One of the most resistant plants that exist: it is the sansevieria , better known as tongue de mother-in-law .
It is a succulent plant , very loved as a houseplant . It needs very little care and usually lives for many years, giving our home a touch of elegance thanks to the elongated shape of its leaves .
But, no matter how resistant it is, this plant needs some precautions, especially in the hot months . They are simple actions, but necessary to keep green and healthy the language of our mother-in-law.
Warning : if you have particular problems with this plant, always contact your trusted florist or gardener.
Internal or external?
If the sansevieria is traditionally considered an indoor plant a>garden or in the balcony It is also true that in summer you can have it on the
The mother-in-law’s tongue , in fact, in the cold months< a i=4> must be kept at a temperature not lower than10 °C . In summer , it also tolerates very high temperatures , and can be kept outdoors. no problems.
However, be careful of summer storms – if it rains, bring this plant to the inside or protect it. Too much water could kill you.
High temperatures? Water more!
In summer, high temperatures can weaken your plants .
Despite being a tropical plant , the sansevieria needs more water when it’s hot. The ideal is to water it at least once per week or every two weeks .
The secret is to check the soil : when it seems too dry , it’s time to water your plants.
NB: obviously the more you keep the plant in a sunny place a>. , the more the soil will tend to dry out quickly warm and
Be careful with direct light
If you keep this plant indoors outside , choose carefully where to place it.
Although he greatly loves the light , the tongue of The mother-in-law does not tolerate direct sunlight for long. These, in fact, especially in the hottest months, can burn theleaves of this plant, causing premature death.
If you see yellowish-brown spots on the leaves, the cause may be precisely a /span> to sunlight.excessive direct exposure
The ideal is to place this plant in a sunny place , but where direct light does not reach more than a couple of hours a day .
Parasites? No, thanks!
The thick leaves of sansevieria are very resistant to attacks by insects and pests .
However, when it is hot, the plant may be affected by some infestations , especially if it is kept close to others. Plants in the garden or on the balcony .
It is not uncommon for the plant to be attacked by the mealybug : a parasite similar to a small red spider that releases a substance similar to a white powder (in fact, it is known as cochineal or cochineal).
In particular, in sansevieria , this parasite manifests itself with brown spots that appear on the underside. of the leaves .
Getting rid of it is not difficult. You can try with white spirit vinegar : dilute 150ml in and spray it on the leaves.a liter of water
Alternatively, brush it directly over the leaves with the help of a small brush or a ball of cotton .
Replant? It depends
The mother-in-law’s tongue transplant should normally be performed in early spring , but not every year.
The ideal is to do it every 3 years when, in general, the roots has already used up all the nutrients it had to offer.soil they begin to “get tight” in the pot and the
Choose a pot larger for this plant and transplant, having be careful not to break the roots .
Fertilize regularly
Actually, fertilization is not mandatory for this plant, even without fertilizers , can easily survive.
However, if you want a sansevieria to grow and keep its leaves healthy, you need to choose the right fertilizer.
Fertilizers based on nitrogen and potassium< /span> to be mixed with the water used for irrigation .liquid fertilizers are chosen are very suitable: often, for this plant,
Many people wonder, then, how often they should fertilize. It depends on the type and indications of the individual fertilizers.
Usually, in the summer period , it is necessary to pay every 3 weeks< a i=4> . Then, in the cold months , you should suspend fertilization .