Last updated on August 14th, 2022 at 10:54 pm
Sansevieria patens, commonly known as the snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue, is one of the most popular houseplants, and an easy-to-care-for snake plant that will help clean your air and add some greenery to your decor.
A mature snake plant can reach several feet in height, so make sure you’ve got enough space if you’re going to buy one of these beauties! Snake plants are great choices for beginners and longtime gardeners alike.
Sansevieria patens is an easy-to-care-for houseplant that adds both beauty and variety to any home décor. However, because of its stiff and swordlike leaves, it may not be the best choice if you have pets or small children running around your home all day long.
On the other hand, sansevieria patens can easily survive in low light conditions as well as exposure to temperatures down to freezing and up to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. That makes it ideal for both outdoor and indoor locations.
Origin and distribution
Sansevieria is a genus consisting of approximately 70 species of plants, of which only two are commonly known as sansevierias: Sansevieria trifasciata and Sansevieria laurentii. Plants of Sanseverria were originally native to West Africa.
The genus is named after a botanist named Giuseppe Sanseverino from Naples, Italy. Although they are called snake plants, they are not related to any other plant with such a name. They have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years by ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans.
They were brought into Europe by Marco Polo during his travels in Asia Minor around 1250 AD. In 18th century, in England, they became popular among gardeners who valued them for their hardiness and ability to thrive even under poor conditions.
Sansevieria patens propagation
Sansevieria patens are one of those plants that propagate by division rather than from seed. Take a small piece from your plant, place it in a pot filled with potting soil, and keep it moist until it has rooted.
As long as you water it about once every 2 weeks and give Sansevieria patens good sunlight, you shouldn’t have much trouble with these plants.
They also make great gifts for friends! If you want to add more snake plants to your home or office, simply take a few leaves off of one plant and transfer them to other pots. It should be noted that sansevieria patens can grow up to 3 feet tall, so if you plan on keeping them indoors, be sure they have enough room.
Also, be aware that sansevieria patens are poisonous if ingested, so keep them out of reach of children and pets.
Sansevieria patens care information
Sansevieria patens is an easy-to-grow, low-maintenance plant. It thrives in nearly any lighting and condition. Keep it in a bright window and make sure it has sufficient airflow. If you have hard water, put it on a tray filled with rocks or pebbles to raise it up from direct contact. Soil should be kept moist but not soaking wet at all times; let it dry slightly between watering and do not allow the soil to completely dry out.
Light requirement
Moderate to bright indirect light. Outdoors, Sansevieria patens will grow in full sun if provided with some shelter from excessive heat. Indoors, it grows best in a north-facing window, but it will also do well in a south-facing window if allowed to acclimate to lower light levels.
Check that your plant is receiving adequate light by looking at its leaves: leaves that turn yellow or brown indicate either too much or too little light respectively.
Soil/potting mix
Like all sansevierias, Sansevieria patens enjoys a soil that’s loose and well-draining but not particularly fast-draining. There should be some fine sand or small pebbles mixed in with your potting mix; you can improve drainage further by adding a small amount of perlite to your mix.
To keep roots from rotting in soggy soil, do not add more than 1/4 to 1/2 inch of soil over your snake plant’s roots once they become established. Also, try to avoid placing your potted snake plant in standing water after watering it; give it time for excess water to drain away before placing it back on a wet surface.
This is especially important if you have heavy clay soil: extra moisture will cause clay particles to expand and stick together, creating an airless blockage that prevents oxygen from reaching root systems.
Watering
Keep the soil lightly moist but not soggy. If you notice leaves wilting and turning yellow, it’s a sign that your plant is getting too much water. Overwatering is a common problem for snake plants, so check the soil and adjust watering accordingly.
To help prevent overwatering, use pots with drainage holes or place saucers underneath to catch excess water. Snake plants can be left in standing water for up to two weeks without damage, which makes them ideal for busy people who forget to pay attention to their indoor plants on occasion.
Fertilizer
Sansevieria patens is not very demanding with respect to its fertilization requirements. A balanced, high-potassium fertilizer, such as a 25-10-10 NPK will work fine. This can be applied monthly from March through September. From October through February only apply fertilizer every two months or so.
During these winter months, it’s OK to stop applying fertilizer altogether. In addition to regular applications of fertilizer, you should also occasionally feed your snake plant with an organic liquid fertilizer such as fish emulsion.
These organic supplements are typically low in nitrogen and high in potassium and phosphorus which are great for encouraging leaf growth but won’t encourage excessive flower production. Apply once per month during active growth periods and perhaps once every other month during slower growth periods.
Temperature
Sansevieria patens require warm to hot temperatures in order to thrive. Ideally, they should be kept between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. If they are exposed to cold, they will begin to grow at a slower rate. However, if you keep them too warm, their leaves will begin to curl up and turn brown. Avoid placing Snake Plants near air conditioning vents or windows that get direct sunlight year-round for more than 6 hours a day.
