Mother-in-law's tongue is the name of a houseplant popular among domestic flower growers, which combines ease of care and decorativeness, and is also perfect for cultivation at home. Not all gardeners know that the scientific name of this indoor flower is Sansevieria or Sansevieria.
Botanical description
The homeland of indoor sansavieria is the tropics of Asia and Africa. People also call it “snake skin”, “bayonet plant” or “pike tail”. An unpretentious and very hardy indoor flower can be represented in two varieties:
- a fairly tall and erect plant with long lanceolate leaves;
- decorative, relatively low-growing crop with short leaves forming a rosette.
Depending on the species, the foliage may be green, grayish green or dark green. The shape is leafy or almost cylindrical. The plant may have wide white or golden-yellow stripes, as well as transverse light green stripes, reddish borders or marbled, grayish-green patterns. The ornamental plant blooms quite attractively. The flowers are fragrant, pinkish, greenish-white or snow-white in color. Blooms in spring, not too long.
Mother-in-law's tongue: how to care (video)
Popular plant varieties
An indoor decorative crop from the Dracaena family of the genus Sansevieria is grown both in office premises and at home. Almost all varieties of this plant have sufficient resistance to unfavorable external factors, and caring for indoor culture at home is very simple. But only a few varieties and forms are especially popular among amateur flower growers.
| Variety name | Plant characteristics | Varietal features |
| "Laurentii" | The leaf is located in a vertical direction, and the leaf edge has a characteristic and very clear yellow stripe of varying widths | The most common and popular variety, used as a progenitor of other cultivars |
| Sensation Bantel | Feature represented by the presence of white coloring of longitudinal stripes alternating with dark green stripes. The foliage is straight and stiff, medium in height. The leaves may have wide green stripes and transverse streaks. | This variety is characterized by a very slow rate of growth and development of the aerial parts and root system |
| "Hanny" (Hahnii) | The plant is distinguished by dark green, short, recurved leaves forming a vase-shaped rosette. | The variety was obtained during the war years as a result of breeding work with the Laurentii variety |
| "Golden Hahnii" | The leaf rosette is represented by bent short leaves of dark green color. | Characteristic varietal feature are irregular longitudinal stripes of yellow color and rather slow growth |
| "Silver Hahnii" | The foliage is silvery-grayish-green with the presence of fuzzy transverse stripes and dark bordering along the edges | The variety was obtained more than fifty years ago as a result of breeding work with the Hahnii variety |
| "Futura" | It has fairly wide and short leaves, with a fairly thin yellow stripe. | This variety is quite new, but already popular among domestic gardeners. |
| "Nelson" (Nelsonii) | The dark green foliage has a velvety gloss and grows strictly vertically. Numerous foliage is relatively short and thick, collected in a rosette | The variety belongs to the category of slow-growing plants, and varietal characteristics are preserved only when the rhizome is divided |
| "Compacta" | The central part of the foliage is very dark, with a yellow border. This variety is characterized by a tendency to curl, which has a positive effect on its decorative effect. | This variety is similar in appearance to “Laurenti”, and the main differences are the shape and size of the leaves |
Home care
At indoor growing mother-in-law's tongue it is important to adhere to the following enough simple recommendations:
- in summer, standard room temperature is suitable for growing sansevieria, but in winter period the plant needs a cool regime at 14-16°C;
- the minimum temperature that room temperature can withstand is 10-11°C;
- decorative culture belongs to the light-loving category, but it is preferable to use bright and diffused lighting;
- it is allowed to cultivate an ornamental plant with green, monochromatic foliage in light shade;
- to preserve the decorative effect of variegated varieties, it is necessary to place the plant closer to direct sunlight;
- during the winter period the optimal accommodation is flower pot or a flowerpot on the windows of the eastern or western direction;
- on south-facing windows, the plant may require shading on particularly hot and sunny summer days;
- irrigation activities should be sufficient and relatively plentiful from early spring to mid-spring autumn period;
- in winter, watering should be limited as much as possible and done approximately twice a month, strictly at the root of the plant;
- it is strictly forbidden to allow water to enter the central part of the leaf rosette, which often provokes rotting of the above-ground part of the crop;
- at the stage of activation of growth processes, fertilizing with liquid fertilizers intended for growing indoor plants;
- feed decorative culture needed monthly, but the standard dose should be reduced by exactly half.
