Sansevieria Suffruticosa Care Guide – Snake Plant Care

Sansevieria Suffruticosa is an attractive houseplant specimen. This tough plant can thrive almost anywhere. It is known for its unique leaves arrangement. They are slightly arching thick leaves that are channeled at the base, but cylindrical towards the apex. Sansevieria Suffruticosa was first described by an English botanical taxonomist N.E. Brown in 1915. This plant is often found in dry and rocky habitats. The Suffruticosa plant has underground rhizomes as well as branches. It spreads by aerial stolons that grow out and land on the ground to form new plants. These aerial branches spread horizontally almost a foot long. This plant belongs to the genus Dracaena from the Asparagaceae family.

Also Known As

Dracaena Suffruticosa, Sansevieria Suffruticosa Frosty Spears.

At A Glance

Features

Origin

The species is native to eastern Africa. It specifically grows from Ethiopia to Malawi.

Size

Dimensions of a mature plant are 3 feet high and around 1-1.5 feet wide. It has almost a foot long stem. Each leaf can grow 2-2.5 feet long. Flower stalks are maximum 1-1.5 feet tall.

Foliage

Leaves grow on a short stem and their arrangement is irregular. They might form a rosette or grow in two spiraling rows. They are green colored with pale uneven bands. Each leaf has an elliptical cross-section and a concave-shaped wide channel at the base. Tips are pointy and white. Leaf texture is rough due to longitudinal grooves but smooth at the base.

Flower

Flowers are produced on a vertical green flower stalk rising from the rosette. They appear in clusters of 2-5 and are greenish white, bottle-shaped. Although the plant won't die after flowering, it may stop producing leaves. Stolons will continue to grow even after the blooming.

Toxicity

There's a high possibility that this variety is mildly toxic when eaten. The ingestion can cause gastrointestinal problems in humans and pets.

Growth Season

Most sansevierias grows during warmer climates like the spring to summer season. Flowering usually happens in the spring. And in the winter, the plant is in dormant state.

Pests

This species is very less likely to be infested by pests. Keep the leaves clean and don't let water sit in between the grooves. This will prevent many problems. Flowers can attract some insects or pollinating birds.

Propagation

Propagation is possible by diving root-bulb, rhizomes, and leaf cuttings. Divide the plant such that each part has some roots and leaves. Insert the 3-4 inches long leaf cuttings in moist sand to create new plants. This plant produces stolons that land on the soil and make baby plants.

Growing Conditions

Water

This plant is drought-tolerant and has low water needs. Allow the soil to dry completely before each watering. The watering schedule can be once every 1-2 weeks in the growth season. During winters, water once a month or less frequently than that.

Light

It can survive anything from the full sun to deep shade conditions. Bright indirect sunlight is considered ideal for the growth. Outdoor plants prefer shade or semi-shade in tropical regions. In a non-tropical climate, it can tolerate a full sun.

Soil

It prefers moist, well-draining soil. Recommended mix is a combination of soil and additives like perlite, pumice, peat, coir etc. Make sure that the soil drains water freely.

Environment

A preferred active growing temperature for this plant ranges from 60-75°F (16-24°C). Although it can tolerate 32°F cold if kept dry, it's best to avoid frost. Wet soil combined with freezing temperature is fatal for the plant.