Sansevieria Grandis – Snake Plant Care

Sansevieria Grandis is a rare and less known variety of snake plant. You can spot this Sansevieria by its wide leathery leaves furling out from a narrow base. This variety is often confused with Sansevieria Masoniana or Whale’s fin snake plant. Both these types have very similar leaf structure. However, Grandis is a smaller plant that doesn’t reach the massive size (up to 6 feet) as Masoniana. This plant belongs to the genus Dracaena from the Asparagaceae family.

Also Known As

Sansevieria Grandis Hook. f. , Pendulous Sansevieria, Somalii Good Luck Plant, Somali Hemp.

At A Glance

Features

Origin

S. Grandis is a tropical plant native to eastern parts of Africa. It is predominantly found in Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

Size

Each leaf can grow up to 2 to 3 feet (60-90 cm) tall in ideal growing conditions. A plant normally has 3-5 leaves rising from a narrow base. The leaves are about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) wide in the middle. Flower stalks are around 1.5 to 2 feet tall.

Foliage

This Sansevieria variety has tough, thick and elliptic leaves. They have dull bluish green color and irregular light green specks on both sides. The leaves are flat, ascending but convoluted at the base. It's common for the leaves to have slightly wavy, hardened and fibrous edges.

Flower

The fluorescence has numerous small tubular flowers that grow on a tall spike in irregularly placed clusters. Color of the flowers is white to grey-white. It produces brownish orange round berries after the blossom.

Toxicity

S. Grandis is toxic when eaten in large quantities. Chewing on the leaves can cause mouth and throat irritation. Symptoms of consumption are vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, drooling etc. Keep away from children and pets.

Growth Season

Warmer climates promote the growth of this plant. It is in an active growth phase during spring and summer. In winters, the plant becomes dormant. Flowering can happen mostly in late winter to spring season.

Pests

This plant is very less likely to be infested by pests. If it does, it's usually spider mites or mealybugs. These insects are easy to get rid of if detected early. Other diseases are not common either. Follow a proper watering schedule to prevent any fungal diseases and root rot.

Propagation

Plant division is the fastest method for creating new plants. Leaf cutting also works but takes time for root development. To propagate your plant by division, remove it from the ground. Using sterilized tools cut the root ball into smaller plant sections. Make sure each section has a substantial amount of roots. Then plant them separately.

Growing Conditions

Water

This plant is drought-tolerant and doesn't require frequent watering. Watering once a week, to 10 days is normally enough. In winter, reduce the watering to once a month. Overwatering can be an issue with Sansevieria, causing rot. Allow the top 1-1.5 inches soil to completely dry out in between waterings.

Light

Sansevieria can tolerate a full sun as well as low light conditions. A brightly lit spot without direct sunshine is ideal for the growth and blooming. Outdoor plants prefer shade or semi-shade in tropical regions. A small amount of morning or evening sun is not a problem.

Soil

A fast draining, high quality potting soil is best for the plant. You can use a 50:50 mix of natural potting soil and perlite. Pumice, coir are some other substitutes for perlite. A high quality cactus and succulent mix would work very well on it’s own as well.

Environment

S. Grandis has excellent heat tolerance but it's not winter hardy. Ideal growing temperature can be anywhere between 60-85°F (15-29°C). It can survive lower temperatures if the roots are dry. However, it's best to avoid extreme cold and frost. Cold damage can permanently scar and damage the leaves.

Learn More About Care And Propagation Of Sansevierias