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Interesting facts about bow hemp
Botanical name: Sansevieria trifasciata and Sansevieria cylindrica with many varieties
Other names: bow hemp, mother-in-law’s tongue, African sisal
Use: houseplant, indoor greening, ornamental leaf plant, promotes the indoor climate, office plant, feel-good plant, trend plant, succulent
Origin: Africa, especially West Africa, Nigeria
Flowers: inconspicuous, subordinate role
. Special features: the bow-tie plant is a green plant with a long tradition that can become very old. In Florida it is used as an outdoor hedge plant. Also suitable for people without a green thumb. The fragrant flowers are open at night. Depending on the species 10 to 100 cm high.
The Sansevieria group, known as bow hemp, enjoys great popularity as a houseplant, on the one hand because of the robust species and on the other hand because of the variety of the extraordinary foliage. There are numerous Sansevieria species. Depending on the type and variety, the leaf varies in color, shape, length and shape. In addition to dwarf forms, there are tall specimens. The sheet varies in length from 10 to 100 cm long. The houseplant «Bogenhanf» is extremely decorative. In addition, caring for the Sansevieria is not complex and is also suitable for beginners. Botanically, Sansevieria belongs to the asparagus family (Asparagaceae) and is therefore closely related to the dragon tree. The botanical name Sansevieria honors the Italian nobleman Pietro Antonio Sanseverino. The German name goes back to the stability of the plant fibers. In the past, bowstrings were made from the Sansevieria. The houseplant tolerates many locations, quickly becomes a collector ‘s item and is well suited for beginners. In this article we will introduce you to the different types of bow hemp and inform you about the care.
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In which location does the bow hemp feel most comfortable?
Sansevieria prefers a bright, warm spot in the room. Places near the window with temperatures of 20 to 22 degrees Celsius and high humidity are ideal. Temperatures below 15 °C should be avoided permanently. The bright location is especially important for varieties with a multicolored pattern. If these plants are too dark, they will turn green over time. With many varieties, however, a partially shaded location is also possible. From the end of May to August, the arch hemp can be in a semi-shady to shady place on the balcony, terrace or in the garden. It is important to gradually get used to the outdoor conditions in order to avoid unsightly burns on the leaves. The outdoor location shouldbe protected from rain, as the substrate should not become waterlogged.
Our gardening tip: The cooler and darker the Sansevieria is, the slower the growth.
How do I care for my bow tie?
Sansevieria care is easy and requires little time and knowledge. Apart from need-based watering and regular fertilizing, there are hardly any maintenance measures. Small plants can be showered with lukewarm water once or twice a year. If the Sansevieria plant is too large and unwieldy for this, wiping the sword-shaped leaves with a damp cloth will help. In this way you remove the dust on the entire plant and help it to develop well. Especially with young plants, it is important to moisten the sometimes long leaves from time to time. This can also be done with the help of a hand sprayertake place. A pruning of your Sansevieria plant is not necessary. Plants that have grown too large can be reduced by division. Repotting every 2 to 3 years is recommended. In principle, the genus is also forgiving of care mistakes and grows very old — almost like artificial green plants! Beginners in particular can look forward to Sansevieria care.
Our gardening tip: You should avoid blazing sun and dry air when caring for bow hemp. Especially variegated species suffer from the sunny location.
How do I have to water my bow tie?
Similar to the care of cacti, all types of bow hemp require only sparing watering. It is important that waterlogging never occurs and that excess water is poured off 15 minutes after watering. How often you have to water bow hemp depends largely on the room temperature, the amount of sunlight, the type of substrate and the size of the pot. Basically, bow hemp is easy to care for and should only be watered a little to moderately. Therefore, you should be careful when watering your bow tie. Standing water damages the plant! In a partially shaded locationin the room, watering every 7 to 10 days may be sufficient. The water requirement in winter is usually lower than in summer. It is important that you let the top layer of soil dry out a little before watering again.
