Care Sansevieria

The Sansevieria, or Snake Plant, is an easy-care plant with strong, upright leaves. Perfect for beginners, it can thrive even with minimal watering. Here’s how to keep this eye-catching plant in top shape.

Sansevieria care

The Sansevieria, also known as Mother-in-law's Tongue, is one of the most low-maintenance houseplants you can have. With its sturdy, upright leaves and sleek shape, it is a real eye-catcher in your home. This tropical succulent can go without water for long periods and will even survive if you forget to water it, making it perfect for beginners or people with busy schedules.

On this page, you will find everything you need to know to keep your Sansevieria healthy and happy.

Care tips for Sansevieria in brief

Location and light

Lady’s Tongue grows well in both bright, indirect light and partial shade. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves, so filtered light or a spot out of direct sun is ideal.
Avoid draughts: do not place the plant in a cold, draughty spot; it feels most comfortable at temperatures above 15 °C.

Water and humidity:

The Sansevieria is a succulent plant and stores water in its thick leaves. It only needs watering once every 3 to 6 weeks.
Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings, as too much water can cause root rot.
Even less water is needed in winter.

Feeding

During the growing season (March to September), you can give a little liquid houseplant fertiliser once every 4–6 weeks.
In autumn and winter, fertiliser is not necessary.

Soil and pot

Use well-draining potting soil, such as a mix with vulcastrat or hydro granules.
When repotting, make sure the roots still have enough space.

	Guarantee	Fresh from the grower
	Delivery type	Houseplant delivered in growing pot
	Latin name	Sansevieria
	Location	Normal daylight/partial shade
	Water requirements	Once every 3-6 weeks
	Toxic	Mildly toxic if ingested
	Air purifying	Yes
	Maintenance	Low

Other plants from the same family

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Sansevieria Kirkii

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Sansevieria cylindrica 'Twist'

40 cm

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Sansevieria Laurentie

45 cm

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Sansevieria Zeylanica

45 cm

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Sansevieria Silverflame

90 cm

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“The Sansevieria, also known as Mother-in-law's Tongue, is one of the most low-maintenance houseplants you can have. With its sturdy, upright leaves and sleek shape, it is a real eye-catcher in any home.”

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the most frequently asked questions about water, light, nutrition and care.

I don't have green fingers, is Sansevieria right for me?

Absolutely! This plant is extremely forgiving, grows slowly and requires little water.

Why are the leaves of my snake plant turning yellow?

There can be several reasons why the leaves of your Sansevieria are turning yellow:
- Too much water: overwatering can lead to root rot, causing the plant to not absorb enough nutrients and the leaves to turn yellow. Make sure the soil is well-drained and allow the plant to dry out between waterings.
- Too little water: a lack of water can also cause problems. If the plant is too dry, the leaves will dry out and turn yellow.
- Too much direct sunlight: bright sunlight can burn the leaves. This often manifests itself in yellowing or brown spots. Place the plant in a spot with indirect light or light shade.
- Nutrient deficiency: a lack of important nutrients can cause the leaves to turn yellow. Give the plant some plant food from time to time, especially during the growing season, to keep it healthy and green.

How often should I water a Sansevieria?

A Sansevieria requires very little water: usually once every 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the season and the humidity in your home. Thanks to its thick, fleshy leaves, the plant can store water and provide itself with moisture for a long time.

In summer, the plant needs a little more water, about once every 3 weeks. In winter, once every 6 weeks is sufficient. Always check the top layer of soil first: if it feels dry, it's time to water.

What is the ideal temperature for a Sansevieria?

18–24°C is the desired temperature for the snake plant.

Why isn't my snake plant growing?

If you notice that your Sansevieria is barely growing, there could be several factors at play:
- Insufficient light: although Sansevieria can tolerate shade reasonably well, it still needs light to grow. Too little natural light can slow down the growth process. Place the plant in a spot with bright, indirect light for optimal growth.
- Insufficient nutrition: like other plants, snake plants need nutrients to develop properly. A lack of fertiliser can lead to slow or stunted growth. Therefore, give the plant some plant food from time to time, especially during the growing season.
- Irregular watering: both too much and too little water can inhibit growth. Overwatering can cause root rot, while too little water will cause the plant to dry out. Check the soil regularly and water when the top layer feels dry.
- Temperature problems: Sansevieria grows best at average room temperatures. Conditions that are too cold or too warm can slow growth or even cause damage. Keep the plant away from draughty windows and heat sources.

