This is one of my favorite houseplants, mainly because it is
still alive after two years! The Sansevieria is called the Snake
Plant because it has such beautiful stiff upright leaves. Mine
are now 3 feet tall. This plant is the Snake Plant, where the
Mother-in-Law's Tongue is very similar but with a yellow
border on the leaves. According to About.com , these are
the toughest of all houseplants! I believe it! I read that these
plants were native to Africa and preferred no water for the three
winter months. So I tried it. I took this plant to work, set it in
a corner with only artificial light, and FORBID anyone at work
to water it! It still looks great! I brought it home to divide it
and start back watering once a month.
I've always thought the Snake Plant to be just
beautiful! When I was a little girl, I remember
the Snake Plants in our doctor's waiting room. I
would wait in my big chair with my legs swinging
while I studied all the tropical patterns on the
leaves. Somehow, the plants were a comfort.
It sounds funny, but our dentist had a Snake Plant
in his waiting room, too.
Then, when I was pregnant with my boys, my
obstetrician's waiting room had a large sunny
window with all kinds of tropical plants,
including Snake Plants and Mother-in-Law's
Tongues. I always enjoyed looking at the plants
and happily chatting with the other new mothers.
Maybe I make too much of houseplants, ...but maybe not.
"Plants have been shown to decrease infection rates in
nursing homes and lower blood pressure..." (p. 87 YOU
Staying Young, Oz and Roizen)
Maybe my Snake Plant takes better care of me than I take of it.
For some great pictures of Snake Plants and Mother-in-Law's
year old Snake Plant!
Love,
Lottie.
