Sansevieria, or as it is popularly called " mother-in-law's tongue", originally from Africa. This is a plant of the agave family, numbering more than 50 species. Among them there are even epiphytes living in the tropics. 7-8 species are common in indoor floriculture.

At home, “mother-in-law’s tongue” adapts well to environmental conditions and tolerates varying degrees of lighting. Because of its unpretentiousness and beauty, Sansevieria is deservedly popular among gardeners. It fits perfectly into many design solutions interior

Types of "mother-in-law's tongue" differ in height, size and color: these can be green leaves with chaotic dark spots, with yellow longitudinal stripes, small plants up to 20 cm in height or with leaves more than a meter.

Sansevieria blooms very interestingly: neat flowers resembling stars appear on a small peduncle, which have a pleasant smell. The peduncle most often grows next to the leaves.

1. Pot. For growing sansevieria, it is better to select spacious clay dishes, since the powerful root system, adapted for long droughts, plastic dishes will soon break.
2. Soil. It is better to select loose soil, and to avoid stagnation of water, it is recommended to make drainage from gravel or expanded clay.
3. Support. The leaves of “mother-in-law’s tongue” are tall and heavy, so it would be better to fix recently transplanted plants near a wall or support.
4. Lighting. Sansevieria loves bright lighting. Therefore, it is advisable to choose well-lit places for it, otherwise its leaves will turn pale and the plant will stop blooming.
5. Watering. In the hot season, you should water the “mother-in-law’s tongue” once a week, and in cloudy weather – as needed. IN winter period this should be done on average once a month.
6. Air humidity. Since “mother-in-law’s tongue” refers to succulents, air humidity is not important for it. Although it is recommended to wipe the leaves from dust more often.
7. Fertilizer. In summer, it is advisable to feed the “mother-in-law’s tongue” with liquid fertilizer. At the same time, recently transplanted plants begin to be fertilized no earlier than six months later.

Reproduction of "mother-in-law's tongue"

• propagation by division of rhizomes - with a sharp, clean knife, the rhizome is cut into pieces of about 10 cm, and for each piece of rhizome there should be several rosettes of leaves. The sections must be dried and planted in the substrate.
• propagation by leaf cuttings - the most common types of sansevieria can be propagated by leaf cuttings. At the same time mature plant will grow from cuttings in two years. This method propagation is not used for variegated varieties with yellow stripes, since young plant in this case there will be no stripes. The exception is the three-striped Sansevieria with a yellow stripe along the edge of the leaf. It is necessary to cut the leaf at the base of the rosette at an acute angle near the yellow stripe and place it in a pale solution of potassium permanganate so that only the yellow corner of the leaf is in the solution. It is characteristic that the spine appears precisely in this part of the leaf. At exactly the same angle as in the solution, it is necessary to plant the cuttings in the soil. After a few months, a rosette similar to the mother plant should appear. And the sheet from which the rosette appeared must be removed with a sharp knife.
• propagation by children from aerial rhizomes - some varieties of “mother-in-law’s tongue” produce children on aerial rhizomes. They need to be carefully trimmed with a sharp knife, dried and planted. In this case, roots should form within a couple of months.
• propagation by seeds - seeds are sown in a greenhouse in soil from a mixture of turf, leaf soil and sand in a ratio of 1: 2: 1, respectively, and placed in a warm and bright place. The seeds sprout in a couple of weeks, and after a month the plants need to be planted in separate pots.

Problems when growing "mother-in-law's tongue"

1. Rotting, yellowing and dying of leaves. This is a consequence of excessive moisture of the plant. If only part of the plant is damaged, then the affected parts should be removed and the cuts should be sprinkled activated carbon or sulfur, and change the pot for the plant.
2. Cervical rotting in the absence of excess moisture may be caused by hypothermia. Optimal temperature in winter for sansevieria it is considered +12-+14 degrees. And at temperatures below +5 degrees the plant may die.
3. Brown spots on leaves. This is evidence of waterlogging of the plant; watering should be done less often.
4. The leaves are pale. This means there is not enough light. In this case, it is recommended to move the plant under direct lighting.
5. The edges of the leaves are damaged. This may indicate that the plant is unstable in the pot or that it has been frozen. The flowerpot should be strengthened by placing it in an external container, or moved away from the window.
6. Pests. "Mother-in-law's tongue" is susceptible to damage by thrips, spider mites, mealybugs.

