Sansevieria has long been popular among gardeners. The plant has many species and varieties, each with an interesting appearance and decorative qualities. They are also renowned for their unpretentiousness to the conditions of detention.
Description of the Sansevieria houseplant
Sansevieria is an evergreen, stemless plant belonging to the Asparagus family. It grows in dry tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, India, and Indonesia. The plant is characterized by long, straight, sword-shaped leaves with pointed tips.
- ✓ Sansevieria requires minimal watering, only when the soil is completely dry to a depth of 2-3 cm.
- ✓ The plant prefers bright but diffused light, although it can adapt to partial shade.
- ✓ Optimum temperature for growth: 18-27°C, minimum allowable temperature: 10°C.
The surface may have a striped pattern. The leaves form a small rosette, with 3-13 leaves coming together. The foliage grows from a rhizome. The plant height varies from 30 to 150 cm. Some varieties have short stems.
- × Avoid over-watering the soil, as this can lead to root rot.
- × Avoid placing the plant in direct sunlight in summer as this may cause leaf burns.
Main types of flowers
There are several main types of indoor sansevieria, each with its own unique characteristics and appearance. Let's take a closer look at each.
Sansevieria trifoliaria
Sansevieria trifasciata has up to six oval leaves. The surface is dark green with iridescent light green stripes. This species has certain characteristics:
- The leaf margins remain green. The leaves are flat, lanceolate, smooth, and gradually taper toward the top, ending in sharp spines.
- The length of the leaves can vary between 30-120 cm, and their width ranges from 2 to 10 cm.
- Light intensity affects the color of the leaves: in bright light they acquire bright stripes, and in lower light conditions they become uniformly dark green, and the stripes are less pronounced.
Sansevieria cylindrica
This species belongs to one of the most exotic members of the large Sansevieria family. It can reach a height of 1.5 meters and has leaves that form a symmetrical rosette.
Characteristics of Sansevieria cylindrica:
- Its leaves are long, thick, and leathery, shaped like elliptical tubes with sharp ends, reminiscent of octopus tentacles. The tips of the leaves often dry out in the air, forming true spines. These spines are sharp enough to cause cuts, so they are often surrounded by cork caps.
- The leaves of the plant are dark green and have vertical silver stripes and yellow strokes visible on their surface.
- During the flowering period, only one inflorescence appears from the rosette with creamy-white star-shaped flowers, sometimes with pinkish hues.
- Reddish strokes are barely visible on the petals.
- The flowering stem on which the flowers are located grows to about a meter.
Sansevieria Kirki
Sansevieria kirkii is characterized by a short underground rhizome and forms rosettes with a limited number of leaves. Each rosette typically contains 2-3 leaves, which can reach a length of up to 1.5 m.
Description of the species:
- The leaves are green with whitish or white-green spots and a red-brown edge.
- There are different variations of Sansevieria, including those with brown or reddish-brown leaves.
- The flowers of this plant are white and collected in a capitate inflorescence.
- The petals are narrow and long, united into one large inflorescence, which is decorated with graceful curls surrounded by delicate stamens.
- During flowering, sansevieria emits a pleasant and delicate aroma.
Sansevieria aubrutiana
Sansevieria aubrytiana is a species with a unique appearance and interesting characteristics. Its lanceolate leaves reach a length of approximately 30-60 cm. They are typically green and may be decorated with thin white or silver stripes, giving them a graceful appearance.
This plant can grow to a height of around 30-60 cm and has a dense rosette of leaves, making it ideal for growing in pots and containers.
Sansevieria metallica
Sansevieria metallica is a species with distinctive metallic hues on its leaves. The foliage is lanceolate and typically greenish-silver or greenish-gray in color. The leaves may be covered with fine longitudinal stripes, giving them a metallic appearance.
Sansevieria erenbergii (also known as Dracaena hanningtonii)
Sansevieria Ehrenbergii, reaching a height of up to 50 cm, is characterized by vigorous horizontal growth of paired sword-shaped leaves. In the wild, mature plants often have a leaf span exceeding 1 m. Indoors, the plant has a more modest but still striking appearance.
Sansevieria zeylanica
Sansevieria zeylanica is characterized by its variegated coloration with wide, dark green leaves. They have slightly wavy edges and also feature uneven light stripes and speckles with a silvery hue.
The leaves do not have a border in the form of a yellow or white stripe - the pattern is located in the central part of the leaf and extends along its entire length.
Sansevieria masoniana
Sansevieria masoniana, known as 'Mason Congo,' is characterized by broad, lobed leaves reaching up to 60 cm in height. The leaves can be dark green or glaucous with diffuse light green spots and a unique, fibrous purple edge.
Because of its leaf shape, it's sometimes called "shark fin." This variety is one of the best for growing in low-light conditions.
In flower growers' collections, you can find a variegated form of this sansevieria, in which half of the leaf is colored golden.
Varieties
A variety, in the context of plants, is a group within a single species that differs in certain characteristics, which may not be very sharp and significant, and are often weakly heritable.
