Keith Mack
The snake plant, also known as mother-in-law's tongue, is a popular houseplant that is easy to care for and maintain. It is known for its striking appearance, with sword-like or spear-like leaves that feature dark green colours with light green bands. This plant is native to Africa, where it thrives in dry and low-light conditions, making it adaptable to various environments. One of the most appealing features of the mother-in-law's tongue plant is its ability to be split or propagated. When the plant becomes too big for its pot, it can be divided into smaller sections and repotted, allowing you to create multiple new plants from a single mature plant. This process not only helps manage the plant's size but also provides an opportunity to refresh the soil and improve its health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Mother-in-Law's Tongue, Snake Plant, Sansevieria, Sansevieria Trifasciata, Viper's Bowstring Hemp, Saint George's Sword |
| Origin | West Africa |
| Features | Evergreen perennial with stiff, upright leaves that come in various sizes, colours, and shapes |
| Light Requirements | Tolerant of low light levels but can withstand sunlight |
| Watering Needs | Does not require frequent watering |
| Air Quality Benefits | Absorbs toxins such as nitrogen oxides and improves indoor air quality |
| Maintenance | Low maintenance and suitable for beginners |
| Propagation | Can be propagated by dividing the roots and repotting the separated sections |
| Pot Requirements | Requires a pot with good drainage to prevent waterlogging |
| Soil Requirements | Fresh potting soil or compost for newly divided sections |
| Watering After Propagation | Water generously after splitting and periodically over the following weeks |
| Symmetry | Keep both halves symmetrical when dividing to ensure each section looks good in its separate pot |
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What You'll Learn
Identify the type of snake plant
Snake plants, scientifically known as Sansevieria, have become increasingly popular as houseplants due to their unique appearance and ease of maintenance. They exhibit long, sword-shaped leaves adorned with distinct patterns and come in a wide range of varieties, each with its own set of characteristics. Here is how you can identify the type of snake plant:
Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii'
Commonly known as the variegated snake plant or striped mother-in-law's tongue, this variety is characterised by its dark green, sword-shaped foliage with striking yellow margins. It is easily recognisable and stands out for its bold contrast of colours.
Sansevieria bacularis
Also known as the cylindrical snake plant or baton rouge, this variety displays elongated, cylindrical leaves similar to bamboo shoots. The foliage showcases a captivating striped pattern with subtle vertical bands on a vibrant green palette.
Sansevieria Fernwood
The Sansevieria Fernwood, commonly referred to as the Fernwood snake plant or mikado, is a compact variant with narrow, lance-shaped leaves. Its deep green colouration and upright, clustered growth habit make it a sophisticated choice for any indoor space.
Sansevieria boncel
The Sansevieria boncel, or the spear sansevieria, forms a compact shape with slender, spear-like leaves. Its vibrant green foliage is often accented with light green variegation, adding elegance to its overall appearance.
Sansevieria hahnii
Also called the bird's nest snake plant, this variety assumes a compact form with rosette-shaped leaves. The foliage grows closely together, resembling a bird's nest, and is available in various shades of green, making it ideal for smaller spaces or tabletop displays.
Sansevieria patens
The Sansevieria patens is a cylindrical snake plant with a rosette leaf arrangement. It features light and dark green variegation with long vertical grooves. This dwarf snake plant can grow up to 6 inches tall, and its leaves may turn blue or grey-green over time.
Sansevieria parva
The Sansevieria parva is characterised by narrow, banded dark green leaves. It is commonly known as the "Kenya hyacinth" due to its pleasant floral fragrance. This variety grows well in groups.
Sansevieria gracilis
The Sansevieria gracilis has narrow succulent leaves striped with green, similar to the Dracaena Kirkii.
Sansevieria cleopatra
The Sansevieria cleopatra has vertical dark and light green stripes with wavy edges on its leaves.
Sansevieria roxburghiana
The Sansevieria roxburghiana has blade-shaped leaves with stripy variegation, similar to the trifasciata variety.
Sansevieria hyacinthoides
The Sansevieria hyacinthoides forms clusters of sword-shaped leaves with dark green and silver stripes.
Sansevieria longiflora
The Sansevieria longiflora has wavy dark green leaves adorned with yellow mottling.
These are just a few examples of the many varieties of snake plants available. Snake plants are versatile and adaptable, making them a popular choice for indoor gardening enthusiasts.
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Choose the right potting container
Mother-in-law's Tongue, also known as Snake Plant or Viper's Bowstring Hemp, is a trendy houseplant that can be grown in a variety of containers. When choosing a container for your Mother-in-law's Tongue, there are several factors to consider to ensure the health and longevity of your plant.
Firstly, it is important to select a container with adequate drainage. Mother-in-law's Tongue prefers well-drained soil and does not tolerate soggy roots, so choose a pot with a drainage hole at the bottom to allow excess water to escape. Terracotta or ceramic pots are good options as they are heavy enough to balance the tall, upright growth of the plant and promote better drainage compared to plastic pots.
Secondly, consider the size of the container. Mother-in-law's Tongue is a slow-growing plant that can stay in the same pot for several years. However, over time, the plant may outgrow its pot, leading to congestion and slowed growth. Choose a pot that is slightly larger than the existing one, typically 1-2 inches bigger. This will provide enough space for the roots to spread out and promote healthy growth.
