Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:34 pm
Sansevieria parva, also known as the Kenya hyacinth snake plant, is a beautiful and exotic plant that makes an excellent addition to any home or office. Its unique appearance and environmental adaptability make it one of the most popular plants to grow indoors, but you should still consider several factors before bringing this plant into your life and your home.
The Kenya hyacinth snake plant is an easy-to-grow houseplant that’s an excellent choice for those just getting started with indoor gardening. Because it doesn’t require much attention, it’s also an ideal plant for busy professionals who are looking to add some greenery to their living space but don’t have much time to dedicate to its upkeep.
Sansevieria parva is one of the most popular houseplants in the world. It’s very easy to grow and will thrive in both indirect sunlight and low light conditions, making it perfect for any location in your home.
This guide explains everything you need to know about Sansevieria parva (kenya hyacinth snake plant), including its history, requirements, and care tips.
Origin and distribution
Sansevieria parva is native to tropical regions of Africa, including Kenya. The species name parva refers to its smaller size compared to other Sansevierias. It grows as a shrub in nature and can reach a height of up to 2 feet tall. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil with regular watering.
In ideal conditions, it can live for several years without needing repotting or pruning. This plant is not considered invasive because it does not reproduce from seeds; instead, new plants are formed from offshoots that grow around its base.
These offshoots can be removed and planted elsewhere at any time during its life cycle. When grown indoors, sansevieria parva requires little care beyond good drainage and bright light. If you’re looking for an easy-to-care-for houseplant, then sansevieria parva is a great choice!
Sansevieria parva propagation
The Kenya hyacinth snake plant is propagated by dividing off pieces of its rhizome. Simply detach a stem with roots and replant it in moist potting soil. It will quickly form new roots, grow, and sprout a new head of leaves. Snip off unwanted shoots to prevent overcrowding.
Sansevieria parva reproduces readily from cuttings; however, do not allow your plants to become rootbound or they will no longer bloom. Pinch back growing tips on larger plants to encourage bushiness. Over time, these popular houseplants can grow quite large, up to 3 feet tall and 1 foot wide, so be sure you have enough space for them!
When growing sansevieria from cuttings, it’s important to make sure that each cutting has at least two leaves so that they have enough energy stores to grow roots. The cuttings should be placed on top of the soil and kept warm until they start to grow new roots; then they can be planted in pots or repotted into their permanent homes.
Sansevieria parva care information
Sansevieria parva can be slightly more challenging to care for than other snake plants due to its larger size. It’s best grown in a pot with good drainage and allowed to dry out between waterings, but it also should not be left in standing water.
They prefer indirect light, so place them away from windows where they’ll get lots of sun. If your plant does not flower within one year after planting, repot it into fresh potting soil and keep an eye out for blooms!
Light requirement
This plant thrives in low light. If you want it to bloom, provide a small amount of direct sunlight a few hours per week. To keep your Kenya hyacinth snake plant looking lush and green, place it in bright indirect light. Placing it near a window will work great! The leaves can still gather plenty of light without overexposing any part of the plant and causing damage. And remember to rotate its location every few weeks so that all sides receive equal exposure to light.
Soil/potting mix
Sansevieria parva is drought tolerant and will grow in regular potting soil. Be sure to avoid heavy soils with lots of clay; they’ll cause root rot in your Kenya hyacinth snake plant. Also, be sure that your soil drains very well; it grows best in a sandy mix or one with a generous amount of sand or perlite added.
You can use any kind of pot for your Kenya hyacinth snake plant, but choose something with drainage holes at the bottom. If you don’t have a drainage hole, you can make one by poking a small hole into your container using an ice pick or similar object.
Watering
Sansevierias are one of many plants that do not require a lot of water. Once you’ve got your plant settled in and positioned where you want it, it is time to water it. It’s best to wait until your soil has completely dried out before watering again. To do so, stick your finger in about an inch deep into moist soil. If it feels dry to the touch, then wait another day or two and check again.
Do not over-water; if your potting mix is too wet, excess water will drain through holes in its bottom. Watering once every 7–10 days should be sufficient for most sansevierias. A good way to tell if your plant needs more water is by checking its leaves—if they begin to droop or turn yellow, you should increase watering frequency. If they remain upright and green, there isn’t much need for additional watering at that time.
Fertilizer
Sansevieria is not a demanding plant. It does best when fertilized once a month in spring and summer with an all-purpose fertilizer diluted to 1⁄2 strength. Under-fertilization leads to slower growth, spindly plants, and smaller leaves. In fall, cut back on fertilizer.
Don’t fertilize Sansevierias in winter at all – you’ll stimulate tender new growth which will be killed by frost before it has time to harden off. Feed only enough to produce vigorous new growth; do not overfeed or allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Overfeeding can lead to leaf burn, particularly if light levels are low.
