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Snake Plant | Sanseviera trifasciata

The Snake Plant is also called Mother-in-law's-tongue or, what I prefer, Good Luck Plant. It is a very easy to grow and easy to maintain.

The Snake Plant is very sturdy and durable and forgiving. As you see in the picture it has fleshy, stiff, sword shaped leaves and can grow vertically up to 3 feet. The leaves can be solid green or variegated with gray-green, yellow or black green. Due to its height I find it is the perfect plant to place on the floor and give a boring corner some life. The Snake Plant does come in many varieties which all look fairly similar and some, if tended to diligently, may even produce small, fragrant white flower, although I would not count on it.

Temperature & Humidity
The Snake Plant does best in average to high temperature during the day - you can even let the temperature soar to 80F. At night do not allow temperature to drop below 65F or it will develop brown edges on the leaves. Average humidity should be sufficient.

Light
Although the Snake Plant will tolerate low light, it prefers high light in the winter months and medium light for the rest of the year. Even if you cannot provide this it will be fine.

Water
The soil should be allowed to become fairly dry between waterings; over watering will foster root rot. The Snake Plant can tolerate parching drought so when in doubt water less frequently specially during the winter. During the winter dormant period even once every month or two is more than sufficient.

Fertilize
Fertilize with a mild, diluted fertilizer weekly during growth periods of spring and summer.

Make sure you clean these large leaves at least monthly and remove dry or dead leaves as soon as you see them. These plants grow fairly slowly so you can probably go 3 to 4 years before having to re-pot.

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