Sansevieria is a unique plant in many respects, cultivated as an indoor plant since the 13th century. The flower is quite decorative; it owes its beauty to its leaves, which have unusual shape and coloring. Thanks to its amazing vitality, it is considered one of the most unpretentious and is recommended for cultivation, including for beginning gardeners. Caring for it will not require much time and effort, since the “pike tail” is a succulent.
- not picky about temperature regime and air humidity;
- needs infrequent, but regular watering, periodic feeding and rare (according to indications) transplants;
- resistant to pests, rarely gets sick.
- the presence of a sufficient amount of diffused light;
- maintaining a certain temperature regime that does not go beyond critical limits;
- dry indoor air.
- 1. Moisture should not get into the leaf rosette: this provokes the occurrence of fungal diseases.
- 2. Overfilling is unacceptable: excessive dampness and stagnation of moisture in the pan lead to the development of putrefactive processes.
- from May to September - once every 2 weeks;
- the rest of the time - no more than once a month.
- complete filling of the container with roots, accompanied by their exit from the drainage holes to the ground surface or cracking of the container;
- thickening of the planting resulting from the growth of new shoots.
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Description
Sansevieria is a spectacular succulent plant of the Asparagus family. The flower is distinguished by unusual leaves collected in basal rosettes and growing directly from the rhizome. Depending on the type they may have different sizes and shapes: be flat or fleshy, narrow belt-like or wide and short, spirally twisted, pencil-shaped. The tips of the leaves often end in a point.
Most representatives of the genus leaf blades They are colored in green tones and have dark stripes or a speckled pattern. Some varieties have brownish leaves, with light (white or yellowish) longitudinal or transverse stripes or a waxy coating.
Due to the unusual shape and color of the leaves, people call the plant differently: “snake skin”, “pike tail”, “mother-in-law’s tongue”. The generic name (Sansevieria) was given to the plant in honor of the famous philanthropist Prince Sansevierio (18th century), who was fond of botany and played an important role in the development of this science.
IN room conditions the plant blooms extremely rarely, forming racemose inflorescences carried by a long (15-20 cm) peduncle. The inflorescences are formed by white flowers with long stamens, which have a pleasant and rather strong smell.
Cyperus - features of care and reproduction
Features of cultivation and care
Unusual and highly decorative appearance- not the only feature of sansevieria. The flower is characterized by amazing endurance and grows in a wide variety of conditions, sometimes unsuitable for growing other indoor plants, making do with minimal care. However, a plant kept in optimal conditions looks noticeably more decorative.
Features of Sansevieria:
However, proper flower care involves:
Creation optimal conditions will greatly simplify the already easy care for a flower at home.
Lighting
The “pike tail” feels equally comfortable both in well-lit places and in partial shade. The best option There will be western and eastern windows. When placed on southern window sills, shading from direct sunlight will be required. On north windows and in the back of the room the plant looks less decorative due to lack of light.
A feature of Sansevieria is the need to gradually acclimate specimens that have been in the shade for a long time to light.
Variegated varieties are more demanding on lighting. The more light (yellow, beige) tones the leaves have, the more sun the plant needs.
Air temperature and humidity
Sansevieria does not need to create a specific temperature regime; it is comfortable at normal room temperatures (from 16 to 26 °C). The flower can withstand short-term drops in ambient air values down to +5 °C. It also tolerates heat well.
IN summer time the plant can be placed outdoors.
Experienced flower growers claim that Sansevieria feels better in an atmosphere of dry air. In the long summer heat, to give the plant freshness, the air around the flower is irrigated with a spray bottle. Dust can accumulate on the leaves, so they are periodically wiped with a damp soft cloth.
Caring for the plant is simple and does not go beyond the traditional activities for gardeners.
Sansevieria is watered, occasionally fed and sometimes replanted.
Watering
Being a succulent, the pike tail does not need frequent watering. Its regularity is determined by the drying of the top layer of soil by 1-1.5 cm. In summer, moistening occurs approximately once a week, in winter - once a month. Watering is carried out with settled water at room temperature.
When watering sansevieria, it is important to observe 2 points:
Fertilizer application
With a correctly selected substrate and timely transplants, the flower grows without fertilizing, but when fertilized it looks more impressive.
Feeding is carried out infrequently, but regularly:
Liquid mineral additives containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are used as fertilizers. Mass fraction their nitrogen content should not exceed the content of potassium and phosphorus. Maintaining this ratio is especially important when growing variegated forms.
Sansevieria responds positively to the application of universal fertilizers for cacti and succulents.
