This Sansevieria is super tough, easy to care for and one of NASA's star pupils when in comes to air purification. This exotic slow-growing plant can grow up to 1m in height. The Zeylanica variety has deep green stripe-patterned leaves.
Botanical name: Sansevieria zeylanica
Growing pot size: 17cm diameter, 15cm height
Pets: Can cause digestive discomfort if ingested.
Find me a spot that gets no more than 4 hours of direct sun, or my leaves might dry up or get scorch marks
Keep water to a bare minimum. Half a cup once every 3 weeks in winter and 2 weeks in summer is probably enough
I am susceptible to root rot so don’t overwater me or leave me sitting in water. Use well-draining soil if you repot me
My textured, waxy leaf surface attracts dust, removing it from the air and keeping it away from your lungs
I absorb toxins such as VOCs and expel clean oxygen into your home, making the air you breathe safer
The bright green colour of my foliage colour triggers an evolutionary response that will help you feel vital and healthy
Want to know more about how we break down plant wellness benefits? Read our post about it here.
Sansevierias are a great choice for homes and offices alike. They require very little in the way of care and survive in a variety of environments.
We tend to associate foliage plants with air purification, but Mother-in-Law's Tongues have been linked to absorbing a wide-variety of toxins, and are well-worth investing in if you're looking for a natural air purifier.
They are also one of the best succulents at adapting to indoor environments. Because succulents tend to come from hot, bright areas, some varieties can struggle if they're brought into a less than bright home and become 'etiolated.' Etiolation occurs when plants are in environments with insufficient light and put all their energy in growing upwards in the hopes of getting more sun, making them weak and gangly.
Happily, this is NOT the case for the mighty Sansevieria. Sansevierias can endure in low light conditions without suffering. So if you’re looking to introduce plants into a workspace or studio which lacks natural light, this is a great one to consider.
However, while Snake Plants are reliable in low-light conditions, they way prefer light! So, if you have the option of placing a Sansevieria in a bright room it will reward you with a much quicker growth rate. Your snake plant's fronds can get scorched if they’re overexposed to direct sun, resulting in a loss of brilliance in terms of colour and texture. For most of the year you'll probably be fine, but in the height of summer, take your Sansevieria outside of direct sun.
Sansevierias only need watering once every 14 days in summer, and as little as once every 6 weeks in Winter. Succulents hold water in their thick fronds, as well as their roots, so their soil should be left to entirely dry out between waterings. But when you do water, don’t be afraid of giving your Snake Plants a good drink; just make sure it doesn’t sit in the excess.
