How Much Light Does Variegated Sansevieria Need?

How Much Light Does Variegated Sansevieria Need?

Is Variegated Sansevieria an indoor plant?

Sansevieria Laurentii is a hardy and visually appealing houseplant with variegated leaves. This plant is named from its snake-like look. Its leaves have alternating dark and light green stripes with a golden yellow outline.

It favors indirect light that is moderate to bright, but can endure lower light levels as well as direct sunlight. Variegated Sansevieria should be watered only when the soil is absolutely dry. Fill the saucer halfway with water and drain it through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot.

Variegated Sansevieria should be watered only when the soil is absolutely dry. It is a fast grower and will spread out, making it ideal for a hanging basket. If you have pet or small children, this plant is not recommended because the leaves are very sharp and can give them a nasty cut. This plant will make an excellent houseplant as long as you keep it in mind that it needs very little care.

How much light does Variegated Sansevieria need?

It grows best in bright but indirect light; direct sunlight will scorch the leaves. Variegated Sansevieria makes a great indoor plant, but don’t put it by a window that doesn’t get much sun, because it needs at least five to six hours of direct sunlight every day.

It will grow in low light areas, but not as fast or as tall. Sunlight will give the leaves a brighter, more intense green color. If you live in a warm, sunny area, it is best to keep the plant away from windows or light fixtures because its leaves are very sharp and can give your pet or child an unpleasant cut.

What kind of soil does Variegated Sansevieria need?

Variegated Sansevieria likes a fast-draining soil rich in organic matter, as it will continue to grow if the roots are not watered. You can use all normal potting soil and even mix in some peat moss, or you can use a slightly coarse mix of pumice and perlite, or even just plain white sand.

If your soil is damp when you add the plant, it may rot your plant’s roots. Variegated Sansevieria needs to be repotted every two years, or if the roots have filled the pot.

How do you propagate Variegated Sansevieria?

Variegated Sansevieria is a plant that can easily be propagated from cuttings and division. Simply cut off a branch about 4” to 6” long and let it dry for about a week before planting into moist, but not wet soil in either full sunlight or partial shade. The following are steps when;

Propagation by leaf cutting

• Take a leaf of Sansevieria Laurentii about 4” to 6” long, and make a shallow cut near the tip on both sides of the leaf with a pair of scissors.
• Make the cut from above so that the cutting will fold at the mid-point when you look at it from below.
• Take some moist soil, and place it in an open container, like a glass bowl or small pan.
• Dip the leaf in the soil, and press it firmly against the soil so that enough of the stem is buried.
• Press firmly for about a minute. The leaf will start to turn dark green and appear healthy. If it doesn’t transplant well, let it sit for a few more days in a glass container filled with water, then plant outside or try to root in water again.
• It should root in a few days if you are able to make it root in water by itself. If not, you can put it in moist soil and keep it in the shade to help root.

Propagation by division

• Cut off a portion of the stem just below a node.
• Transplant into moist soil in full sunlight or partial shade.
• It will form roots quickly and grow rapidly. Just let it grow for about a month to get an idea of what kind of size it will reach, then divide it into smaller sections (for example, 4” to 6” sections).
• Keep them in a container filled with damp soil, and leave it in the shade for a few days then transplant outside.
• When you have grown several pieces, take a leaf, and cut it off on both sides of the stem.
• Plant the pieces into moist soil (not wet).
• The new plant should root quickly and grow rapidly if you fill the container with some loose moist soil, keep it in the shade as long as possible then transplant to a large pot.

Is Variegated Sansevieria a perennial?

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.

Variegated Sansevieria is easy to grow because it is tolerant to dry soil and does not need too much watering. Its leaves are also resistant to pests and fungal diseases. It is widely used as a decorative plant in yards and indoor gardens.

Variegated Sansevieria thrives in the outdoors in warm climates and can be grown as a houseplant in cooler climates. Variegated Sansevieria is propagated from offsets or by rhizome division. Watering and feeding should be limited to the dry season and in winter and you can keep Variegated Sansevieria in a partly shaded area.

Does Variegated Sansevieria flower?

Expect to see no blooms from Variegated Sansevieria, but if you are fortunate enough to see one, it will have multiple delicate, fragrant, white flowers gathered towards the top of a long stem. When fully bloomed, these flowers resemble lily bouquets and have a great fragrance.

Leaves that are wilting or dead should be removed immediately. Blooming Variegated Sansevieria can be a challenge for some people, and the reason for this is the high humidity that it thrives in.

If you want to see the flowers, you’ll need to make sure that your indoor environment is very dry. If you have a fan blowing the air around and you are able to keep the humidity at 50% or lower, you should have no trouble with Variegated Sansevieria blooming.

Is Variegated Sansevieria toxic to cats and dogs?

Variegated Sansevieria is toxic to cats and dogs, which is the reason it is not often recommended for small pets. Because of its sharp leaves, the cat or dog can easily cut themselves on them and have a serious injury that could lead to death.

One of the most common human injuries from Variegated Sansevieria is when a child accidently runs into it and cuts themselves on the sharp leaves. The leaves are not poisonous, just very sharp and somewhat dangerous.

How do I identify Variegated Sansevieria?

The vibrant golden yellow and lime green variegated foliage gives this Sansevieria plant its remarkable appearance. Additionally, you’ll observe silvery-green patterns in the leaf centers. The plants are best identified at their first leaves appearance. The following are the features to identify Variegated Sansevieria;

Habit

Variegated Sansevieria is an evergreen perennial. It grows up to a height of 9-12 inches. It is widely available in the market and propagated from cuttings or rhizomes.

Leaves

The leaves are really a striking feature it has. The ones on this plant are bright green with silvery yellow stripes, look like flame and highly graceful. They are normally 6-12 inches long and 3 inches in breadth.

Stem

Sansevieria Laurentii, the species of this plant, has beautiful variegated leaves, but it is its stems that stole the hearts of all. It has sleek brown stems with a very unique pattern. The upper parts of the plants have olive green with shiny dark lines over it while the lower parts have light green bands.

Root

Variegated Sansevieria plants grow from a thick, fleshy rhizome. It can grow up to one foot in length. This plant has a taproot that is similar to the size of a carrot and also it has a flowering stem.

Flower

The flowering for this plant is rare. When it blooms, it is really out of the ordinary as its flowers are very beautiful and fragrant. It has white lily-like flowers on a tall stem that has golden-yellow bracts near its head. The flowers remain closed while they are developing and open fully when they reach maturity.

How big do Variegated Sansevieria get?

The height of Variegated Sansevieria is 3-4 inches. After it attains a certain size, it sends out runners or rhizomes that grow in the ground and eventually produce new plants. Its variegated leaves include horizontal stripes ranging from dark green to lighter greenish-gray with pale yellow borders.

The stiff leaves reach a height of 3-4 feet, standing erect like a soldier with their points facing high. The thickness of its leaves is almost the same as its height. Its glossy leaves have a unique look and feel.

The Variegated Sansevieria has a very large, thick rhizome that grows at the base of the plant and has several branches. They are so good in growth that they are frequently used to root other Sansevieria plants.

This plant is commonly grown indoors as an ornamental houseplant, but it can also be grown outdoors in a pot or container. Its white and dark green leaves are really unique, but the beautiful variegated color of the whole plant and its attractive character are enough to make it a great addition in your garden.