Is lady's mantle dangerous for pets?

The plant is poisonous if ingested and can cause vomiting and other unpleasant side effects. So be careful if you have pets or small children.

Why are the leaves falling off my Sansevieria?

Older leaves die off naturally. Check the water, light and temperature if healthy leaves are falling off.

Can a snake plant flower?

A Sansevieria rarely flowers. If it does, it is usually in summer in mature plants. The flowers are white or yellow and fragrant.

Can I put a Sansevieria outside?

This is only possible during the warmer months. Bring the plant indoors when temperatures drop below 15°C.

How big does a Sansevieria grow?

You can expect it to grow about 30 cm per year. The growth of the snake plant is slow but steady, so it will not grow metres high.

Everything you need to know about the Lady's Tongue

The Sansevieria is almost indestructible and ideal for anyone who loves an easy-care houseplant. Thanks to its sturdy, fleshy leaves, it can even survive periods of drought.

Best location for the Sansevieria

This plant grows well in both bright light and partial shade, but avoid direct sunlight as it can burn the leaves. A spot with filtered daylight or near a north- or east-facing window is ideal. Whether placed in a bright or shaded environment, the plant feels at home almost anywhere. Interestingly, the location can influence the colour of the leaves! In sunlight, the leaves become lighter, while in a shaded spot they tend to be slightly darker.

Watering the Lady’s Tongue

The Sansevieria stores water in its thick leaves, which means it requires very little watering. In summer, watering once every 3 weeks is sufficient, and in winter once every 6 weeks is often enough. Always allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot.

Humidity and temperature

This plant is not demanding when it comes to humidity and tolerates dry air well. The ideal temperature range is 18–24°C, but it can temporarily handle slightly cooler temperatures. Make sure the plant is not placed in a draught, as it does not like that. Therefore, never position it directly next to a heater or air conditioner.

Is the Sansevieria poisonous?

The Lady’s Tongue is slightly toxic to humans and pets. The plant contains saponins, substances that can cause irritation if ingested. For children or pets, this may lead to mild stomach or intestinal discomfort, such as vomiting or diarrhoea. Touching the leaves is generally safe, but it’s wise to prevent the plant from being eaten.

If you find this too risky and don’t want to worry about your plant and your pet, take a look at our pet-friendly houseplants!

Pot and soil

Well-draining soil is essential. A mix of standard potting soil with some vulcastrat or hydro granules works perfectly. Choose a pot that gives the roots enough space, but not too large, so the plant can focus its energy on growing healthy leaves.

Feeding the Sansevieria

During the active growing season, occasionally give a small amount of liquid plant food, for example, once every 4–6 weeks. In winter, feeding is not necessary.

Repotting the Lady’s Tongue

Repotting is only needed every 2–3 years, or when the plant becomes too large for its pot. Spring is the best time to do this, as the plant is then in its growth phase.
For all tips on repotting, read our blog “How to repot your plant.”

Pruning the Sansevieria

Pruning is usually not necessary. Remove any damaged or dead leaves by cutting them close to the base with a sharp, clean knife or scissors. This prevents bacterial infections and helps the plant continue to grow healthily.

Propagating the Lady’s Tongue

The lovely Sansevieria can be easily propagated through leaf cuttings or by dividing the root ball. Cut a healthy leaf and place it in soil or water until roots develop.
For a full explanation and step-by-step guide, check out our blog filled with propagation tips.

Common problems with the Sansevieria

Root rot: usually caused by overwatering. Use well-draining soil and a pot with drainage holes.
Yellow leaves: may result from too much or too little water, insufficient light, or a nutrient deficiency.
Brown leaf tips: often due to dry air or irregular watering.