The Sansevieria bacularis is a perfect indoor plant that has green, tall, and upright cylindrical leaves. This plant is mostly grown for its gorgeous leaves that grow in clusters from its rhizomes.
Although the Sansevieria bacularis is quite similar to the Sansevieria cylindrica, the former has delicate cream or white flowers that rise from the two to two-and-a-half-inch stalks during spring and summer.
If you are keen on growing this plant, read through this care guide.
What Is Sansevieria Bacularis?
The Sansevieria bacularis is a tropical plant belonging to the Dracaenaceae family and is commonly known as the Sansevieria bacularis pfennig, Sansevieria bacularis mikado, or bacularis snake plant. It originates from the Democratic Republic of Congo and West Central Africa’s tropical regions where it reaches around six feet in height.
Sansevieria Bacularis Care
The Sansevieria bacularis is a slow-growing plant that is not too demanding but, certain care requirements should be made available for its healthy development and upkeep.
Please note that a balance in the care requirements should be maintained to avoid growth problems that disrupt its growth and appearance. You should also know that a well-kept Sansevieria bacularis plant is less vulnerable to pest and disease attacks compared to neglected ones.
– Water Requirements
Watering management is a very important aspect of Sansevieria bacularis care. This succulent does not need frequent watering and can survive periods of neglect. This makes it ideal for growers who are regularly absent. First, make sure that the soil is completely dry before watering it to curb overwatering problems.
You can check the moisture level in the soil by sticking your finger or any other clean utensil available into the soil. The finger or utensil should come out dry with no soil stuck to them on withdrawal.
If you see some soil particles holding on to the dipped utensil, give the potting mix a few more days before irrigating it. Please note that if you let your plant sit in wet soil for a long time, its roots begin to rot leading to its collapse.
Ensure that the plant’s pot has adequate holes that are large enough to drain excess water from the potting mix. We recommend that you use purified or distilled water when irrigating this succulent to curb unnecessary build-up of salts in the soil.
Chemicals that are used in treating taped water can settle in the soil and cause future problems. Keep in mind that this plant prefers reduced watering frequency during winter because moisture loss is limited to low sunlight.
– Light Requirements
The Bacularis mikado is a hardy plant that thrives in direct bright light in its natural habitat. However, when grown as a houseplant, it should be exposed to bright, indirect sunlight.
Indoor environments do not have much sunlight exposure but, this plant can use the little bright light available for its upkeep. You just need to make sure your Sansevieria bacularis does not stay in dark rooms for a long time as such conditions lead to reduced vibrancy and growth rate.
When the Sansevieria bacularis is receiving enough sunlight, its foliage will be lush green whereas insufficient light causes the plant to be leggy.
This plant also responds to limited or low light by growing thin and tall. We advise you to place this succulent at least six feet away from a south-facing window where it gets sufficient light for its survival. Indoor-grown bacularis’ leaves are not heat-hardy and can get scorched when exposed to direct sun’s rays.
If the Sansevieria bacularis is grown in rooms and hallways that do not have adequate sunlight access, you can supplement it using grow lights, especially in winter. This can help your plant to go through low-light seasons in its healthy state. This plant also does well when grown in partly shaded areas of outdoor areas where the sunlight is relatively bright.
– Soil Requirements
The soil type needed by the Sansevieria bacularis is very much related to its watering management requirements. A good soil that is suitable for bacularis’ growth should be well-draining to avoid holding water for long periods.
You can simply buy a cactus or succulent potting mix from nearby garden centers. Additionally, be sure to use containers that have enough drainage holes.
You will notice that this potting mix has a substantial amount of perlite or tiny stones that create spaces in the soil to improve drainage qualities. It is also possible to make your accustomed potting soil by mixing two parts of any gardening soil with two parts of sand.
You should add one part of pebbles or perlite to aid drainage. This type of potting soil allows air to circulate within the soil, reaching all parts of the root system
The Sansevieria bacularis grows best in soil that has neutral pH. It is important to loosen the soil regularly with a bacteria-free tool to prevent it from getting compacted. This helps the roots to grow freely and absorb water and nutrients without any difficulties.
