Sansevieria Species, Mother-in-Law's Tongue, Saint George's Sword, Snake Plant

On Dec 19, 2019, jannok from Bastrop, TX wrote:

I turned 66 tuesday; realized that I've had these plants since i was 18 and given my first when I was in court reporting school in Denver. Houseplant of my elderly lady with whom i was charged of caring for in exchange for rent. I've had many over the years.

I inherited one from a neighbor who passed away here in south central texas and it was in a HUGE pot, too heavy for me to move. I didn't notice the forecast was totally off on prediction, and it dropped to 22 (with total of 9-11 hours of freezing temp).

I've no idea if I've lost it. It's out next to another HUGE Euphorbia (stick plant). A few days prior we had a short freeze I actually WAS expecting, and I'd gone out and watered heavily all plants that had been totally dry dry dry for several wee... read moreks, including both of these desert loving plants.

I'll keep you all posted. I'm nervous but reading different comments makes me optimistic that I may be able to salvage some, if not all of the plants. God knows I have enough plants but I hate losing these monstrous plants with such meaningful historic beginnings.... ;(

On Feb 28, 2017, fixerupper from Pompano Beach, FL wrote:

I've always loved this plant. I decided to plant some in an area where my sprinkler pump sits. It is in sandy soil with dappled shade in the morning. I have given it no care in the past 20 years. It can't spread because it is surrounded by concrete. Even so, it is so slow growing it hasn't even filled in that small area. Recently, I buried some of the roots to get some newer growth to stand up straight. My outside cats show zero interest in this plant.

On Jul 24, 2014, Clary from Lewisburg, PA (Zone 6b) wrote:

Extremely invasive in the tropics. Most of the Carribean is overrun with this, as is much of Australia. Grows in dense thickets and chokes out native species of plants, also displaces native animals & insects through habitat loss.

The distinction listed below, that this variety is not invasive but Sansevieria hyacinthoides is invasive, is not accurate. All species of Sansevieria are invasive in the tropics. A study was done in Hawaii on the specific problem of invasive Sansevieria trifasciata on the Islands and this cultivar is included in the Global Invasive Species database.

Dangerous for cats indoors and invasive outdoors, it gets a negative rating from me.

On Jul 8, 2012, Harmicky from (Zone 9b) wrote:

I'd like to point out an error in several members' comments on this species.

There is a substantial difference between Sansevieria trifasciata and Sansevieria hyacinthoides. The latter is indeed an invasive pest species, and is listed on the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC). Sansevieria trifasciata, however, is NOT an invasive species, and is not listed on the FLEPPC.

Sansevieria trifasciata, for which this page is dedicated, IS SAFE to plant outdoors without fear of invasion.

On May 5, 2012, aclagett wrote:

I believe my cat chewed on the tip of a leaf of this plant this morning -- she threw up twice, crouched down and started panting and sighing. Tried to walk and her back legs were all wobbly. She didn't want her breakfast. Hasn't moved all morning. I'm pretty sure it's the sansevieria -- she was healthy and normal only a few minutes before all this happened. I'm going to keep the plant outdoors from now on, so she can't repeat this experience.

On Aug 7, 2011, kennedys from Jupiter, FL wrote:

This plant is extremely invasive in Jupiter, FL. I planted a small plant and it has taken over the backyard and now going into the neighbor's yard, causing lots of issues. The roots are long, horizontal carrot like shoots that start a new plant wherever they get broken. I put straight liquid brush killer on it and it did nothing. I am laborously digging out each root (which has run under other plant roots) and putting in a garbage bag to dispose. Please don't plant in south Florida! Those of you who want it as a house plant can come get all you want just for digging it up!

On Oct 25, 2010, katekatekate from Sarasota, FL wrote:

This plant is HIGHLY INVASIVE in Florida.

I moved into a property where mother-in-law's tongue was either planted or volunteered. I pulled it all out three months ago and it is now back and looks as though it has spread even further. I would urge anyone in a subtropical climate - other then Nigeria where this plant is native - to NOT plant it, at least not outdoors where it can take over everything and spread into your neighbors' yards.

On May 27, 2010, Newtonlady from Newton, NH wrote:

My mother received the snake plant as a gift as a small plant in 1958. I was given the plant when she passed in 1991.

It's been repotted 3 times since each time sharing it with friends and family. The plant is about 4 feet tall and flowers every year. It doesn't mind that I'm neglectfull about watering.

We've always had cats and occaisionally a dog none showed interest in the plant.

It has a place of prominence on the floor in our kitchen dinning area (southeast exposure). Visitors comment about it's "intersting leaves, size and age (52)". I love this plant and will continue to share it with friends and family everytime it needs repotting.