Humidity
Although it is a succulent, Sansevieria patens does well in relatively humid conditions. It will tolerate an environment with as little as 40% humidity, but for best results, maintain humidity at 50%. Do not allow Sansevieria patens to dry out completely between waterings. While you want to avoid over-watering, snake plants can be submerged and left alone for up to two weeks before needing a fresh supply of water.
Pruning
Prune in early spring when the soil is warm, the air temperature is between 50 and 60 degrees F. Cut back old leaves to a white leaf or two near where they emerge from soil level. Remove branches crossing one another or growing in opposite directions.
After each cut, dip the pruning tool into a fungicide to prevent any chance of disease. Mist leaves lightly after pruning for faster healing. Apply an all-purpose fertilizer once a month during active growth periods. The snake plant is a good houseplant because it requires little care and thrives under low light conditions.
It’s easy to propagate by simply removing a stem tip, allowing it to dry out slightly, then placing it in a moist potting mix. New plants will form roots quickly. A common myth about snake plants is that they don’t need water, but like most houseplants if you allow them to wilt completely before watering again, you’re asking for trouble.
When to repot
Sansevieria patens don’t need repotting as often as other indoor plants. When you do repot it, plant it in a larger pot and replace 50 percent of its soil with a fresh potting mix. This can be done every year or every two years. As long as your snake plant looks healthy, you can move it to a smaller pot to keep it from getting too big.
If you notice yellowing leaves, that means it needs more water. Snake plants don’t like wet feet, if they get too much water, their leaves will turn yellow. The plant will also drop leaves if there isn’t enough light or if there is too much direct sunlight hitting its leaves.
Dormancy
The Snake plant has very low water needs, making it a great candidate for dormancy. In order to encourage dormancy, you should only water it enough to keep its leaves from wilting. In addition, you should keep your Snake plant in a place that’s warm but not sunny and away from cold drafts.
If done correctly, your Snake plant will go dormant for about 2 months out of each year and when it wakes up again, it will have bigger and more beautiful leaves than before! The best way to care for a snake plant is with minimal attention and proper conditions.
Sansevieria patens plants are ideal for busy people who don’t want to spend time fussing over their plants or anyone who just doesn’t like plants at all. They can be left alone for weeks at a time without losing their health or beauty!
Sansevieria patens flower & fragrance
The snake plant is one of only a few plants that produce flowers and fragrances. The Sansevieria patens flower comes in a unique, striking orange color. Often, it will bloom for 3–4 weeks on its own before producing seed pods, called spikes. These spikes grow out at right angles from your plant and are shaped similar to an elongated pineapple. They may be dark green or even purple/red in color.
Growth rate
Sansevieria patens are considered to be slow-growing. However, depending on environmental conditions, they can grow quite quickly. Some growers have been known to report growth rates of over 3 inches per year in their greenhouses with optimal conditions.
These optimal conditions involve good air circulation, bright lighting, and ample water supplies. As far as size is concerned, when given ideal conditions, Sansevierias will continue to increase in size throughout their lives.
Toxicity
Sansevieria patens are toxic if ingested and should not be kept in areas where children might be prone to putting their hands or objects in their mouths. Be sure to keep these plants out of reach from pets as well, as they can be harmful if ingested. All parts of Sansevieria are poisonous if eaten, though toxicity varies by species; it’s best to avoid all varieties entirely.
USDA hardiness zones
Sansevieria patens thrive best in USDA hardiness zones 10b through 11. Plants that live in colder areas can still survive, but they’ll need to be kept indoors for most of their lives. Even if you don’t live in a zone that allows for outdoor growth, it’s possible to grow snake plants as houseplants. The trick is to keep them outside during warm months and bring them inside when temperatures start to drop.
Pests and diseases
Sansevieria patens are very hardy and easy to care for, but they are not immune to pests or diseases. There are a few problems that plague snake plants in general, but you still need to monitor your plant and keep an eye out for any signs of issues. One of these common problems is a disease called leaf spots.
This can be caused by overwatering or under-watering as well as exposure to excessive sunlight. The spots appear on leaves, sometimes causing them to turn yellow or brown. The best way to avoid leaf spots is simply to water less frequently when it’s hot outside.
If you do notice spots on your leaves, remove them with pruning shears before they spread further. You may also want to consider moving your plant away from direct sunlight if it’s getting too much sun.
Conclusion
By following these simple steps, you can have Sansevieria patens in your home that thrives and looks its best. These plants are fairly low maintenance, but there are some things you can do to keep them healthy, happy, and thriving for years to come.
By taking care of it responsibly and with regular upkeep, you’ll be able to enjoy an exotic plant in your home for many years! If you follow these guidelines and tips, your plant will thank you for a long life of beauty.
