How to Buy Sansevieria: A Comprehensive Guide

Your Guide to buying the best Sansevieria

Overview

Sansevieria, commonly known as snake plants or mother-in-law’s tongue, are popular houseplants for both their low maintenance qualities and their hardy nature. This guide will provide detailed advice on what to consider when purchasing a Sansevieria, offering information on potting and soil, varieties, and additional tips and tricks on caring for your plant and keeping it healthy. With this information, you can be confident in your purchase and enjoy the beauty of this remarkable plant.

Key features

  1. Size & Space: Sansevierias come in a wide range of sizes, from small tabletop plants to large floor-sized specimens. Consider the size and space you have available before purchasing.
  2. Light Requirements: Sansevieria plants thrive in bright, indirect light. Make sure the area you plan to put the plant has enough light to meet its needs.
  3. Watering: Sansevieria plants are relatively tolerant of drought and overwatering, but should generally be watered when the soil is dry. Make sure you understand how to properly care for a Sansevieria before purchasing.
  4. Climate: Sansevieria plants are hardy and can tolerate a wide range of climates, but should not be exposed to freezing temperatures. Consider your local climate when purchasing a Sansevieria.
  5. Potting & Soil: Sansevierias prefer well-draining soil and should be planted in a pot with drainage holes. Choose a pot and soil mixture that will meet the needs of your Sansevieria.

See the most popular Sansevieria on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Easy to Care For: Sansevieria is known to be an easy-care plant, requiring minimal watering, pruning, and fertilizing, making it an ideal choice for novice plant enthusiasts or busy homeowners.
  • Air Purifying: Sansevieria plants are known to help purify the air around them, removing toxins such as formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air.
  • Long-Lived: Sansevieria is a long-lived plant, with some varieties living up to 75 years or more.
  • Low Light Tolerance: Sansevieria is capable of surviving in low light conditions, making it an ideal choice for indoor spaces or dark corners.
  • Drought Tolerant: Sansevieria is drought tolerant, able to survive with minimal watering, and is especially useful for those who may forget to water their plants on a regular basis.
  • Variety of Styles: Sansevieria comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, from tall and upright varieties to low and trailing varieties, making it suitable for any space or decorative style.

Cons

  • Cost: Depending on the variety, Sansevieria can be quite expensive, especially for rare or exotic varieties.
  • Lighting: Sansevieria requires bright, direct light for optimal growth. Too much shade or too little light can impede its growth.
  • Watering: Sansevieria is very prone to root rot if overwatered. Its soil should be allowed to dry out completely between waterings.
  • Pests: Sansevieria is vulnerable to mealybugs and spider mites, which can be difficult to eradicate if not caught early.

Best alternatives

  1. Ficus benjamina - a popular houseplant species native to south and southeast Asia with long, waxy leaves in a variety of shapes and shades of green.
  2. Chlorophytum comosum - an evergreen perennial flowering plant with long, slender, dark green leaves that are striped with lighter green or white.
  3. Tradescantia zebrina - a trailing species of spiderwort native to Mexico, with long, narrow, pointed leaves that are striped with silvery-green and purplish-brown.
  4. Dracaena marginata - a popular houseplant species native to Madagascar with long, narrow, arching leaves that are green with red or purple edges.
  5. Zamioculcas zamiifolia - a tropical evergreen species native to eastern Africa with glossy, dark green, oval-shaped leaves.
  6. Philodendron bipinnatifidum - a trailing evergreen species native to South America with long, deeply lobed, glossy, green leaves.

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • Potting Soil - An all-purpose potting soil mix for cacti and succulents.
  • Terracotta Pot - A terracotta pot with adequate drainage holes, ideal for planting Sansevieria.
  • Fertilizer - A balanced fertilizer that is low in nitrogen and high in phosphorus.
  • Trowel - A hand trowel with a sharp edge for easier digging.
  • Pruning Shears - A pair of pruning shears for trimming Sansevieria stems.
  • Watering Can - A watering can with a long spout for easy and uniform watering.
  • Garden Gloves - A pair of garden gloves for protection while handling Sansevieria.
  • Grow Light - A grow light, such as an LED light, to supplement natural light.

Common questions

  1. What types of Sansevieria are available? There are numerous varieties of Sansevieria available, including Sansevieria trifasciata (a.k.a. snake plant or mother-in-law's tongue), Sansevieria cylindrica, Sansevieria hahnii (a.k.a. bird's nest sansevieria), Sansevieria masoniana (a.k.a. whale fin sansevieria), Sansevieria bacularis, Sansevieria parva, and Sansevieria laurentii.
  2. How do I care for my Sansevieria? Sansevieria is an easy-care plant that requires minimal attention. It prefers bright, indirect light and should be watered when the soil feels dry to the touch. It should be fertilized during the summer months and kept away from drafts and extreme temperatures.
  3. What pests and diseases are common to Sansevieria? Sansevieria is generally resilient and resistant to pests and diseases. However, it is susceptible to root rot if it is over-watered or too cold. In addition, scale insects, spider mites, and mealybugs may also attack the plant.
  4. What is the ideal environment for Sansevieria? Sansevieria does best with bright, indirect light and warm temperatures. It is a low-maintenance plant that does not require much attention or special care. It should be kept away from drafts and extreme temperatures.

Trivia

Sansevieria, often referred to as Mother-in-Law's Tongue, has quite an interesting history. According to a popular myth, it was so named because it is impossible to please everyone, just like a difficult mother-in-law! Its sharp and rigid leaves certainly do make it resemble a tongue! Whether this is true or not, it is a fun story to tell when admiring and tending to the resilient plant. Source

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.