On Jan 8, 2010, bobomatic from Gainesville, FL wrote:

This is probably the easiest indoor plant there is. Almost (but not quite) impossible to kill the thing. It literally thrives on neglect. It will live happily in an office with no windows. I did kill one by not watering it for about six months, but a month or more without water it could survive. They are more easily killed by over-watering than by under-watering.

Mine did bloom once, and a friend told me they only bloom when they are root bound (which mine was). She said their native habitat is small coastal islands, and they spread until they have filled the island, then they bloom so they can produce seeds to spread to another island. I don't know how accurate that claim is, but I've seen them in the wild on a coastal island in Florida, and they do grow in very dense patc... read morehes. In any case, if you are trying to get one to bloom, you might try letting it get root bound and then experimenting with different watering cycles.

On Dec 18, 2009, mandycraze from Frostburg, MD wrote:

I love this plant! It is easy to maintain, and I have a brown thumb, so if I couldnt kill it, no one can! The only problem, and it;s a big one, is that it IS indeed poisonous to cats and dogs. That is according to the ASPCA. My cat has really shown an interest in this plant, and will not be taking any chances on it. To the people who have had this plant and cats at the same time, I think is great that they did not get sick! Me however, I am not taking any chances!

On Jan 2, 2009, steadycam3 from Houston Heights, TX (Zone 9a) wrote:

I have had this plant off and on for 40 years and most of that time I had cats. Ive never noticed my cats being interested in the plant at all. Mine has bloomed once or twice and both times the fragrance reminded me of carnations.

On Dec 6, 2008, kniphofia from (Zone 8a) wrote:

My absolute favourite house plant. Yes they can survive being neglected, but with some TLC they are a magnificent plant!

On Sep 22, 2008, plantladylin from (Zone 1) wrote:

Although not a favorite of mine, I have a few in containers. They make an interesting houseplant. Some folks plant them in the ground here in the south, which is not a good idea, as they are invasive and can take over an area quickly.

On Jul 30, 2008, wormfood from Lecanto, FL (Zone 9a) wrote:

I had abandoned my green/birdhouse due to an allergy to the hay I used as an amendment to the soil. I cleared out most of the plants but left the snake plants 'cause I didn't think they were worth the trouble. That spring, after no water the whole fall and winter, they were in there just blooming up a storm. Never seen it before. And of course all the neighbors would not believe it until they saw them, too. Now they are kept in their pots sideways under the work tables all winter long until the night temps level off at 60*

On Mar 28, 2008, peachespickett from Huntington, AR wrote:

Mine flowered indoors here in Arkansas in a sunny western window...tough plant, but the flower fragrance, as someone else here posted, literally made me almost sick. I thought it smelled strange, not pleasant but not repelling, and after a few minutes I got a terrible headache. Now when it blooms I admire it from afar.

On Jan 3, 2008, JerusalemCherry from Dunellen, NJ (Zone 6b) wrote:

Easy to care for plant: Did you know where this plant got its name from?? These plants belong to the Agave-family (Agavaceae), although several botanists place Sansevieria together with Draceana and Cordyline in the Lily-family (Liliaceae), while putting Agave-species in the Amaryllidaceae. The Swedish naturalist C.P. Thumberg got the plant from its discoverer, Vincenzo Petanga from Napels, who wanted to name the genus after P.A. Sanseverino, duke of Chiaromonte and collectioner of rare plants in the south of Italy. However, because of linguistic problems, Thumberg erroneously named it Sansevieria, after Raimondo di Sangro, prince of Sanseviero, who was a military man and an inventor, and had nothing to do with plants. Hence, instead of Sanseverinia, the genus got its current name.
... read more
The Sansevieria (aka Snake Plant, Mother-in-Laws-Tongue) is named for the chevrons/cross-banded patterns on its sword like leaves. Even without the serpent connection, many people find this houseplant kinda blah. The embodiments of the 1970s houseplant phase (along with those Spider Plants in macramé hanging baskets) this plant refused to die. It was the zombie like survivor in a dim lighted, overheated home where all the other plants had the decency to kick the bucket.

A friend once told me the Sansevieria reminded them of their parent’s nursing home. They said it was a dusty plant sitting in a window for years. This plant also reminds people of a used car lots 1970’s/early 80’s office (the bad 70’s paneling and all that). For many years I myself hated the look of this plant (I’m born in 1974). It was #1 on my least favorite plants list. Just plain old boring...

