Sansevieria trifasciata 'Twisted Sister'

RHS Plant Profile
mother-in-law's tongue 'Twisted Sister'

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mother-in-law's tongue 'Twisted Sister' RHS
mother-in-law's tongue 'Twisted Sister' RHS
Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

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

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

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

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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