Scientific Name
Dracaena zeylanica (L.) Mabb.
Common Name(s)
Ceylon Bowstring Hemp, Devil's Tongue, Mother-in-Law's Tongue, Snake Plant, Zeylanica Snake Plant
Synonym(s)
Acyntha zeylanica, Cordyline zeylanica, Sansevieria zeylanica, Aloe hyacinthoides var. zeylanica, Aloe zeylanica
Scientific Classification
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Nolinoideae
Genus: Dracaena
Etymology
The specific epithet "zeylanica" (pronounced "zey-LAN-ee-kuh") refers to Sri Lanka, also known historically as Ceylon.
Origin
Dracaena zeylanica is native to the drier areas of Sri Lanka.
Description
Dracaena zeylanica, formerly known as Sansevieria zeylanica, is a slow-growing succulent that forms a clump of stiff, fleshy, sword-shaped leaves with irregular dark and pale green horizontal bands. The leaves can grow up to 32 inches (80 cm) long and 2 inches (5 cm) wide.
The mature plants occasionally produce spikes of pale green flowers.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b: from 20°F (-6.7°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 discard the water in the saucer. Never let the soil become soggy, and the pot stands in water. Water sparingly throughout the winter. Like most succulent plants storing water in their leaves, Sansevieria rots quickly in excessively wet soil.
Place Sansevieria at average room temperature. 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 half the strength suggested on the container. Sansevieria is a light feeder, and too much fertilizer makes the leaves fall over.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Sansevieria.
Links
- Back to genus Dracaena
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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