– Temperature Requirements
The Sansevieria bacularis performs better when kept indoors. This tropical native plant can be damaged when exposed to temperatures that are below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius).
During spring or summer, you can bring this plant outside as because outdoor temperatures will be favorable for its growth. However, you should remember to move it back indoors when the cold season approaches.
The Sansevieria bacularis thrives in temperatures that are above 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius). In this case, avoid placing this plant close to drafty windows and vents that cause temperatures to fall. During winter, consider placing the pot on an elevated place to avoid the plant’s pot from getting into contact with cold floors.
– Humidity Requirements
Humidity that is around 40 to 50 percent is ideal for indoor plant care. Keep in mind that relative humidity is affected by temperature levels and atmospheric pressure so, depending on these factors, try to keep moisture in the environment appealing to the plants.
Unfortunately, the ideal exact values for snake plants’ relative humidity have not yet been established. However, all Sansevieria species seem to thrive in dryer air that has low humidity levels.
If the relative indoor humidity in your spaces makes you comfortable, it is probably perfect for your plants as well. If not, you should make relevant adjustments because your Sansevieria plants will not tolerate such amounts of moisture in their immediate environment.
These plants can survive in humidity levels that are much lower than 40 percent. You should keep the Sansevieria bacularis’ leaves dry every time by avoiding overhead watering.
During winter, consider cutting back the watering frequency to reduce relative humidity. Do not mist the bacularis plant even in dry air conditions.
If for some reason the leaves get wet, gently wipe them dry using a soft cloth. Make sure that relative humidity does not go over 50 percent during the growing seasons to create the best conditions for Sansevieria bacularis development.
– Fertilizing Requirements
During the growing season, feed your Sansevieria bacularis with a balanced N-P-K (10-10-10) fertilizer. If you choose to use organic fertilizers, use the one that has alfalfa or blood meal as these two are rich in organic nitrogen.
During spring and summer, consider applying fertilizers at one-quarter to one-half of the recommended strength once every two weeks. Once you notice your plants growing slowly or looking sickly after applying fertilizers, you might have over-fertilized them.
It is much better to have your Sansevieria bacularis under-fertilized than over-fertilized as it leads to the burning of the plant’s roots and foliage. An over-fertilized bacularis plant is quite difficult to revive but you should stop feeding it, prune off the damaged or discolored foliage, and give it adequate water and sunlight.
Remember, this plant goes dormant when the temperatures fall, especially in winter. Therefore, you should not fertilize it in such circumstances.
– Pruning
Due to its slow-growing nature, pruning becomes much necessary when some of your Sansevieria bacularis foliage is damaged or diseased. Pruning also restores this plant’s shape and desired size, thereby keeping it stunningly beautiful.
You should only use a sterile sharp knife, pair of scissors, or shears to cut off the targeted leaves from just above the soil line. As the active growing season commences, you should take advantage of this period to remove old, damaged, and diseased leaves so that your beautiful tropical plants grow new ones.
A pruned Sansevieria bacularis generally goes under a period of stress, so make sure the plant’s health is well maintained before attempting to remove some of its leaves.
As the Sansevieria bacularis matures, it spreads out by growing new leaves from its rhizome that is under the soil. The plant will soon fill the pot causing it to become root bound. This scenario negatively impacts the plant’s health leading to stunted growth.
Propagation
Propagating the Sansevieria bacularis yourself helps you to enlighten your places with the increased number of these eye-catching tropical plants while saving you money at the same time.
This tropical succulent can be propagated using the division and leaf cutting methods. We recommend that you wait for the active growing season where you can successfully grow new plants with ease.
– Propagation by Division
This propagation method is the easiest and most used among SansevierIa bacularis growers. Propagation by division ensures that the health of the parent plant is kept appealing.
To propagate the Sansevieria bacularis using the division method, gently remove the parent plant from its container and wipe off excess soil that may be attached to it. At this point, you should check the mother plant’s roots for any diseases and rot.
Use a disinfected knife to separate root clumps from the parent plant. Repot the new plants into the same type of potting soil as the parent. Give the plants the same care requirements as the mature plants and their root system will start growing and establishing itself in a few weeks.