Transfer
One of the advantages of the flower is the absence of the need for frequent transplants. The procedure is carried out only in two cases:
Sansevieria in need of replanting
On average, such a need arises no more than once every 3 years.
Transplantation is carried out in the spring, in March or April, into a new container with a complete change of soil. At high planting densities, daughter shoots are separated and used for propagation. The flower tolerates this procedure painlessly.
Choosing a pot
Sansevieria has powerful, strong roots that tend to grow sideways, so shallow and wide ceramic or plastic pots with thick walls are suitable for growing it. As they grow, the roots of sansevieria can destroy the thin plastic of the walls of the pot.
Sansevieria is resistant to pests, but dry air and heat reduce its resistance to spider mite and thrips. Multiple yellow dots and cobwebs between the leaves indicate a mite attack, and the appearance of small light green insects is a sign of a thrips invasion.
The flower world is so rich and diverse that it’s tempting to buy some representative of the flora for your apartment. People with everyday experience say that it is extremely undesirable to grow sansevieria (pike tail flower) at home. Allegedly, it provokes family troubles, quarrels and swearing. Just like a real classic mother-in-law! All this is fiction. Feel free to get a pike tail! It has been proven that in homes with this flower there is no negative, tense atmosphere; fresh air, because sansevieria is a champion in absorbing pathogenic microbes. It is credited with magical properties to stimulate the functioning of brain cells. And for flower growers, “mother-in-law’s tongue” is a real find that does not require exhausting care.
Home care tricks
- Sansevieria prefers eastern and western warm rooms.
- The light falling on the plant should be bright or moderate. However, in bright light, variegated species may fade.
- In summer room temperature perfect for a flower, in winter 16-18 degrees will be enough.
- “Pike tail” grows in an earth mixture of leaf and turf soil with sand. A ratio of 4:2:1 is considered the most optimal. It's good to add peat or chopped moss.
- Watering is carried out regularly throughout the year once every 3-4 days in the summer, and in winter it is reduced to 1-2 times a month. The flower does not require spraying. This view is wonderful for a long time lives without water. If overwatered, the base of the leaf begins to rot.
- Since Sansevieria tolerates cramped conditions well, frequent replanting is not required. If you decide to replant the plant, you need to, taking into account the massiveness, length and weight of the leaves, select the right pot. It may be tight, but it must be heavy. A young flower in the active growth stage is replanted every spring, and then the interval is reduced to once every 3 years.
- Feeding is carried out if a stop in the growth of sansevieria is noticed. It is optimal to use fertilizer for cacti and succulents.
If you follow these basic rules of care, you will soon be able to see the “pike tail” blooming.
How does “mother-in-law’s tongue” reproduce?
If you are lucky and the flower blooms, wait for the berries to appear and collect them. This is one way to grow another “cuckoo’s tail”, but it is very doubtful from the point of view of success.
To properly propagate a flower, you need to know what species it belongs to.
Traditionally, Sansevieria is propagated by cuttings, leaves or roots.
- Cutting We separate it from the main plant, dry the cut a little and plant it in the prepared soil.
- We share rhizomes for a few individual elements with a green rosette for each and plant in new pot.
- Healthy powerful sheet Wash thoroughly, cut into several pieces of 3-5 cm each with clean scissors or a knife and immediately place in a container.
Sansevieria with a yellow rim on the leaves requires a slightly different approach. With conventional cuttings, these individuals do not retain varietal characteristics. For successful propagation we use the leaf method.
Sansevieria - beautiful unpretentious plant. Use it to decorate your home while enjoying the rich green tones of mother-in-law's tongue.
Video: mother-in-law's tongue flower care at home
Caring for sansevieria is a real pleasure. She doesn't need to create special conditions and stick to it. The plant feels great not only in good light, but also in partial shade.
But still, in order to prolong the life of your pet, it is better to remember a few simple rules, compliance with which will create a favorable environment for mother-in-law’s tongue.
1. Location
For sansevieria, it is better to choose a place with good lighting. This is especially true for varieties with variegated leaves, which grow and develop well even under straight sun rays. But the plant will do well in partial shade.
It is best to place the flowerpot on the south, east or west side. You can place sansevieria in the northern part of the apartment, but in this case its color will not be as bright and saturated as in good lighting.
2. Watering
The watering regime for Sansevieria differs significantly in different time of the year:
- In winter - once every 2-3 weeks.
- From spring to autumn - moderately, allowing the soil to dry out a little.
15-20 minutes after watering, it is necessary to pour out excess water from the pan. It is better to use water for irrigation that is at room temperature.
Important! Never allow water to get into the sansevieria rosette, as this may cause it to rot.
