Sansevieria Futura Superba is an easy-to-care-for ornamental house plant with sword-shaped leaves.
The plant has attractive foliage that is dark green in color with a yellow edge, making it a favorite of many plant lovers.
In this care guide, we list expert gardening tips to grow a healthy and thriving plant. Read on to find ways to propagate it and also easily tackle any problems you may face.
Contents
What Is Sansevieria Futura Superba?
Sansevieria Futura Superba is a popular ornamental houseplant with sword-shaped leaves in the form of a rosette and air purifying qualities. The foliage has a dark green color and yellow edges that make it attractive. Because of its shape, this plant is also popularly called the bird’s nest sansevieria or snake plant.
Sansevieria Futura Superba Care
Similar to sansevieria trifasciata futura superba, this plant also has a cluster-like appearance and is easy to care for, requiring only the most basic care. When you compare sansevieria futura superba vs laurentii, you will find that the futura superba has much wider leaves.
Caring for the Sansevieria or futura superba snake plant is easy and hassle-free without the requirement of any expert gardening knowledge. In the following section, we will touch upon those essential care aspects that you need to focus on to get a healthy and green plant.
The plant has perennial and evergreen foliage that prefers a humid climate and a temperature range between 65 degrees to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It does not require very frequent watering and can tolerate medium to low light conditions, making them suitable for growing indoors.
– Water Requirements
Sansevieria snake plants can go for days without water as they are fairly drought resistant. The soil needs to be just slightly moist so always check for its moisture level by pushing your finger into the soil.
If the topsoil is wet by at least an inch, refrain from adding in more water. Water only when the topsoil has completely dried out, and make sure the pot has good drainage holes so that the roots do not sit in excess water.
– Light Requirements
The plant requires bright to moderate light to grow well. Keep it away from direct sun’s rays as this will end up scorching its leaves. Similarly, as much as the plant adapts to a range of light conditions, extremely low light can result in the leaves curling and turning yellow.
If you are growing your sansevieria indoors, place it near a south or west-facing window. In the complete absence of light indoors, use an artificial grow or fluorescent light over the plant. Avoid placing this plant in damp and dingy corners and try giving it the maximum amount of light possible throughout the day.
– Soil Requirements
The Sansevieria snake plant requires well-draining and aerated soil that is slightly acidic between the range of 5.5 to 7.0. Use soil that is mixed with pine bark, sand or perlite to improve drainage. Additionally, mixing organic compost in the sand will boost the health and with little or no fertilizing, you can have a happy plant.
– Temperature Requirements
The plant requires moderate to high temperatures between a range of 65 degrees to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Being tropical plants, they seldom tolerate cold drafts, chilly winds and prolonged frost conditions. Thus, move the plant to a protected area as soon as the first sign of winter sets in.
– Humidity Requirements
Similar to sansevieria trifasciata, this variant also grows best under high humidity conditions and barely fares well when the air is arid. These plants will require a humidity level of at least 40 percent and above. To improve the humidity of the plant, place it on a pebble tray filled with water.
Additionally, group it with other plants in your garden to benefit from the collective transpiration of other plants. If you are caring for the plant indoors, use a humidifier or mist the plant often to kick in some moisture in the air. Some types of humidifiers will also let you know the humidity level in the room so you can give your plant the best environment to live in.
– Fertilizing Requirements
The Sansevieria snake plant is robust and seldom requires much over-the-top fertilizer use. If you still wish to boost growth, use an organic compost mix and add it to the top layer in the early months of spring. Additionally, you can opt for a diluted liquid fertilizer for extra nourishment.
Prevent over-fertilizing or using it in winters as this could lead to fertilizer burn. This is because the plant will remain dormant throughout most of the colder months.
– Pruning
The plant does not require much pruning unless you spot a damaged, diseased or burnt leaf. Before pruning, sterilize your garden shears to prevent the spread of fungal infections. Gently snip away any diseased sections so that you can boost new foliage growth.
Propagating this sansevieria is not very difficult and the process is cost-effective, without the requirement of expert gardening knowledge.
You can easily propagate the plant through rhizome division or by using leaf cuttings. In the section below, we explain in detail each of these methods so that you have a healthy and new offset of the plant, so read on to know more.
