Sansevieria, also known as Mother-In-Law’s Tongue or Snake Plant, is a great houseplant for a novice horticulturist, a frequent traveler, someone who doesn’t get much natural light, those who haven’t had luck with other plants, or anyone who wants an attractive and easy to grow houseplant.

The only problem I have ever had with this plant is deciding which ones to keep. I like them all, and have so little room! There are well over a hundred species in cultivation today and they are all pretty interesting. Green is usually the dominant color, intermixed with yellows and grays. The leaves are tall and strap-shaped, and extend upward from the soil, with the exception of plants like Sansevieria cylindrica, which is shaped like a tall, thin horn. They are available in several sizes, as well, from the normal full size on down to a dwarf ‘bird’s nest’ size. Medium sized plants are called ‘Futura’ types, and the dwarfs are ‘Hahnii’.

Sansevierias can grow under any lighting conditions, though they thrive in bright shade or dappled sunlight. These plants are often seen in office buildings and malls because the low light levels and fluorescent lighting is acceptable to them. When the light is very low, the leaves tend to be on the greener side, losing some distinctiveness in their variegation.

Watering Snake Plant is pretty simple. Water more often in the warm seasons and when active growth is observed. Cut back in the cooler weather and when the plant growth slows. Over-watering is the quickest way to kill this plant, so always err on the dry side.

Propagation of Sansevieria is done most often by division. With variegated types, propagation must be done by division, or the variegation will be lost. Propagation can be done by leaf cuttings if there isn’t a variegated leaf. Seed propagation is possible, but is a long, slow process.

If this plant’s wonderful tolerance to almost any conditions hasn’t sold you on growing it yet, consider that it is one of a few plants known to purify the air. That’s right: this plant can add life and beauty to any spot in any room in your home and still have more to offer! Sansevieria is reputed to be excellent at removing benzene and formaldehyde from the air.

Benzene and formaldehyde are found in all types of buildings, and it’s great to know that you can spare yourself from exposure to some of it in your home or office. They are found in paints, plastics, cigarette smoke, insulation and cleaning chemicals, among other things. I think it’s lovely to know that there are plants like Sansevieria that make our lives, homes, and health better, and they are available to us inexpensively at nearby locations. I’ll be shopping for another one this weekend, I suspect!