You Should Have Snake Plant!
A snake plant is a must-have for any indoor plant collection. Sansevieria Zeylanica and Sansevieria Laurentii are the varieties of snake plant. These sharp-edged plants are actually a family, with many tall cousins to pick from, with names ranging from St. George’s Sword to the ugly Mother-in-Tongue. Law’s They’re typically sold under the same common names, making it difficult to tell which one you have!
Sansevieria Zeylanica And Sansevieria Laurentii
Sansevieria Zeylanica is a tall, sturdy snake plant with thinner leaves with pale waves of variegation running along the edges. Sansevieria Laurentii, on the other hand, is a tiny plant with a bright yellow border around its broad, tough leaves. Know, let’s dive into their differences below!
The Leaves
Because Sansevieria Zeylanica and Sansevieria Laurentii are nearly identical, the only method to tell them apart is to examine the leaves closely. The brilliant yellow border on Sansevieria Laurentii leaves is a prominent distinguishing feature. With its speckled waves stretching from edge to edge of each leaf, Sansevieria Zeylanica lacks this band.
Aside from this obvious distinction, there are also subtle structural distinctions. Sansevieria Zeylanica has a narrower, longer leaf, whereas sansevieria Laurentii has a wider, squatter leaf.
Flowering
Neither of these plants is a tremendous bloomer, as we’ll see in the similarities section. The Sansevieria Zeylanica, on the other hand, flowers best in the springtime if you can coax it into bloom. On the other side, Sansevieria Laurentii may produce a rare winter bloom.
Growth
Sansevieria Zeylanica and Sansevieria Laurentii are clumpy and produce new leaves from the underground root stock. Sansevieria Laurentii, on the other hand, grows in tight clusters, whilst Sansevieria Zeylanica spreads more widely. It doesn’t mind sending long-running roots all throughout its pot or garden bed, with solitary or small clumps of leaves appearing in unexpected locations.
Height
The structure of the plant differs slightly due to their different growing habits. The tendency of Sansevieria Zeylanica to sprawl will result in a plant with a lot of space between its numerous leaf clumps. They can grow to be quite tall, up to 4 feet tall. Sansevieria Laurentii, on the other hand, keeps its clumps together, forming compact leaf clusters. It’s also a little shorter than Sansevieria Zeylanica, reaching a height of about 3 feet.
The Similarities Between Sansevieria Zeylanica and Sansevieria Laurentii
After we discuss the differences, let’s take a look at what sets these two relatives apart.
The Leaves
While the leaves of Sansevieria Zeylanica and Sansevieria Laurentii differ in appearance, they have certain important structural similarities. Hardy leaves with leathery surfaces and sharp edges are produced by both plants. Both plants are marketed as Dragon Tongue, Mother-in-Tongue, Law’s or St George’s Sword, and their common names reflect that sharpness.
Light Requirement
Both of these snake plants can withstand a wide range of light conditions. In fact, most gardeners has successfully grown both of these plants in full-sun outside beds. This translates to strong, indirect light indoors, though they don’t mind a little direct sunlight. They do well in partial shade and low light, making them a useful addition to your collection.
Watering
Both Sansevieria Zeylanica and Sansevieria Laurentii thrive in arid environments. Even under the most extreme conditions, its lengthy, leathery leaves lose extremely little water. Allow them to dry between waterings; once a week during the growing season is generally sufficient, and once or twice a month during the winter will suffice.
Soil
These two hardy plants can grow in any soil that drains well. While they prefer sandy, well-draining loam, they will tolerate almost any mixture as long as it does not retain too much water. It makes little difference to them whether their soil is acidic, alkaline, sandy, rocky, or rich in organic materials. They’re content as long as it drains.
Flowering
Getting either of Sansevieria Zeylanica and Sansevieria Laurentii to blossom consistently is a rare marvel. Leaf cuttings or division are the most common methods of propagation for both. However, if the plant is root-bound or otherwise stressed, it may decide that it is better to seed, which necessitates the use of flowers. On tall stems, both species produce exquisite sprays of small flowers. These flowers are light in color, ranging from cream to white, and have a slightly green or yellow tint. They are quite fragrant, and for such a small flower, they may create a remarkable quantity of perfume.