The plant is sufficiently resistant to adverse conditions, and there is no need to spray the plant. However, to preserve the decorative and attractive appearance, dust is systematically removed from the foliage using a moistened sponge. In summer, a flowerpot with a plant can be placed on a balcony, loggia, as well as a covered terrace or veranda.
How to transplant mother-in-law's tongue (video)
Transplant technology
Replanting an indoor flower is done in spring period as needed. It is necessary to replant the plant if the decorative crop has grown greatly and begins to need a larger flower pot. During the transplantation process, the crop can also be propagated by dividing the rhizome.
When replanting, any fertile and sufficiently light soil can be used. The pot must have high-quality drainage holes. You need to add drainage to the bottom of the flower pot. IN last years experienced flower growers When growing sansevieria, hydroponics is increasingly used.
Features of reproduction
Reproduction of mother-in-law's tongue can be carried out in spring or summer, by vegetative methods, represented by dividing rhizomes or leaf cuttings. In order to preserve varietal characteristics, variegated and other individual varieties of mother-in-law's tongue must be propagated exclusively by rhizome division, in which each division has a growing point and a leaf rosette. With proper rooting, several new shoots with leaves are formed.
When propagating by leaf cuttings, the leaf must be cut crosswise into separate fragments, dry at room temperature, and treat the lower cut with the preparation “Kornevin”, then bury it a couple of centimeters in clean and slightly moistened medium-grained sand. Rooting is carried out at temperature conditions within 20-25 o C. The rooting process continues for a couple of months and ends with the growth of young shoots.
Main diseases and pests
Diseases and pests rarely affect sansevieria, and if affected, the ornamental plant should be treated with the systemic insecticide “Aktara” or “Confidor”. The main problems arise from root or leaf rot from increased watering.
The same problem occurs when growing crops in soil that is too dense and heavy, or insufficient drainage holes. A particularly high danger is caused by waterlogging of the soil at low temperatures and in shade. In addition to rot, the foliage may suffer from spotting, which makes the plant undecorative and unattractive.
Unpretentious plant: mother-in-law's tongue (video)
Thus, we can conclude that all species of Sansevieria suitable for indoor floriculture are unpretentious ornamental plants, which are ideal for growing as a single plant and making spectacular flower arrangements. Big advantage this decorative flower Compared to other indoor plants, it is shade-tolerant, as well as the ability to grow and develop very well in compositions created on the basis of other succulents or ordinary indoor plants.
Mother-in-law's tongue flower, which is easy to care for at home, feels comfortable in any apartment or office space.
It attracts attention with decorative bright green leaves that look like a pike tail. Hence the second name of the houseplant. This unpretentious succulent can have different colors and shapes depending on the species. Let's look at how to care for a flower and what signs and superstitions are associated with it/
The scientific name of mother-in-law's tongue is Sansevieria. However, people call it differently:
- pike tail;
- Snake skin;
- devil's tongue
- leopard lily;
- dragon tongue;
- Hindu sword;
- Sansevieria.
The houseplant mother-in-law's tongue is a succulent with a powerful root system ending in hard basal leaves. Its homeland is the subtropics; it grows naturally on the coasts of Asia, America, and Africa. In total, about 55 varieties of Sansevieria are known, and about 10 species are bred at home. Depending on the variety, the crown with sharp, elongated leaves can reach up to a meter in height.
Some types of sansevieria have a waxy coating on the leaves, while others have foliage with a variety of spotted colors. The houseplant pike tail blooms with greenish-white stamens collected in small inflorescences on a long peduncle.
When flowering, you can smell a noticeable vanilla aroma. Fruiting at home is rare. In the photo below you can see how mother-in-law's tongue blooms.
Popular varieties
The mother-in-law's tongue flower is loved by many for the decorative colors of its large leaves. Depending on the variety, the foliage can be yellow-green, spotted, with white, brownish or light green shades. Also the leaves different types may be long, flat, thick, round, sword-shaped or wide. Sometimes the foliage does not grow upward, but blooms in different directions or spreads along the ground.
