Sansevieria Hahnii Care InfographicSansevieria hahnii is an easy-to-care-for succulent house plant that will charm you with its good looks. In this detailed guide, we give you expert tips on growing it in your home.
Our experts list techniques to care for the plant, propagate new offsets of sansevieria hahnii, as well as tackle the most commonly-faced problems. Continue reading to know more.
What Is a Sansevieria Hahnii?
The Sansevieria hahnii is an attractive succulent plant that is characterized by green mottled foliage. Native to western Africa, the plant is also popularly known as the snake plant or birds nest sansevieria due to its long striped leaves that cluster together in the form of a nest.
Sansevieria Hahnii Care
Coupled with its good looks, sansevieria hahnii is hassle-free and low maintenance. No wonder it is sought after by gardeners and home decorators all over the world as a favorite indoor plant. It requires just a few basic aspects that you will need to pay heed to so that it develops healthy foliage.
Provide this plant with moderate to high levels of indirect light and an airy, well-draining soil, and you will have happy and healthy sansevieria hahnii plant in your care. Make sure you do not overwater your plant as this can lead to dangerous infections.
A moderately high temperature range of 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity levels between 40 to 50 percent completes this plant’s easy care requirements.
Don’t worry, these care requirements will take up just minimal effort and time.
Find the ideal environment the plant requires to grow listed below.
– Water Requirements
As a succulent plant, the sansevieria hahnii is moderately drought resistant, so there is no requirement to frequently water the plant. Overwatering can hamper growth or may even lead to the plant’s death.
Make sure the soil is completely dry before you add in more water. Alternatively, check the moisture level in the soil by sticking your finger one inch into the soil before you water the plant.
The frequency of watering this plant will depend on the climate and season. Warmer months will require watering once or twice a week, whereas in winters when the plant is in dormancy, water once every three weeks.
– Light Requirements
Bird’s nest sansevieria can grow in moderate to high levels of light, provided they are diffused and indirect. You will not have them thriving or blooming if kept under harsh direct sunlight. Similarly, dingy and poorly-ventilated corners are not suitable for them as well.
To get the most out of the plant with green foliage and healthy blooms, place them somewhere they can receive partial light for three to four hours during the day. If you are growing these plants indoors, place them near an east-facing window with curtains as shields to block the direct rays.
– Soil Requirements
Similar to other succulents, sansevieria hahnii soil needs to be airy and well-draining. It needs to be slightly moist so use a potting mix with coarse sand gravel and perlite thrown in. This will make it more porous and aerated enough for the plant to receive oxygen.
You don’t have to worry much about soil pH levels as the plant can thrive in a broad range, but try keeping it between a pH of 6.5 to 7.5.
– Temperature Requirements
The snake plant grows well in a temperature range between 60 degrees to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant seldom tolerates frost, cold drafts or chilly winds. It may at times tolerate moderate chills up to 50 degrees, but anything lower than this can kill it in its entirety. Thus, move the plant indoors or to warmer corners when the winter months set in.
– Humidity Requirements
The plant requires a humidity level of 40 percent to 50 percent to thrive and produce healthy foliage. If the air around it is dry, mist the plant regularly to kick in some moisture. You can alternatively use a humidifier if you are growing the plant indoors.
Another way to bring in some moisture in the air is to place a saucer of pebbles and water below the plant container. As the water in the saucer evaporates, it will bring in some humidity around the plant.
– Pruning
Snake plants do not require much pruning as the foliage grows upright. However, do trim the sansevieria hahnii leaves if they weaken or die. Also, snip flower spikes or deadheads once the blooming time is done to promote fresh and new growth.
– Fertilizing Requirements
Bird’s nest sansevieria is not a heavy feeder, thus they do not require regular fertilizer use. You could opt for a well-balanced liquid fertilizer once a month to keep the foliage green and healthy. Avoid over-fertilizing the plant or fertilizing in the colder months as this could lead to salt build-up in the soil.
Propagation
Propagate sansevieria hahnii cost-effectively and easily. In this section, we list the different methods by which you can develop new offsets for the plant. Find the complete details below.
– Right Season To Propagate
Spring and summer are ideal months to propagate the plant when the sun shines bright and there is enough warmth around. Moreover, these months are the growth months when the growth rate is high in comparison to the colder months of fall or winter. The roots establish themselves well, thereby ensuring healthy foliage of the plant as they mature.
– Tools Required
Keep the following items at hand to make the process hassle-free:
- A sterile and sharp garden pruner or shears: You can sterilize your tools with a diluted solution of isopropyl alcohol to prevent the spread of bacterial diseases.
- Light and aerated potting soil
- A container or pot to plant the cut leaf or stem sections
– Propagation Method
You can propagate the plant through either rhizome division or leaf cuttings. You can also propagate via seeds, but this process will take a far longer time than rhizome division. Moreover, the snake plant is a slow-growing plant, so be patient as it will just shoot up a few inches after every growing season.
– Propagation by Rhizome Division
Rhizome division is the process of propagation where stems that grow under the soil surface are divided in sections and used to develop new offsets. Find the details of the process below. This method is the fastest and easiest way to propagate the Sansevieria hahnii.
