Sanseviera: how to care for this indoor plant with very special properties

Sanseviera, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, tiger’s tail, lizard’s tail, cow’s tongue or Saint George’s sword, is very popular as a houseplant. It is resistant, suitable for people who are little versed in the art of caring for plants, shows spectacular leaves and also It cleans the air of the house or office from toxics, What more could you want?

There are numerous varieties of sanseviera that are differentiated by the color, shape, thickness and length of the leaves (they can vary from 10 cm to a meter long). There are also dwarf plants and tall specimens. The most popular variety is Sansevieria trifasciata.

Where should the sanseviera be placed?

The sanseviera prefers a bright and warm place. Sites near windows with temperatures of 20 to 22ºC and ambient humidity are ideal, but in reality it can adapt to dry and hot atmospheres and to the lack of light.

In any case, temperatures below 15 °C should be avoided. The light location is more important for the varieties with a multi-colored pattern; If these plants are in places that are too dark, they will turn completely green over time.

From the end of May to August, the mother-in-law’s tongue can be in one place shaded or semi-shaded on the balcony, the terrace or the garden. It is important to gradually accustom it to outdoor conditions to avoid leaf burn.

How do I care for my sanseviera?

Caring for this plant is easy and requires little time and knowledge. Aside from watering as needed and regular fertilizing, there are hardly any maintenance measures.

It is convenient to moisten the long leaves from time to time, especially if the plant is young. It can be done with the help of a hand sprayer. If the plant is large, the leaves can be cleaned with a damp cloth. In this way you remove the dust and help it develop well.

Pruning is not necessary. Plants that have grown too large can be reduced by root division, although this is not essential. It is recommended to transplant every 2 or 3 years.

Irrigation of the sanseviera

All types of sanseviera they require only moderate watering, comparable to cacti care. It is important that there are never stagnations and that excess water is removed 15 minutes after watering. It is said that the only thing that can kill a sanseviera is overwatering.

The frequency with which you have to water it depends to a large extent on the ambient temperature, the amount of sunlight, the type of substrate and the size of the pot. In summer, watering every 7 to 10 days may suffice in a partially shaded location.

In spring and autumn it can be watered every two weeks. Before watering, it is always important to check that the top layer of soil is dry.

The water requirement in winter is usually less than in summer. It may be enough to water it once a month. Check that before watering the surface layer of soil is dry.

Mother-in-law tongue fertilization

These plants need regular fertilization to grow and form new shoots. During the main growing period from April to August, you can supply cactus fertilizer every 4 weeks.

Also suitable is a compost For Green Plants, that will provide vital and growth substances. Helps the plant look healthy and fresh.

Fertilizing with fertilizer bars is easy. With this method your plant receives all the necessary nutrients, minerals and trace elements for three months. Fertilizers can be dispensed with in autumn and winter.

How to transplant the sanseviera

For a good development, it is advisable transplant the plant every 2 or 3 years in spring. Older plants do best after transplanting them into fresh potting soil.

After the years, the pot is usually full of roots and rhizomes and the shoots only grow moderately. It is important that the substrate used is humus and well drained.

The pH should be between 6.5 and 7. Use a mixture of cactus soil and green plant soil. Don’t forget to put a thin drainage layer of expanded clay in the new pot. In this way, you avoid harmful waterlogging.

Is the sanseviera suitable for the bedroom?

It is said that you should not put plants in the bedroom. Green plants produce a lot of oxygen, which is a good idea for the microclimate of the house, but only during the day. At night, these same plants emit more carbon monoxide (CO2) than oxygen. That is why it is said that they make the air rare, although in reality it is completely safe to sleep with plants.

However, there are some exceptions to this rule and one of them is the sanseviera, which at night does not emit CO2, but rather absorbs it. Therefore, it does not stifle the air in the bedroom and, in fact, makes it more breathable. During the day it will provide a significant dose of oxygen.

Is it true that sanseviera removes toxins from the air?

This plant is not only a producer of oxygen, but also it also filters harmful substances from the air in the room such as trichloroethane, benzene or formaldehyde. And NASA says so, which has studied it to take it to space stations where obviously the windows cannot be opened to ventilate.

However, it must be said that the amount of toxins that it can remove from the air is small and cannot be compared to a HEPA filter scrubber, for example. Of course, it is cheaper and more beautiful.

Is sanseviera a medicinal plant?

Although you can find instructions on the internet for making infusions with sanseviera leaves for different indications, and it has been used traditionally in some places for the treatment of snake bites, pain, inflammation and fever, in reality it is a toxic plant due to the content of the leaves in alkaloids and saponins. So much so that it is warned that they are not within the reach of small children if they could bite the leaves.