Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:35 pm
Sansevieria canaliculata, commonly called snake plant, viper’s bowstring hemp, or mother-in-law’s tongue, are rare sansevieria varieties, and one of the hardiest and long-lasting succulent with dark green leaves and white stripes or spots. This plant does well in low light, so it’s great for rooms without bright windows, such as your bathroom or basement.
They are one of the hardiest varieties of Sansevieria out there. They don’t require frequent watering and can survive in low-light conditions — making them perfect for those of us with busy lives!
Sansevieria canaliculata looks very similar to the common Sansevieria trifasciata, but it’s actually an entirely different species altogether! It’s native to Western Africa, but has since been introduced to other tropical regions around the world, including parts of the Caribbean and Hawaii.
If you’re ready to bring some vibrant color into your home this season, check out the following beautiful varieties of sansevieria canaliculata!
Origin and distribution
Like other members of its genus, Sansevieria canaliculata is a native of Africa and thrives in sunny, semi-arid climates with mild winters. According to Wikipedia, sansevieria canaliculata has been known to reach heights of up to three meters (10 feet).
Although it is somewhat hardy, Sansevieria canaliculata grows best in protected areas like a greenhouse or indoors. Sun exposure should be limited; place your plant away from direct light when possible. Watering frequency will depend on soil type: sandy soils require more frequent watering than clay soils. Do not allow your plant’s soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Sansevieria canaliculata propagation
Depending on where you live, acquiring your own Sansevieria canaliculata may be a challenge. Although these plants can be purchased at a local nursery, many species of sansevieria are hard to find, especially if you don’t live in tropical climates. Many gardeners opt to grow sansevierias from cuttings. Some will root easily by placing a cutting in a jar filled with water and rooting hormone powder, while others will take longer than expected to root.
The most important thing is to keep them moist and warm until they begin growing new leaves. Once they start growing new leaves, their roots should become established enough that they can be transplanted into the soil. This process usually takes between three and six months.
If you have multiple sansevieria varieties, it might be best to grow each one separately so they can all get plenty of light without competing for nutrients.
Sansevieria canaliculata care information
A majority of sansevieria varieties are quite durable, making them a good choice for busy households with pets or children. If you’re considering adding one to your home, consult with your local nursery professional before making a purchase. The following is what you need to know about caring for your sansevieria plant
Light requirement
Sansevieria canaliculata is much more tolerant of direct sunlight than other varieties of sansevieria. It thrives in full sun, with no problems. The leaves might scorch a little bit when exposed to full sun for an extended period of time, but if it’s occasional exposure, your plant will be fine. If you want to bring your plant indoors, it will do well under fluorescent light.
A sunny window should be sufficient as long as you don’t have intense sunlight coming through. You can also grow them under artificial lights or even grow them indoors during winter months when there isn’t enough natural light. If you have intense light from one direction and not another, rotate your plant every few days so that all sides get equal amounts of light over time.
Soil/potting mix
The soil you use for your Sansevieria canaliculata is extremely important. There are a few critical things to keep in mind when you’re figuring out what kind of potting mix to buy. First, it needs to be able to drain water well, as a soggy pot could cause root rot and/or kill your plant. Second, it should have good aeration, if there isn’t enough air circulation around your roots, they won’t be able to breathe properly.
Third, it should retain moisture without becoming too wet or dry; if you can squeeze some potting mix between your fingers and feel moisture on them, that means there isn’t enough air circulation around your roots. Finally, make sure that whatever soil you choose doesn’t contain any chemicals or additives that could harm your plant!
Watering
To keep your Sansevieria canaliculata happy, it needs water and sunlight. Avoid watering too much or too little, as both are bad for your plant. You can either water it by hand with a small bucket of water every other day, or place it in a sunny area to allow it to absorb rainfall on its own. You should also lightly mist sansevierias every day or two with a spray bottle, paying extra attention to leaves that seem dry. Finally, avoid wetting its leaves when you water them.
Fertilizer
While most houseplants are low-maintenance and can thrive on air and water alone, some varieties require an additional boost. A balanced nutrient-rich fertilizer will provide enough nutrients to give your Sansevieria canaliculata a healthy start, but there are exceptions. Use a high-phosphorus fertilizer for sansevierias with green leaves or yellow leaves and for variegated types. Use a low-phosphorus fertilizer for sansevierias with brown or black leaves.
