How to grow and care snake plant

The snake plant or Sansevieria pronounced (san-se-vi-ee’-ri-ah) a member of the Lily Family, popularly goes by other common names. The very “politically correct” Mother-in-Law’s tongue and Bowstring-hemp. The durability of Sansevieria makes it an excellent choice for apartment dwellers that often have limited success with houseplants due to lighting issues. They should take a good look at the snake plant. Sansevieria tops the list as being the most tolerant of all decorative plants to survive the most unsuitable growing conditions, abuse and neglect a plant could receive. Basically, you have to work really hard to kill sansevieria. Snake plant is classic yet versatile houseplant with sword like foliage design. It is excellent for the forgetful gardener and its considered a top air purify plant for indoor environment.

Air Purifier Approved by NASA

The Sansevieria is an ideal plant for indoor spaces because it is a superb air purifier. Studies, including those performed by NASA, have consistently shown the plant to remove toxins such as formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, and nitrogen oxides—which means that industries and workspaces such as automotive plants and shops, aircraft plants, plywood, carpeting, paint makers and sellers, printing, and offices, where these chemicals abound in the products produced and used, would greatly benefit by keeping several Sansevieria around. NASA, whose study purposed to determine how to clean the air in space stations, recommends at least 15 to 18 medium-to-large size plants for a 1,800 square-foot home.

Releases Night Time Oxygen

Snake Plant a.k.a. Mother-In-Law’s Tongue (MILTs): Of all the different oxygen producing plants, this one is unique since it converts a lot of CO2 (carbon dioxide) to O2 (oxygen) at night, making it ideal to have several in your bedroom. 6-8 plants are needed per person to survive if there is no air flow (meaning you could live in a completely air sealed room if you had these plants). The snake plant also removes formaldehyde from the air.

Most plants largely uptake Carbon dioxide (CO2)and release oxygen during the day (photosynthesis) and uptake oxygen and release CO2 during the night (respiration).

Above plants can uptake CO{-2} during the night as well because of their ability to perform a type of photosynthesis called Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM).

There are 2 pathways in photosynthesis.

Light reactions where O2 is released by splitting H2O.

Dark reaction (Calvin Cycle) where CO2 is used to make sugars.The energy to drive these reactions come from sunlight. CO2 is absorbed via stomata, and O2 is released by the same stomata. In CAM photosynthesis, or Crassulacean-Acid metabolism, the plant opens the stomata at night to minimize water loss. CO2 is acquired at this time, and stored in vacuoles as malate.

Helps fight Allergies and Sick Building Syndrome

Snake plant absorbs toxins and releases oxygen. The plant may releases moisture in the air and lessens airborne allergens. The Sansevieria meets these conditions perfectly.

Persons with allergies, therefore, should find a friend in such plants because they are a natural and cheap way to stay healthy. Further, public spaces and workplaces, especially, should be aware of the value of air-purifying plants for these reasons. Sick building syndrome (SBS) describes the way the health of certain individuals of a certain residence or building acquires moderate to acute symptoms that are linked to the building while no specific illness can be identified.

Most of the symptoms involved with SBS appear to be related to poor indoor air quality. They include ear, nose, and throat irritation; coughing; itching; dizziness and nausea; lack of concentration; fatigue; even chest tightness and muscle aches. But the symptoms leave not long after individuals have departed the building.

Now there are a few things that plausibly explain this, like ventilation that doesn’t properly distribute air; chemicals from carpets, upholstery, copy machines, pesticides, and cleaning agents; outside pollutions being pumped in; bacteria, molds, and viruses. Do you see the alarming link between these explanations and formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, and nitrogen oxides? The Sansevieria is a ready remedy for SBS.

Feng Shui & Placement

The Snake plant purifies air by absorbing toxins through the leaves and producing pure oxygen. In fact, the Sansevieria is an ideal bedroom plant. Whereas most other plants release carbon dioxide at night (in the absence of photosynthesis), the Sansevieria continues to produce oxygen.

Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, this plant is one of the best for filtering out formaldehyde, which is common in cleaning products, toilet paper, tissues and personal care products. Put one in your bathroom — it’ll thrive with low light and steamy humid conditions while helping filter out air pollutants.

Sometimes the Mother-in-Law's Tongue plant, also called the Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) is considered a bad Feng Shui plant. However, this is not true, because the Snake Plant can bring very helpful feng shui energy when needed in specific areas of a home or office; this plant has strong protective energies. Spiky plants like snake plants are excellent for shielding you against negative Chi, but their aggressive energy means you need to place them where they’re not in highly-trafficked areas of your home. The snake plant is a perfect expression of upward, growing ch’i. The strong wood energy cuts through negative or stagnant energy. The best position to place the plants in your office or home is a place that is enriched by the plant's Wood element. Southeastern, Southern, and Eastern corners are the best feng shui spots to place your plants.