Most popular in indoor floriculture The following varieties of Sansevieria are considered.
- Three-lane. It is distinguished by medium-width dark green leaves, along the sides of which there are yellowish stripes.
- Liberian. Dense and wide dark green leaves (usually six in number) are slightly curled at the base and have light green streaks on the sides.
- Pick. The rosette consists of thin dark green leaves covered with white speckles and a brown frame.
- Graceful. Dense greenish-gray leaves grow from a dry stem and have light streaks.
- Duneri. About 20 thin, pointed leaves grow from the rosette, reaching a height of up to 40 cm.
It is important to know. Regardless of the species, all sansevieria do not like it if the tip of their leaf is broken off. After this, growth slows down sheet plate, it may dry out or turn yellow.
Selection of location and conditions of detention
A succulent accustomed to harsh conditions natural conditions, feels at ease in any apartment or office. The only thing you should remember is the love of mother-in-law’s tongue for warmth, light and moderate watering.
- Lighting and location. The flower is considered light-loving, but also feels comfortable in partial shade. It is better to place pots on east or west windows. On southern windowsills you will have to shade the flower from direct sun rays. With a lack of lighting, the decorative effect of variegated specimens decreases.
- Temperature. The plant can be kept at a room temperature of 16-25°C. The pike tail tolerates heat well and can withstand cold temperatures down to 5-7°C indoors.
- Air humidity. Sansevieria feels best in an atmosphere of dry air. In the summer heat, it is advisable to spray the flower with water from a spray bottle and wipe the leaves with a damp cloth. Also in summer you can take the flower out onto the balcony, into the garden, and keep it outside until September.
- Suitable soil. Suitable for growing are either purchased universal soil for succulents, cacti or decorative foliage plants, or prepared independently. For planting, you can mix 2 parts of turf with 1 part peat and 1 part sand in a container. Drainage made of expanded clay, pebbles or clay shards should be poured into the bottom of the pot.
- Potty requirements. The powerful roots of the mother-in-law's tongue spread out to the sides, so the pot must be stable, heavy, wide and shallow. Ceramic or clay, plastic with thick walls will do. When replanting, take a container 2-3 cm wider than the previous one, deepening the leaves as shown in the photo below.
Home care
Caring for the undemanding indoor flower is regular watering, loosening the soil, replanting as it grows and applying fertilizers. The smaller the flower, the easier it is to care for it, however, large specimens grow well on windowsills even for inexperienced gardeners.
- Watering. The succulent does not need frequent watering; overwatering and stagnation of moisture in the pan cause rotting and the appearance of fungal diseases. In summer, it is enough to water the soil once a week as it dries; in winter, one watering per month is enough. The water should be room temperature. Do not allow moisture to enter the leaf rosette.
- Feeding. The flower grows well even without fertilization. Fertilizing allows you to enhance leaf growth and improve decorative appearance plants. From May to September, once every 2 weeks you can fertilize it with liquid mineral additives containing phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen.
- Loosening. The plant prefers to grow in loose, well-permeable soil for cacti or succulents. You can’t loosen it too much; you can damage the numerous roots near the surface. Mother-in-law's tongue also does not require mulching to retain moisture.
- Trimming. The flower does not need formative pruning; dried out various reasons It is also better not to pluck or trim the leaves.
- Transfer. There is no need to replant the pike tail often; on average, it is enough to carry out the procedure once every 3 years. However, sometimes replanting is necessary if there is rapid thickening with new shoots or the container is completely filled with roots, and they crawl to the surface into the drainage holes of the pot. The plant is replanted in the spring, from March to April, completely replacing the soil in the container and separating the daughter shoots.
It is important to know. In winter, the plant should not be allowed to touch cold weather with its leaves. window glass- this will lead to frostbite and death.
Reproduction methods
There are several ways to propagate mother-in-law's tongue. Moreover, monochromatic varieties are propagated by cuttings, shoots or dividing the rhizome, while variegated varieties are propagated only by dividing the root into parts.
- Leaf cuttings. The leaf is cut into pieces, the pieces are inserted into moist soil, and rooted. The procedure is carried out in the spring.
