Sansevieria eilensis

Scientific Name

Sansevieria eilensis Chahin.

Scientific Classification

Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Crassuloideae
Genus: Sansevieria

Description

Sansevieria eilensis is a slow-growing succulent with rough cylindrical downward-curving leaves that arise from an underground rhizome. The fleshy leaves are light bluish-green with regular bands of white and several green longitudinal lines. They are up to 5 inches (12.5 cm) long and up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. Young plants have a deep channel that runs each leaf's length and has reddish-brown margins edged with a papery brown cuticle. As the plant matures, the edges of newer leaves roll together to form a smooth cylindrical leaf with a dried papery cuticle at each leaf's tip and base. Flowers are borne on a spike-like, up to 12 inches (30 cm) long raceme.

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zones 10b to 11b: from 35 °F (+1.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

How to Grow and Care

Place Sansevierias in moderately bright or filtered light. Good locations include a spot in front of a north-facing window or front of a bright, sunny window covered by a sheer curtain. Although the plant tolerates low light, bright light brings out the colors in the leaves. However, intense light may cause the edges of the leaves to turn yellow.

Allow the soil to dry completely before watering and then water deeply until water drips through the drainage hole. Allow the pot to drain, and then discard the water that remains in the saucer. Never allow the soil to become soggy, and never let the pot stand in water. Water sparingly throughout the winter. Like most succulent plants that store water in their leaves, Sansevieria rots quickly in excessively wet soil.

Place Sansevieria in average room temperatures. Protect the plant from drafts and cold temperatures as it is damaged below 50 °F (10 °C).

Feed the plant once every three weeks throughout the summer. Use a general-purpose fertilizer for houseplants diluted to one-half the strength suggested on the container. Sansevieria is a light feeder, and too much fertilizer makes the leaves fall over.

Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Sansevieria.

Origin

This species is found only in a small region near Eyl (Somalia).