Green Sansevieria leavesThe rare Sansevieria varieties are drought-tolerant snake plants that are best for beginners. They are quite resilient to neglect and not too demanding. Each variety has a unique leaf shape, size, color, and foliage density.

Sansevieria is a tropical plant so customizing your indoor conditions, particularly for this plant will be of great importance. This article will give you the best information to help you make a great choice for your ideal sansevieria plants.

Rare Sansevieria Varieties

Rare Sansevieria Alternatives Why They are The Best Alternative
Sansevieria trifasciata ‘moonshine’ This species is very resilient to harsh conditions. Its leaves have olive green streaks, white and yellow bands as well as green shades.
Sansevieria ballyi These perennial succulent plant grows well on any soil type and requires a potting container with drainage holes to do away with excess water. It is beginner-friendly and needs watering only when the soil is completely dry.
Sansevieria aubrytiana ‘sayuri’ This sansevieria type’s main color is pale grey-green featured with vertical blue, silver, and white strokes. The leaf margins are subtle white. This species’ leaves grow upright making them ideal for tight spots.
Sansevieria trifasciata ‘black dragon’ This plant species is not variegated and its leaves grow from a rosette in a thick lance-shaped form. It is characterized by dark green leaves with a subtle light green mottling on the undersides.
Sansevieria ehrenbergii ‘samurai’ Its leaves are curved inwardly and are blade-shaped. It grows in an elegant zig-zag form producing a single leaf on each opposite row. The leaves are thick and green with a shimmering copper-gold margin lining.
Sansevieria trifasciata ‘golden hahnii’ It is a compact striking snake plant that has waxy and oval-shaped leaves that have pointed ends. Being succulent, it does not like soggy soil conditions. Its main features are dark and pale green colors well as creamy yellow stripes on the leaf top which are eye-catching.
Sansevieria parva This variety is very simple but stylish. It is also highly tolerant to neglect and is perfect for indoor decorations with its slender but long pretty leaves.
Sansevieria cylindrica It is an upright plant that has long and tubular leaves. The leaves have a round shape with ribbed edges. It grows to an average of four to six feet tall so, ensure that there is enough space for its development.
Sansevieria Cleopatra It is a compact snake plant whose broad multiple and ruffled leaves are pale-green with deep-green stokes and the edges have a contrasting brown/red color.
Sansevieria patens

 

 

 It has dark green leaves that have black-green lines on the leaf’s surface. During the blooming season, it produces grey-white flowers that grow in clusters.

 
Sansevieria kirkii ‘star sansevieria’ This species’ leaf size is six feet in length making it best for air purification. Its plant care requirements are relatively the same as those of other Sansevieria plant types.
Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Twisted sister’ This type has green leaves that are highlighted with bright gold color. It is a sister plant to the dwarf Sansevieria variety and its succulent form does not like too much water. This drought tolerance nature makes it easy to maintain.

List of The Rarest Sensevieria Varieties

Described in the List below are rare sansevieria plant varieties you will find interesting to widen your knowledge of them. The contents of this are also meant to enlighten you on the differences as well as similarities of these incredible succulents.

– Sansevieria Trifasciata Moonshine

1. Sansevieria Trifasciata 'Moonshine' Snake Plant

This Sansevieria plant, commonly known as the Silver Snake Plant is quite exotic. Its leaves grow in an upright form and have bright silvery-sage leaf color.

These snake plants grow best in well-draining soil and during spring to summer, consider adding a few houseplant fertilizers or cacti drops to the soil. Avoid fertilizing during winter and fall because the moonshine snake plant will be in its dormant state.

Ensure that you place your sansevieria moonshine on bright indirect light although it is very tolerant to lower light. Its leaves tend to darken in lower light conditions.

This species is toxic for dogs, humans, and cats if ingested so be careful when growing it in your homes. Despite its toxicity, the moonshine snake plant remains a must-have plant due to its vibrancy.

– Sansevieria Ballyi

 
This plant is commonly known as the Dwarf Sansevieria and is native to North Eastern Kenya. It is a perennial plant that grows up to six inches in height. It has succulent leaves that have dark green color on top and are patched with a lighter green color. This dwarf snake plant produces greenish-white flowers that potentially grow up to six inches tall.

It is important to know that when potting the Sansevieria Ballyi plant, use a container that has drainage holes to do away with excess water. Water the soil once it has completely dried up.