Our gardening tip: Over a longer period of time, bow-tie plants do better with less water than with too much moisture. Excess water must never be present. The fleshy leaves serve as a storage organ.
How do I fertilize my bow hemp?
Sansevieria species need regular fertilizer to grow and form new shoots. During the main growth period from April to August, you can supply the easy-care houseplant with cactus fertilizer every 4 weeks. A green plant fertilizer is also suitable, which is enriched with important growth and vital substances and helps the plant to look healthy and fresh. Fertilizing with fertilizer sticks is easy to handle. With this convenient long-term fertilization, your houseplant is supplied with all the necessary nutrients, minerals and trace elements for 3 months. Fertilizers can be dispensed with in autumn and winter.
How do I repot my scrunchie?
For a good development it is important that you repot your Sansevieria every 2 to 3 years in the spring. Older plants in particular develop better again after transplanting them into fresh potting soil. After years, the planter is usually full of roots and rhizomes and the shoots only grow moderately. It is important that the substrate used is humus and well drained. The pH should be 6.5 to 7. For example, use a mixture of cactus soil and green plant soil. Choose a pot that is 5 to 7 cm larger and first put a thin drainage layer of expanded clay in the new pot. In this way you prevent harmful waterlogging and give your green plants the best conditions.
What are the different types of Sansevieria?
You will be amazed by the variety of bow hemp species. Depending on the breed, the leaves are green or multicolored, some are shiny, others are dull and have a rough surface. In addition to leaves with entire margins, there are specimens with jagged edges. The best-known representatives are yellow-green, but there are impressive and exotic variations. The more colorful the leaf, the brighter the location should be. The individual varieties also differ in growth height. There are Sansevierias that grow stiffly and upright with broad leaves, or specimens that remain small and form rosettes. The most common groups are:
Sansevieria | Sansevieria trifasciata | Sansevieria cylindrica
The Sansevieria cylindrica has developed into a trend plant in recent years. The cylindrical leaves are partly braided and offered as a decorative green plant, partly with colored shoot tips.
You can gift and buy these plants online and in garden centers. We also have many other gift ideas from the living and decoration area.
What pests and diseases can bow-tie species get?
Sansevierias are robust green plants, which are very rarely attacked by diseases and pests in the optimal location. Only root rot occurs occasionally. This is usually a result of too much moisture or the wrong substrate. Improve the conditions and give the green plant an optimal ambient temperature. Repotting the popular species is often helpful.
Are you looking for more information about pests and diseases or do you have questions about a plant problem? Our plant doctors will be happy to help you – in person and online!
FAQ — Frequently asked questions about Sansevieria
How can bow hemp be propagated?
The simplest method of propagation is to divide oversized plants. The best time is in spring. To do this, remove the plant from the pot and gently pull the plant apart. It is important that each new part of the plant has at least 1 to 2 stems. Finally, pot the new plants in small pots with a suitable soil mixture. You can also propagate the mother-in-law by cuttings or seeds. When propagating cuttings, a leaf is separated from the mother plant, shortened with a sharp knife and placed in the growing substrate. In good conditions, new roots will form within a few weeks.
Is the mother-in-law’s tongue poisonous?
The plant is considered mildly poisonous. The saponins contained in all parts of the plant have a toxic effect. However, since the leaves are very tough, consumption is difficult. Skin irritation can occur in sensitive people if they come into direct contact with the plant sap (cutting or propagation).
Can scrunchie bloom?
Old specimens in particular sometimes form flowers. These can be white, pink, yellow, or greenish-white. Panicles appear in early spring. After flowering, the shoot does not die, but continues to grow.
How does the robust Sansevieria affect the indoor climate?
The genus Sansevieria is one of the plants capable of filtering pollutants from the air. Therefore, they are popular indoor plants, ideal for offices, bedrooms, kitchens and much more. It is important that excessive temperature fluctuations are avoided. This means that the vitality of the green plant suffers if it is left empty for a long time or if the heating is reduced day/night.