For example, among Sansevieria, one can distinguish various varieties, such as Trifasciata var Laurentii, kirkii var pulchra, metallica var longituba and others.
One of the most popular Sansevieria varieties is Laurentii. This tall plant, reaching a height of up to 120 cm, has narrow leaves up to 10 cm wide. It has an upright rosette and a distinctive coloration reminiscent of snakeskin, but with a distinctive feature—wide yellow leaf margins.
Varieties
There are a huge number of Sansevieria cultivars, making this plant very diverse and interesting for collectors and gardeners. Each cultivar has its own unique characteristics (leaf size, shape, color, and pattern), giving them a distinct appearance and decorative appeal.
| Name | Plant height (cm) | Leaf coloring | Peculiarities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sansevieria trifasciata Moonshine | 30-35 | Gray-green | Dark green edging |
| Sansevieria trifasciata Golden Flame | 30-45 | Golden stripes | Bright pattern |
| Sansevieria trifasciata Black Gold | 40-50 | Dark green | Yellowish border |
| Sansevieria trifasciata Black Diamond | 30-60 | Dark green | Golden yellow stripes |
| Sansevieria trifasciata Silver Queen | 30-60 | Silver | Decorative |
| Sansevieria Fernwood Mikado | 20-30 | Green | Compact |
| Sansevieria trifasciata laurentii Futura | 30-60 | Light green | Dark stripes |
Sansevieria trifasciata Moonshine
The rosette of Sansevieria 'Moonshine' consists of 5-6 small leaves, about 30-35 cm tall. In shape and growth pattern, it resembles the Futura and Robusta varieties, but differs in the gray-green or silvery color of the leaves, with a dark green border along the edge.
Upon close inspection, blurred stripes can be seen running across the leaf. The leaves are thin, smooth, and wavy. They rise upright and emerge directly from the soil, while the rosette is hidden beneath a layer of soil.
Sansevieria trifasciata Golden Flame
Sansevieria 'Golden Flame' is a variety of Sansevieria tristrata, distinguished by its distinctive coloring and attractive appearance. The leaves have the typical shape of the species: long, narrow, and sword-shaped.
What makes Golden Flame unique is its coloring. The leaves are covered with vibrant golden stripes and spots on a green background. This golden pattern gives the plant a vibrant and colorful appearance. Sansevieria trifasciata Golden Flame can reach a height of 30-45 cm and forms a dense rosette of leaves.
Sansevieria trifasciata Black Gold
Sansevieria 'Black Gold' can reach a height of 40-50 cm and has leaves up to 10 cm or more wide. Its leaves are characterized by a wide yellowish margin that stands out against the dark green background.
There are two varieties of this cultivar: Black Gold and Black Gold Extreme. The former is a low-growing plant, while the latter is tall. However, the leaf coloration remains the same.
Sansevieria trifasciata Black Diamond
Sansevieria 'Black Diamond' is a unique variety of Sansevieria tristrata, captivating with its unusual coloring and elegant appearance. The leaves have a distinctive sword shape and typically reach 30 to 45 cm in length.
They are a deep, dark green, with bright golden-yellow or cream stripes and spots adorning their surface. This contrast between the dark background and the bright stripes makes the plant incredibly striking.
Sansevieria trifasciata Black Diamond typically reaches a height of 30 to 60 cm and forms a dense rosette of leaves, creating an elegant and compact appearance.
Sansevieria trifasciata Silver Queen
Sansevieria 'Silver Queen' is an attractive variety with a unique appearance and is easy to care for. Its lanceolate leaves reach approximately 30-45 cm in length. They are adorned with a beautiful silvery pattern on a green background, making this plant very decorative.
This variety of Sansevieria typically grows to a height of about 30-60 cm, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor placement in subtropical conditions.
Sansevieria Fernwood Mikado
Sansevieria 'Fernwood Mikado' is a compact hybrid that reaches a height of about 20-25 cm, sometimes even slightly larger, at around 30 cm. It is often called "green onion." Sansevieria Fernwood is sometimes misclassified and is often confused with Sansevieria bacularis.
At first, they may look very similar, but as they mature, differences become noticeable. Sansevieria bacularis has sparser and taller leaves, and, unlike Fernwood, they are vertical, cylindrical, and lack longitudinal ribs.
Sansevieria trifasciata laurentii Futura
Sansevieria Futura is a medium-sized plant with a compact rosette of approximately 10 broad, light green leaves. These leaves are decorated with dark stripes and a pale yellow border. There are several varieties of this cultivar.
Superba
This new variety of Sansevieria has quickly won the hearts of many gardeners. The plant has medium-sized, wide green leaves, each with a neat yellow stripe along the edge.
Robusta
This species is tall, reaching a height of up to 180 cm. It resembles the Futura cultivar in appearance, with a deep green background and very dark transverse stripes on the leaves, but unlike the latter, it lacks the yellow stripes along the edges. The leaf coloration closely resembles the natural form of this species.
