Snake Plant, What’s That?

The Spruce/Alonda Baird Sansevieria trifasciata also known as the Mother-in-Law’s Tongue….

…is an important and popular houseplant grows best in hot and humid places. 

Architecturally significant it features stiff leaves that can range in height from six inches to eight feet…

…depending on the variety. 

The 70 or so species formerly placed in the genus have been known by many common names including…

…..mother-in-law’s tongue, devil’s tongue, jinn’s tongue, bow string hemp, snake plant, and snake tongue. 

Snake Plants usually have green leaves with yellow borders, while Mother-in-Law’s Tongue varieties…

…usually have yellow borders.

Asparagus trifasciata is a relative of garden asparagus belonging to the Asparagacea family.

Sansevieria was first cultivated in China. 

As a treasured houseplant, the snake plant was believed to bestow the virtues of the eight gods:

Long life, Prosperity, Intelligence, Beauty, Art, Poetry, Health, and Strength upon those who grew it. 

NASA has also selected Sansevieria as one of several plants used in a study of how plants…

….can be used for air purification and to fight sick building syndrome. 

According to joint studies conducted by the Department of Horticulture at the University of Georgia…

,,,and the Institute for Environmental Research at Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea.

Sansevieria can efficiently remove formaldehyde and benzene from the air.

Simply put, sansevieria is a tough houseplant to kill.

Snake plants are versatile, classic houseplants with sword-like foliage.

With its durability, the Sansevieria makes an excellent choice for apartment…

…dwellers who typically have difficulty with houseplants due to limited lighting.

They should take a good look at snake plants.

Here’s the story of Roy, telling us about the experience of his having a snake plant and its surprise him in the end!

Want to know?

Let us hear Roy’s story

I don’t know much about plants, but I do know that my mom likes to talk about them.

When she comes home from the garden center with another plant Mom always tells me…

….all this stuff like how to take care of it and what to feed it.

She says it takes time and effort for her plants to grow big and strong.

But this one is different than those other plants, this one wants me to leave him alone!

And it was snake plant, yellow green tall, stiff and looks like a though guy

Mom said that this plant didn’t need a regularly care about it.

Well, that’s not a lie after all.

In year 3, with less of care other than the other.

This plant growing big above my expectation

Snake plant, commonly referred to as mother-in-law’s tongue, is a resilient succulent that can grow anywhere between 6 inches to several feet.”

Brodie Brickey, former Staff Research Associate UCLA Dept of Pathology.

Here’s the main thing that you should know!

• Botanical Name: Sansevieria trifasciata
• Common Name: Snake plant, mother-in-law’s tongue, viper’s bowstring hemp, and St. George’s sword
• Plant Type: Evergreen perennial in Zones 9 thru 11; a houseplant in colder zones
• Mature Size: 6 inches to 12 feet tall
• Sun Exposure: Part shade, low light conditions
• Soil Type: Fast-draining, sandier soil
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline
• Bloom Time: Spring (blooms are rare)
• Flower Color: Greenish-white
• Hardiness: Zones 9 through 11
• Native Area: Tropical West Africa

Interesting right?

The snake plant is native to Africa’s tropical western region, from Nigeria to Congo….

….where she goes by the scientific name Sansevieria trifasciata; however, she goes by a variety of other names. 

She is most recognized as “snake plant,” or “mother-in-law’s tongue”…

…because of the shape and the sharpness of her leaves.

In Brazil, they call her “Espada de São Jorge,” because she is associated with the sword of Saint George and in Japan, they call her “Tiger’s tail.”

Like all famous people, the snake plant suffered criticism.

She was associated with bad luck. This is just a rumor. 

In fact, the plant was cherished in ancient times and was believed to bring good luck in several countries. 

In China, people who possessed this plant were subject to receiving eight virtue gifts from the Eight Gods which includes:

Prosperity, Beauty, Long Life, Intelligence, Health, Art, Strength, and Poetry. 