Additionally, it also thrives on any soil just like several sansevieria making it easy to maintain. This feature makes it easy for beginners to grow this plant without going through several hectic conditions.

– Sansevieria Aubrytiana ‘Sayuri’

 
Also known as the Sansevieria Sayuri, this plant has pale grey-green color with vertical blue, silver, and white strokes. Its leaves grow in an upright form making it best for tight spots. This plant’s leaf margins are subtle-white, which makes them eye-catching. It is as drought-resistant as other sansevieria species that do not like overwatering.

– Sansevieria Trifasciata ‘Black Dragon’

 
Also known as the ‘Mother-in-Law’s tongue‘, Mother-in-Law’s Nose, Saint George’s Sword, African Bowstring Hemp, the Sansevieria trifasciata is native to West Africa, Congo, and Nigeria. It is a perennial and evergreen plant whose dense leaves are elongated and sword-like. 

The leaves are dark green highlighted with light gray-green cross bands. This species can grow to an average of three feet in height and 2.4 inches in width. During summer and autumn, the African bowstring hemp produces pale green blooms which are small. Being an easy-to-care plant, the snake plants grow on various types of soil. 

You can consider regular soil as well as any potting mixes you can get. The use of succulent fertilizers is highly recommended, you may fertilize once in three months during summer which is the effective growing season to enhance the gorgeousness of this snake plant.

– Sansevieria Eherenbergii ‘Samurai’

 
This plant is also termed the Blue Sansevieria, Somaliland Bowstring Hemp, East African Wild Sisal, Sword Sansevieria, and Seled Sansevieria. It is green with soft and copper-toned leaf edges. This plant’s leaves grow opposite to each other with the stem growing to an average of 7.2 inches in length and five feet in height.

The Sansevieria ehrenbergii produces grey-green or grey-white flowers which give you an excellent touch to your places. Consider using medium to large size pots for potting and ensure that it has sufficient drainage holes. 

This beautiful sansevieria snake plant can thrive in any soil mix as well as regular or rocky soil. Fertilizing this snake plant once in three weeks using all-purpose fertilizers during summer is vital in keeping it in its best form.

Avoid intense or excessive light for long because it can only take moderate light for survival. However, temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit destroy this succulent. As for watering this beauty, avoid keeping the soil soggy for a long to avoid yellow leaves and root rot.

– Sansevieria Trifasciata ‘Golden Hahnii’

2. Cute and attractive Sansevieria trifasciata hahnii.

This snake plant is also known as the Golden Bird’s Nest Sansevieria. Typically, its rosettes have six to 12 green leaves that have dark lines or markings. During late winter to early spring, this plant produces small fragrant pinkish-white flowers. However, to achieve this, certain growing requirements need to be followed.

Ensure that you use a container that has adequate water drainage holes. The Sansevieria hahnii varieties thrive on any soil type it is slightly alkaline or acidic. Self-made potting mixes or regular soils are good for these plants. During summer, consider fertilizing this snake plant with an all-purpose fertilizer once in three weeks.

The Sansevieria ‘hahnii’ has a high tolerance to drought so you need to be careful when it comes to watering. Allow the soil to dry up first before watering again. When overwatered, rotting is the main threat you will face and will take away the once beautiful plant you had.

– Sansevieria Parva

 
This snake plant is also known as the Kenya Hyacinth Snake Plant native to Eastern Africa. The rosettes of this plant have typical six to 12 leaves that are green and variegated with dark patterns or lines. It produces fragrant pinkish-white flowers making them vibrant snake plants. These blooms appear during late winter and early spring.

Any potting mix is suitable for snake plant care. Just like several Sansevieria species, it does well when exposed to low light conditions. A maximum of a four-hour exposure to light is enough for this species to perform best. Water it once the soil has completely dried up to curb overwatering problems like stunted growth and root infections.

 

– Sansevieria Cylindrica

3. Sansevieria Cylindrica

This type of Sansevieria is also known as the cylindrical snake plant, African spear, Spear orchid, or Skyline Spear Sansevieria and it is native to Angola. Its cylindrical spear-shaped leaves are dark green and striped. 

When grown well, they can reach an average of six feet in height and 1.2 inches in width. During the flowering season, it produces pink budded white blooms that are around three feet tall.

In the event that you grow them as indoor plants, place the sansevieria cylindrical varieties on bright light spots. When grown outside, consider a partially or fully shaded spot to avoid sunburns. This species is drought resistant, so you can water it once the soil has dried up. 