The leaves are strong and durable, have a round shape and pointed ends, they are about a third shorter and one and a half to two times wider than those of the three-lane Sansevieria.
Robusta subvarieties:
- Black. It is characterized by rapid growth, and over time, a change in the color of the leaves is observed from bright green to almost black with a metallic sheen.
- Blue. Characterized by dense, spatulate leaves that are arranged horizontally, forming tiers. The foliage has a bluish tint with a delicate waxy coating.
- Black Coral. This variety is distinguished by its stiff, upright leaves, which can reach a height of up to 110 cm. Their coloring is dark green with a hint of black and a marbled pattern consisting of bright green patterns.
Whitney
Sansevieria Whitney grows to a height of approximately 50 cm. It forms a rosette of four leaves shaped like an inverted pyramid. The leaves have a green center, while the edges are bordered by a wide, two-striped border.
Sansevieria trifasciata laurentii Compacta
Sansevieria Compacta is a descendant of the Laurenti variety and has a similar appearance, but its leaves are shorter and thinner. The center of the leaf is very dark, with a yellow stripe running along the edge. Occasionally, some leaves may appear curled, adding further decorative appeal.
Sansevieria Comacta grows slower than Laurenti, and the variety is better preserved if multiply by dividing the rhizome. When grown from leaf cuttings, plants of the original species are most often obtained, but occasionally specimens resembling the Nelsonii variety may appear.
Sansevieria ehrenbergii Samurai
Sansevieria erenbergii 'Samurai' is an exotic species that attracts attention with its unusual and unique appearance. The leaves are shaped like a sword or dagger, giving them an elegant and graceful appearance.
They are narrow, long, and pointed, with a slightly curved shape. The leaves of this variety are typically bright green with thin vertical stripes or striped patterns on the surface.
The plant generally doesn't grow very tall and remains relatively compact. Samurai's height can vary, but typically doesn't exceed 30-40 cm. This variety forms dense rosettes of leaves, giving it a compact and neat appearance.
Hybrid group S. Hahnii (Sansevieria Hahnii)
Gardeners love a variety of Sansevieria varieties. The S. Hahnii hybrids (Sansevieria Hannii) are particularly popular:
- Sansevieria Green Hahnii. This low-growing plant of the Asparagus family is known for its compact size and decorative foliage. This Sansevieria grows to approximately 20-25 cm in height, making it an excellent choice for small spaces or container growing.
Green Hahnii's leaves are dark green and dagger-shaped with pointed tips. They grow compactly and form a dense rosette, making this plant very decorative. This variety is easy to grow and tolerates low light levels well.
- Sansevieria Silver HahniiThe leaves are silvery-gray-green with blurred transverse stripes and a thin dark border. The name "Silver" is aptly descriptive.
The leaves are dense, like those of other species, and form a small rosette growing from the root. The number of leaves on a single plant can vary from 6 to 10.
- Sansevieria Hahnii Cristata. The peculiarity of this sansevieria is that its leaves are narrow and pointed, and from time to time they can curl in different directions.
- Sansevieria Silver Hahnii Marginata. Marginata is a Sansevieria with green, variegated leaf blades framed by a yellow stripe.
- Sansevieria Hahnii PhilippinesThis compact ornamental plant, known as "Hahnii Philippines," is a miniature plant with attractive foliage. The Hahnii Philippines rosette forms a dense, round shape, reaching a height of about 15-20 cm.
The leaves of this variety are light green with silvery or yellow longitudinal stripes and a thin dark green border. This marbled pattern gives them a stylish and decorative appearance.
- Sansevieria Hahnii Solid Gold. This is a variety of cultivated Sansevieria, distinguished by its unique leaf coloration. This small, compact succulent plant attracts attention with its beautiful, decorative leaves.
The Hahnii Solid Gold rosette forms a dense, round shape, and the plant can reach a height of about 15-20 cm. The leaves are light golden in color with dark green edges, creating a striking contrast and giving the plant a vibrant and stylish appearance.
- Sansevieria Golden HahniiThis flower is distinguished by the presence of additional yellow stripes and spots on the green leaf margins. The pattern can be randomly arranged.
The plant is very popular among gardeners due to its rapid adaptation and attractive appearance.
- Sansevieria Hahnii Cream. The Cream Hahnii variety is characterized by silvery-green leaves with a cream stripe running along the edge of the leaf.
- Sansevieria Hahnii Black Dragon. The Black Dragon variety has a small, compact size, making it an excellent choice for interior landscaping and collecting rare plants.
Black Dragon's dark green leaves are streaked with silver, giving them a wonderful marbled appearance. Particularly eye-catching is the black central stripe, reminiscent of dragon scales, hence its name.
- Sansevieria Hahnii Jade. The Jade variety is characterized by its dark green, single-color leaves.
Sansevieria is one of the most popular succulents. Its distinctive appearance, beautiful leaf color, rapid growth without losing its decorative appeal, ease of propagation, and minimal care make it ideal for decorating home and office interiors.