Maintenance: Low | Climate: Warm + Dry | Light: Adaptable, Low-Bright | Watering: Infrequent | Pet Safe: No
The Sansevieria Fernwood is incredibly adaptable plant, native to the tropical region of west Africa. It's incredibly easy to care for and one of many houseplants that improve air quality, even producing oxygen overnight. Recognized by its narrow, tapered leaves that grow in upright clusters, each leaf has stripes of cream-silver. These grow up to 6 feet tall indoors.
LIGHT
This plant is highly adaptable, tolerating low light conditions as well as bright light. Keep in mind that low light rooms should still receive some amount of daily light, otherwise the plant will not do well. Mature Sansevierias can even tolerate some direct sunlight.
WATER
Water your Fernwood only after the soil has fully dried. This plant stores water in its leaves to survive periods of drought, so it's safer to underwater than overwater.
ENVIRONMENT
Snake Plants originate from tropical areas of West Africa, however, they thrive in average dry indoor conditions. Maintain temperatures between 60º-85º to keep your plant healthy. These are great outdoor plants under the right climate.
PRUNING AND PROPAGATION
Pruning old, brown, or yellow leaves is essential for the Sansevieria's health. Always prune with clean pruning shears or scissors. You can also propagate Fernwood leaves to start growing a new plant right from home.
Pruning Sansevieria Fernwood:
- Use clean, sharp shears or scissors.
- Prune away damaged bits or cut a leaf entirely at a 45º angle.
- Healthy sections can be propagated in water (below).
Propagating Sansevieria Fernwood:
Fernwood leaves can be divided at the roots in clusters and potted in new soil. They can also be propagated by leaf cuttings in a clean glass of water. To propagate via water, cut a healthy leaf at a 45º angle and maintain clean water in the jar until roots have grown 2+ inches. Plant in a loose succulent soil to grow into a new plant!
COMMON PROBLEMS
Sansevieria Fernwoods are one of the easiest plants to welcome to your home. Here are some possible issues you might run into:
YELLOW LEAVES
Snake plants most commonly develop yellow leaves when the soil has been wet too long, due to overwatering or poor drainage. They prefer soil to dry out fully in between each watering and loose, well-draining soil. Yellow leaves can also occur due to a nutrient imbalance or with natural aging.
BROWN LEAVES
The Fernwood may develop brown leaves when exposed to direct sunlight or under very dry conditions. On the other hand, brown leaves that are soft and mushy are a sign of overwatering or soil that has been wet for too long.
SHRIVELED LEAVES
Leaves begin to shrivel on a Snake Plant when the plant is thirsty. Water gets stored in the leaves, so wrinkles are a sign that storage is depleted. Mushy leaves on the other hand, are a sign of root rot, especially if the soil is wet.
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