Sansevieria hyacinthoides
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Sansevieria hyacinthoides

سانسوریا · Snake Plant · Mother-in-law’s Tongue · African bowstring-hemp · Iguanatail

Tier 1 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: partial_sun
Temperature
20–37 °C
Soil pH
6–7
Hardiness
Zone 10–12
Click count
1,906
Observations
1,200

Description

Source: leafsnap

Sansevieria hyacinthoides is an evergreen, perennial herb, with its handsome robust, flat, dark green and fibrous leaves that attact game. Its rhizomes are sturdy, fibrous and bright orange. The leaves are erect, borne in pairs of 5–12 in loose clusters, arising from the ground, broadly lanceolate to ovate, dark green with paler markings, and margins red. The flowers are stalkless, white, cream-coloured or greenish white to pale mauve; borne in clusters, fairly scented, opening at night. Sansevieria hyacinthoides flowers in September to May. The fruit is an orange berry. ansevieria hyacinthoides occurs naturally in bushveld, among rocks in the shade of trees, in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Swaziland, Limpopo Province, North-West, Botswana and Namibia.

Care Guide

💧 Water

Iguanatail is a drought-tolerant succulent native to arid regions, known for its ability to store water. It requires minimal watering, approximately every two weeks, and thrives indoors where the temperature is stable. This reduces the risk of overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

☀️ Light Partial sun

Iguanatail is native to habitats with dappled light, such as the understory of forests or rocky areas that provide natural shade. It prefers partial sun but can also tolerate full sun.

Ideal: Partial sun
FAQ
What are the sunlight requirements for Iguanatail?

Iguanatail (Sansevieria hyacinthoides) thrives in conditions where it can receive various amounts of sunlight. For full sun exposure, it needs above 6 hours of sunlight, which is ideal for its growth and health. If it's placed in an area with partial sun, it should receive about 3-6 hours of sunlight. It's important to observe how sunlight moves through your garden, aiming to find locations that offer a harmonious balance of light and shade to ensure the plants remain happy and healthy.

🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C

Iguanatail does best in warm conditions and needs higher temperatures during the growing season to support growth and metabolic processes. It prefers abundant sunlight, proper moisture levels, and good air circulation. However, it can be harmed by excessively low temperatures and by overwatering. It is therefore important to maintain a balance and to avoid both excessively high temperatures and very dry conditions.

Ideal temperature: 20–37.8°C
FAQ
What is the common name of Sansevieria hyacinthoides?

The common name for Sansevieria hyacinthoides is Iguanatail.

💨 Humidity dry (<40%)

This plant prefers dry conditions, so don't mist it. However, watering it less often can also thrive in higher humidity.

Humidity: dry (<40%)
🪴 Soil 6-7
Soil pH: 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer

For Iguanatail, apply light doses of fertilizer one to two times a year during the growing season. Avoid fertilizing in winter and summer when the plant is dormant. Reduce fertilizer for repotted plants and wait a couple of months after repotting before fertilizing. Fertilizing promotes healthy growth and encourages blooms.

🪴 Pot & Repot Every 2 years

When repotting Iguanatail, choose a pot slightly larger than the current one that has good drainage. Use a gritty, well-draining cactus or succulent mix. Gently remove the plant from its old pot, brush off extra soil, and place it at the same depth in the new pot. Wait a few days before watering to let any root damage heal. Repot in spring or fall, and situate the plant in a brightly lit spot.

Suggested frequency: Every 2 years
✂️ Pruning

The iguana tail plant grows quickly. To maintain its aesthetic appeal and make room for new growth, promptly prune any yellow or dry leaves.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

All parts of Sansevieria hyacinthoides are toxic, due to the presence of chemicals called saponins. Saponins can cause gastrointestinal discomfort as well as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in humans and pets, although the symptoms are much milder for humans.

Characteristics

Plant Type
Succulent
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Sansevieria
Family
Asparagaceae
Hardiness Zone
10-12
Mature Height
61 cm to 91 cm
Mature Spread
61 cm to 91 cm
Leaf Color
Dark Green, Forest Green
Leaf Type
Evergreen
Flower Color
White
Flower Size
1.02 cm to 2.03 cm
Bloom Time
Summer
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time
Late summer, Early fall, Mid fall
Native Area
Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe

Tags (5)

Common Names (9)

ar سانسوریا
en Snake Plant
en Mother-in-law’s Tongue
en African bowstring-hemp
en Iguanatail
en Bowstring hemp
en Sweet Sansevieria
en Lengua de suegra
en Dwarf Mother in law tongue