- Rhizome division. The plant is removed, the root system is cleared of soil, and the root is divided into 2-3 parts. Make sure that each one has a growth point. The sections are sprinkled with crushed coal. The cuttings are planted in the soil and moistened.
- Reproduction by shoots (shoots). The babies are separated from the mother plant sharp knife, making sure that part of the root remains, are planted in pots.
Landing rules
Planting with seeds is practically not used, but if they exist, you can sow them, cover them with film, and place them in a warm place. Shoots will appear in 2-4 weeks. After germination, the seedlings are plucked, and when they become stronger, they are planted in separate pots.
Planting purchased or perennial plant produced by transplantation.
- The pot is selected according to size.
- Buy or prepare the soil yourself.
- Pour drainage onto the bottom of the container and a layer of soil.
- Place the plant, sprinkle the sides with earth, lightly tamp with your fingers.
- Water and place the pot in its permanent place.
Diseases and pests
Sansevieria are resistant to pests and diseases, but heat and dry air reduce resistance to thrips, spider mites, and mealyworms. Insects are fought with soap or tobacco solution, spraying with Fitoverm, Actellik, Decis.
It is important to know. The plant can become sick if it is not taken care of in a timely manner. frequent watering. The signal will be yellowing or dropping leaves, the appearance of spots due to sunburn or overwatering.
Signs and superstitions associated with the flower
There are many signs associated with the mother-in-law's tongue flower. Mainly they are associated with medicinal properties plants. Sansevieria is known for:
- absorbs negative energy;
- purifies the air in the room;
- destroys harmful bacteria and microbes;
- absorbs dust particles;
- helps normalize metabolism;
- helps treat colds, headache, combat pressure changes.
Basic negative signs associated with the saber-shaped leaves. Some believe that the flower can bring scandals and conflicts into the family. There is also a superstition that sansevieria blooming in winter means trouble.
Most of the signs are interpreted positively:
- the pike tail absorbs the negative energy of the home, emitting positive and calming energy;
- summer flowering symbolizes good luck in business and new beginnings;
- the appearance of a flower in the apartment helps to improve relationships in the family;
- if a person is sick, he needs to touch the leaves of sansevieria - this will help drive away the disease and feel an influx of strength;
- mother-in-law's tongue helps get rid of loneliness, you must have it to find your soul mate;
- By buying (or better yet, stealing) a flower, you can increase career, improve memory and gain a sense of self-confidence.
Mother-in-law's tongue (Sansevieria)- a plant known to many gardeners. It is believed that with its help you can create good relationships in the family. Quarrels and misunderstandings will disappear after this plant appears in the house.
U different nations there are several more names. This plant requires little care and is very durable. Proper care helps the mother-in-law's tongue not only look good, but also bloom.
Types of Sansevieria
- It is impossible to list all types, the most popular are Sansevieria:
- big- leaves are thick, broadly ovoid in shape (reach 60 cm), their color is light green, dark stripes across and a reddish border along the edges, flowers are greenish or white;
- three-lane- leaves are directed straight, xiphoid in shape, hard (light background and dark horizontal stripes), grow from a thick rhizome, small whitish-green flowers;
- Liberian- with flat, lanceolate, dark green leaves (light green stripes running across them) leaves growing parallel to the ground, single erect white flowers with a strong scent;
- hyacinth- with lanceolate leaves in bunches, their color is dark green with light green transverse strokes, the flowers are small;
- Duneri- with flat, directly directed green leaves and dark green stripes located across them, white flowers;
- graceful- with short leaves covering the base of gray-green color (with stripes of grayish-beige color located transversely) oval in shape, pointed towards the apex;
- pick- with green leaves and white-green, sometimes whitish spots on them), reaching a length of 1.8 m, white flowers;
- cylindrical- with dark green cylindrical leaves (up to 2 cm in diameter), tapering upward, creamy-brown flowers.
Mother-in-law's tongue is very hardy and can grow equally well in shade and partial shade. Bright sun can lead to burns of leaves; the plant will be most comfortable on a window facing east or west side. The plant has variegated leaves, so it requires bright light, otherwise the variegated color disappears.
