Quck answer
Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, also known as snake plant or Sansevieria, is a popular indoor plant known for its easy care and air purifying qualities. To plant Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, follow these steps:
1. Choose a well-draining pot and fill it with a cactus or succulent soil mix.
2. Select a healthy snake plant with firm leaves and without any signs of damage or disease.
3. Gently remove the plant from its nursery pot and loosen the roots.
4. Place the plant in the center of the pot and backfill with soil, ensuring the roots are covered but not buried too deeply.
5. Water the plant thoroughly and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
6. Place the plant in bright, indirect light and avoid direct sunlight.
7. Maintain a temperature between 60-85В°F (15-29В°C) and provide good air circulation.
8. Fertilize the plant sparingly, only during the growing season.
9. Prune any yellow or dead leaves to keep the plant looking tidy.
10. With proper care, your Mother-in-Law’s Tongue will thrive and bring beauty to your indoor space.
Sansevieria trifasciata, commonly known as mother-in-law’s tongue or snake plant, is a resilient indoor plant that is difficult to kill. It was originally grown for commercial purposes as a fiber source for making ropes and other products. This plant is known to be one of the most effective air-cleaning plants as it removes toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene from the air. It can be grown both indoors and outdoors in warm climates.
Planting Basics
Mother-in-law’s tongue can be grown outdoors in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s plant hardiness zones 10 through 11. It can also be grown in USDA zone 9b if planted in a sheltered spot. However, it is mostly grown as an indoor plant as it tends to spread uncontrollably when grown outdoors due to its aggressive roots.
The plant’s spear-shaped leaves can grow up to 3 feet tall and are 2 to 3 inches wide. There are several cultivars available, each with the same hardiness as the species. The gold-banded sansevieria (Sansevieria trifasciata “Laurentii”) has wide yellow margins on the edges of its long leaves, while the bird’s nest sansevieria (Sansevieria trifasciata “Hahnii”) is a dwarf cultivar that grows only 6 to 8 inches tall.
Planting Outdoors
Mother-in-law’s tongue is not fussy about soil and can grow in a wide range of soil types and textures, as long as the soil is well-draining. The plant is drought-tolerant and is suitable for water-wise gardens. It can grow in full sun or full shade, but cultivars with pale leaves may bleach in intense sunlight, and variegated varieties may lose their color in dense shade.
If the soil does not drain well, it should be amended before planting by mixing in decomposed granite, coarse sharp sand, or pumice. Add enough of the amendment so that the soil feels as damp as a wrung-out sponge after watering.
When planting mother-in-law’s tongue, dig a hole of the same depth as the container and slightly wider. Remove the plant from the container and loosen any tangled roots at the edges of the root ball with your fingers. Place the plant in the hole and fill in around the root ball, ensuring that the plant is at the same depth as it was planted in the container.
Container Growing
Mother-in-law’s tongue can be grown in plastic or ceramic pots. If you tend to overwater, an unglazed ceramic pot will dry out faster and help prevent root rot. Always use a pot with drainage holes.
A bagged cactus potting mix is ideal for planting mother-in-law’s tongue. You can also make your own mix by combining standard potting soil with crushed volcanic rock, pumice, coarse sharp sand, poultry grit, and/or perlite. The final ratio can vary from one-half to two-thirds potting soil, with the remainder composed of your choice of drainage-increasing amendment.
When repotting a mother-in-law’s tongue plant, it’s important to loosen any roots that have become tangled around the root ball due to being pot-bound. Then, place the plant in the new pot at the same level it was previously growing at and fill in with fresh potting mix. If you need to trim any roots or remove dead leaves, be sure to disinfect your pruning shears by soaking them in a solution of 1 part bleach to 3 parts water for five minutes. Afterwards, rinse and air-dry them before use.
Watering the Plant
After planting, water the plant immediately to help the soil settle. If there are any depressions or holes around the plant, fill them in with more soil. Mother-in-law’s tongue plants require very little water when grown in the garden. If you notice the leaves starting to shrink, pucker, or lose their shine, this could be a sign that the plant is drought-stressed and needs watering. For potted plants, water once a week and keep the soil moist but not soggy. During periods of active growth, keep the soil as damp as a wrung-out sponge. When the plant isn’t growing as quickly, water enough to prevent the soil from drying out completely in the pot.
FAQ
1. How do I choose the right pot for planting Mother-in-Law’s Tongue?
To plant Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, choose a pot that is slightly larger than the root ball of the plant. Make sure the pot has drainage holes at the bottom to prevent waterlogging. Opt for a pot made of terracotta or ceramic, as these materials provide good insulation and allow the soil to breathe. Avoid using plastic pots, as they retain moisture and can lead to root rot.
2. What type of soil is best for Mother-in-Law’s Tongue?
Mother-in-Law’s Tongue thrives in well-draining soil. Use a cactus or succulent potting mix, or create your own by combining equal parts of regular potting soil, perlite, and sand. This soil mixture provides the right balance of moisture retention and drainage for the plant. Avoid using heavy clay-based soil, as it can lead to root rot.
3. How often should I water Mother-in-Law’s Tongue?
Mother-in-Law’s Tongue is a drought-tolerant plant and prefers to be slightly underwatered than overwatered. Water the plant thoroughly when the top inch of the soil feels dry. It’s important to let the soil dry out between waterings to prevent root rot. During winter months, water sparingly as the plant goes into a dormant period.
4. Does Mother-in-Law’s Tongue require direct sunlight?
Mother-in-Law’s Tongue can tolerate a wide range of light conditions, but it thrives best in bright indirect light. Place the plant near a window where it can receive bright, indirect sunlight for a few hours each day. Avoid exposing it to direct sunlight for prolonged periods, as it can scorch the leaves. Lack of sunlight may cause the leaves to become floppy and lose their vibrant color.
5. How do I propagate Mother-in-Law’s Tongue?
There are two common methods to propagate Mother-in-Law’s Tongue: division and leaf cuttings. To divide the plant, carefully remove it from the pot and separate the rhizomes. Plant each division in a separate pot with well-draining soil. For leaf cuttings, select a healthy leaf and cut it into sections. Place the leaf sections in a pot with moist soil and wait for them to develop roots. Both methods require patience and proper care to ensure successful propagation.