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Sansevieria trifasciata

mother-in-law's tongue

© RHS
Sold by 1 nurseries

  • Other common names mother-in-law's tongue
    mother-in-law's nose

    snake plant

    see more

  • Family Asparagaceae

  • 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

  • Details S. trifasciata is a succulent perennial forming a clump of erect, sword-shaped deep green leaves with pale green transverse bands, with racemes of small, tubular pale green flowers in summer or autumn

  • Plant range Nigeria

Characteristics

  • Foliage Evergreen

  • Habit Clump-forming

  • Fragrance Flower

  • Hardiness

    Hardiness ratings

    All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

    • H1a - Under glass all year (>15C)
    • H1b - Can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
    • H1c - Can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
    • H2 - Tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
    • H3 - Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
    • H4 - Hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
    • H5 - Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
    • H6 - Hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
    • H7 - Hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

    H1B

Colour

Sunlight

  • Full Sun

  • Partial Shade

  • Aspect South-facing or North-facing or West-facing or East-facing

  • Exposure Sheltered

Soil

  • Sand

    Sand

  • MoistureWell-drained

  • SoilSand

  • pHAlkaline, Neutral

Size

  • Ultimate height 1-1.5 metres

  • Ultimate spread 0.1-0.5 metres

  • Time to ultimate height 5-10 years

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

Propagation Propagate by leaf cuttings, suckers or division

Suggested planting locations and garden types Low Maintenance Patio & Container Plants

How to care

Pruning No pruning required

Pests May be attacked by vine weevil

Diseases Generally disease free

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