Now lets look at the Sansevieria from a new point if view. I had purchased a Snake Plant in 2007 at Home Depot for my office since I knew they grow well in office settings with the fluorescent lights. I put the plant in a nice looking bonsai pot with some stones on the surface of the potting soil. All my co-workers started asked me about the Snake Plant. I noticed all the people asking were just younger (born 1980ish and after). They have no experience/prejudice with this plant at all. To them, it was different and cool looking. I guess the saying, “What’s Old Is New” must be true. Co-workers were so impressed, they stopped over at LOWES/Home Depot to pick one up one for there desks too. Who knew that the Sansevieria now is available in many different varieties (moonshine, black gold, hahnii types that look like Hosta etc). So many colors that appeal to different people, I can now see how this plant is popular again.

What’s great is Snake Plants are easy to care for as long as you don’t over water. I understand most snake plants are native to Africa. They thrive well indoors and much info is available about them on the internet and this website is great too.

I have read varieties developed in the 1930’s and 40’s are by a grower named Sylvan Hahn are called birdnest types or called “Hanhii” for their smaller clusters of wide leaves. Golden Hahnii is a heavily variegated yellow and green form. I find a variety named Silver Hahnii to be supremely elegant looking. The leaves are a silver-green suffused with faint green bands. The leaf margins are a fine, dark green or marginated. Another interesting snake plant is called Bantel's Sensation after its discoverer, Gustav Bantel. An upright form, it has slender leaves that are heavily streaked in green and white. It looks more like a variegated pond iris than a snake plant (different). Also, one called Sansevieria Manolin is very different looking too.

With all these varieties, it is perhaps no surprise that some floral designers are beginning to take a fresh look at this old workhorse. NY designers advised they were struck by the number of new varieties available. Ironically, this plant can have a futuristic look. For high-tech electronic displays in Manhattan etc snake plants put in square stainless-steel containers looks ultra mod.

A few places on the web will sell this plant, like ebay, glasshouseworks, bobsmoleys etc. Dave’s Garden has good write-ups on these garden centers, so you can check it out b-4 you purchase anything.

On Sep 16, 2007, Geneseeglass from Royal Oak, MI wrote:

I have had this plant for13 years, and my hubby's mother for 25 or so before that. Apparently, it came in a basket to welcome his little brother into the world. I have a little tale about this poor thing.
It was a GORGEOUS specimen - his mother took great care of it, but when she passed, it was given to my husband to take care of (a 20 something prof. musician/partier). One day, I was looking for something in his room and moved this pile of clothes to reveal a pot with 1 stem, brown and whithered, laying in this pot. I yelled, "How can you kill this plant?? NOTHING can kill this plant!"
Needless to say, I rescued it, have divided it many times with great success, passed it's babies all over, and it graced me with beautiful white flowers this summer for the first time. I... read moret only gets outside in the summer because I live in Michigan, but I was so thrilled with the flowers. They smelled so good and were so dainty for such a tough looking plant.
Anyway, thanks for listening to my little story.... just my experience with the plant...

On Jul 19, 2007, Opoetree from Oak View, CA wrote:

We have had this plant for 30 years. I think I dug it up out of the yard of our first house. It has been remarkably tolerant -- drought conditions, heat, cold, freezing weather -- but, I have only seen it bloom one time...and it was wonderfully fragrant! Until I read those other comments, I thought maybe I had just imagined that one time of bloom. I will have to try to coax it to bloom again!

On Mar 15, 2007, MollyMc from Archer/Bronson, FL (Zone 8b) wrote:

Personally, I don't care for this plant due to it's invasiveness in zone 10 and they will poke you in the eye.

I am a little confused as to why someone said hardiness was not applicable. I had a pot of these in my unheated greenhouse when the temps in there went down to 25F. Only lost a minor amount of tongues. They are being planted in the ground today around a bird bath to help provide moisture for some cannas I am putting in.

They will be low care for the birdbath owner and our cold winters will help control it.

On Jan 19, 2007, Japan_Grandma from Yukon, OK wrote:

I have had my Mother-in-Law's tongue for at least 20 years, maybe as long as 30. My husband's landlord gave it to him because he had about killed it. I keep it outdoors, in a pot, from mid-March to the first freeze; and indoors in my "plant room" during the winter. (Quite a lot of Southern sunlight, and not much heat at night.) It broke a plastic pot maybe 7 or 8 years ago and I repotted it in a larger ceramic pot. Now this year, to my amazement, it has bloomed. It had the buds on it for a month or so, and last night I realized it has a lovely smell of hyacinths. I was so intrigued I found Dave's Garden just researching it. Also I have had cats as long as I've had it, and no bad experiences for it or the cats, although it IS on the top level of a wrought iron plant shelf.