• mealybug - white spots appear on the underside of leaves - the pest likes to settle at the base of sword-shaped leaves and peduncles and suck out their juice, while the leaves and peduncles become bent, turn yellow and fall off. Pests are collected by hand, and the infected plant is washed with water. In case of severe damage, the fight is difficult, since the scale insects are able to gather on leaves and stems in large colonies. In this case, treatment with karbofos is indicated.
• thrips - whitish silvery spots and dark brown dots appear on the underside of the leaf. Here you can consider small insects with wings. Insects are not very dangerous. They fly or crawl from leaf to leaf, leaving behind silvery streaks. These pests interfere with the growth of the plant, and after them the leaves become discolored and turn yellow, but most of all they harm the flowers, causing them to become deformed and stained. The fight against this pest is not very difficult - you need to regularly irrigate the sansevieria with water, increasing the air humidity. In case of significant damage, it is necessary to treat with Actellik
• spider mite - a cobweb appears on the leaves, visible to the naked eye. At the same time, the leaves begin to turn yellow, acquire a marbled color and dry out. This is the most dangerous pest indoor plants located in warm, dry climates, which can affect almost all house plants, causing their growth and development to slow down, leaves to yellow and fall off. To combat mites, it is necessary to regularly irrigate the affected parts of the plant with water and wipe the leaves with a damp sponge. In case of significant damage, it is necessary to apply Actellik.

Traditional methods of pest control for “mother-in-law’s tongue”

A solution of Persian chamomile and green soap will help destroy these pests. The infected plant is treated with this mixture, and after a day it is washed with plain water. It is recommended to carry out the procedure until the pests disappear.

Signs associated with “mother-in-law’s tongue”

“Mother-in-law’s tongue” also has many popular names: “pike tail”, “Indian sword”, “snake skin”, “devil’s tongue” and this influenced the emergence of various signs and superstitions, most often unfounded, associated with this plant:

• a plant of gossip - some believe that “mother-in-law’s tongue” brings frequent quarrels and family destruction into the house. This is an absolute lie - Sansevieria is an excellent plant for strengthening the family - quarrels and showdowns disappear, love and mutual understanding return
• energy - the plant absorbs negativity - rudeness, bad mood, anger and sets up positive communication, while emitting the energy of creativity and peace
• getting rid of ill-wishers - the plant is able to stop gossip and drive away ill-wishers
• flowering of a plant - it is believed that if “mother-in-law’s tongue” blooms in winter, this is a sign of a major scandal associated with excessive care. If flowering occurs at any other time of the year except winter, this is good sign, which speaks of good luck in new endeavors.

Many people love decorative indoor plants, because they create comfort and beauty in the home. However, they all have different energy and when choosing, you need to focus not only on attractive appearance. Folk signs will help you choose the right house plants.

The plant, popularly called mother-in-law's tongue, is actually called Sansevieria. It came to our climate from the hot countries of Africa and Asia, so Sansevieria is a fairly unpretentious plant. It can easily endure a week without water and grow on rocks and stones. Mother-in-law is unpretentious and does not require much care.

The unusual appearance of the plant has given rise to many names, superstitions and signs. To some, the cylindrical shape of the leaves resembles long and elongated tongues or tails, to others - a sword or blade, to others - the shape and three-stripe color resembles a snake. Such associations led to the emergence of some more “folk” names for Sansevieria:

• pike tail;
• Indian sword;
• snake skin;
• leopard lily.

Is it possible to keep Sansevieria at home?

In Russia, this plant is most often called mother-in-law’s tongue, since its leaves have a sharp tip, and, according to folk beliefs, just like mother-in-law’s tongue, can bring major quarrels and problems into the life of a young family.

There is a widespread opinion that keeping mother-in-law’s tongue in the house is not worth it at all - it causes problems and scandals. However, this opinion is far from the only one. According to other beliefs, mother-in-law's tongue, on the contrary, absorbs negative energy and serves as a kind of “lightning rod” for problems.

