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Cactus SucculentHouseplants

Sansevieria cylindrica

cylindrical mother-in-law's tongue

An evergreen, rhizomatous perennial capable of growing to 1.2m tall. Three to four tubular, fleshy leaves, 3cm thick, arise from a basal rosette and are a dark green colour cross-banded with a paler green. Occasionally, 6-lobed, pink or greenish-white fragrant flowers are borne on an erect flower spike

Other common names
African spear
cylindrical snake plant
see morespear sansevieria
Synonyms
Sansevieria cylindrica var. patula

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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green Pink White Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1B
Botanical details
Family
Asparagaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus

Sansevieria are stemless, erect, rhizomatous, succulent perennials with evergreen, ovate or strap-shaped, leathery leaves often attractively marbled, and short spikes of small fragrant tubular greenish-white flowers

Name status

Correct

Plant range
S. Trop. Africa

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in bright filtered light, avoiding full summer sun. Grow outdoors, in a sheltered, frost-free environment, in full sun. Pot on only when pot bound. Tolerant of neglect. Protect from winter wet. See Sansevieria and houseplant cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by leaf cuttings or division

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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