Snake plant Sansevieria trifasciata laurentii is probably the most popular variety of Snake plant. Due to its distinct yellow margins on the leaves, it is known as “variegated snake plant” or “Striped mother in law’s tongue.”. The sword-shaped leaves of this hardy, beautiful plant are fleshy.
As with Sansevieria cylindrica, Sansevieria trifasciata, and other snake plant types, this species can be grown indoors and outdoors. This tough and rough plant is relatively easy to maintain, but raising it away from its native environment can pose some challenges. Now let’s learn what a Sansevieria trifasciata laurentii plant needs to survive.
Uses and Benefits
- Sansevieria Laurentii makes an excellent ornamental plant for indoor spaces.
- In addition to its stunning appearance, this plant is very hardy and tolerant. In low light and temperature fluctuations, it can persist. Generally, it’s a hardy plant that’s great for beginners and lazy gardeners alike.
- Additionally, Sansevieria Laurentii absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen at night. This amazing feature makes this plant the perfect choice for bedrooms.
- Additionally, it absorbs airborne toxins to reduce the impact of airborne allergens.
- According to Feng Shui, Sansevieria trifasciata laurentii is a lucky plant.
Plant Growth and Size
Sansevieria laurentii may reach a height of 3 to 4 feet under ideal conditions. The leaves of this plant are stiff, upright, and pointy. Its leaves have wavy edges and beautiful yellow margins. Snake plants seem to benefit from bright light conditions and gentle sunlight a few hours a day. If you want to maintain the size of a potted plant, you may have to prune or divide it. Variegated snake plants generally grow slowly to moderately.
A snake plant that can be kept indoors as an ornamental plant is Sansevieria Laurentii. You can also grow it outdoors. Rooted plants will grow faster by creating new shoots through their rhizomes. Rhizomes are horizontal stems that assist plants in spreading.
Spring and summer are the best times to grow mother in law’s tongues. Mature plants bloom in late winter and early spring. These plants rest dormant during cold winters.
A Good Soil Mix For Sansevieria
Sansevieria are tropical plants that grow best in warm weather and with dry roots. If they are standing in wet and water-logged soil, their roots can rot, and their leaves will become droopy, yellow, and mushy. This can be prevented by choosing a loose, fast-draining, and gritty soil. Despite its vulnerability to a variety of soil types, Sansevieria Laurentii is generally adaptable. Having loose soil greatly reduces the possibility of overwatering a plant.
Perlite, coco coir, pumice, or gravel can be added to regular or garden soil to create a soil mix. The soil will be able to drain better with these additives. Snake plants also do well in a potting mix designed for tropical plants, succulents, and cacti. If your soil becomes too old or compressed, replace it as soon as possible. The soil should also be discarded if there is root rot or fungal infection.
Pot
Sansevieria laurentii is distinguished from other houseplants by its exquisite foliage. Choosing the right pot for your plants will not only make them look wonderful, but also enhance their beauty. The most popular materials for pots are Terracotta, ceramic, and plastic. Containers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Snake plants look good in wooden planters or concrete pots as well. Metal, bamboo or glass can also be used depending on your decor.
Pots should have an effective way of draining water. If your container does not already have holes in the bottom, make some. You can also use a double potting method and place your plant in a smaller pot inside a larger pot. As well as being proportionate to the snake plant’s size, the pot should not be too large nor too small.
Watering Schedule
A species of Sansevieria trifasciata laurentii can live without daily watering as it is drought-tolerant. Many factors influence the frequency of watering, such as the size of the plant, the season, and other environmental factors. In the summer, your plants need more water, probably once a week. Low light environments may require less frequent watering for your plants.
Snake plants require very little to no water during the colder winter months. They can be watered once or twice a month. It is best to water the plants in the morning so the extra water can evaporate easily throughout the day. On extremely cold nights, do not water your plants. A few tips to get you started:
- It is best to check the top soil layer for dampness to determine if your Sansevieria needs water. Make a hole in the soil 1-2 inches deep (almost two knuckles). You should be able to touch it without feeling wet. Wait a few days if the soil is still wet.
- When watering, pour the water close to the surface of the soil and around the pot edges. You should soak the soil until water starts dripping through the drainage holes. If you’re watering plants in the ground, go around 4-5 inches deep.
- Make sure that all water from potted plants drains freely. Once the water has drained, discard it. Standing water should not be allowed to sit on the plant.
Light Requirements
Sansevieria laurentii will tolerate a wide range of conditions, from bright sunlight to low light. Don’t change your plants’ lighting suddenly, however. When moving your plants from a shadowy area to a brightly lit area, do it gradually over a few weeks. Snake plants seem to prefer bright, indirect sunlight. Too much direct sunlight is not good at all times of the year. When keeping them outside, it is advisable to keep them partially or completely shaded. A lot of sunlight or deep shade may slightly alter the color of the foliage.