Propagation Method
Propagate the Sansevieria snake plant through rhizome division or via leaf cuttings. The plant could also be propagated using seeds, however, this process is extremely slow and the success rate may not always be 100 percent. Here are the details.
– Choosing the Right Season
The ideal months to propagate the plant are during the warm months of spring and summer. These are the growing months when the growth rate is high in comparison to the dormant winter months. Utilizing the warmth of these months will help the roots to establish themselves well, thereby ensuring healthy plant foliage.
– Tools Required
To ensure you are successful and the process is smooth, keep these tools ready at hand:
- A sharp garden pruner or shear that needs to be sterilized with a diluted solution of alcohol
- A light and aerated potting mix
- A container or pot to plant the nascent section
– Through Rhizome Division
By using stem sections from a mature adult plant, you can propagate and grow new offsets. Follow these steps to achieve success:
- Pick a mature and healthy plant that will serve as the parent plant.
- Gently pull it out of the soil and shake away the excess soil. Snip away a section of a stem right up to the roots. Make sure you do not cause damage to the root section of the mother plant.
- Take this separated section along with the roots and plant it in fresh potting soil. Also, replant the mother plant back in its original pot.
- Provide adequate care to both the plants until you see signs of them regaining health. Due to transplantation shock, both plants may initially show signs of wilting, however with the right care, you will soon find them gaining back their vigor.
- In ten days, the cut rhizome section will develop its roots and within a month it will generate fresh leaf growth.
- You can now transplant it to a bigger pot size or directly into the soil to give space to their expanding root system.
– Through Leaf Cuttings
Using leaf cuttings to propagate the plant is similar to the above-mentioned rhizome division. The only difference is that in this process you only use the leaf section, thus there is no requirement to pull out the entire mother plant. Here is how you need to go about it:
- Pick a leaf section from a mature and healthy adult plant. Snip away with the help of sterile prunes keeping, at least one node intact.
- Allow this to callus over two days before you head to the next step.
- In fresh potting soil and under the ideal temperature, light and humidity conditions, plant the leaf section in the soil. Keep the node visible above the soil.
- In a few weeks, this leaf section will develop its roots. Wait for a month for the section to grow sturdy and independent. As a slow grower, this sansevieria futura superba will only reach a short height.
- Transplant to a bigger pot or directly into the soil so that the roots can establish themselves well and can spread and grow.
Problems
This easy-to-grow plant is indeed hassle-free. However, there are a few problems that you may commonly encounter. Here is how you can tackle it and overcome the challenge easily.
– Brown Leaves
Underwatering or arid environments put the plant under stress conditions and cause the leaves to turn brown. Keep the soil saturated with some moisture in the air to help the plant recover from the situation.
If you are located in a dry zone, mist the plant often to kick in some moisture. Additionally, use a pebble tray filled with water to improve humidity from evaporation, or group your plants together to increase humidity leves.
– Wrinkled Leaves
Are your leaves wrinkled or looking limp and shriveled? This could be because of root rot caused by overwatering. Scale back on the watering immediately. Additionally, remove the plant from the soil and inspect for blackened root sections.
Snip away all rot and replant in fresh, well-draining potting mix. Keep the sansevieria futura superba water levels just about right.
– Soft Stems
Overwatering can also cause the stems to become mushy and soft. Monitor your watering schedule and keep the soil well-drained. The plant seldom tolerates soggy soil, so always let it completely dry out between waterings to prevent soft stems.
– Insect and Pest Infestations
Mealy bugs, aphids, spider mites and white flies are the common pests that attack the foliage of the plant. These pests occur in clusters and lay eggs on the underside of leaves and stems. They regularly feed on the sap of the plant, making them go limp and weak.
Isolate the affected plant as soon as you spot any form of infestation. With the help of an organic pesticide, get rid of eggs and pests. Spray around dense foliage sections where most of the eggs may be laid. Preventing an infestation is mandatory to protect the health of the plant, thus keeping the foliage free of dust is important.
– Brittle Leaves
The plant is sensitive to extreme fluctuations in temperature which result in stress conditions for it. When exposed to excessive heat or prolonged frost or chilly weather, the leaves become brittle and scarred.
