Sansevieria zeylanica 'Bowstring Hemp' Floor Plant

Sansevieria zeylanica - Low-Maintenance and Perfect for Beginners

The Sansevieria Zeylanica or 'Bowstring Hemp' is another succulent from the Asparagaceae family commonly known as Snake Plants. Its foliage is characterized by sword shaped leaves that are lighter overall than other Snake Plants, being predominantly light silver-green with smaller stripes of darker green throughout.

Looking for a smaller Sansevieria zeylanica (Bowstring Hemp)?

Head over to our smaller selection to shop for a little snake plant to fit into less substantial areas. 

Snake Plant Plant Profile

• Botanical Name: Sansevieria Zeylanica
• Pronunciation: san-suh-veer-ee-uh
• Common Name: Ceylon Bowstring Hemp, Devil's Tongue, Snake Pant, Mother-in-Law's Tongue
• Family: Asparagaceae 
• Native Range: Southeast Asia- Sri Lanka & India 

Snake Plant Care Guide

• Care Level: Easy
• Light: Thrives in bright, indirect light yet can tolerate low lighting conditions
• Water: Allow soil to completely dry out between watering. Plant is drought-tolerant and the most common issue is over-watering
• Humidity: Any level
• Temperature: 55-85F
• Pruning: Prune as needed to remove brown or dead leaves and control growth.
• Feeding: Fertilize 1/2 strength monthly during spring and summer
• Propagation: Easily propagated through division
• Growth: Upright
• Pests: Generally resilient to pests
• Toxicity: Toxic to humans and pets

Tough-skinned and almost indestructible, this hardy plant thrives on neglect and is drought tolerant. The most common issue to avoid with this plant is over-watering. If you are new to owning houseplants or looking for a low-maintenance plant, this is the plant for you!

Fun Fact: Bowstring Hemp Has a Historical Use

Did you know that Sansevieria Zeylanica was once used to make bowstrings? Its strong, fibrous leaves were harvested for their durability and strength, hence the name "Bowstring Hemp." This plant’s leaves were vital in the crafting of ropes and strings before modern synthetic materials became widespread.

Native to the Tropics, Loved Worldwide

Sansevieria Zeylanica is native to the tropical regions of Sri Lanka and India, where it thrives in warm climates. Historically, it has been appreciated not only for its ornamental qualities but also for its practical uses in fiber production. Today, this plant has found a new purpose as a popular indoor plant worldwide, celebrated for its resilience and unique beauty.