Family: Agavaceae
Common Name: Mother-in-law's Tongue

Comprising around 70 species, as well as many different varieties and forms, these succulent plants originate from arid areas in Africa (tropical and subtropical), Malagassy and southern Asia. All have short, thick, creeping rhizomes from which arise tough, upright, sword-shaped fibrous leaves, from which hemp fiber is manufactured. The leaves of many species are spotted, blotched or handed in various patterns. Mature plants bear sprays of small greenish white flowers borne on fairly tall stems. Sansevierias are popular and resilient indoor plants.

Species

S. cylindrica, from Africa, has tall, cylindrical, sharp-pointed, dull green leaves and tubular, pale pink or white flowers.

S. trifasciata, mother-in-law's tongue, from western Africa, has stiff, straight, erect leaves, ending in a blunt point and banded in grayish green and dark green. Cultivar 'Hahnii', believed to be a sport of S. trifasciata, is a vase-shaped plant with wider, shorter leaves marked horizontally with deep green. Cultivar 'Laurentii' is like S. triftasciata, but has cream to yellow bands down the leaf sides.

Cultivation

Easy to grow, these plants require very little water and moderately rich, well-drained soil. They can be grown in either sun or shade. Their thick rhizomes fill pots quickly, so sansevierias may need repotting annually. Indoors, sponge the leaves to remove dust. Propagate from leaf cuttings, segments of the rhizome with a node, or from seed sown in spring or summer.

Climate

Zone 10 or tropical.