Move the plant indoors as soon as the first signs of cold weather set in. Use artificial grow lights to provide it with adequate heat and light. Additionally, avoid placing it in dark and dingy corners as the plant needs bright light to thrive and grow.
– Droopy Foliage
The snake plant is succulent and prefers to be watered less frequently. If you find your leaves droopy and lifeless, the most common cause is that it has been overwatered.
Scale back on the water immediately in this case and water only when the top of the soil is two inches dry. You can check the water level of the soil by pushing in a finger one inch deep into the soil.
– Twisted or Curled Leaves
Do you find your leaves twisted, curled or folded? Check the plant’s watering schedule, the sunlight it receives, and any possible pest infestation.
Where improper drainage for soggy soil can cause leaves to fold, curling can happen if the plant is left to dry for a prolonged period. Moreover, pest infestations tend to make the leaves fold. Thus, treat pests and maintain the ideal light and temperature range and your plant should soon be healthy and thriving.
– Scarring on Leaves
If your plant hasn’t been overwatered yet you find scarring and yellowing of leaves or mushy stems, it could be because of over-exposure to extreme temperatures. The plant is tolerant of warm climates, however, sudden fluctuations, extreme and prolonged heat or cold can hamper its health.
The best way to tackle this is to first prune the damaged leaves and prevent any further stress by ensuring the plant grows at a temperature between 60 degrees to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
– Stunted or Slow Growth
It is normal for the snake plant to slow down in the cooler months of late fall and winter as it enters a state of dormancy. However, if you notice stunted or slow during the spring and summer months when the plant has to actively grow, be assured you have a problem at hand.
Low light conditions are the main reason why your plant may be exhibiting slow growth. Much as the snake plant is tolerant to low light conditions, keeping them in dark and dingy corners is going to have a negative impact on their health.
Similarly, if the plant is dirty from dust, expect the same stress condition. To tackle the problem, move the plant to a bright spot where it can receive adequate light throughout the day. Keep the foliage clean by regularly wiping dust off its leaves.
– Southern Blight
This is a parasitic fungal infection that commonly attacks houseplants, especially when the environment is warm and humid. Southern Blight attacks host plants and infects stems, throwing up symptoms such as white spots on leaves. The spots over time turn brown and will wilt leaves and soften stems. Over time, it can even kill the plant.
Treat Southern Blight with a solution of methyl bromide, which you can easily find in most gardening stores. Change the potting soil and ensure the plant is placed in a well-ventilated area to curb the spread and even prevent any future infections.
– Toxicity
This plant is mildly toxic to humans and pets. Chewing on the leaves of the plant will not cause life-threatening symptoms, but one may experience a sick stomach, swollen gums or irritation in the throat if accidentally consumed. Thus, it is recommended to keep the plant away from children and pets.
FAQ
Can Sansevieria Futura Superba go weeks without water?
Can I keep Sansevieria Futura Superba in shade?
Yes, Sansevieria Futura Superba thrives in shade as it tolerates low light conditions well.
How do I make my Sansevieria Futura Superba greener?
To enhance the green color of your Sansevieria Futura Superba, provide indirect sunlight, avoid overwatering, and use well-draining soil.
Conclusion
You have now read that this Sansevieria Futura Superba is an easy and hassle-free plant that can adorn your home or garden.
Let us summarize our discussion about this eye-catching plant from this detailed guide.
- This Sansevieria is also known as a bird’s nest or snake plant due to its cluster-like appearance similar to trifasciata “futura superba.” The leaves have a striking green color with a creamy edge that distinctively sets them apart.
- Sansevieria futura superba benefits include giving you clean air. It is tolerant of low light conditions and can easily be grown as an indoor plant. It also does not require very frequent watering, making it low in maintenance as well.
- Make sure the plant is grown in well-draining aerated soil in moderate yet indirect light. Direct sun rays can hamper its health by scorching the leaves.
- You can easily propagate the plant via rhizome division or lead sections.
- The most common problems faced by the plant are the browning of leaves, soft stems, and pests. Tackle problems by providing them with ideal water and light and preventing pest infestations.
Having read our comprehensive care guide, you can easily include this Sansevieria in your home indoors or outdoors. The plant is a complete delight, and surely its distinctively beautiful foliage will charm all those who set their eyes on it.
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