On Mar 22, 2006, isom from Mission BC,
Canada (Zone 8b) wrote:

It grows well with a minimum of attention & actually seems to prefer being neglected. I must admit that while the blooms are supposed to be fragrant, I suppose each one has their own idea of what smells nice & what doesn't. When it first flowered, I was happy as I read that it had a heady fragrance. More like a funeral parlour! It was so unpleasantly strong & the odour made me feel ill. Sadly, I couldn't bear the smell so cut all the flowers off. I won't let mine flower now.

On Dec 25, 2005, vossner from East Texas,
United States (Zone 8a) wrote:

Was not aware this plant was toxic to cats. Interesting--my cat seems the one to be doing the damage. This is the only plant he bothers and leaves in shreds. Have not had problems with kitty getting sick. A vigorous plant, which I keep controlled in a large pot. Extremely low maintenance. Have it outdoors getting afternoon sun, and indoors in very low light. Does well in both locations.

On Apr 2, 2005, eviestevie from Austin, TX (Zone 8a) wrote:

i've had my plant for about 3 years in a container. it was given to me as a gift before i became a consiensous gardener and was totally neglected, yet continued to thrive. i rarely watered it and it was in a shady area inside of the house. it didn't grow much during that time, but it didn't die either. now it is in a sunny west window and is watered once a month. several new leaves have sprouted and it seems to be growing well. it has never bloomed, but this plant is definitely a survivor.

On Feb 4, 2005, nature_girl from Singapore,
wrote:

i have not tried growing this plant before, but here in singapore it is quite common. i have never seen a pot that was destroyed by sansevieria. in fact, many of the sansevieria plants i have seen grow in pots.sansevieria rarely flowers in singapore. i have only seen a flowering sansevieria plant once in my lifetime.

On Jul 22, 2004, NativePlantFan9 from Boca Raton, FL (Zone 10a) wrote:

Snake Plant, Bowstring Hemp, or Mother-In-Laws Tongue is a great houseplant native to Africa. DO NOT, I repeat, do not plant this popular plant outdoors in the warm climates it thrives in (particularily my zone in Florida, 10), though! Its extremely weedy outdoors in zones 9 to 11 and southward! They take over a large area over time and may disrupt vegetation (on Florida EPPC Plant List Two). Best to keep it indoors carefully (reportedly poisonous) where it dosn't spread! It can be kept in many parts of the world indoors with proper care and temperature.

On Jul 13, 2004, hanna1 from Castro Valley, CA (Zone 9a) wrote:

It is so easy to take care of this plant, no care at all, except when I lived in Chino Hills, Southern Calif, We had a freeze, the whole huge plant just bent over, and that was the end of that one. My father has had his in the same container now for over 20 years, never repotted it, it's hysterical, over 2ft across, I'll have to take a pic next time We go down.

On Jun 20, 2004, Maudie from Harvest, AL wrote:

These are such attractive plants that require very little care.
They will tolerate low lighting conditions indoors and thrive in part shade outside. Water only sparingly during winter months to prevent rot, otherwise when the soil becomes dry. I have never understood their boooming habits but just enjoy their beauty and fragrance when they do decide to
bloom.

On Jan 24, 2004, maisoui11 from Modesto, CA wrote:

i have had a large one in a pot on my screened-in patio in orlando, florida, for about 2 and a half years. i rarely water it--maybe once a month, if that. it blooms dec-feb, and thrives! it loves to be ignored and it's extremely healthy.

however, i have not had success with these inside the house since i moved to florida. in coastal southern california, i had many in the house, and they thrived. within a year and half in florida, all of my houseplant snakeplants died. perhaps it was the air conditioning, or something else?

On Sep 27, 2003, Monocromatico from Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil (Zone 11) wrote:

Out of curiosity, this plant is used for ritualistic purposes by followers of the Umbanda (an african cult with catholic influences), along with another plant called "Guiné" or "Guinea" (genus Petiveria, family Phytolacaceae).

On Apr 12, 2003, gaelen38 from Zephyrhills, FL wrote:

I have heard the reason this plant is called "Mother In Law's Tongue is because of the properties of the liquid this plant contains. Seems given in a small dose in coffee or other drink, paralyzes the vocal cords of the person drinking the concocction, Hence the name "Mother In Law's tongue". I do not advise using this at ALL in anyone's coffee or other liquid!

On Jan 19, 2003, llilbearblue wrote:

According to information I gatherred, as well as experience, the Snake Plant will tolerate low light but performs best in med. or high light.
I have found the propagation of this plant to be simple. The fact of the plant being poisonous is new to me. I display the snake plant for indoor beauty and have found it to be a very tolerant and an eye pleasing addition to my housegarden.

On Apr 24, 2002, Dinu from Mysore,
India (Zone 10a) wrote:

Plants that grow from leaf cuttings will not have the yellow stripes. Blooms only in Summer.