Felder Rushing
Family
Agavaceae
Botanical Name
Sansevieria trifasciata
Plant Common Name
Good Luck Plant, Mother-in-law's Tongue, Snake Plant
General Description
This tender evergreen perennial from Tropical West Africa has been a popular houseplant since Victorian times. Its succulent, upright, dagger-shaped leaves are horizontally banded with attractive mottled designs of pale green, dark green and yellow. The leaves arise from thick fleshy underground rhizomes which spread to form large clumps. Elongated clusters of fragrant greenish white flowers appear under ideal growing conditions, with orange berries following.
This nearly foolproof houseplant thrives in partial shade and moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Intense sunlight can scorch its leaves; dim light will dull them. Water this succulent moderately in summer; withhold water in cooler conditions. Its expanding network of rhizomes can crack ceramic pots, so be sure to divide plants as needed.
Mother-in-law's tongue makes a good garden accent or small-scale groundcover where it is winter hardy, growing as much as 4 feet (120 cm) tall in optimal conditions. Use it with caution in tropical areas such as Hawaii and northeastern Australia, where it may be invasive.
Among the many cultivars of Sansevieria trifasciata are the dwarf 'Hahnii' (bird's nest) and the yellow-margined 'Laurentii'.
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Pollution, Drought, Salt
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Upright/Erect
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Flower Color
White, Green
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Gray Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier
Spotted/Mottled
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Gray Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier
Spotted/Mottled
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Gray Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier
Spotted/Mottled
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Gray Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier
SpottedMottled
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Bold
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Groundcover, Houseplant, Rock Garden / Wall, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
Sometimes
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Self-Sowing
No
