Sansevieria Hallii – Snake Plant Care
Also Known As
At A Glance
Features
Origin
S. Hallii is confined to the northeastern parts of the Limpopo Province in South Africa, as well as the southeastern, low lying parts of Zimbabwe. It also grows in a few regions in Mozambique.
Size
S. Hallii is a cluster forming plant. It can grow up to 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) tall and a foot (30 cm) wide. Mature leaves are almost 2 inches (5 cm) wide. The flower stalks are shorter in size as compared to most Sansevieria. They grow up to 18 cm in height.
Foliage
The plant has thick, semi-cylindrical leaves with slight upward bend. There are 1-3 leaves per shoot and all have numerous longitudinal lines. Leaves are dark green to bluish grey with irregular pale transverse bands. The bands may or may not be noticeable. The rounded tips and leaf margins are hardened, white and reddish brown.
Flower
Unlike most snake plants that create tall flower spikes, S. Hallii produces flowers almost straight out of the ground. Flowering stem is short and mostly underground. The blossom contains densely packed small, delicate tubular flowers. The flowers are long violet-pink tubed with white petals. They open at night and have a sweet fragrance.
Toxicity
All parts of the Sansevieria are considered mildly toxic if ingested. It can affect both humans and animals. Consuming in large amounts can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea etc.
Growth Season
This evergreen plant grows best during spring-summer season. Bright light and warmer temperature promotes the growth as well as blooming. Flowering period is usually late spring. It normally blooms once a year.
Pests
S. Hallii is a low maintenance plant that is less likely to get infected by pests and diseases. If it does get attacked by some pests, it's most probably spider mites, mealybugs or thrips. Other than pests, overwatering can cause problems like root rot, yellow leaves and fungal infestations. To avoid this, follow a good watering regimen.
Propagation
Propagating Sansevieria plants is easy. Dividing the plants from their roots is the quickest and reliable way. For this, you'll need a mature plant with well-established roots. Dig it out from the ground and see where the root structure can be separated. Then cut the rhizomes to make two or more plants and repot them in different containers. S. Hallii can also be propagated by rooting the healthy leaf cuttings.
Growing Conditions
Water
This drought-tolerant plant doesn't need frequent watering. You can water the plant just once every other week in the growing season, and once a month during winters. Make sure that the top 1-1.5 inches of soil is completely dry before each watering. Water the plants thoroughly and let it drain away freely. After all the water is gathered in a draining tray, discard the water.
Light
Ideal light conditions for growing your S. Hallii are bright filtered sunlight or partially shaded areas. However, the plant can also grow in low light as well as full sun. Few hours of direct sun, especially in the morning and evening is great. But, avoid placing your plants in areas where they'll receive harsh afternoon sun.
Soil
Sandy, gritty and well-draining soil is best suited for any snake plant. One of the good mixes is equal proportions of loam and pumice. Instead of pumice, you can also use perlite or coco coir. Organic ingredients like compost can be added, but very sparingly. Replace your soil every 2-3 years as the potting mix can become compact and dense.
Environment
S. Hallii is excellent for tolerating heat, but it's not very winter hardy. It is well suited for indoors and outdoors in tropical regions. Ideal temperature is anywhere between 65-80°F (18-27°C). Protect the plant from strong air vents and temperature below 50°F. Freezing temperature combined with wet soil can kill the plant.