Temperatures in summer are allowed up to 25 degrees, but can tolerate higher temperatures. In winter - up to 10 degrees, in case of prolonged storage in a room with low temperature may get sick.
Easily tolerates dry air, preferably with a damp cloth from the leaves remove dust or just wipe them more often for no particular reason.
Plant nutrition
During the growing season (spring and summer), monthly application is required. mineral fertilizers. Suitable fertilizers, intended for indoor plants and cacti (it is necessary to reduce the recommended dosage by half).
It is necessary to ensure that there is less nitrogen than other elements (its excess leads to rotting of the roots).
The tips of the leaves sometimes dry out, they are cut off, leaving a narrow dry strip(then the sheet will not dry further and will not become limp).
In spring and until autumn, moderate watering is required; in winter it is limited. Water must not be allowed to enter center of the socket(may cause rotting).
Necessary as the pot becomes small. The pot needs to be wide and shallow (the roots grow wider). It is placed at the bottom drainage layer or its equivalent.
The plant is undemanding to soil, but feels better in a soil mixture of turf soil, leaf soil and sand in a ratio of 4:2:1. Grows well in hydroponics. It is possible to purchase a substrate intended for geraniums and add sand to it(30% creates better drainage).
- Use several methods:
- cuttings;
- dividing the sheet;
- seeds;
- dividing the rhizome.
Seeds are sown in fertile soil and placed in a greenhouse until germination. After seed germination, 3 weeks later, the seedlings dive in separate pots.
It is recommended to propagate by dividing the rhizomes during the transplant process. The rhizome is removed from the soil, washed, cut with a knife, separating the root system with leaves and placed in prepared pots. It is necessary to provide watering, fertilizer and missing lighting.
Less popular is the method of leaf cuttings. The leaves are cut into several pieces and allowed to dry. Then they are planted in pots with sand (to a depth of 2 cm). After final rooting (lasts 6 weeks), the plant is planted in a pot with prepared soil mixture, remember this nuance.
The most common pests that attack the plant are thrips and spider mite. To combat them they use insecticidal preparations.
Due to excessive soil moisture or if water gets into the rosette, the leaves become yellow and soft at the base. To save the flower, the affected leaves are removed, the plant is replanted to another place.
A low room temperature causes the leaves to look limp and may rot (even if there is no waterlogging). The plant must be moved to a warm place, removed damaged leaves.
At high humidity soil leaves are affected: dark brown spots appear. Infection with fungal diseases is characterized by the formation of red-brown spots.
Mother-in-law's tongue except decorative qualities It also has healing properties. He has an antiseptic wound healing effect, helps with cystitis, inflammation of the appendages and many other diseases.
Numerous signs and beliefs are associated with indoor plants. It is believed that plants not only carry a certain energy and can influence the health and luck of household members, but are also an indicator of well-being in the house, reacting to everything that happens around them. What can the “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue” flower tell you? Photos, signs associated with this plant, its impact on people and events can be found in this article.
Is it possible to keep "Mother-in-Law's Tongue" at home?
"Mother-in-law's tongue", or Sansevieria, is one of the most popular indoor plants due to its beautiful long leaves and unpretentiousness. Because of unusual looking the flower received many original folk names - “Snake skin”, “Pike tail”, “Devil’s tongue”, “Mother-in-law’s tongue”. Despite the not-so-pleasant associations, this is one of the most useful houseplants that provides energy balance in the home.
Feng Shui experts believe that plants whose leaves grow upward are “responsible” for harmony in the house, help avoid conflicts and strengthen relationships between the inhabitants of the house. "Mother-in-law's tongue" is a plant with positive energy, which, like a lightning rod, absorbs all the tension, aggression and domestic squabbles. The flower processes this negativity into creative energy, liberates the mind and activates thought processes and imagination.
Sansevieria can be called medicinal plant– it purifies the air, the juice of its leaves has healing disinfecting properties and helps heal wounds and burns, and tinctures of the roots help strengthen the immune system.
What can “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue” tell you?
Sansevieria blooms with beautiful white inflorescences with subtle aroma, from which round berries with seeds are formed. This does not happen often, so the flowering of “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue” is always associated with the onset of important events.