Flower in the house - folk signs

Mother-in-law's tongue refers to plants called muzhegons. Therefore, it is better not to keep sansevieria in the house for young unmarried girls. As long as her mother-in-law’s tongue lives safely in her room or apartment, the girl will not get married. For married women, on the contrary, the plant helps restore energy balance and will bring positive energy and tranquility to the family.

This ornamental plant should not be given to others or accepted as a gift. Especially bad omen It is considered to accept such a gift from relatives of the husband, widow or widower, as well as women whose personal life is not going well. If you got your mother-in-law's tongue from your parents, it can become your talisman.

In order for the mother-in-law's tongue to bring only benefits, it is better to place it in the kitchen under the window. This way you can avoid unnecessary attention and the evil eye of envious people. A pot for sansevieria should be chosen in a calm color; red is not desirable.

Is it possible to place mother-in-law’s tongue near your workplace?

Place such a plant in the office - great idea. It is believed that mother-in-law’s tongue will protect the owner from gossip from colleagues, eliminate unnecessary chatter in the workplace, ward off overly annoying colleagues, and protect him from major quarrels. Tempting, isn't it?

The positive effect of mother-in-law's tongue is associated with the fact that this plant can absorb large amounts of bad energy. Whether she accumulates it or not is unknown.

Mother-in-law's tongue grows intensively and nourishes itself in conditions of constant conflicts, bad moods, and stressful situations.

Such events often happen in work teams. Therefore, this ornamental plant is indispensable in the office - it will bring more harmony, mutual understanding and goodwill in business communication.

Blooming mother-in-law's tongue

Most negative superstitions are associated precisely with the appearance of Sansevieria flowers. Scientists say that mother-in-law's tongue should not bloom if given favorable care. If it does bloom, you should take it as a warning, foreshadowing bad events. At the same time, if flowering occurs in spring or summer, you can get away with minor troubles.

But if flowers appear in winter, expect a major quarrel or illness among loved ones. Blooming sansevieria in the office warns of upcoming conflicts and misunderstandings among colleagues. The cause of conflicts will be excessive care or the desire to take care of others against their will.

Other signs consider the flowering of mother-in-law's tongue to be a favorable sign, especially if it occurs at the right time of year (not in winter). Such signs connect the appearance of flowers with upcoming positive changes in life, good luck and fortune.

In general, among experts in folk superstitions there is no consensus on this mysterious plant like mother-in-law's tongue. Some people think that keeping it in the house is important and useful. He will absorb all quarrels, scandals and troubles in the family.

Others, on the contrary, are sure that mother-in-law’s tongue can drive men out of the house and negatively influence the atmosphere in the house. Therefore, it is important to ensure the existence of sansevieria in suitable conditions, replant it and water it in a timely manner. Then mother-in-law’s tongue will not harm you, but on the contrary will help you establish a calm and comfortable life.

Spring is the most favorable time of year for the propagation of any plant. Sansevieria is no exception. In spring, all metabolic processes in it begin to occur at an accelerated pace, so the rooting process will be faster and more favorable.

It should be noted that mother-in-law’s tongue is such an unpretentious plant that, in principle, it can be successfully propagated at any time of the year. Especially if the reason for propagation was emergency measures to save the dying sansevieria: the root system began to rot, the flower fell and broke, etc.

Soil preparation

The soil for planting sansevieria should be loose, permeable, and not heavy. It is best to use ready-made soil substrate for succulents, purchased at a flower shop.

Can be cooked soil mixture for the pike tail yourself:

1. The composition should include the following components: leaf, turf soil, humus, sand in a ratio of 2:2:1:1, you can add a little charcoal.
2. Another recipe: mix 4 parts turf and 2 parts leaf soil, 1 part sand. You can also add a little organic fertilizers, for example peat.

Which pot is suitable?

Material

For sansevieria, a clay or ceramic pot is considered the most suitable. Clay is an environmentally friendly substance, has excellent breathability, thereby providing air access to the roots, and absorbs moisture well, providing additional drainage. Pots made of clay and ceramics are quite stable, and this is an important factor for such tall plant like mother-in-law's tongue. In addition, containers made of clay and ceramics are durable; they can withstand the pressure of the powerful roots of sansevieria on the walls.

