How do you take care of variegated Sansevieria?

What is variegated Sansevieria?

Variegated Sansevieria (Variegated Snake Plant) is an erect evergreen perennial with strap-shaped, meaty, sharply pointed, deep green leaves with horizontal stripes of light gray-green and wide creamy-yellow borders. From a thick rhizome, the leaves grow firmly in a rosette.

The tip of each leaf is a little curled over. Variegated Sansevieria grows as tall as three feet, but can be kept shorter with pruning. The variegation on the leaves give the plant its name; it means “variegated” meaning striped, in reference to the stripes of gray and yellow and green.

Variegated Sansevieria is not difficult to care for and is fairly undemanding. They will do well indoors with bright indirect light, filtered sun or shade outdoors in summer.

How are snake plants variegated?

Variation can arise naturally or as a consequence of selective breeding and replication of a desired pattern. For instance, in one popular variegated plant, Sansevieria Trifasciata, some cultivated versions have yellow margins while others do not.

This is due to different selective pressures acting on the plant. One plant of this species has yellow margins, whereas another plant has green ones. The variegated plants may have been propagated from the same stock, but they were selected and propagated to bring out the yellow edges.

Variegated Sansevieria is available in numerous colors and patterns, often with a white-edged leaf. This white edge is caused by a leaf venation pattern which causes the veins to run straight and then curve towards the edges, resulting in white edges.

The most popular patterns are: Leaf with a white margin, Leaf with gold margins, Leaf with silver margins and Leaf with black margins. There are several varieties of Sansevieria Trifasciata that have more irregular leaves than the standard pattern. In some plants, the stripes are not always in the same place on each leaf.

How do you take care of variegated Sansevieria?

These plants are easy to care for, just like any other houseplant. They are sturdy, pest and disease resistant, and very durable. For indoor use, they grow well in bright indirect light or bright dappled shade. In the summer, they can be grown outside in filtered sun or partial shade in cooler areas with protection from the hot afternoon sun. The following are the aspects when caring;

Sunlight

Variegated Sansevieria prefers bright indirect light, but they can tolerate strong sunlight too. Sun exposure usually affects the leaves and not the stem of a Snake Plant. If left out in full sun, the leaves will turn yellow and become limp. New leaves will grow in green to replace any that may have been scorched by too much sun.

The plant likes bright light but does not like being hot, so do not put it in front of a sunny window unless you are sure that no direct sun will hit the plant.

Watering

Water moderately, but if the plant is left in direct sunlight for long periods of time then water more frequently. Watering a Snake Plant too often will cause the leaves tips to brown. The lower leaves may yellow and die if the soil stays too wet for too long. Water well and allow soil to dry before watering again. In winter, water less as the plant grows slower at this time of year, and water more in springtime once new growth begins.

Soil

Variegated Sansevieria prefers a soil that is slightly moist, but still not saturated. If the soil is too wet, the leaves will start drooping and turn yellow, while too dry will cause the stems to shrink and become brittle. Use room temperature water and make sure that it does not run off the pot before being absorbed by the soil.

Fertilizing

Soil can be lightly fertilized with a houseplant fertilizer diluted to ½ strength compared to normal fertilizer dosages for plants in general.

Temperature

The optimal growing temperature for Variegated Sansevieria is between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with a day-time temperature of around 70 F. A bit lower during the night and higher in the morning. It is best to place your Variegated Sansevieria so that it gets at least 4 hours of direct sunlight every day, with no shade.

Humidity

Snake Plants will do well in a wide range of humidity levels, from dry to medium. It is best for the potting medium to be evenly moist but not wet.

Repotting

It is best to repot Variegated Sansevieria every other year or when the plant is overcrowded. Use a pot large enough so that the soil level is below the rim of the pot. Variegated Sansevieria is not heavy feeders. Fertilize your plants with a liquid fertilizer half strength every 2 months from April to October, or use slow release pellets in the soil annually July through September.

Pruning

If your Snake Plant is getting tall or leggy and you want to keep it shorter, it can be pruned by cutting off the long stems back to a lateral branch. Repotting will also encourage more branches. Cutting the stem always slows growth for a while, so this should be done sparingly.

Propagation

Propagation can be done from division and leaf cuttings. Cuttings should be placed in moist rooting medium, like perlite or even just potting soil, and then placed in a shady place until roots appear.

How fast does Variegated Sansevieria grow?