Temperature
Sansevieria canaliculata loves direct sunlight, but will tolerate less light. If temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, your Sansevieria should be moved indoors. To do so, water it well and keep it in a sunny window for about a week until it acclimates to its new environment. Then keep it on a sunny windowsill and keep its soil slightly moist.
Humidity
Water is critical to all living things, and so too is humidity. Sansevieria Canaliculata requires at least 50% humidity to grow. To increase humidity in your home, you can use a room humidifier or purchase a stand-alone humidifier.
You can also try putting your plant on a tray of wet pebbles or stones. If you’re away from home for long periods of time, consider investing in a vacation plant sitter service that will keep your plants watered while you’re away.
Pruning
Be sure to prune these lovely Sansevieria canaliculata back. Cut them to a new shoot when they start getting too tall, removing just half or even a third of it; new shoots will grow from that point. The plants should be kept on their own roots, so if you plan on re-potting your plants, do not disturb their root system! This is one of those cases where it’s wise to follow mother nature.
When to repot
If you’re growing your Sansevieria canaliculata in a pot, it will eventually outgrow its current container. You can repot your plant any time of the year, make sure to water it well right after replanting. As with most houseplants, sansevierias grow best in small pots; when they get too big for their containers, they start getting floppy and unhappy.
Make sure that your new pot has at least one drainage hole. And remember: The bigger the container, the bigger your plant will be! It’s okay if you have to move up to a larger size every few years. Just make sure that each new container is only slightly larger than its predecessor so that your plant doesn’t have trouble adjusting.
Dormancy
Although many people assume all Sansevieria are easy-care plants, such as snake plants and mother-in-law’s tongue, it’s important to realize that some varieties of Sansevieria require dormancy in order to flourish. Dormancy, or lack thereof, is dependent on environmental factors such as light exposure and temperature.
For example, if you live in a warm climate where temperatures stay above 50 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, your Sansevieria canaliculata will not go into a dormant state. However, if you live in an area with cooler winters and shorter days, your plant may need to be moved into a darker location during the winter months so it can rest.
Sansevieria canaliculata flower & fragrance
In terms of appearance, Sansevieria canaliculata is one of those plants that doesn’t attract much attention. However, it possesses a delightful fragrance that can be smelled from quite a distance. The plant also features little flowers. Despite its lack of aesthetic properties, however, it continues to be in high demand as a decorative plant due to its attractive form and interesting foliage.
Growth rate
Sansevieria canaliculata are slow-growing houseplants that take years to reach maturity, but their slow growth rate means they can easily be kept as pets by hobbyist indoor gardeners. These tropical plants have rigid and upright leaves that grow in a zig-zag pattern and resemble small dragon scales. However, some varieties feature unique leaf markings or unusual stem thicknesses.
Toxicity
While some snake plants aren’t poisonous to humans or animals, some parts of these species can be toxic. The leaves and rhizomes of some varieties have a toxin called oxalate, which can cause kidney stones if you ingest too much. This is more likely to happen if you drink oxalate-rich tea with your plant, because drinking hot water increases its release into your system. For example, some people like to mix powdered matcha with hot water in order to make a tea.
USDA hardiness zones
Sansevieria canaliculata thrives in USDA hardiness zones 10 through 12. In these areas, it can be grown outdoors year-round. In colder climates, it is best to grow sansevieria indoors as a houseplant. The plant prefers bright indirect sunlight and should be kept at room temperature year-round. When grown indoors, its soil should dry out between waterings and its leaves should never touch standing water. Overwatering can cause root rot and leaf drop.
Pests and diseases
Sansevieria canaliculata can generally withstand pests and diseases that affect other plants, making it a suitable houseplant for people with pets or small children. Exceptions to sansevieria’s pest resistance include spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids.
These pests are likely to appear on potted sansevierias, so eliminate them as soon as you see signs of infestation, such as webs on leaves or yellowing foliage. Spraying your plant with water once a week will help keep insects away from your sansevieria. If an infestation occurs, use insecticidal soap or neem oil to kill off any bugs.
Conclusion
Many species of sansevieria are being over-harvested for horticultural purposes, so be sure to research what species you’re looking for before purchasing it. For example, some varieties of sansevieria are critically endangered and listed as protected plants by CITES. Unless a rare variety is already in your collection or you can obtain one from someone who grows houseplants, please don’t buy rare sansevierias at retail nurseries or via internet retailers.