- Gently pull out the plant from the container and shake the roots to remove the excess soil.
- With a sharp and sterile garden pruner, pick out a rhizome and separate it from the connecting root. Make sure you do not cause any damage to the main mother plant roots while doing this.
- Plant the freshly cut section in a pot with fresh potting soil. Also, replant the original mother plant back in its container. This is an ideal time to check for any root rot or fungal diseases in the mother plant before repotting.
- Care for both the plants as per the details mentioned in our care section, protecting them from harsh direct sunlight.
- In ten days, the freshly planted rhizome section will begin to develop its roots. In a month, you will begin to see fresh growth and new leaves too.
- Sansevieria hahnii plants thrive very well when you directly place them in the ground soil. If you are growing them in pots, then you will have to repot them once every two years to accommodate their expanding root system.
– Propagation by Leaf Cuttings
The process of propagation by leaf cuttings is similar to rhizome division. Here is how you need to go about it:
- Take a section of leaf from a mature and healthy mother plant. Gently snip it off without causing damage to the mother plant stem, using sterile and sharp garden shears.
- Leave this cut leaf aside for two days to let it callus over.
- After two days, plant it in fresh potting soil and provide it with the necessary care of ideal light, water and temperature requirements.
- In a few weeks, this section will begin to develop its roots and grow into an independent plant.
- Transplant into a bigger pot if required once sturdy stems develop with a couple of more juvenile leaves.
Problems
Sansevieria hahnii is not exempt from any problems, but most of them are easy to tackle if you catch them early on. Find the most common issues you will encounter and techniques to set them right listed below.
– Browning of Leaves
This is a sign of a stress condition of the plant caused due to underwatering or a sudden change in climatic conditions. Keep the plant well hydrated in an environment where it receives a constant level of warmth to get it back in good health.
Never overwater or underwater the Sansevieria hahnii as most of the plant’s problems result from an incorrect watering schedule. The plant may be succulent, but it requires the ideal levels of moisture to sustain its growth.
– Sansevieria Hahnii Wrinkled Leaves
If you spot the leaves of your snake plant wrinkling, it is a sign of root rot caused by overwatering. Scale back on the watering immediately.
Gently pull out the plant from the soil and inspect the roots for blackened sections. Snip them away with a garden pruner and repot in fresh soil.
– Soft and Mushy Stems
This is another sign of root rot caused by excess watering. You will need to water your snake plant once a week in warm climates and once fortnightly when the temperatures are much lower. Scale back on the watering to once a month in the cold winter months when the plant remains in a state of dormancy.
Remember to let the soil completely dry out between waterings to prevent overwatering issues and root rot.
– Scarred and Brittle Leaves
If the snake plant is exposed to frost and cold drafts, it will develop scarred and brittle leaves. The plant requires being in a temperature ranges above 50 degrees Fahrenheit for its foliage to stay lush, green and healthy.
Move the plant indoors during the colder months and place them near artificial grow lights. Avoid dingy areas where there is a lack of proper air ventilation.
– Insects and Pests
The most common pests that infect the snake plant are mealybugs, aphids and spider mites. These plants suck the sap from leaves and stems, making the plant wilt.
Isolate the plant immediately to prevent the spread to other nearby plants. Snip away and discard sections that have heavy infestations. Use an organic soapy insecticide to get rid of these pests from the plant.
– Fungal Problems
Blight and red leaf spots are fungal diseases that affect the plant. It causes the leaves to turn brown and the stems to begin to develop hardened lesions.
The best way to tackle such fungal diseases is to prevent infestation. Avoid over-watering as excess moisture is fodder for the fungus. Keep the soil well-drained and aerated as well.
FAQ
Can I water my Sansevieria Hahnii with ice cubes?
No, it’s not recommended to water Sansevieria Hahnii with ice cubes as it can shock the roots. Watering with room temperature water is best.
Does Sansevieria Hahnii like plastic pots?
Yes, Sansevieria Hahnii can thrive in plastic pots as long as they have drainage holes for excess water.
Does Sansevieria Hahnii give off an odor?
No, Sansevieria Hahnii is not known for giving off strong odors, but the soil can sometimes have a mild earthy smell.
Conclusion
Sansevieria Hahnii plants are easy-to-care-for plants and can grab attention wherever you grow them. Let us refresh our memory with the information that this guide has brought out for you.
- Sansevieria Hahnii, popularly known as the snake plant, comes with a striking foliage with white streaks and greenish-white blooms in summer that emits a distinctively sweet fragrance.
- It is a delightful house plant and is easy to care for as well; moreover, it can purify the air keeping it free of formaldehyde, nitrogen oxides and xylene.
- The plant grows well in moderate to high levels of indirect light. Make sure that the soil is well-draining.
- You can easily propagate the plant via rhizome division or seeds.
- The common problems faced by the plant are incorrect watering schedule, over-exposure to heat or light, and pest infestations. These problems can be tackled without any hassle.
Now that you have read this comprehensive plant care guide, you can now grow the snake plant in your garden or home with confidence. They can charm you and fill your space with vibrant foliage.
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