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Sansevieria trifasciata & Update

Sansevieria trifasciata


**This is my first post since the COVID-19 outbreak. I hope you are all okay. It is a scary time, most people are in lock down, essential workers (such as myself (I am a nurse)) are trying our best and each day the news gets bleaker. We are unable to see family members and friends; normal life has been turned upside down. However, I am endlessly amazed at the kindness and resilience people are showing. People seem to be enjoying little things more, gardening, talking to loved ones and a whole host of creative means of escapism. I cannot wait until this passes, and I will never take for granted a coffee with a friend or a hug with a family member ever again. Stay safe. **

Next I would like to update you on a few of my plants.

Firstly, my Mammillaria elongata has bloomed, which is exciting. Lots of these flowers have budded up, with a few blossoming, which was a real treat after a hard week at work.
Mammillaria elongata flower

Secondly, my lithop has split showing its new leaves. Looking like a scene from an alien film, I am fascinated to see how this grows and changes in the next few weeks.

Lithop growing
Thirdly, my lithops I am growing from seed are coming along really well! I had low expectations for these, as growing from seed is notoriously tricky. However, they appear to be flourishing.

Baby lithops
Right, back to business. Todays blog post is about Sansevieria trifasciata.
Sansevieria trifasciata
Sansevieria trifasciata also goes by the names  ‘Dracaena trifasciata’, ‘snake plant’, ‘viper’s bowstring hemp’ and more commonly ‘Mother-in-laws-tongue’. Presumably the name Mother-in-laws-tongue is a reference to the sharp tongue like leaves characteristic of this plant.

I snapped up my Sansevieria trifasciata for £5.99 from my local garden centre (pre lockdown), to brighten up the study. I believe it is Sansevieria trifasciata laurentii, a species variation, as it has characteristic yellow edging to the leaves. Famed for how easy it is to look after, and its big bold appearance, it really stands out in my collection.

Care instructions: Sansevieria trifasciata are very tolerant plants. They prefer temperatures of 10°C to 30°C, however, can tolerate lower for short periods.

 Sansevieria trifasciata prefer bright sun, however, grows just fine in shade or artificial light. The brightness of the patterns may dull though if not happy.

Sansevieria trifasciata should be watered regularly in spring- autumn, but like most succulents only water when the top layer of compost is dry. Reduced watering in winter is required as the plant will reduce growth, so the soil will remain damp for longer (risking root rot).

Sansevieria trifasciata can be fertilised in spring (with ½ strength fertiliser), but this is not essential.

I keep my Sansevieria trifasciata in a big pot, in cacti potting mixture and a thick layer of grit at the base for extra drainage.

If Sansevieria trifasciata flowers, they will be greenish white in colour, however this is rare.

Sansevieria trifasciata can be propagated by repotting offshoots.

Any questions/corrections- please comment below
*comments are especially appreciated at the moment 😊*

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