Periodically it is necessary to wipe the leaves with a damp soft sponge to remove dust from them and saturate them with additional moisture. You can sometimes lightly spray Sansevieria.
3. Soil for mother-in-law tongue and fertilizer
To prepare the substrate for sansevieria, use turf and leaf soil, sand, in a ratio of 2:1:1. Also, before planting, it is necessary to provide a layer of drainage, for the creation of which expanded clay is best suited.
4. Feeding
Young specimens of Sansevieria begin to be fed no earlier than six months after planting. For fertilizer, it is better to use a special liquid preparation for indoor succulent plants, which is easy to purchase at any specialized store.
Fertilizers containing: large quantities phosphorus and calcium. But there should be as little nitrogen as possible, since its excess can lead to rotting of the root system.
Plants are fertilized only in summer, once a month.
5. Transplant
It is necessary to replant sansevieria only if its roots have completely filled the pot and the plant becomes cramped in the old container:
- Young plants - once every 2 years.
- Old plants – once every 3 years.
When choosing a new pot, it is worth considering that root system Sansevieria develops more to the sides than to the depths. Therefore, you should give preference to containers that are wide, but not very deep.
The transplant is carried out according to the following scheme:
- Water the plant you are about to transplant thoroughly.
- Add layers of drainage and new soil to the new pot.
- Carefully remove the sansevieria from the old container.
- Carefully separate the old earthen lump from the root system. Be careful not to damage the roots.
- Place the sansevieria in a new container in the center, on a layer of substrate.
- Fill the pot with new soil so that all the roots are covered with soil.
- Compact the soil.
After transplantation, it is better to place the sansevieria in partial shade and not water it for several days.
6. Diseases and pests
As a rule, with good and proper care, Sansevieria is not susceptible to the occurrence and development of either diseases or pests.
Reproduction
Sansevieria reproduces very easily and quickly.
You can do this in several ways:
- Leaf. Take an old piece of paper. If desired, you can even cut it into several pieces (about 5 cm). Let them air dry a little, then plant them in a tray with sand and water them. When the leaves take root, they can be transplanted into the ground. As a rule, this process takes place over 6 weeks. Important! Leaves must be rooted strictly bottom into the substrate. If you are cutting a sheet into several parts, then for convenience, mark the bottom side by making a small cut.
- Dividing the roots. This method is very convenient to combine with transplantation. First you need to remove the sansevieria from the pot and carefully get rid of the earthen lump. After this, the root system is carefully divided into several parts, which are subsequently planted in different pots.
- Seeds. This method is very complicated, since mother-in-law’s tongue blooms very rarely, only in cases where the conditions are ideal for it. Sansevieria seeds are found in small pods. They need to be collected and, without removing them from the pods, left to dry. After the seeds have dried, they are taken out and planted in plastic cups filled with substrate. Seeds must be kept in greenhouse conditions until germination.
Answers to frequently asked questions
What to do if the leaves of the mother-in-law’s tongue begin to rot at the very base?
Leaf rotting indicates excessive watering. In addition, due to waterlogging, brown spots may appear on the leaves of mother-in-law's tongue. To solve the problem, you need to moderate its frequency and ensure that the soil dries out slightly between waterings. Also, you should never leave water in the plant's outlet. Damaged leaves must be removed so that the rotting process does not spread to healthy parts of the plant.
Why do Sansevieria leaves turn pale?
The reason for the loss of color saturation is insufficient lighting. In this situation, it is better to move the pot to a place where there will be as much direct sunlight as possible.
Incomprehensible white, slightly woolly spots appeared on the underside of the leaves of mother-in-law's tongue. What to do?
The appearance of such spots indicates that your plant has a mealybug. To get rid of this pest, you need to moisten a soft sponge with methyl alcohol and wipe all the leaves with it. If such an operation does not give a positive result, the plant will have to be treated with special chemicals against mealybug.
In offices, apartments and even in spacious store rooms you can often find a well-known indoor plant - “mother-in-law’s tongue”. This flower is unpretentious, effective and therefore is popular not only with flower growers, but also with designers. The plant has more than 60 species, all of which may differ slightly in leaf shape, rosette or color. This is enough strong plant, low-maintenance, fast-growing and easy to like. Sansevieria, which is the name of the familiar “mother-in-law’s tongue”, is a flower that received its name in honor of the Italian prince, patron of botany San Seviero.
