Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:34 pm
The Sansevieria green mermaid, also called the green mermaid snake plant, or just sansevieria mermaid, is one of the most popular types of sansevieria plants in the world, due to its attractive emerald green color and ability to blend into any home or office setting with ease.
The green mermaid snake plant is one of the new trends in plant care. That also means there’s a ton of information out there and it can be hard to figure out what’s right for your sansevieria green mermaid!
The Sansevieria Green Mermaid is also one of the most stunning succulents you’ll find on the market today, and while they are often very easy to take care of, there are certain steps you can take to make sure your new plant thrives in your home or office space.
Here are some simple tips on how to properly care for your sansevieria plant so that it can thrive and keep your space looking as gorgeous as possible. This way, you can save yourself the trouble of having to buy more plants down the line!
Origin and distribution
Sansevieria green mermaid is indigenous to East Africa, where it grows from sea level to 2000 feet (600 meters) in altitude. Its range includes Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Somalia. It is found in both grasslands and woodland areas, often growing near rivers or other bodies of water. In its native habitat, it is drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun. However, it can also be grown indoors as a houseplant. The leaves are sometimes used for thatching roofs in certain parts of Africa.
The plant’s natural growth cycle is one year; at that time, a new rosette will emerge from an existing leaf base on top of the old leaf stalk. If you have potted plants with multiple leaves, then you will probably notice when your plant goes into its resting phase because all new growth will stop and your leaves will begin to die back.
Sansevieria green mermaid propagation
The Sansevieria green mermaid propagates easily from cuttings. Remove a healthy section of plant from below a leaf node and place it in moist perlite or potting soil. Be sure that each end has at least one leaf, otherwise, it won’t grow roots on its own and will die.
Place in bright light (but not direct sunlight) and keep well-watered until new growth appears, which can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on how you took your cutting. Once it is growing, treat it as an adult plant and water it when dry.
You can also propagate by dividing an adult plant into sections with multiple leaves; simply dig up part of the rhizome with some roots attached and replant it in fresh soil.
Again, keep watered until new growth appears. This method is generally faster than propagation by cutting because there are already leaves present for photosynthesis. Just be careful not to accidentally sever any roots while digging up your divisions.
Otherwise, they will quickly wither and die.
Remember: plants need light to live! If you want more sansevierias, but don’t have space for them all, just propagate! It’s easy and allows you to create a larger collection without having to buy more plants or worry about giving away free plants if someone asks where you got yours from.
Sansevieria green mermaid care information
These plants require a warm environment, high humidity, and low light—which makes them a poor choice for most homes. However, if you can provide your plant with proper care, it will reward you with strikingly beautiful flowers.
Sansevieria is a tough plant to kill, but you can take steps to help it thrive. Here are some sansevieria green mermaid care tips.
Light requirement
Sansevieria green mermaid is a low-light succulent that likes bright indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, which will scorch its leaves and lead to sunburned spots that can potentially kill your plant. Keep it in a spot that receives at least 4 hours of light each day.
Soil/potting mix
Sansevieria green mermaid is a desert plant and, therefore, prefers soil that’s very well-draining. That means most potting soils aren’t recommended for Sansevierias. If you have regular potting soil in your home, it’s best to mix it with sand or perlite to ensure drainage. If you prefer not to change your existing potting mix, add some sphagnum peat moss or sand to improve drainage before placing your Sansevieria in its new home.
Whatever kind of soil you choose, make sure it has good drainage so your plant doesn’t get overwatered and develop root rot.
A good rule of thumb: if water pools on top of your soil after watering, consider mixing in more sand or perlite until water drains through easily.
Watering
The green mermaid plant is a succulent plant and therefore doesn’t require frequent watering, in fact overwatering is one of its biggest killers. There are a few factors to consider when watering your Sansevieria including how old it is, where you live, and what type you have.
If you’re not sure if your plant needs water, stick your finger about an inch into the soil; if it feels dry or very damp then don’t water yet but if there is no moisture at all, then give it a good drench. If you want to be on the safe side then wait until morning because most plants tend to lose moisture through their leaves overnight which means they need more water in order for them to absorb enough nutrients from their soil.
The green mermaid snake plant is a very resilient plant and will survive in a wide range of conditions. While too much or too little water can kill your Sansevieria, proper watering is all you need to do in order to keep it alive for many years. As with all plants, watch out for over-watering: Watering every other day may be sufficient for a small Sansevieria and every three days is enough for a medium-sized plant.