This plant will attract positive energy and good luck to your home giving you a feeling of well-being and a feeling of security.

It is a sumptuous plant that is ideal for those looking for that modern and glamorous touch in their apartment or house. 

She will bring a touch of modernity to any room that needs a little refreshment.

Her height reaches 70 – 90 cm and her leaves’ width reaches up to 6 cm.

She has yellow-tipped leaves and can grow flowers, so she has a feminine spirit.

The snake plant is very resistant to insect bites and humidity, and can go 2 to 3 weeks without being watered.

She prefers warmer climates as she was raised in extremely arid soils.

Below 50°F can be dangerous. Green beauty prefers to dry out before watering…

….so make sure to water it in moderation, especially during the winter.

It is the perfect plant for apartment dwellers because it does well in low light or dark areas and can survive with a medium to indirect light.

In contrast to other indoor plants that uptake oxygen during the day and release carbon dioxide…

…during the night due to the absence of photosynthesis the snake plant uptakes…

…carbon dioxide and releases even more oxygen at night than during the day.

Impressive, isn’t it? Fun fact: 6 to 8 snake plants placed in a room deprived of oxygen can keep a person alive.

Here’s how!

This plant is extremely easy to grow and is almost indestructible;

• They thrive in either bright light or in almost complete darkness. 
• Ideal in a container, it is also excellent in a grouping and will thrive on either the floor or a tabletop display. 
• Plants of this genus are also drought resistant.

There are two low-growing varieties, but these are seldom seen in garden centers.

Terracotta pots work well with snake plants, since they allow the soil to dry out more easily than plastic pots.

Choose a potting mix that drains well.

A potting mix designed for succulents and cacti will avoid becoming oversaturated with water.

The plant should not be planted too deep when repotting snake plants.

The plant should be planted as deep as it had been in its prior container.

Here’s the thing that you need to know!

The snake plant, also known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, and Sansevieria, is one of the easiest houseplants to care for.

It is very forgiving and perfect for beginners. Here’s how to care for it in your home!

Root rot is caused by a soggy soil that gets too much water and freezes.

Both of these conditions can kill this plant.

The snake plants native to southern Africa are well adapted to conditions similar to those in southern regions of the United States.

Because of this, they may be grown outdoors throughout part of the year in USDA zones 8 and warmer. 

Nevertheless, they spread by sending underground runners and can be invasive, so treat snake plants like bamboo;

Plant them only in contained areas or pots.

While Sansevierias are very resilient, they prefer indirect but steady light with some direct sun.

They can survive full sun conditions and will also tolerate quite dim conditions.

This plant performs best in loose, well-drained potting media. It will thrive in sandier soils.

Avoid potting media high in peat, which packs and refuses to properly drain.

An all-purpose cactus potting mix is a good option.

If possible, let the soil dry between waterings.

Water the plants only when the soil is dry to the touch. or when the soil is dry to the touch.

Don’t overwater; too much may kill the plant.

Sansevieria prefers warm conditions and will wither if exposed to temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Place the plant in an area with protection from drafts.

A temperature range between 70 and 90 degrees is ideal.

A liquid slow-release fertilizer (10-10-10 diluted to half strength) or a mild cactus fertilizer may be used….

….during the growing season. Do not fertilize during the winter.

A Sansevieria plant can be divided easily during repotting.

Alternatively, new shoots that emerge from the soil can be taken and potted independently.

Cuttings can also be made; however, division is much easier.

See having Snake plant is good choice for you to have! It’s cool, its famous, it’s easy to have and care!

What else dp you need?

In this pandemic time like this, is a good choice for you to have an new activity and having snake plant is a good choice for you to have!

Last thing for sure. This plant need to be care carefully, remember plant need the “love” too.

Alright that’s all for today! Do you have any questions about all of this?

Or do you want to add some plant that have a good properties like snake plant?  

Let me know your recommendation from the comment below.

I hope you can now take care your jade in rainy season.

Thanks for reading this article! Bye!