Attention! The pot must have holes at the bottom to drain excess water, and the bottom of the pot must be covered with a layer of drainage, which can be used as expanded clay, broken brick, pebbles.

Size

Mother-in-law's tongue feels most comfortable in small containers: in a cramped position the plant produces flowers more readily.

It is important that the pot is shallow but wide, since the roots of this plant grow wide.

How to choose a leaf cutting?

A leaf is used from a rosette that has already bloomed and will not produce any more new leaves. Most often taken bottom sheet. It must be healthy, without visible damage or flaws.

What nuances should be taken into account?

The Sansevieria leaf is cut perpendicular to the veins into pieces of 5–15 cm each. It is necessary to note or remember where each fragment is top and where is bottom. When rooting, immerse the cutting in water or soil only bottom taking into account the direction of movement of plant juices. If this nuance is not taken into account, the cutting will not give roots.

The number of leaves cut depends on how many copies of young plants need to be obtained. A larger number of leaves increases the likelihood that the cutting will be successful: even if some petioles do not take root, the bulk will still sprout roots.

Planting in water at home

1. Prepare everything you need: a container with water, sharp scissors, a Sansevieria leaf, the drug “Kornevin”.
2. Cut the sheet into several fragments, mark the top and bottom of each segment (you can use a simple ballpoint pen).
3. Add a little Kornevin preparation to a container (preferably transparent for better observation of the condition of the roots being released) with water.
4. Place each of the pike tail petioles into water, strictly observing the rule: only the lower part is immersed in the liquid.
5. After each of the fragments has sent out its roots, they should be planted in pots with soil.

Reference! On average, rooting of mother-in-law's tongue by the petiole in water occurs within 2 to 3 months.

How to plant in the ground?

Rooting usually occurs after 1.5 - 2 months. And after another 7–8 months, the sansevieria planted in the ground will produce new young shoots.

It is not advisable to make a greenhouse, since high humidity it can contribute to the rotting of cuttings.

Relocating a pike tail to a flowerbed in warm weather

Sansevieria feels comfortable in open ground. It grows well both in the sun and in the shade, does not require frequent replanting, tolerates drafts, rare and even very rare watering. Some flower growers specifically, as soon as the threat of spring frosts disappears, transplant the plant into a flowerbed so that it “gets healthier” there: the leaves gain strength, the color becomes brighter, and a flower stalk is finally released.

How to do this:

1. Lightly dig up the soil in the flowerbed, thereby saturating it with oxygen. You can add a little sand, peat, humus to the soil.
2. Dig a hole in the ground, the depth of which will correspond to the height of the pot in which the sansevieria grew.
3. Water the hole and the flower in the pot.
4. Carefully remove the plant along with the earthen lump and, without shaking off the substrate, transfer it into the hole.
5. Fill the remaining voids with soil, pressing it down a little.
6. During the summer, it is systematically necessary to loosen the soil around the pike tail, apply fertilizers, and water as the top layer of soil dries out.
7. As soon as the temperature drops to +17C - +18C with the onset of autumn, the plant must be watered abundantly.
8. Carefully dig the sansevieria out of the ground: most likely, the root system has grown greatly over the summer, so the flower will need to be replanted in a larger pot.
9. Planting in a pot is done in the usual way.
10. The flower in a pot is first brought onto the veranda or balcony, and after 3 days - into the apartment or house.

Photo

Look how beautiful the pike tail looks in the flowerbed:

Caring for young cuttings

If the propagation of sansevieria was carried out by dividing the leaf, then after immersing the cuttings in the soil, they need to be watered (you can learn more about the methods of propagating the “pike tail”). Then you need to water the future plants sparingly, remembering that mother-in-law’s tongue is a succulent. The recommended temperature for keeping a container with petioles is +20C – +22C. It is at this temperature that rooting occurs faster and more efficiently. Sansevieria loves a lot of diffused light, but you should avoid direct sunlight on the petioles.

What to do if the plant does not take root?

