There is little need to prune Sansevieria because you can just cut it back to the ground in the event a damaged leaf occurs.
The leaves will start to rot at the base, creating space for new growth. There may also be new growth.
A waterlogged plant occurs when the soil is allowed to remain too wet due to overwatering.
You will also want to check the roots at that point, if they are rotting too. In that case, you will need to cut off all damaged roots and use fresh, free-draining soil as your Sansevieria’s new pot.
Propagation
Sansevieria “Futura Superba” is gorgeous and ornamental to look at, and you will be tempted to buy more. Sansevierias can be propagated from leaf cuttings, but there is a quicker, simpler way to do so. Sansevierias produce “pups”, new plants growing directly from the rhizome.
Your Sansevieria would grow roots underground if it were outside, making the new plants emerge from the ground.
A pup can be separated from the mother plant easily during repotting by cutting off the side of the pot and placing each new plant in its own pot.
Choose a fairly small pot, they grow slowly and it will be a long time before your new babies begin to resemble their mother.
Blooms
A Sansevieria is a plant full of surprises! Your “Futura Superba” plant can be on your window sill or in your office for years and you will get used to its elegant, bright yellow leaves.
Then after a few days, the white buds open into cream-colored flowers that give off an amazing delicate aroma. The flowers will open after a few days into fluffy cream flowers. This plant is extremely easy to care for.
When your Sansevieria blooms, it is almost impossible to know. However, experienced gardeners suggest that the best way to encourage it to bloom is to keep it ever so slightly root-bound.
Growth
Sansevieria Futura Superba is a slow-growing plant with a very long life span. In an office with little natural light or in a humid bathroom without much light, it grows slower.
This Sansevieria will grow in the backyard and the garden, since it requires only enough light for photosynthesis to occur and can go up to a month without water. Usually, it grows to a foot or inch and a half, but never taller than two feet. You can keep this plant in the same pot for five to ten years!
Futura Superba is a famous air purifier and is very commonly grown as a Sansevieria. Sansevierias are recommended to be kept in bedrooms, hospitals, and nursing homes in order to increase the oxygen levels and to reduce or eliminate harmful chemicals.
Conclusion
A plant like Sansevieria “Futura Superba” is perfect for beginners in gardening. Even if you think you don’t have any chance of keeping plants alive, you have a pretty good chance with this nice plant.
These Sansevierias are virtually indestructible. Even if you forget to water it for a month, you can keep it in a room with just a fluorescent light, it will still look beautiful and elegant on your desk, table or window sill.
Sansevieria “Futura Superba” is perfect for people who travel a lot and can be a perfect first plant for those who are new to gardening but would like to learn. Besides cleaning your air and bringing you luck, it will also purify your environment.
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