Additionally, the type of soil or potting mix is crucial. Mother-in-law's Tongue thrives in well-drained, free-draining soil. Consider using a cactus or succulent potting mix, which is specifically designed for plants that prefer drier conditions. You can also create your own mix by combining regular potting soil with sand, perlite, or peat to improve drainage. Ensure the soil is packed firmly into the new container, leaving about an inch from the top, and match the old soil level to prevent root rot.
When repotting, it is essential to be gentle with the roots and leaves of the Mother-in-law's Tongue. Water the plant beforehand to soften the soil and make it easier to remove from the old pot. Gently dust off the old soil from the roots and tease them gently before placing the plant in its new container.
Lastly, after repotting, care for your Mother-in-law's Tongue by providing adequate light and water. Place the plant in a room with bright, indirect light or a dimly lit area, and allow the potting mix to dry out almost completely before re-watering. Feed the plant regularly during the growing season with a complete fertiliser containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to promote healthy leaves and roots.
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Pull apart the roots
Snake plants, or Mother-in-Law's Tongue, are easy to grow and care for. They are evergreen perennials with long, stiff, vertical leaves that come in various sizes, colours, and shapes. They are very tolerant of low light levels but equally happy in sunlight. They do not require frequent watering and are great for improving indoor air quality.
To separate a snake plant, you must first identify the variety of snake plant. The most common varieties are Laurentii, Hahnii, Cylindrica, and Trifasciata Zeylanica, each with unique characteristics. Knowing your plant will help you decide how to separate it.
Once you have identified your plant, you can begin the process of separation. The first step is to gently pull apart the roots by grabbing a section of the thick leaves close to the base and tugging carefully. This will give you a good idea of where you can cut apart some of the thicker roots. After separating the roots, gently remove the soil from around each root.
After separating the roots and removing the soil, you can now separate the individual sections of the plant. Each section will need its own pot, so choose a potting container that is big enough for the roots of the new plants and has good drainage to prevent waterlogging.
Finally, place each newly divided section into its own shallow container filled with fresh potting soil or compost. Water them generously right away and then periodically over the following weeks until they are established in their new homes. With care and attention, your snake plants should thrive after being separated.
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Remove soil from around each root
Mother-in-law's tongue, also known as the snake plant, is a hardy plant that requires minimal care. It is one of the most common houseplants and is known for its air-purifying and toxin-removing abilities.
When it comes to removing soil from around each root of a mother-in-law's tongue plant, here are some detailed instructions to follow:
- Start by gently removing the plant from its current container. If the soil is dry, water the plant thoroughly a day or two before repotting to make the roots easier to separate and less prone to damage.
- Loosen the soil by watering it ahead of time, making it softer and easier to release from the pot. Be cautious, as overwatering can rot the roots and eventually kill the plant.
- Handle the roots with care. Gently dust and knock off the old soil from the roots. You may discover young shoots (rhizomes) hidden beneath the soil.
- If the roots are firmly stuck in the old pot, you may need to carefully break the pot to free the plant.
- Once the roots are exposed, you can decide whether to divide the plant further by cutting the roots to separate the stalks or simply pulling the shoots apart.
- After dividing the plant, place the new stalks in their own pots and cover the roots with fresh soil.
Remember, mother-in-law's tongue plants prefer to remain undisturbed in their pots for as long as possible. They thrive when root-bound, even with roots coming up above the soil. However, when the plant is close to bursting its pot or when the roots are damaged due to overwatering, it's time to divide and repot.
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Establish roots for each new plant
Mother-in-law's tongue, or snake plants, can be propagated from leaf cuttings or by dividing a mature plant. The best time to divide these plants is in the spring or early summer when they are actively growing. This gives the divided plants the best chance of establishing themselves in their new pots.
To establish roots for each new plant, you can either root the cuttings in water or directly in the soil. If you choose to root the cuttings in water, place the divided sections in a container filled with water, ensuring that the bottom of the cuttings are submerged. Change the water every few days to prevent rotting. Within 4-8 weeks, you should see roots growing from the leaves. Once the roots have developed, transfer the cuttings to a pot with fresh soil.
If you choose to root the cuttings directly in the soil, plant the divided sections in a well-draining potting mix and water lightly. Place the pots in a warm, bright location but away from direct sunlight. Mother-in-law tongue plants prefer indirect sunlight but can tolerate low light conditions. Be sure to use a fast-draining soil to prevent root rot, as these plants are susceptible to it if overwatered. You can use a mixture of potting soil and cactus mix. Water the cuttings regularly for the first week or two, and then reduce watering to only when the soil gets dry. With a little patience, you will soon see new roots and leaves emerging from the soil.
Regardless of the method you choose, it is important to monitor the new plants for signs of growth, such as new leaves or shoots. This indicates that the plants have successfully rooted and are thriving. Keep an eye out for common pests like spider mites or mealybugs, and treat them promptly to prevent infestations. Adjust the care as needed by providing more or less light, water, or humidity if the plants show signs of stress, such as yellowing leaves or wilting.
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