Connoisseurs folk signs They claim that the appearance of arrows with white flowers indicates that the very white streak has come in the lives of the inhabitants of the house, when success is guaranteed in any undertaking, both in personal affairs and in work and the financial sphere. The flowers of “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue” are a signal to action, it’s time to bring your wildest ideas to life. During the flowering period, you need to be especially attentive to the plant, because if you pick the flowers, your plans will be ruined.
However, if "Mother-in-law's tongue" bloomed in winter cold, there is no need to rejoice. In this way, the plant warns of impending troubles, most often the onset of difficult situation which will cause conflicts and scandals in the family.
The yellowing leaves of the “Pike Tail” are a bad sign that foreshadows a separation or difference of views.
If “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue” appeared in the house in a neglected state, with drooping leaves, but the new owners managed to get it out, the flower will not remain in debt and will bring good luck and unexpected joy. If healthy flower began to wither and wither away, which means there is a reign in the house unfavorable atmosphere, which will inevitably lead to troubles and deterioration of health if measures are not taken.
Howattract prosperity with the help of "Mother-in-law's tongue"?
"Mother-in-law's tongue" is a peacemaker plant that harmonizes the family environment and helps people find mutual language in the most seemingly hopeless situations. The flower neutralizes any negativity in relationships between people, helps the sick get better and protects against the evil eye.
- Sansevieria leaves can serve as a declaration of love. The one who received such a gift should put it under his pillow and sleep on it for three nights.
- If there are often strangers in the house, you should place the flower exactly where guests communicate with the owners. Mother-in-law's tongue will make people more benevolent, protect them from damage, and those guests who have bad intentions are unlikely to cross the threshold of this house again.
- A sick person needs to stroke the plant more often, “giving” his illness to it. If a baby is sick, his mother can do this for him.
- If a husband and wife quarrel, the “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue” growing in the marital bedroom will help you forget the differences. This method will work if the flower is presented by the parents of either spouse.
Unmarried girls can even tell fortunes in "Mother-in-Law's Language." To do this, you need to choose a piece of paper, guess the name of the one you like young man and follow this sheet for a month. If the leaf does not fall off or wither, it means that the girl can count on the tender feelings of her chosen one.
A sensitive and kind Sansevieria can become a real guardian of the family hearth if you treat it like a living being, care for it, talk, and be attentive to changes. Those who lack family happiness should think about adding this plant to their home. Sansevieria has many subspecies, and you need to choose the appropriate variety of the “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue” flower from the photo, study the signs and get a real green “barometer” that will predict the weather in the house.
Spring is the most favorable time years for propagation of any plant. Sansevieria is no exception. In spring, all metabolic processes in it begin to occur at an accelerated pace, so the rooting process will be faster and more favorable.
It should be noted that mother-in-law’s tongue is such an unpretentious plant that, in principle, it can be successfully propagated at any time of the year. Especially if the reason for the reproduction was emergency measures to save the dying sansevieria: root system began to rot, the flower fell and broke, etc.
Soil preparation
The soil for planting sansevieria should be loose, permeable, and not heavy. It is best to use ready-made soil substrate for succulents, purchased at a flower shop.
You can prepare a soil mixture for pike tail on one's own:
- The composition should include the following components: leaf, turf soil, humus, sand in a ratio of 2:2:1:1, you can add a little charcoal.
- Another recipe: mix 4 parts turf and 2 parts leaf soil, 1 part sand. You can also add a little organic fertilizers, for example peat.
Which pot is suitable?
Material
For sansevieria, a clay or ceramic pot is considered the most suitable. Clay is an environmentally friendly substance, has excellent breathability, thereby providing air access to the roots, and absorbs moisture well, providing additional drainage. Pots made of clay and ceramics are quite stable, and this is an important factor for such tall plant like mother-in-law's tongue. In addition, containers made of clay and ceramics are durable; they can withstand the pressure of the powerful roots of Sansevieria on the walls.
Attention! The pot must have holes in the bottom for drainage excess water, and the bottom of the pot must be covered with a layer of drainage, for which expanded clay can be used, broken brick, pebbles.