– Propagation by Leaf Cutting
Sansevieria bacularis propagation can also be done using its leaves. One point to note is that when this propagation method is used, the new plant may fail to exactly replicate the parent plant.
You should cut off a healthy leaf close to the parent Sansevieria bacularis’ base using a clean pair of scissors or knife. Place the leaf in a clean place to dry out for a few days.
Once the leaf calluses, you should get ready to replant it. Plant the leaf in a cactus or succulent potting mix and water it. A few weeks can pass without seeing any development on the leaf, but the roots will grow without you noticing.
Eventually, the young plant will start showing signs of life and at this point, it should be exposed to normal Sansevieria bacularis care needs given to the mature ones.
If you are keen to know what your plant looks like under the surface, you can consider propagating the leaf in water. You need to make a V-shape at the leaf’s bottom to enhance the development of roots.
Place the leaf in a glass jar that is filled with water, making sure only the bottom half is submerged. You will start seeing some small roots growing down from the cutting in three weeks.
Problems
Sansevieria varieties are excellent plants for beginners or growers who have struggled to maintain care needs for their plants for a long. The Sansevieria bacularis can thrive through a long time of neglect but, there are some issues you need to take care of earlier before they lead to your plant’s demise.
– Pests
Just like other Sansevieria species, the bacularis is not immune to pest invasions. Be on the lookout for spider mites and mealybugs, in particular.
These intruders live by feeding on the plant’s flesh and sucking out the sap from the tissues, thereby ruining the health and appearance of your plant. You should regularly inspect your Sansevieria plants and all other nearby plants for early detection of mealybugs and spider mites.
Once you notice them on any of your plants, quickly isolate them and use water that has gentle pressure to hose them away. Before using this method, cover the soil with plastic paper so that the washed-off pests do not fall and hibernate in the soil.
You can also apply rubbing alcohol on the infected plant or use some natural methods like Neem oil or rose water. Please, bear in mind that large infestations can lead to the demise of your beloved plants so early detection and treatment are key.
– Root Rot
Overwatering is the main culprit that leads to the rotting of the roots. If corrective measures are not taken in a timely manner, the rotting extends to the leaves. Such effects of root rot lead to the death of the plant.
Rotting of the roots is caused by fungi that thrive in continuously wet soil. The main causes of prolonged soil wetness are lack of drainage facilities on the pot and the use of water-holding growing media.
Once your snake plants begin to wilt and discolor despite the availability of moisture in the soil, the roots are probably rotten. In the early stages, you can revive your plant by removing it from its pot, removing any dead or mushy roots, and repotting it into a new soil mix. Do not water the plant until you notice signs of recovery showing up.
FAQ
Can Sansevieria Bacularis live in low light?
Sansevieria Bacularis can tolerate low light conditions, making it a suitable choice for indoor spaces with limited sunlight.
What are the benefits of Sansevieria Bacularis?
Sansevieria Bacularis offers benefits such as air purification, low maintenance requirements, and its ability to thrive in various environmental conditions.
What is the best potting mix for Sansevieria Bacularis?
The best potting mix for Sansevieria Bacularis is well-draining soil, such as a mix of cactus soil and perlite, ensuring proper moisture management for the plant’s health.
Conclusion
As shown in this care guide, Sansevieria bacularis care has proved to be much easier and beginner friendly.
Let us go through some of the important points that were covered in this article.
- Once relative indoor humidity in spaces makes you comfortable, it is probably perfect for your Sansevieria bacularis as well.
- Although the Sansevieria bacularis is a slow grower, pruning remains important in removing dead, diseased, and messy leaves.
- Propagation of the Sansevieria bacularis can be done through the division and leaf propagation methods. However, the division method is more successful than the leaf method.
- Despite being a hardy plant, pests like mealybugs and spider mites are threats to its growth and appearance.
The Sansevieria bacularis succulent excels when grown for decorative purposes in your spaces. You should purchase yours online or from nearby nurseries.
Remember to also use the Sansevieria bacularis common name for your convenience when looking or searching for it. Grow it and add its tropical impression to your collection!
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