The Chinese used to grow this plant in their houses, as a valuable house plant, since the Eight Gods conferred their eight virtues as gifts, to all those who possessed this plant. The eight virtues are prosperity, beauty, long life, intelligence, health, art, strength and poetry. They placed the plants close to the entrance within their home for the purpose of enabling the eight virtues to enter according to pre-Feng-Shui.

Hard to Kill & Easiest to Maintain

Snake plant care is very straightforward. These plants can be neglected for weeks at a time; yet, with their strappy leaves and architectural shape, they still look fresh.

They really are the easiest of plants to look after, and will happily reward your lack of attention by giving clean air to your home and a little cheer in the corner of any room. If You Want A Houseplant That:

Is tough indoors

Can be placed just about anywhere

Takes up little space

Goes a long time between watering

A good starter plant for the house

Can start outside in spring and move inside

How to Care?

Light:The mother in laws tongue is well known for coping with direct sun and low light conditions, although bright light conditions with some sun light and shade is preferred.

Water:Be cautious when watering, especially during the winter, better to err on the dry side. Watering is usually a matter of personal judgment. I water my snake plants whenever they seem to need it, about every 2-3 weeks. Few plants should be kept constantly wet, fewer should ever be allowed to suffer from lack of moisture. Keep leaves clean and free from dust and grease. Other care consists of keeping the plants moist but not wet, and feeding occasionally. Because this plant is a succulent it stores water within its foliage, so it is not necessary to keep the soil damp. Water from spring to fall when the soil becomes dry to the touch and during the winter only once a month. Be careful not to over water as this can cause the root and base of the plant to rot.

With its interesting foliage and ease of growing, the snake plant is one of the most popular air purifying plants. It has been scientifically proven that snake plant can absorb poisonous gases in the air and releases night time oxygen. It will give a natural humid atmosphere around you along with being anti-allergic and fighting Sick Building Syndrome. Now we also know that it’s also lucky to have it in home and office. This makes it a perfect pick.  Adding snake plants will provide you with an added benefit of keeping interiors beautiful and healthy.

Snake plant benefits

The snake plant, commonly referred to as mother-in-law’s tongue, is a resilient succulent that can grow anywhere between 6 inches to several feet.

In addition to providing a bit of ambiance, snake plants have a number of health benefits.

Filter indoor air, even at night

Similar to other household succulents, snake plants help to filter indoor air. What’s unique about this particular plant is that it’s one of the few plants that can convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into oxygen at night.

This quality makes it an ideal plant for bedroom decor as it can help regulate healthy airflow.

Remove toxic pollutants

Snake plants are also known for their ability to help remove toxic air pollutants. Though in small contributions, snake plants can absorb cancer-causing pollutants, including CO2, benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene.

With the ability to absorb and remove harmful toxins, snake plants can act as an effective defense against airborne allergies.

What is a snake plant?

A common houseplant, the Sansevieria trifasciata is native to Asia and Africa. It can be recognized by its evergreen sword-shaped leaves that grow upright, and almost resemble artificial foliage.

Snake plants are often used as home decor, as they’re pleasing to the eye, easy to care for, and require little water to survive.

These plants are considered to be relatively safe, but they’re mildly toxic if consumed. Their leaves contain a poison that can cause swelling and numbness on the tongue if eaten in large doses. It’s wise to keep this plant away from children and animals that are prone to nibble.

Types of snake plants

The most common snake plant foliage presents as slender, green leaves with grey or silver horizontal streaks. This plant can grow several feet tall, and does well in low-light areas.

There are a wide variety of these plants. A few of the more common include:

Bird’s nest snake plant. Also referred to as the Hahnii, this plant is relatively small, growing to only 6 inches tall. The leaves form clusters that closely resemble a cup, similar to a bird’s nest.

Cylinder snake plant. The Sansevieria cylindrica has round leaves that can grow several feet in length. The leaves from this plant reach outward to resemble a crown.

Laurentii Sansevieria. The Laurentii is also a popular snake plant, known for its green-colored center and yellow margins.

Caring for a snake plant

Perhaps one of the most popular reasons people include snake plants in their decor is that they’re low maintenance, requiring little attention to grow. They’re resilient, hardy plants and can survive in relatively dry environments, both indoors and out.

If you plan to have a snake plant in your home, here are a couple of things to keep in mind:

Don’t overwater. Too much water is this plant’s weakness. Place a snake plant in a well-drained pot to avoid overwatering, as it can cause rotting. Only water the soil when it’s completely dry.

Indirect sunlight is best. Partial sun works best for snake plants. Though, it can still grow in darker corners or in brighter window areas. If completely shaded, the plant can dull and the leaves may become a bit floppy.

The takeaway

Snake plants are proven to be as useful as they are visually appealing. They can grow indoors and outdoors, with little to no maintenance.

What’s more, snake plants can also help to filter indoor air, an attribute that can keep you safe and healthy. Consider adding a snake plant to your home for both aesthetic and health reasons.

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