Despite the fact that sansevieria is very unpretentious in care, sometimes the rooted segments do not take root. What is the reason? As a rule, excessive watering is to blame for this, as a result of which the tip of the cutting may rot after planting. You can try to correct the situation by doing the following: remove the petiole from the ground, cut off the rotten tip, and wither it on outdoors, treat with Kornevin and root again. You should also adjust the watering schedule so that a similar situation does not happen again.

Even a novice gardener can propagate his favorite plant in this way. But it is important not to forget about the need for young and old plants to decorate their original form apartment interior or flowerbed design.

Video on the topic

We invite you to watch a video on how to propagate Sansevieria using leaf cuttings:

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In offices, apartments and even in spacious store rooms you can often find a well-known indoor plant - “mother-in-law’s tongue”. This flower is unpretentious, effective and therefore is popular not only with flower growers, but also with designers. The plant has more than 60 species, all of which may differ slightly in leaf shape, rosette or color. This is a fairly strong plant, does not require care, grows quickly and easily attracts sympathy. Sansevieria, which is the name of the familiar “mother-in-law’s tongue”, is a flower that received its name in honor of the Italian prince, patron of botany San Seviero.

Originally from the tropics

The flower belongs to the agave family. Its homeland is Asia and Africa, countries with tropical and subtropical climates. Locals This plant is used in many ways - it serves as a living fence, is used in folk medicine and is used as raw material for making ropes and fabrics. Here and in others European countries sansevieria - house plant, which serves only for aesthetic beauty. It is popular everywhere, and each country has its own simple “home” name. In the USA, sansevieria is called “snake skin”, in England - “leopard lily” or “devil’s tongue”, and in Germany they will tell you that it is “African hemp”. In our country, for its long leaves it was called “mother-in-law’s tongue”; the flower is sometimes also called “pike tail”.

This plant is accustomed to living in harsh conditions, so it does not require special attention. The only thing you should not forget is that Sansevieria is African, so it needs warmth, a lot of light and moderate watering.

The flower has a very well developed root system. The roots are long, thick and very strong. No less developed upper part- the leaves can reach a meter in length, they are dense, heavy, and there are many of them. Therefore, you should choose a pot for the plant that is heavy and durable, but not necessarily spacious.

The plant should be watered no more than once a week in summer, and in winter 1-2 waterings per month are sufficient. “Mother-in-law’s tongue” flowers do not require special care and are very tenacious, but are afraid of cold and excessive moisture. Therefore, in winter the temperature should not be lower than 5 degrees Celsius. When watering plants, you need to make sure that there is no stagnation of water in the pot, so be sure to take care of drainage. You should not water the flower if top layer the earth has not dried up. It is better to allow the soil to dry out than to allow it to become too wet.

Bloom

Many owners mistakenly believe that this plant does not bloom and is propagated only by cuttings, but this is not true. The “mother-in-law’s tongue” flower begins to bloom at the moment when the conditions for its maintenance are most optimal. The plant throws out a tall arrow with a panicle, on which small and discreet buds are located. The flowers themselves are very delicate and exude the same delicate aroma; they will delight the owner for at least a week. You can see the blossoming “mother-in-law’s tongue” (flower), a photo of it in our article. At the end of flowering, berries with seeds are formed, which may well produce new life. We will talk about how you can get a plant this way a little later.

Plant replanting, soil

The indoor flower “mother-in-law’s tongue” grows especially quickly during the first 5 years of its life. Therefore, it is recommended to replant it every spring. A small but stable pot will do. The soil should consist of a mixture of sand, turf and leaf soil in a ratio of 1:2:2. Remember to have reasonably good drainage. Replanting an adult plant in subsequent times should not be done often - once every 2-3 years.

Top dressing

Mother-in-law's tongue flowers require minimal care and also do not require frequent feeding. It is better to choose a fertilizer for cacti, or any other complex mineral fertilizer, but at the same time reduce the dose by half. You need to fertilize the soil no more than once a month in spring and summer, but in winter you don’t need to feed it at all. Sansevieria is a plant in Africa, and the soil there is not rich in nutrients, so it is important not to overdo it with fertilizer. Excess nutrition can adversely affect the color of the leaves, and the flower will lose its attractiveness. Everything is good, but in moderation.