During winter, you can water it only twice a month because moisture loss will be limited. Try to be on the lookout for pests like mealybugs and spider mites which are threats to the African spear plant’s development and survival.

– Sansevieria Cleopatra

 
The Sansevieria Cleopatra is native to Indonesia and is one of the newest snake plant varieties that is hard to find. However, it grows slower than other sansevieria species and has finely detailed patterns on the leaves. The leaves extend from a rosette and when mature, they can reach 11 inches in length.

This plant does best in a well-draining soil mixture and it tolerates any type of potting mixes available so long they are permeable. Water it each time the soil gets completely dried up to avoid overwatering issues like root rot.

However, during winter, you can water it at most three or four times each month because the Sansevieria ‘Cleopatra’ will be dormant. Consider feeding this plant once especially during the growing season with an all-purpose fertilizer.

If you grow this plant as a house plant, ensure that this Sansevieria species gets at least six hours of light a day so, you can consider placing it close to a window. Adequate light is vital in intensifying the leaf color as much as the whole plant’s healthy appearance.

– Sansevieria Patens

 
This type of Sansevieria forms a rosette with branched rhizomes that reach up to one inch in diameter. This species’ leaves grow up to three feet in height and are dark green with black-green lines.

Its grey-white flowers grow in clusters bringing a beautiful view to your homes. This plant is subject to changing positions so it is wise to use a portable medium-sized container that has drainage holes.

This plant thrives in a potting mix containing pumice although regular soil also does fine. An average temperature range is recommended for sansevieria plant varieties’ upkeep.

When growing it outside and the temperatures go below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, move the plant indoors to curb foliage damage. This snake plant’s tolerance to heat is excellent but growing it in low light conditions is best for its development and such qualities make it a wonderful indoor plant.

– Sansevieria Kirkii ‘Star Sansevieria’

 
Also known as Star Sansevieria, Bow-string Hemp, Bow-string Hemp, or Pangane Hemp, the kirkii Sansevieria is one of the rarest Sansevieria species. This indoor plant has air purifying qualities through its six feet long leaves. It bears greenish-white flowers that add to this plant’s beauty.

Consider a deep container when planting the star Sansevieria so that its roots can grow freely and avoid future repotting.

It can thrive in temperatures around 65 degrees Fahrenheit to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and can only survive in low light conditions although its leaves may look glowing when placed in bright light. Excessive light leads to the yellowing of leaves which erodes the beauty of the entire foliage.

Just like any other plant, this snake plant variety does not like soggy soil as it is very susceptible to rotting. Once the roots rot, water and nutrient uptake are reduced leading to stunted growth as well as the death of the plant.

– Sansevieria Trifasciata Twisted Sister

4. Sansevieria Trifasciata Twisted Sister

This species is commonly known as the Gold Twist Sansevieria and is native to East Congo. It is an easy-care sister plant to the Dwarf Sansevieria. Its leaves are green and bright gold and the plant can grow up to 15 inches in height. Always make sure that the room temperature is kept around 65 degrees Fahrenheit to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Temperatures below 50 F are bad for this species as they cause leaf discoloration which leads to plant death. It also does not like being overwatered meaning that you have to be very watchful on this aspect. Water the plant only if the soil is completely dry and stops applying water to the plant when you see it coming out of the pot through drainage holes.

Conclusion

Sansevieria varieties have interesting and beautiful varieties that have been highlighted in this article.

Once again, here are the important main points that we have come across in this article:

  • Sansevieria is a perennial succulent that is drought tolerant so, make sure to water it once the soil has completely dried out.
  • They have unique features that make them different from each other making it possible and easy for you to have a wise choice. However, they have special needs or care requirements that must be fulfilled to get a healthy, shiny plant.
  • Due to their large foliage, some snake plant varieties act as air purifiers by trapping dust giving you a fresh indoor experience.
  • Some varieties are toxic to humans, cats, and dogs when ingested so, be careful especially when grown in homes and public places.
  • Although Sansevieria is highly resistant to harsh conditions, always try to give it the best conditions for it to develop its foliage and produce pretty blooms.

Sansevieria is a must-have in your home, choose your preferred species according to plant size, leaf size, color, or leaf shape. These plants are quite easy to care for so it is time to grow them and enjoy the gorgeousness!

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