Sansevieria gracilis (Snake Plant)


Botanical Information

FamilyAsparagaceae
GenusSansevieria
Speciesgracilis
CategoryPerennials, Tropicals
OriginTropical east Africa (Kenya, and Tanzania).

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone10a - 11
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cold season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH3 - H1c
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-1.1 - above 4.5

Description and Growing Information

LandscapeGroundcover, container plants, and accent plant in a dry area.
PropagationBy division of rhizomes.
CultivationGrow in porous, well drained soil in a semi-shade or a full sun.
Notable SpecimensQueen Sirikit Botanic Garden, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand.
HabitatFound in dry bushland and thickets.
Bark/Stem DescriptionAbsent or short up to 2.5-8 cm tall, erect, branching above ground (usually 1 – 2 branches per plant), eventually spreading by means of rhizomes.
Leaf Description6-12 to a rosette, 22-80 cm long, to 0.6 – 1 cm thick, closely packed, spiralled, ascending or spreading, or curved or slightly sinuous, firmly flexible, not rigid, smooth, inner or fully developed leaves with a groove (concave) on the upper face for up for 5-12 cm at the base, very rounded on the back, the rest cylindric, terete, gradually tapering, deep green with narrow, darker bands on the younger leaves or interrupted by longitudinal lines. The outer leaves of each tuft much shorter than the inner, concave down the face, very rounded on the back. Tip 2-6 mm long very acute, white or brownish. Margins of the basal sheaths with membranous white edges.
Flower DescriptionWhite, fragrant, the tube 2-3.7 cm long, the lobes 1-1.2 cm, linear, obtuse. The deciduous part usually formed by the tapering base of the flower-tube being scarcely pedicel-like.
Fruit DescriptionA globose berry.

Photographs