Originally from the tropics
The flower belongs to the agave family. Its homeland is Asia and Africa, countries with tropical and subtropical climates. Locals This plant is used in many ways - it serves as a living fence, is used in folk medicine and is used as raw material for making ropes and fabrics. In our country and in other European countries, Sansevieria - home plant, which serves only for aesthetic beauty. It is popular everywhere, and each country has its own simple “home” name. In the USA, sansevieria is called “snake skin”, in England - “leopard lily” or “devil’s tongue”, and in Germany they will tell you that it is “African hemp”. In our country, for its long leaves it was called “mother-in-law’s tongue”; the flower is sometimes also called “pike tail”.
This plant is accustomed to living in harsh conditions, so it does not require special attention. The only thing you should not forget is that Sansevieria is African, so it needs warmth, a lot of light and moderate watering.
The flower has a very well developed root system. The roots are long, thick and very strong. No less developed top part- the leaves can reach a meter in length, they are dense, heavy, and there are many of them. Therefore, you should choose a pot for the plant that is heavy and durable, but not necessarily spacious.
The plant should be watered no more than once a week in summer, and in winter 1-2 waterings per month are sufficient. “Mother-in-law’s tongue” flowers do not require special care and are very tenacious, but are afraid of cold and excessive moisture. Because in winter period the temperature should not be lower than 5 degrees Celsius. When watering plants, you need to make sure that there is no stagnation of water in the pot, so be sure to take care of drainage. You should not water the flower if upper layer the earth has not dried up. It is better to allow the soil to dry out than to allow it to become too wet.
Bloom
Many owners mistakenly believe that this plant does not bloom and is propagated only by cuttings, but this is not true. The “mother-in-law’s tongue” flower begins to bloom at the moment when the conditions for its maintenance are most optimal. The plant throws out a tall arrow with a panicle, on which small and discreet buds are located. The flowers themselves are very delicate and exude the same delicate aroma; they will delight the owner for at least a week. You can see the blossoming “mother-in-law’s tongue” (flower), a photo of it in our article. At the end of flowering, berries with seeds are formed, which may well produce new life. We will tell you a little later how you can get a plant this way.
Plant replanting, soil
The indoor flower “mother-in-law’s tongue” grows especially quickly during the first 5 years of its life. Therefore, it is recommended to replant it every spring. A small but stable pot will do. The soil should consist of a mixture of sand, turf and leaf soil in a ratio of 1:2:2. Remember about enough good drainage. Replanting an adult plant in subsequent times should not be done often - once every 2-3 years.
Top dressing
Mother-in-law's tongue flowers require minimal care and also do not require frequent feeding. It is better to choose a fertilizer for cacti, or any other complex mineral fertilizer, but at the same time reduce the dose by half. You need to fertilize the soil no more than once a month in spring and summer, but in winter you don’t need to feed it at all. Sansevieria is a plant of Africa, and the soil there is not abundant useful substances, which is why it is important not to overdo it with fertilizer. Excess nutrition can adversely affect the color of the leaves, and the flower will lose its attractiveness. Everything is good, but in moderation.
Reproduction
The plant reproduces quite simply, but you also need to take into account what species your “mother-in-law’s tongue” belongs to. A flower (you can see photos of its various types in this article) that has a yellow edging on its leaves will require some knowledge about proper reproduction. Otherwise, the new plant will not have yellow stripes.
The plant is usually propagated by cuttings, dividing roots or leaves. Everything is simple with a cutting - you should separate it from the mother plant, lightly dry the cut and plant it in prepared soil. The root system fully grows in 2-3 months.
Propagation by dividing the roots is also simple: divide the rhizome into parts, leaving a green rosette on each, and replant it in a new pot with prepared soil.
You should act a little differently if your mother flowers “mother-in-law’s tongue” have a yellow edging on their leaves. Reproduction in this case should only be by leaf. Separate a healthy and strong leaf from the mother plant and make an oblique cut from the bottom, at an angle of approximately 30 degrees. Such a cutting should be placed in a weak solution of potassium permanganate, but so that only the yellow corner of the leaf is in the water. It is on this that the root should develop. The leaf should also be planted with its yellow corner in the ground so that a root will grow from it. As soon as new shoots emerge from the ground and develop sufficiently, the leaf can be cut off. This method is suitable for most species.
Propagation by seeds
Your “mother-in-law’s tongue” has bloomed, the flower has produced seeds, and are you planning to get new plants? Great. Prepare the soil as described above, sow the seeds, cover with film and place in a bright and warm place. After approximately 14 days, shoots will appear. As soon as they become strong enough, they should be planted in separate pots of 1-2 sprouts and cared for as for an ordinary plant, observing all the conditions.
Problem solving
Sansevieria is a strong plant, but no one is immune from trouble. Most common problems The problems you may encounter are pests and rot from improper watering.
