Every houseplant goes by many different names. I like to keep things simple and stick to common names (they are easier for me to remember) but if you want to get all fancy, you can also refer to the snake plant as African spear, skyline spear, cylindrical mother-in-law’s tongue, spear orchid, spear plant, or spear sansevieria. No wonder people get confused when they’re new to plant-parenthood!
If you lean toward a modern, minimalistic alien vibe when decorating, this plant is for you! Its tubular, smooth leaves are dark green in color, some with green-grey variegation, and make for a real attention-grabber. Each cylindrical tube grows to about 1.5″ thick and up to 7 feet tall! Sansevieria cylindrica is related to the snake plant and is easy to care for. You can find these plants braided, clumped together in the center of a pot, and the stalks might be fanned out. If you find some that look wavy, that’s because it was once braided.
Easy does it with the watering. You want to be careful not to overdo it, because your plant will rot out. Always make sure the soil is almost completely dry before thoroughly watering again. Size and location depending, you will end up watering your Snake Plants every 2-6 weeks. If you travel or tend to ignore plants, this is the one for you. But don’t ignore them TOO long, nobody really likes to be ignored; human or plant.
Even though Sansevierias prefer medium light, they’ll also tolerate low light and high light. The main thing you need to watch for is DIRECT sunlight. No houseplant does well in those conditions, because the leaves can burn. So, as you can see, this plant gives you many options when it comes to placement.
Sansevierias will tolerate a wide range of temperatures, between 55 – 85 degrees (F). Temperatures below 55 degrees (F) can cause them harm.
Fertilizer isn’t necessary but may encourage brighter colors and faster growth. You can feed the plant once a month spring through fall with a diluted fertilizer that is specially made for succulents. Skip feeding during winter, when the growth is slow.
The African spear plant, also known as Sansevieria cylindrica, is a popular indoor plant known for its unique cylindrical spear-shaped leaves. Native to tropical West Africa, this hardy succulent is easy to care for indoors with the right tips and can thrive for years. In this article, we’ll share some key indoor growing tips to help you cultivate a lush, healthy African spear plant.
Choosing the Right Potting Mix
A well-draining potting mix is essential for growing African spear plants indoors. These plants prefer sandy, porous soil that drains rapidly and doesn’t hold moisture. A quality cactus or succulent potting mix amended with additional perlite is ideal. The soil needs to dry out rapidly between waterings to prevent soggy conditions that can lead to root rot. Avoid standard potting soils that contain peat or compost as they retain too much moisture.
Providing the Proper Sunlight
When growing indoors, African spear plants need 4-6 hours of direct morning or late afternoon sun daily A south or west-facing window is often ideal. However, be sure to slowly acclimate new plants to avoid leaf scorch Also, avoid hot midday sun which can burn the leaves. If kept exclusively indoors, you may need to provide supplemental lighting with grow lights. Rotate the plants periodically so all sides get adequate sun exposure.
Smart Watering Techniques
African spear plants are drought-tolerant and require minimal watering. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Water only when the top inch of soil becomes dry. During winter dormancy, you may only need to water every few weeks. Water thoroughly until it drains from the drainage holes, then empty any water that accumulates in the saucer. Avoid overwatering which can lead to root rot.
Feeding a Few Times a Year
African spear plants are light feeders During the active growing season in spring and summer, feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half Suspend fertilizing over winter. An organic succulent fertilizer or one with micronutrients is beneficial. Avoid over-fertilizing which can cause leaf burn.
Ideal Temperature Range
African spear plants thrive in average household temperatures between 65-80°F, Keep them away from cold drafts from windows or air conditioning vents Cooler winter temperatures around 60°F are fine but avoid anything colder High temperatures above 90°F can scorch the foliage, Maintain stable temperatures and protect from extreme cold or heat,
Encouraging Air Circulation
Good air circulation is vital for healthy African spear plants. Stagnant air can lead to problems with pests and fungal disease. Use small fans to keep the air gently moving around the plants. Avoid dense groupings of plants which impede proper airflow. Give each plant adequate spacing for best results.
Providing Excellent Drainage
African spear plants are prone to root rot if left in wet soil for too long. Ensure the pot has adequate drainage holes and that you use a porous potting mix. Allow excess water to drain fully after watering and don’t allow plants to sit in water. Lift plastic nursery pots from decorative cache pots periodically to prevent standing water beneath.
Humidity Preferences
African spear plants tolerate average indoor humidity levels. They don’t require high humidity like some tropical plants. However, increased humidity above 40% can benefit the plants. Use a room humidifier, pebble trays, or groupings to boost humidity around the plants. Just be sure to provide good airflow to prevent disease issues.
Optimal Pruning
Remove any dead or damaged leaves at the base of the plant as needed. To limit size, you can prune leggy growth or full stalks back to just above the soil line. Wipe blades with rubbing alcohol between cuts. Repot annually in spring, dividing congested rhizomes if needed. Remove spent flower stalks after blooming finishes.
Re-potting the Plant
These plants like being pot-bound, so only re-pot every 2-3 years in spring using fresh potting mix. Move them into a container only 1-2 inches larger to avoid staying wet too long after watering. When severely rootbound, dividing congested rhizomes can rejuvenate the plant. Handle new divisions carefully and allow them to dry briefly before re-potting.
Dealing With Potential Pests
Insect pests like mealybugs, scale, and spider mites can sometimes be a problem. Isolate affected plants and prune off heavily infested parts. Wipe pests off with a Q-tip dipped in alcohol. Use neem oil or insecticidal soap sprays as needed. Ensure good air circulation to prevent pests from taking hold.
With the right care, African spear plants can thrive for many years as indoor plants. By following these key tips, you can have a lush, healthy plant that adds an exotic, tropical look to your indoor space.
Frequency of entities:
African spear plant: 21 times
Indoor: 16 times
Soil: 7 times
Watering: 6 times
Sun: 5 times
Drainage: 4 times
Air circulation: 3 times
Pruning: 3 times
Rootbound: 3 times
Fertilizer: 3 times
Pests: 2 times
Repotting: 2 times
Temperature: 2 times
Humidity: 2 times
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/grow-sansevieria-cylindrica-1902732-06-eaa2a39580bc490d9b00fbd2943fd794.jpg)
My plant isn’t growing
- If you bought it during the fall and winter months, it’s entirely natural for growth to slow down. These are the dormant months during which new growth is either completely stopped or extremely slow. However, if you are in the spring and summer months and it’s still not growing, revisit the care that it requires and see if you are up to speed on that.
- Solution: If the plant is receiving adequate water, try moving it to a sunnier location. Even though they do well in low light conditions, they will thrive with more light.
- Brown tips can mean overwatering.
- Solution: Cut back and allow the soil to dry almost completely in between waterings.
- Mushy leaves (blades) are a sure sign of root rot.
- Solution: Water less, and repot into fresh soil to allow the roots to dry out. You may also need to cut off any mushy leaves.
Plant Characteristics to Watch For
Diagnosing what is going wrong with your plant is going to take a little detective work and even more, patience! First of all, don’t panic and don’t throw a plant out prematurely. Take a few deep breaths and work down the list of possible issues.
Below, I am going to share some typical symptoms that can arise. When I start to spot troubling signs on a plant, I take the plant into a room with good lighting, pull out my magnifiers, and begin by thoroughly inspecting the plant.
African Spear Plant Care & Growing Guide
FAQ
How to care for African spear plants?
Why is my African spear plant turning yellow?
How often should I water Sansevieria cylindrica?
How often should I water a starfish plant?