The Snake Plant, Sansevieria or Mother-in-law’s Tongue as some people like to call it, is up there with the most tolerant house plants. They can tolerate neglect for weeks at a time and still look great. They have a distinct architectural form with striking upright sword-like foliage.
There are many different varieties with varying leaf patterns but all of them work hard to purify the air. NASA studies have shown that these beauties can remove harmful toxins from the air such as Benzene and Formaldehyde. Arguably they make a case for being one of the best low-maintenance plants for house plant beginners.
In Feng Shui they are believed to have strong protective energy as their spiky leaves are said to shield you from negative Chi.
If they have one downside it is that they can cause nausea and vomiting if eaten, so just keep them away from the pets and inquisitive younger members of the family and let them improve your overall air quality and mood.
- Position. This plant likes a sunny position but will tolerate low light areas as well. It can handle dry air in the home but is also comfortable in the more humid spots.
- Potting. Repot when the roots grow out the bottom of the pot or when circling inside. Use a free draining gritty compost like a cactus medium.
- Care. Let the soil dry our between waterings. Feed once in the spring and once in the summer with a liquid houseplant fertiliser. Keep the leaves free of dust.
- Propagation . You can propagate by cutting off leaves that are longer than 2 inches and inserting the base in free draining gritty compost or just placing in water. You can also grow new plants by dividing the leaves when repotting.
- Pets. Keep your plant away from the mouths or your furry friends as they can cause nausea and vomiting if ingested.
So in summary you have one of the easiest plants to care for, coupled with a standout appearance and air purification on an epic scale. What’s not to love? Actually we love the Sansevieria Trifasciata Laurentii more with its amazing gold and green variegated blades.