If you find dark brown or light silvery spots on the leaves, then most likely your plant has been attacked by thrips. Carefully inspect the lower parts of the leaves; you will probably find tiny insects. It is imperative to get rid of them; they feed on the sap of the plant and can cause quite severe damage. If this happens, spray your mother-in-law's tongue with Karbofos. If the damage is minor and there are few insects, then it is quite possible to use the “home” method. Prepare the emulsion: add a little to the water laundry soap and chopped garlic clove. Stir well and wipe the leaves with this mixture.
You can often see that the leaves of the plant have turned yellow, began to fade, and often the cutting itself begins to rot. This is most likely the result of overwatering. If the damage is minor, remove the yellowed leaves and replant the plant in a new pot. When a cutting is affected, there is only one way out - cut it off, root it and replant it. You can also use the leaves of the plant for planting if the cutting is very damaged.
Nature in your home
There is never too much greenery, and an excellent option for most rooms or homes would be a “mother-in-law’s tongue” - a flower. You already know how to care for it. It is also a very useful plant for humans. Sansevieria perfectly purifies and heals the air, and it is believed that it carries positive energy and evokes positive emotions. That’s why “mother-in-law’s tongue” is often located in places where there are large crowds of people: clinics, theaters or schools. This flower has medicinal properties. Tinctures and decoctions are prepared from its roots to boost immunity, freshly squeezed juice is instilled to treat otitis, and a paste from the leaves is applied to burns and treated wounds. And the “pike tail” is an excellent decoration that will bring a piece of Have a good mood to any corner of your home.
Root system " mother-in-law's tongue“Develops slowly and is located shallowly.
Therefore, the container for planting must be chosen so that it is wide but not deep and the size corresponded to the size of the plant.
Sansevieria will have difficulty mastering a planting capacity that is too large. Pots for mother-in-law's tongue are selected based on the following calculation: the height is half the diameter - for low varieties. For medium-sized and tall specimens, the height of the container can be equal to its diameter.
In addition, the bottom of the container must have drainage holes of sufficient size to ensure effective drainage of excess moisture.
The material of the optimal landing container is porous, allowing evaporation excess moisture and breathing of roots. It's best to choose ceramics without full glaze.
Soil composition
It is better to choose the soil for the “pike tail” moderately fertile, loose, slightly acidic.
Suitable from ready-made soils potting mix for cacti and succulents, and for self-made– one of the following compositions:
- two parts of leaf soil, half of humus, one part of turf soil, peat and sand;
- one part turf, one part leaf soil, two parts coarse sand;
- three parts of turf land, one each of peat and sand.
You can also add to the main varieties of soil for sansevieria perlite, vermiculite, brick chips, pieces of charcoal and a small amount of bone meal.
Sometimes sansevieria is planted in compositions of ampelous and ground cover plants. In this case, so that the not too intensively growing “pike tail” can withstand competition with more aggressive species, a nutrient substrate of the following composition is suitable for it: three parts of turf soil and one part each of peat, coarse sand and compost.
Landing
When planting a pike tail flower, be sure to ensure good drainage: expanded clay, broken bricks with pieces of charcoal, or small pebbles should be placed at the bottom of the planting container and fill up to a third of its volume (young plants especially need a thick drainage layer).
Sansevieria should be planted together with lump of earth, braided with roots so that the not very powerful root system of the succulent is less damaged.
Transfer
Young"pike tails" are transplanted annually in spring, in March-April. Mature specimens need rarer ones, once every two to three years, spring “relocations”.
The signal to transplant Sansevieria is complete entanglement of the earth root system.
Despite this, the next container for planting is chosen only slightly larger than the previous one - the roots of the “pike tail” grow slowly and pathogenic processes can occur in the soil “undeveloped” by the plant.
As a rule, “mother-in-law tongues” have more or less suitable conditions rhizomes with new, young shoots grow well.
Such rhizomes seating, separating the side shoots. The shoot that has at least one growth bud can become an independent plant in a separate container.
Thus, to transplant pike tail, the overgrown rhizome is cut, the cut areas are treated with crushed charcoal or fungicide and planted in containers corresponding to the size of the divided parts.
At the same time, each container is provided with sufficient drainage layer And suitable soil.
An extremely hardy resident of our apartments and offices, Sansevieria - “pike tail” and “mother-in-law’s tongue” - has every right not to survive, but to live fully; she readily responds to even minimal care.
Correctly and timely transplanted sansevieria develops well, produces abundant shoots, blooms - and, according to the NASA list, actively absorbs toxic atmospheric impurities such as nitrogen oxide and formaldehyde.
Photo of sansevieria
See more photos of “mother-in-law’s tongue” below:
