Sansevieria, also known by its scientific name  Sansevieria trifasciata ,  is an easy-to-grow plant. It is also popularly known as tiger tongue, cow tongue, mother-in-law’s tongue, cat’s tongue, tiger tail and St. George’s sword. It is a  very decorative and hardy plant.  Sansevieria  resists both high and low temperatures (down to -5 ° C) very well.  In addition, it is a plant that  helps purify the air in the house.

Sansevieria or mother-in-law’s tongue gets this name  for its leaves.  This is due to the comparison of its long leaves with the long tongue (mocking)  that was attributed to the “most talkative mothers-in-law”  for speaking and criticizing their respective sex.

Sansevieria, not even a yellow and dry leaf: if you do this, you will always have it lush and strong!

Sansevieria

Sansevieria,  also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, is one of the plants recommended by NASA  (United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration) to remove toxic substances such as benzene, toluene, xylene and formaldehyde from the air we breathe .

  • Light:  Although it is very resistant  , it is ideal to place it in places with plenty of light .
  • Temperature:  the ideal  is between 15 and 20 °C , although in summer  it can tolerate temperatures of 30º . Avoid drafts.
  • Watering:  if you want  to keep it vigorous ,  do not water excessively and only when the soil is dry . In winter it only needs water  once or twice a month,  always depending on the temperature of the internal environment. We must consider it as a succulent plant, so  it must be watered only when the substrate is dry . Excess water can cause the  rotting of the rhizome  (underground stem with various buds that grow horizontally, emitting roots and herbaceous shoots from the nodes). It does not like humid environments, so it is preferable  to avoid spraying or nebulizing the water.
  • Transplant:  if the pot has become small,  the ideal is to move it to a larger one  when spring begins, between March and April. To ensure good drainage, it is advisable to place some pieces of terracotta or stones on the bottom of the pot to prevent the support from being completely soaked with water. If it is not transplanted, it is advisable to renew the upper substrate: remove 3 cm of surface substrate and put new soil.
  • Compost:  Apply compost when temperatures begin to rise (late spring and early summer) and do so once a month until  temperatures  begin to drop again (fall).
  • Pruning:  Sansevieria  does not need pruning , but it is advisable  to remove dry leaves to avoid diseases.
  • Flowering – this tropical  plant does not usually flower indoors, but when it does, small flowers appear in late summer.
  • Further care for Sansevieria:  Try not to touch the leaf tips as they are sensitive and can be easily damaged.

How to revive mother-in-law’s tongue? Do it!

Sansevieria is generally a  very easy plant to care for.  If some leaves  start to wilt and turn yellow,  you will have to  worry about watering.  Since they are houseplants, low temperatures can play tricks on you, so you must always take into account if there is a lack of water so that the Sansevieria does not rot or become affected by fungi.

Garden/Gardening