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Conservatory GreenhouseHouseplants

Sansevieria trifasciata 'Twisted Sister'

mother-in-law's tongue 'Twisted Sister'

A slow-growing, evergreen, long-lived indoor plant, with tall, stiff variegated dark green and gold lance-shaped foliage which curve and twist lengthwise as they emerge in clusters of rosettes from the base. Rarely, white, fragrant flowers may appear in summer

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

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

Botanical details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: 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: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow as a houseplant or under glass in a frost-free environment. Provide bright light, although plant will adapt to lower-light conditions. Repot only when plant fills container. Avoid overwatering, allowing compost to dry out between waterings. Tolerant of neglect. See Sansevieria and houseplant cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by suckers or division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Patio and container plants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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