Temperature
Sansevieria parva’s ideal growth temperature is in temperatures above 65 degrees Fahrenheit. However, due to their adaptability and hardiness, they can be cultivated under less than desirable conditions. Temperatures should not fall below 55 degrees or rise above 75 degrees for optimal health of Sansevieria plants.
It is important to note that sansevieria do not thrive well in a greenhouse environment. The high humidity levels found within a greenhouse will cause your sansevieria plant to become susceptible to root rot, which could ultimately lead to the death of your plant.
Humidity
This plant is drought tolerant but will rot in soggy soil, so it’s important to make sure that air can flow freely through its leaves. A common misconception is that snake plants need low humidity; in fact, they appreciate high humidity and prefer an area with 40 to 50 percent relative humidity. You might even consider placing your plant on a tray of pebbles filled with water, which helps increase humidity around it.
Pruning
To keep your plant in tiptop shape, you’ll need to prune it every once in a while. If you have an older Sansevieria, there’s a chance it may have stopped producing side shoots. In that case, you’ll need to cut it down to its base and then start over again by re-potting it and treating it as a new plant.
Otherwise, prune any leaves or stems that are falling below your desired height or look dead or damaged. You can also remove flowers if they aren’t doing anything for your décor. You should also be on the lookout for bugs, like spider mites and mealybugs, which can quickly infest a houseplant if left unchecked.
These pests will leave behind small webs around their feeding grounds; if you see these signs of infestation, use insecticidal soap to get rid of them before they take over.
When to repot
Repotting Sansevieria parva should occur every two to three years to keep them healthy and help them grow. Repotting should be done carefully since they have a tendency to rot when their root systems are damaged. One way to tell if it’s time for a repot is if your plant begins to produce offsets or pups around its base. These can be removed easily and replanted in new pots with fresh soil.
When choosing a pot, make sure that it has drainage holes in its bottom; these holes will allow excess water to drain out of your pot so that you don’t accidentally drown your plant. If you don’t have any pots with drainage holes available, you can create some by drilling some small holes into an empty plastic container—just make sure not to drill too many, or else water will leak out of your pot too quickly!
Dormancy
While Sansevieria parva is a hearty, compact plant, it will naturally go dormant in winter. It should not be watered or fed during dormancy. Do not remove leaves from your plant to try and get it to return—wait for signs of life before you attempt to coax your snake plant back into action. If your Kenya hyacinth snake plant has been neglected for a long period of time, it may take some time to recover. But with proper care and patience, your snake plant will bounce back!
Sansevieria parva flower & fragrance
The flowers of Sansevieria parva are creamy-white with a yellowish center and purplish top. They are borne in a raceme, and open at night; they close during daylight hours. This may be an adaptation to pollination by nocturnal insects such as sphingid moths (Family Sphingidae), which are attracted to floral scents. The flowers emit a heavy fragrance, reminiscent of coconut oil.
Growth rate
Kenya hyacinth snake plant’s growth rate depends on many factors, including temperature, humidity, and light exposure. In optimal conditions, Kenya hyacinth snake plant can grow up to 4 inches per year in its first year of life and 3 inches per year in subsequent years. However, if it doesn’t receive optimal care during any phase of its growth cycle, its growth rate may be significantly slower.
Toxicity
Sansevieria parva is a hardy plant with low toxicity. Like many other plants, it can cause skin irritations or even burns if handled improperly. Large portions of Sansevieria parva should not be ingested. If you have pets or small children, it’s important to keep all houseplants out of reach.
USDA hardiness zones
Sansevieria parva thrives best in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11. It can survive a light frost, but will die back to its roots if temperatures drop below 25 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in a colder climate, keep your snake plant indoors where it will receive plenty of bright light and warmth.
Pests and diseases
Like all tropical houseplants, sansevieria parva is vulnerable to pests. Its stiff leaves make it a difficult target for chewing insects, but aphids and spider mites are known to attack. Pest prevention starts with proper hygiene: The plant should be sprayed with soap and water at least once a month to keep its leaves free of dust and other allergens that can make them more attractive to pests.
If you see any signs of infestation, such as small spots on your plant’s leaves or webbing in its soil, spray your plant with insecticidal soap immediately. You may also want to quarantine new plants for several weeks before introducing them into your home or office; place new plants in a separate room while you monitor their health closely and treat any pest problems right away.
Conclusion
Sansevieria parva is a low-maintenance plant that looks great in any home or office. It’s relatively inexpensive and grows quickly. This is a plant that can thrive just about anywhere, so if you’re looking for an easy-to-care-for and beautiful new addition to your home, try Kenya hyacinth snake plant.
