Mother-in-law’s tongue is a plant that has many names: Sansevière or sansevieria, devil’s tongue or snake plant. Not only is it a beautiful plant, but it is also one of the easiest to grow and maintain. In this article we share with you tips on how to make it flower and enjoy its scents.

If we like the sansevière it is because it is particularly robust and has the ability to survive even in poorly lit spaces. You should also know  that it is a depolluting plant capable of absorbing harmful molecules  such as formaldehyde, trichlorethylene and benzene that we find in our interiors. It is therefore one of the best plants for purifying the air.

Sanseviere variety

Sansevieria trifasciata:  This is the most common and classic version of the Sansevieria. It has thick and rigorous leaves whose length varies between 30 and 60 cm. Its colors turn to dark green or silver grey.

Sansevieria trifasciata golden hahnii:  This is the smallest variety of sansevières. It is characterized by broad leaves 10 cm high in which you can see a gray band surrounded by two others of yellow colour.

Sansevieria trifasciata laurentii:  The only difference between this plant and the sansevieria trifasciata is the line that delimits its leaves.

Sansevieria cylindrica:  As the name suggests, it is a cylindrical plant whose leaves are rolled up on themselves or intertwined. Due to its particular aesthetics it is a plant appreciated by supporters of modern decoration.

Sansevieria trifasciata argentea:  Also in this case, as the name suggests, its leaves are characterized by a silvery colour.

These varieties are also part of houseplants  which do not necessarily need sun to grow.

Plant care

Since the sansevière is an undemanding and resistant plant, it requires only a few steps to maintain it. The first consists in exposing it to a brightness  without it being in direct sunlight.

In fact, if it needs light, too much sun will only alter the foliage which will dry out and turn yellow over time. If, however, it can survive in dimly lit places,  the ideal is to place it indoors near a bright area  such as the window and provide it with an ideal room temperature including between 18 and 21°C.

I repot

If you notice that the plant’s roots are starting to invade the pot or if it has exceeded a 3 year period, it will need to be repotted. For this, just switch to a pot 2-3 cm larger than the previous one in terms of diameter. Next, choose a quality soil  whose composition promotes quality drainage.

irrigation

While this plant does well with intermittent watering, too much water will only cause it to rot . It is recommended to water once the soil is dry.

Taking into account the growth phase of the sansevière which goes from March to June, gradually increase the frequency of watering. In any case, you can stick to regular watering  depending on the water needs of the soil.

For the summer period between June and September, the plant should be watered once a week knowing that it can be placed outdoors  but without exposing it to direct sunlight.

For the following months, from September to November, we will return to less frequent but no less regular watering. During this period, the snake plant gradually enters the dormant phase which will occur in winter  and will therefore only need monthly watering.  As you may have understood, the sansevière generally prefers a dry environment.

Fertilizers

If you want to add fertilizer,  you can settle for liquid fertilizer  intended for green plants. Keep in mind, however, that if you add soil regularly, you won’t need fertilizer.

Take care of the leaves

To maintain the leaves, no rocket science. You will just have to cut them off as soon as you notice that they are drying out. To dust the plant  a soft, damp cloth is sufficient.

The cuttings

To multiply mother-in-law’s tongue, take advantage of repotting to divide the tufts. To do this, cut the root ball into 2 or 3 parts and then replant them in another substrate. This is the best method  to encourage the multiplication of the variety with variegated foliage.

Now that you know how to enjoy beautiful sansevières, you can also consult the  7 gardening secrets to have beautiful plants at home.