Size
Mother-in-law's tongue feels most comfortable in small containers: in a cramped position the plant produces flowers more readily.
It is important that the pot is shallow but wide, since the roots of this plant grow wide.
How to choose a leaf cutting?
A leaf is used from a rosette that has already bloomed and will not produce any more new leaves. Most often the bottom sheet is taken. It must be healthy, without visible damage or flaws.
What nuances should be taken into account?
The number of leaves cut depends on how many copies of young plants need to be obtained. A larger number of leaves increases the likelihood that the cutting will be successful: even if some petioles do not take root, the bulk will still sprout roots.
Planting in water at home
- Prepare everything you need: a container with water, sharp scissors, a Sansevieria leaf, the drug “Kornevin”.
- Cut the sheet into several fragments, mark the top and bottom of each segment (you can use a simple ballpoint pen).
- Add a little Kornevin preparation to a container (preferably transparent for better observation of the condition of the roots being released) with water.
- Place each of the pike tail petioles into water, strictly observing the rule: only the lower part is immersed in the liquid.
- After each of the fragments has cast out its roots, they should be planted in pots with soil.
Reference! On average, rooting of mother-in-law's tongue by the petiole in water occurs within 2 to 3 months.
How to plant in the ground?
Rooting usually occurs after 1.5 - 2 months. And after another 7–8 months, the sansevieria planted in the ground will produce new young shoots.
It is not advisable to make a greenhouse, since high humidity it can contribute to the rotting of cuttings.
Relocating a pike tail to a flowerbed in warm weather
Sansevieria feels comfortable in open ground. It grows well both in the sun and in the shade, does not require frequent replanting, tolerates drafts, rare and even very rare watering. Some flower growers specifically, as soon as the threat of spring frosts disappears, transplant the plant into a flowerbed so that it “gets healthier” there: the leaves gain strength, the color becomes brighter, and a flower stalk is finally released.
How to do this:
- Lightly dig up the soil in the flower bed, thereby saturating it with oxygen. You can add a little sand, peat, humus to the soil.
- Dig a hole in the ground, the depth of which will correspond to the height of the pot in which the sansevieria grew.
- Water the hole and the flower in the pot.
- Carefully remove the plant along with the earthen lump and, without shaking off the substrate, transfer it into the hole.
- Fill the remaining voids with soil, pressing it down a little.
- During the summer, it is systematically necessary to loosen the soil around the pike tail, apply fertilizers, and water as the top layer of soil dries out.
- As soon as the temperature drops to +17C - +18C with the onset of autumn, the plant must be watered abundantly.
- Carefully dig the sansevieria out of the ground: most likely, the root system has grown greatly over the summer, so the flower will need to be replanted in a larger pot.
- Planting in a pot is done in the usual way.
- The flower in a pot is first brought onto the veranda or balcony, and after 3 days - into the apartment or house.
Photo
Look how beautiful the pike tail looks in the flowerbed:
Caring for young cuttings
If the propagation of sansevieria was carried out by dividing the leaf, then after immersing the cuttings in the soil, they need to be watered (you can learn more about the methods of propagating the “pike tail”). Then you need to water the future plants moderately, remembering that mother-in-law’s tongue is a succulent. The recommended temperature for keeping a container with petioles is +20C – +22C. It is at this temperature that rooting occurs faster and more efficiently. Sansevieria loves a lot of diffused light, but you should avoid direct sunlight on the petioles.
What to do if the plant does not take root?
Despite the fact that sansevieria is very unpretentious in care, sometimes the rooted segments do not take root. What is the reason? As a rule, excessive watering is to blame for this, as a result of which the tip of the cutting may rot after planting. You can try to correct the situation by doing the following: remove the petiole from the ground, cut off the rotten tip, and wither it on outdoors, treat with Kornevin and root again. You should also adjust the watering schedule so that a similar situation does not happen again.
Even a novice gardener can propagate his favorite plant in this way. But it is important not to forget about the need for young and old plants to decorate their original form apartment interior or flowerbed design.
Video on the topic
We invite you to watch a video on how to propagate Sansevieria using leaf cuttings:
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