Reproduction

The plant reproduces quite simply, but you also need to take into account what species your “mother-in-law’s tongue” belongs to. A flower (you can see photos of its various types in this article) that has a yellow edging on its leaves will require some knowledge about proper reproduction. Otherwise, the new plant will not have yellow stripes.

The plant is usually propagated by cuttings, dividing roots or leaves. With a cutting, everything is simple - you need to separate it from the mother plant, lightly dry the cut and plant it in prepared soil. Root system Fully grows in 2-3 months.

Propagation by dividing the roots is also simple: divide the rhizome into parts, leaving a green rosette on each, and replant it in a new pot with prepared soil.

You should act a little differently if your mother flowers “mother-in-law’s tongue” have a yellow edging on their leaves. Reproduction in this case should only be by leaf. Separate a healthy and strong leaf from the mother plant and make an oblique cut from the bottom, at an angle of approximately 30 degrees. Such a cutting should be placed in a weak solution of potassium permanganate, but so that only the yellow corner of the leaf is in the water. It is on this that the root should develop. The yellow corner of the leaf should also be planted in the ground so that a root will grow from it. As soon as new shoots emerge from the ground and develop sufficiently, the leaf can be cut off. This method is suitable for most species.

Propagation by seeds

Your “mother-in-law’s tongue” has bloomed, the flower has produced seeds, and are you planning to get new plants? Great. Prepare the soil as described above, sow the seeds, cover with film and place in a bright and warm place. After approximately 14 days, shoots will appear. Once they are strong enough, they should be planted in individual pots 1-2 sprouts at a time and care for them as for an ordinary plant, observing all the conditions.

Problem Solving

Sansevieria is a strong plant, but no one is immune from trouble. Most common problems The problems you may encounter are pests and rot from improper watering.

If you find dark brown or light silvery spots on the leaves, then most likely your plant has been attacked by thrips. Carefully inspect the lower parts of the leaves; you will probably find tiny insects. It is imperative to get rid of them; they feed on the sap of the plant and can cause quite severe damage. If this happens, spray your mother-in-law's tongue with Karbofos. If the damage is minor and there are few insects, then it is quite possible to use the “home” method. Prepare the emulsion: add a little to the water laundry soap and chopped garlic clove. Stir well and wipe the leaves with this mixture.

You can often see that the leaves of the plant have turned yellow, began to fade, and often the cutting itself begins to rot. Most likely this is the result overwatering. If the damage is minor, remove the yellowed leaves and replant the plant in new pot. When a cutting is affected, there is only one way out - cut it off, root it and replant it. You can also use the leaves of the plant for planting if the cutting is very damaged.

Nature in your home

There is never too much greenery, and an excellent option for most rooms or homes would be a “mother-in-law’s tongue” - a flower. You already know how to care for it. It is also a very useful plant for humans. Sansevieria perfectly purifies and heals the air, and is believed to carry positive energy and evoke positive emotions. That’s why “mother-in-law’s tongue” is often located in places where there are large crowds of people: clinics, theaters or schools. This flower has medicinal properties. Tinctures and decoctions are prepared from its roots to boost immunity, freshly squeezed juice is instilled to treat otitis, and a paste from the leaves is applied to burns and treated wounds. And the “pike tail” is an excellent decoration that will bring a piece of good mood to any corner of your home.

Mother-in-law's tongue is the name of a houseplant popular among domestic flower growers, which combines ease of care and decorativeness, and is also perfect for cultivation at home. Not all flower growers know that the scientific name of this indoor flower– Sansevieria or Sansevieria.

Botanical description

The homeland of indoor sansavieria is the tropics of Asia and Africa. People also call it “snake skin”, “bayonet plant” or “pike tail”. An unpretentious and very hardy indoor flower can be represented in two varieties:

• a fairly tall and erect plant with long lanceolate leaves;
• decorative, relatively low-growing crop with short leaves forming a rosette.

Depending on the species, the foliage may be green, grayish green or dark green. The shape is leafy or almost cylindrical. The plant may have wide white or golden-yellow stripes, as well as transverse light green stripes, reddish borders or marbled, grayish-green patterns. The ornamental plant blooms quite attractively. The flowers are fragrant, pinkish, greenish-white or snow-white in color. Blooms in spring, not too long.

