How to care for Sansevieria: five basic rules

The popular Sansevieria succulent is called a houseplant that is almost impossible to destroy with improper care. It is indeed very hardy to a wide variety of adversities, but if you want to grow a large and beautiful Sansevieria, you still have to follow certain rules.

These rules are quite simple and quite within the power of even absolute beginners. OBOZ.UA has collected recommendations from experienced growers on how to grow a truly luxurious Sansevieria.

Lighting and temperature conditions

All plants need a different amount of sunlight, so caring for a bonsai tree is completely different from how you care for an orchid. As for Sansevierias, they do best in a well-lit place, but not in direct sunlight. Direct ultraviolet light burns the leaves, they turn brown, and eventually, the plant may even die.

Any temperature above 10 degrees is suitable for the plant. But the optimal conditions will be 15-25 degrees.

Watering

The frequency of watering houseplants depends entirely on the species you are caring for, as well as on the size and environmental conditions. When it comes to Sansevieria, it is important to remember that it tolerates drought much easier than overwatering. Therefore, it is better to wait until the soil in the pot is completely dry before watering the plant again. This species belongs to the succulents, which means that skipping watering the Sansevieria is unlikely to harm it.

Fertilizing

Fertilizing Sansevieria should be done with caution. Excessive care can significantly harm the plant. Therefore, it should be fertilized only during the active growing season – from about March to October. Liquid fertilizers should be applied with watering no more than once a month and carefully monitored so as not to exceed the recommended concentration. Choose universal mixtures or special products for cacti and succulents.

Cleaning

Sansevieria are among the most effective air purifiers in the home. During the filtration process, they collect a lot of dust on the leaves, so they need to be wiped regularly. To keep your flowerpot in good condition, wipe the leaves with a soft cloth as soon as you notice dust on them. A weekly routine dry cleaning will be enough, and once a month it will be useful to give the Sansevieria a general wet cleaning. But make sure that the cloth is damp, not wet.

Soil and transplanting

Sansevierias do not need nutritious soil; they prefer a light and well-drained substrate. It should contain a significant percentage of sand and not retain too much water. Don't forget to put a layer of expanded clay on the bottom of the pot so that excess water can drain into the sump.

There is often no need to repot Sansevieria. Move it to a larger pot only if you notice that the roots have begun to break out of the old one. Do not bury the plant in fresh soil too deeply. Sansevieria does not have a very deep root system, and the roots need access to air.

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