Variegated Sansevieria grows slowly when compared to other tropical plants. On average, Variegated Sansevieria can grow up to three feet in a year. However, snake plants grown indoors tend to grow slower than those cultivated outdoors in warm climates.

Allow the cut end of a healthy leaf to callous over for 24 hours before planting it in the cactus potting mix, cut-end down. Due to the plant’s modest development rate, it may take up to two months before you detect new growth. Variegated Sansevieria can also be propagated by taking a leaf and placing it vertically in moist potting mix, then covering with a plastic bag.

Variegated Sansevieria is very susceptible to root rot in the beginning stages of its growth. Poor watering habits can also lead to root rot, so do not overwater your plants. Variegated Sansevieria that are not getting enough light will turn red in color at the tips and if there is excessive heat at the end of summer, leaves may begin turning yellow or black as well.

How do you propagate variegated Sansevieria by leaf cutting?

When propagating Variegated Sansevieria, make sure to do so in a sterile environment. For example, when taking leaf cuttings a clean razor or sharp knife should be used and a clean environment is required.

In addition, the new leaves must be kept in shaded areas until they are fully developed and strong enough to support themselves. This is because the leaves of Sansevieria plants tend to turn red if exposed to high amounts of light at an early stage of development, which can lead to death of the new plant if not shielded from light.

Leaf cuttings can be taken from variegated Sansevieria in the summer. The cutting should be placed in moist potting mix, then cover with a plastic bag. The leaf can also be sliced off and placed in moist mix, then covered with a plastic bag.

Both methods are best done in late summer to early fall when temperatures are cooler, as the plant is not yet flowering so as not to damage it. To use soil to grow Sansevieria leaf cuttings. Cut a healthy Snake plant leaf at the root and let it 1-2 days for the cut surface to dry and recover. In potting soil, plant the cuttings. Water well and allow draining.

How often should I water Variegated Sansevieria?

Variegated Sansevieria is very susceptible to root rot in the beginning stages of its growth. Poor watering habits can also lead to root rot, so do not overwater your plants. Once the plant has fully grown and the leaves have begun to yellow, then watering once per week should be enough.

Avoid overwatering. Allow the soil to dry out completely between watering. Whether determining when to water, do not depend just on the appearance of the soil’s surface. Rather do that; gently insert your finger or a wooden chopstick a few inches into the earth. Variegated Sansevieria prefers slightly moist soil but still not saturated.

Avoid using flowerpots for this plant. The soil in those pots is usually very porous, so the roots will often dry out and it will become difficult to keep the plant healthy.

Temperature and humidity are very important factors that determine whether the Variegated Sansevieria will flower or not.

How do you know when Variegated Sansevieria needs water?

For variegated Sansevieria, how often to water depends upon a number of factors. In general, you should water your plant when it shows signs of dry soil or when the soil feels very dry but the leaves do not feel too dry.

Be careful not to overwater your snake plants. This will result in shriveled and wrinkled leaves, as well as a possible death of the plant if left unchecked. Instead, lift up a small amount of the soil in several places and check that there is no sign of moisture. The following are the signs to observe when Variegated Sansevieria needs water;

Brown leaves: Brown leaves means that the plant is lacking in both water and nutrients. This can be resolved simply by watering and fertilizing the plant.

Curling leaves: If a Sansevieria’s leaves are curling up, this is most likely a sign of too much water.

Red leaves: Red leaves are a sign that the plant is not receiving enough water. This may be due to overwatering or too little sunlight.

Variegated Sansevieria drooping: Drooping and wilting of your plants can be an indication that it is time to give your snake plant some water. You should also pay attention to the color of the soil.

Leaves are wrinkled and brittle in appearance: This is often a sign that your plant is getting too much water. Keeping an eye of the moisture in the soil will help you prevent this problem.

Variegated Sansevieria leaves are turning yellow: Yellowing indicates that the plant is not getting enough light. The snake plant needs at least five to six hours of direct sunlight every day.

The top layer of soil (2-3 inches) is completely dry: This is another sign of overwatering. Check the soil thoroughly to see if it isn’t damp, and add water to balance out the amounts.

Variegated Sansevieria leaves are turning brown/black: This is a sign that your soil has become too rich and contains too much fertilizer or nitrogen (which can cause excessive leaf growth).

Growth is slow: If the snake plant growth seems to be slow, you may want to water more since it is a drought-resistant plant but the soil should still feel dry when you are done watering. Dry air can also cause brown and black leaves on your Sansevieria. This can be fixed by simply placing your snake plant in a cool and draft-free location that is away from any windows.