Sansevieria: The Effortless Elegance of Mother-in-law’s Tongue – A Resilient Succulent for Stylish Indoor Decor. Discover the Foolproof Method for Easy Reproduction with a Single Leaf.
The one nicknamed “Sword of Saint-Georges” or “Tiger’s Tongue”, is distinguished by its large, elongated and rigid leaves which generally measure more than 30 centimeters high. Under natural conditions, the leaves of some species even grow up to 120 centimeters long! They are majestic, revealing a marbled color oscillating between dark green and light green. Remember that this evergreen plant does not have a stem. Due to the dense surface of the leaves, it perfectly tolerates drought and does not require frequent watering. However, it grows very slowly, producing two or three new leaves each year. This is why reproduction by cuttings is very useful. Follow the guide, step by step!
How many types of sansevieria are there?
According to information from the journal Ciencias Naturales y Agropecuarias, there are more than 66 species of Sansevieria, most of which are native to Africa, Kenya or Tanzania.
However, only about seven species stand out the most, among which:
- Sansevieria with cylindrical leaves
- Sansevieria Laurentii
- Sansevieria Zeylanica
- Sansevieria Trifasciata
- Sansevieria Buccalaris
- Sansevieria Pinguicula
How to reproduce a Sansevieria?
If your mother-in-law’s tongue tends to wither or if its leaves are damaged, this is irreversible, it will not regain its beauty. The ideal would therefore be to find a way to reproduce it: it turns out that leaf cuttings are the perfect solution. To do this, simply take a leaf from the plant. Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think!
Step 1. Using a pair of disinfected scissors, cut a large leaf (at the base of the plant) horizontally into small sections of approximately 8 cm, which will act as cuttings. Let them air dry for 2 or 3 days.
Step 2. Make a central incision of 0.5 cm in the center of the lower part of each section. Sprinkle each end with a little fertilizer to encourage rooting.
Step 3. Take a medium sized pot, pour some compost and some sand into it. Insert the sections and separate the cuttings a little by 1 cm. Water gently or lightly mist the substrate. To preserve heat, create a greenhouse effect: cover the pot with transparent plastic film. You will open it from time to time to air it and spray a little water on the foliage. Remember to place the pot in a bright room where the temperature does not drop below 20°C. Finally, about 1 month later, when the small leaves begin to develop, you can repot them in another container.
Precautions to Take
It is imperative to know how to transplant your Mother-in-law’s Tongue correctly.
- It is best to do this during the growing season, that is, spring or summer.
- Always choose a wide and somewhat deep pot. Plants placed in stone or ceramic containers will look very beautiful.
- Transplanting should be done as the plant grows. Small leaves should be regularly planted in new containers.
- As soon as the roots completely fill the entire pot, a new container should be selected. Additionally, it should be a few centimeters taller than the previous plant.
- Remember that Sansevieria is a spaced watering plant, especially when you notice that the substrate is completely dry, otherwise you will only drown the plant.
An even quicker way to successfully reproduce your sansevieria is in water: simply place a leaf in a jar with water, set it near a window where it receives indirect light, and wait a few days for its white roots to begin to appear. When its roots are about 4 centimeters long, it is time to start transplanting it into a pot. It’s as simple as that !
What are the best houseplants to grow in winter?
Houseplants are one of the best things to liven up our dreary winter days. Here are the best plants to grow at home during the colder seasons of the year:
- Cacti.
- Poinsettia.
- Bromeliad.
- Beaucarnea.