Fertilizer
While Sansevieria green mermaid is a low-maintenance houseplant, it does need to be fertilized occasionally. Use a high-quality indoor plant fertilizer that is specifically made for foliage plants and follow directions for application. Do not overfeed your Sansevieria as it can damage its roots and even kill your houseplant! High phosphorous indoor plant fertilizer formulas are ideal for sansevierias, as these will help maintain green foliage while improving flower production.
Temperature
Sansevieria green mermaid thrives in medium temperature conditions, between 16 and 24 degrees Celsius (60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit). If you’re growing it inside, be sure to place it near a window. Alternatively, set up a small space heater in your home or office.
Humidity
In order to keep your Sansevieria green mermaid healthy, you’ll need to monitor its humidity. You can do so by adding a pebble tray or a humidity dome (found at most pet stores) to its pot. Or, if you want to keep things easy and low-maintenance, choose an already-humidified terrarium that comes with a built-in feature for maintaining moist conditions.
The ideal humidity range is between 40 and 60 percent. If your Sansevieria’s leaves are turning brown, it’s a sign that its soil is too dry. You can fix this by simply watering it more frequently. Conversely, if its leaves are curling or shriveling up, you may be overwatering it.
Pruning
Dead or diseased leaves can be removed by clipping them off at their base. Plants grown in containers will benefit from an occasional trim to maintain their shape. Sansevieria green mermaid does not like to be over-potted; however, it’s a good idea to move it once every 2 years for larger ones or 1 year for smaller ones to keep them healthy and growing well.
When to repot
Sansevieria green mermaid are one of few Sansevierias that can remain in their pots for years without needing to be repotted. However, if your plant is starting to look a little shabby, it’s time to give it a potting—just be sure to use a potting mix formulated for green mermaid snake plant and not for any other kind of plant. Use good drainage as waterlogged soil will rot your plant quickly and can even kill it.
It’s also important to make sure your plant gets enough light; don’t place it near a window where direct sunlight shines on it all day long.
Dormancy
Most people think their Sansevieria green mermaid snake plants are dead when they see them go dormant. They can’t understand why it’s not doing anything. And you might ask yourself: is my plant healthy or not? The answer is probably so. It’s just going dormant and will return to life when conditions improve.
Dormancy is very natural for these plants, and there’s nothing wrong with your plant if it goes into dormancy mode once in a while. In fact, some growers even force their plants into dormancy by reducing watering frequency. Just remember that during dormancy, your plant won’t grow much at all – but it also won’t lose any leaves either!
Sansevieria green mermaid flower & fragrance
Sansevieria green mermaid is a flowering plant, meaning it produces gorgeous white flowers at least once a year. The best way to get your plant to bloom every year is by providing it with 12 hours of sunlight every day. These flowers aren’t as fragrant as other plants and will die off within a few days, but they’re still a fun bonus for those who are looking for some color in their home or office.
Growth rate
Sansevieria green mermaids have a moderate growth rate, they are ideal for people who want a high-maintenance houseplant with minimal upkeep. That said, they do need an occasional boost to keep them looking their best. If you’re willing to put in a little effort now and then, expect to wait about one year before seeing your first set of leaves. After that, it will grow quickly—meaning you’ll have more work on your hands as your plant gets bigger and taller.
Toxicity
Though toxic to animals, Sansevieria green mermaid is harmless to humans. As a result, you can repot your plant at any time.
USDA hardiness zones
Sansevieria green mermaid thrives best in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11. In these areas, it can survive year-round outdoors with no protection. In zone 9 and lower, it’s a good idea to bring your plant indoors for winter.
Pests and diseases
The green mermaid doesn’t suffer from many pests or diseases. Keeping your plants clean of old leaves and other matter that might be detrimental to plant health can help prevent pests and diseases. The tips in caring for sansevieria plants also apply to your green mermaid.
When you repot your plant, inspect it for any signs of bugs or pests. If you spot anything that could be harmful, remove it before it can spread to other plants or cause other problems. It’s best to keep your plants healthy so they don’t attract pests or diseases.
Also, avoid overwatering—it can lead to root rot, which is harmful to both sansevieria and green mermaids.
Conclusion
The Sansevieria green mermaid snake plant can make a great addition to your home, but some may prove difficult to take care of. The plant requires little maintenance, however. You just need to water it and let it grow in indirect sunlight. Adding special liquid fertilizers can help keep your sansevieria green mermaid looking its best, too.
Overall, you should have no trouble growing and maintaining one of these plants on your own!
