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Sansevieria: Aptly named Mother-in-law's Tongue
When I was first introduced to the genus Sansevieria I admit that being impressed was not high on the emotive scale. Actually, I kind of thought they were stupid plants with very little point to them taking up residence in anyone's garden and I would pigeon-hole those who grew them as obvious non-gardeners.
The reason: I had only ever seen Mother-in-law's Tongues grown as they're shown here - isolated and grown as a focal point in a sea of dry sand.
Later on, I became enchanted with their architectural poise after seeing them grown in great clumps. They were like this sea of cream and dark green that stood vigilant against the elements and stubbornly resisted any movement like a royal guard on sentry duty.
Interestingly enough, sansevieria is meant to grow this way. If you found them growing in the wild in tropical Africa you wouldn't find them growing as dot plants but mingling together to produce an almost impenetrable shield.
While this clumping habit can be an obvious advantage for the home gardener it can also be sansevieria's downfall. In many countries, the Mother-in-law's Tongue plant has been listed on the Known Weeds registry. Once this plant escapes from any confine it can easily propagate and continually clump until it becomes an environmental nightmare.
How to grow Sansevieria
Answering this question is like Shrek responding to Princess Fiona when she exclaims, "A talking donkey!" It's no surprise that sansevieria will grow - it's getting them to stop that's the trick!
However, there are a few things that will help them grow better;
- Sunlight - the more the better. Mother-in-law's (we'll shorten it for expediency) love full-sun and while they will still do fine in part-shade they excel when they're completely exposed to the sun's rays.
- Well-draining soil - this is probably why they're often found growing in sand. While sansevierias enjoy a well-composted soil they don't appreciate hard, clay loams. If clay soils are all you have then consider building a raised bed filled with good-draining sandy soil. They will love you for it.
- Water - they're not water-hungry plants and can easily tolerate a drought, yet they do enjoy a good watering provided the soil drains well.
How to propagate Mother-in-law's Tongues
As sansevieria is a clumping plant, reproducing them is merely a matter of division. Each Spring they will send out some new shoots than can easily be removed, with roots intact, and repotted or planted elsewhere.
I'm not sure how expensive these plants are elsewhere in the world but here in Australia a 200mm pot will set you back $12+. So, when a friend told me that she was removing all hers from a neglected garden bed I was quick to accept and they easily took to my garden and have grown well ever since.
So how did Mother-in-law's Tongues get their name?
Sharp. Pointed. Long. I'm not sure really. Maybe it has something to do with the colour - Hi Mum!
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Comments
Well, I must admit I like them. But then, I've never had any mother in law that has been unpleasant.... *giggles*
Posted by: Lifecruiser | November 19, 2007 6:40 PM
I actually had a sanseveria BLOOM for me once, about ten years ago (I don't still have the plant). It was wonderful; I'd never seen one flower except in the greenhouse at the Ag. College. Nice plants; there's even an international society!
Posted by: jodi | November 19, 2007 9:26 PM
Hi jodi. One of ours (we probably have a clump of approx 100) flowered this year as well. It also was the first time I'd seen one flower and it was only 1 plant. Interesting species.
Posted by: Stuart | November 20, 2007 3:46 AM
The author mentions this: "It's no surprise that sansevieria will grow - it's getting them to stop that's the trick!" Then perhaps the plant gets it's name from the stereotypical Mother-in-law in that "once the start talking, it's getting them to stop that's the trick!"?
Posted by: richard | January 24, 2008 10:27 AM
The first time I say these I said to myself, "Who in their right mind would want these ugly things?" After my mother started growing them and dividing them in here garden my mind changes quickly. I have to say I think the name is great for them! hehe.
Posted by: Beodd | March 28, 2008 10:23 AM
This plant gets its name from the fact that if eaten it will numb the vocal cords and not allow speech for several hours. I dont belive its very poisonous but I dont think I will ever try it. I guess it was a joke to someone in the past with a very vocal mother-in-law!
Shelley
Posted by: Anonymous | July 18, 2008 10:29 PM
When my Mother-in-law's Tongue finally flowered, the flower produced a thick honey-like liquid - I placed a drop of it on my tongue thinking that was the source of the name. Poor planning on my part, I did not have anyone around to talk to so.... It did give me buzz. Mine was a pampered house plant and I had to tell everyone that if they kept touching the tip they would kill it. The pot I had it in was one of those rough reddish pots about 18 inches tall, almost amphora shaped - the plant itself was about 3 feet tall. For some reason I knew it as a shefaleris but I can't find any plant with that name. The common names for it I knew as M-I-L's Tongue and Serpent plant.
Posted by: GrimJack | August 23, 2008 3:20 PM
well...how does one propagate? can a clump be separated and potted in sandy soil right away as simple as that?
Posted by: thumbelina | April 22, 2009 9:13 AM
Stuart, I've grown these before and they make a great indoor plant and will tolerate areas of low light.
The golden rule for watering is you can water as much as you like when the weather is warm but if you live where it is cold in the winter don't water at all.
So warm and wet or cold and dry.
Posted by: Michael | June 1, 2009 4:07 PM
I have a plant that just flowered. This is the first time I have seen one flower. It's a rarity for this to happon. They say that those who are fortunite to have one flower are blessed. I don't know. I just think it is cool. If you would like to see a pic of onew that it fllowered. Then go to my myspace after July the 7th, and I will post pics of it. MY myspace adress is, http://www.myspace.com/joshua_winstead
Posted by: Joshua Winstead | July 6, 2009 11:42 PM
I have it as a house plant and am dividing today. It has bloomed twice for me in the last three or four years. It's very root bound...maybe that's why it has bloomed? Anyway, will soon have many plants. I'd forgotten that you can use the leaves for new babies.
Posted by: Lela | September 7, 2009 10:13 PM