The best place for mother in law’s tongue plants indoors is a sunny window. Put them near a window behind a sheer curtain, so they receive bright light but not too much sun. Mild direct sunlight, especially in the morning or evening, is good for plants. It’s also okay to use bright artificial lighting if there isn’t much sunlight coming in.
The Temperature
The Sansevieria laurentii plant is able to withstand a wide range of temperatures. Ideally, the plant prefers temperatures between 60-75°F (15-24°C). As long as the sun doesn’t scorch it, it can tolerate high temperatures. The snake plant, however, cannot tolerate cold temperatures. Avoid extremes of cold and heat for best results.
Snake plants slow down when it is cold and become dormant. The leaves are likely to be damaged at temperatures below 50°F. A combination of wet soil and extreme cold can even kill a plant. Because winter is the season when snake plants should be kept indoors, it is recommended that you do so. You can cover outdoor plants with heavy cloth if you cannot bring them inside. Possibly preventing frost will benefit from this method.
Feeding
Sansevieria trifasciata Laurentii is a light feeder that doesn’t require much supplementation. Too much fertilization can actually damage the roots. This plant responds well to a slow-release granular feeding once a year. During the growing season, a half-strength dose of liquid fertilizer is more than sufficient. A good time to feed is usually from early spring to late summer.
Make sure to select a balanced general-purpose mix when you go to pick up a snake plant fertilizer. Fertilizers in liquid or slow-release granule form are excellent options. You can also apply organic fertilizers such as cow dung, manure, and worm compost, but use them sparingly.
There are some instances when snake plants shouldn’t be fed.
- In the winter, do not fertilize your plants. During this time, plants are resting and require minimal water and nutrients.
- Plants propagated from leaf cuttings, especially those with tender roots, shouldn’t be fed.
- After repotting or dividing a plant, don’t fertilize it. Wait for the root system to settle in the new container for at least a month. Even small plants that are just bought from a nursery need time to adapt to their new environment.
Diseases and Pests
Most Sansevieria are tough and hardy, making them resistant to pests and diseases. Occasionally, however, they may be attacked by mealybugs or spider mites. Sansevieria laurentii is most often attacked by these two kinds of insects.
By sucking the leaves’ juices, they make the plants weak and prone to disease. When you suspect a pest attack, take action as soon as possible.
Snake plants are susceptible to overwatering and diseases. A too frequent watering or poorly draining soil can result in an infestation of fungi and root rot. Mix some fungicide into the soil to prevent fungal infections. Keep the leaves and roots clean and dry to prevent plant diseases.
Maintenance and Grooming
Sansevieria laurentii is a hardy, low-maintenance plant. As a result, it grows well even with minimal care and does not require pruning or tidiness to maintain its shape. If the leaves are damaged or dead, you should trim the plant only if necessary.
If the leaves are severely damaged by cold, they cannot be revived. Natural aging may sometimes cause leaves on the outer side to fall over. As the pot becomes crowded, they can also fall. For a healthy appearance of your plant, cut off the leaves with a sterilized cutting tool. Keep the leaves clean by wiping them once in a while.
Propagation
Like most snake plants, Sansevieria laurentii can be propagated easily and straightforwardly. To create new snake plants, divide the root ball or plant the rhizomes in soil. Here’s how to divide the roots of a variegated snake plant quickly.
- You should first ensure that your plant is old enough and has mature roots. After that, gently remove the plant from its container.
- Look for places where the roots and rhizomes can be naturally pulled apart. Any dark or mushy parts of the root should be removed.
- Cut the plant in half with a sharp, sterilized knife. It is possible to make more than two plants if you want a larger root structure. As long as each portion has healthy roots and leaves, you are fine.
- Put each section into a different container. Make sure they are well hydrated.
One popular method for creating snake plants is to cut off a part of a healthy leaf. However, this method may result in reverting the new plant from a specific cultivated form to its parent type. By using only the leaves, the new plant might lose its leaf variegation.
Repotting
Snake plants tend to get somewhat root bound, but they can also overgrow their containers and need to be transplanted. The Sansevieria laurentii is a larger snake plant that needs repotting every 2-3 years. Plants can look neater after repotting. It also ensures that the plant receives sufficient water and nutrients, allowing it to grow stronger and more resilient.
Here are some basic steps to follow:
- Choose a container that is proportional to the plant’s size. The pot should be 1 to 1.5 inches wider than it is now.
- At the bottom, add a thin layer of pebbles or rocks to cover drainage holes. Overlap a layer of soil sufficiently thick.
- You can gently remove the soil from the roots of your plant by gently separating it from its old pot.
- Plant the new pot at the same depth as the old one. Once the potting mix has been put in the container, fill the remainder with fresh soil.
- Let the excess water flow out when you’ve watered the snake plant thoroughly.