Sansevieria, a semi-succulent plant with striking leaves, is one of the easiest indoor plants to maintain. Sansevieria masoniana, commonly known as the Whale fin snake plant, is one of the most unique varieties of the snake plant. Check out this complete care guide for Sansevieria Masoniana, including watering tips and how to propagate it.
In addition to the beautiful foliage, Sanseviera masoniana has white smuggles on the light green spots and a distinctive purple sheath. The leaves can grow up to 4 feet (1.2 m) long and 10 inches (25 cm) wide. White clusters of flowers arise from the plant’s center when it is grown in bright light.
Compared to other Sansevieria plants, the Sansevieria masoniana grows rather slowly. Furthermore, it is also one of the best easy care indoor plants due to the fact that it is fairly indestructible. Ideal for brightly lit bathrooms and study spaces, these versatile plants need little care and can go for weeks without watering, making them the perfect choice for those who travel frequently.
Known as the ‘whale fin’ plant due to its unusual shape. When exposed to bright sunlight, the very tips of the leaves have a pink appearance, which is characteristic of its medium green appearance with forest green mottling. From central Africa, this plant has been noted for its air-purifying qualities (by NASA).
Variegated Sansevieria Masoniana
Sansevieria masoniana is available as a variegated snake plant for those who are looking for something even more unique. The leaves of this Sansevieria are striped in yellow and green.
The general rule of thumb when it comes to plant growth is that variegated plants tend to grow at a slower pace than their nonvariegated counterparts and also require a better lighting environment since they can process chlorophyll more slowly.
Plant Care & Watering Guide for Sansevieria Masoniana
How to Water Your Whale Fin Plant
The Sansevieria thrives on little water, just like most semi-succulent plants, including String of Hearts. For this reason, it’s much better to underwater your plant than overwater it in order to avoid root rot.
Due to its semi-succulent nature, whale fins are pretty thirsty, especially in the spring and summer when the air is dryer and the temperature is warmer. It is therefore essential that you let your plants dry in between waterings. Give the plant a good soak when it is completely dry. Water is needed when the leaves wrinkle slightly, which means that the plant is thirsty.
The Best Soil Conditions for Growing Whale Fin Sansevieria
It prefers well-draining soil with ample grit and sand because of the semi-succulent nature of the plant. Sansevierias thrive well in cactus mixes rather than in soils which are too rich in organic matter. It is recommended to fertilize succulents only once every month or so during the summer. The leaves of the plant can fall over if the plant receives too much fertiliser.
Light Conditions That Are Best for Sansevieria Masoniana
Sansevierias do best with bright indirect light, though they can handle lower levels of light than other succulents. Despite this, they are a truly exceptional plant that thrives in a variety of conditions. Despite its somewhat unreliable growing conditions, the plant can reach an astounding height and width of four feet and ten inches! In addition, with the correct care, a white flower cluster can even be produced from the centre of the plant.
How to Propagate Snake Fins
There is usually just one leaf on snake fin plants, and sometimes two. If you plan on growing an indoor jungle with your Sansevieria Masoniana, you should know that it is an incredibly slow growing plant and you will have to wait a long time to propagate it and create new plants. When the pups are large enough to be planted, it is best to let them create new pups naturally and then pot them up when they reach the right size.