Mother-in-law's tongue: how to care (video)

Popular plant varieties

An indoor decorative crop from the Dracaena family of the genus Sansevieria is grown both in office premises and at home. Almost all varieties of this plant are sufficiently resistant to adverse weather conditions. external factors, and caring for indoor crops at home is very simple. But only a few varieties and forms are especially popular among amateur flower growers.

Home care

At indoor growing Mother-in-law's language is important to adhere to the following: simple recommendations:

• V summer period standard room temperature is suitable for growing sansevieria, but in winter the plant needs a cool regime at 14-16°C;
• the minimum temperature that room temperature can withstand is 10-11°C;
• decorative culture belongs to the light-loving category, but it is preferable to use bright and diffused lighting;
• it is allowed to cultivate an ornamental plant with green, monochromatic foliage in light shade;
• to preserve the decorative effect of variegated varieties, it is necessary to place the plant closer to the straight line sunlight;
• during the winter period the optimal accommodation is flower pot or a flowerpot on the windows of the eastern or western direction;

• on south-facing windows, the plant may require shading in particularly hot and sunny days summer days;
• irrigation activities should be sufficient and relatively plentiful from early spring to mid-spring autumn period;
• in winter, watering should be limited as much as possible and done approximately twice a month, strictly at the root of the plant;
• it is strictly forbidden to allow water to enter the central part of the leaf rosette, which often provokes rotting of the above-ground part of the crop;
• at the stage of activation of growth processes, fertilizing is carried out with liquid fertilizers intended for growing indoor plants;
• feed decorative culture needed monthly, but the standard dose should be reduced by exactly half.

The plant is sufficiently resistant to adverse conditions, and there is no need to spray the plant. However, to maintain decorativeness and attractiveness appearance Dust is systematically removed from the foliage using a damp sponge. In summer, a flowerpot with a plant can be placed on a balcony, loggia, as well as a covered terrace or veranda.

How to transplant mother-in-law's tongue (video)

Transplant technology

Indoor flower replanting is done in the spring as needed. It is necessary to replant the plant if the decorative crop has grown greatly and begins to need a larger flower pot. During the transplantation process, the crop can also be propagated by dividing the rhizome.

When replanting, any fertile and sufficiently light soil can be used. The pot must have high-quality drainage holes. You need to add drainage to the bottom of the flower pot. IN recent years experienced flower growers When growing sansevieria, hydroponics is increasingly used.

Features of reproduction

Reproduction of mother-in-law's tongue can be carried out in spring or summer, by vegetative methods, represented by dividing rhizomes or leaf cuttings. In order to preserve varietal characteristics, variegated and other individual varieties of mother-in-law's tongue must be propagated exclusively by rhizome division, in which each division has a growing point and a leaf rosette. With proper rooting, several new shoots with leaves are formed.

When propagating by leaf cuttings, the leaf must be cut crosswise into separate fragments, dry at room temperature, and treat the lower cut with the preparation “Kornevin”, then bury it a couple of centimeters in clean and slightly moistened medium-grained sand. Rooting is carried out at temperature conditions within 20-25 o C. The rooting process continues for a couple of months and ends with the growth of young shoots.

Main diseases and pests

Diseases and pests rarely affect sansevieria, and if affected, the ornamental plant should be treated with the systemic insecticide “Aktara” or “Confidor”. The main problems arise from root or leaf rot from increased watering.

The same problem occurs when growing crops in soil that is too dense and heavy, or with insufficient drainage holes. A particularly high danger is caused by waterlogging of the soil at low temperatures and in shade. In addition to rot, the foliage may suffer from spotting, which makes the plant undecorative and unattractive.

Unpretentious plant: mother-in-law's tongue (video)

Thus, we can conclude that all species of Sansevieria suitable for indoor floriculture are unpretentious ornamental plants, which are ideal for growing as a single plant and making spectacular flower arrangements. The big advantage of this decorative flower compared to others indoor plants is shade tolerance, as well as the ability to grow and develop very well in compositions created on the basis of other succulents or ordinary indoor plants.