Our plant of the month for March – the Sansevieria Trifasciata – goes by many names, from the snake plant, to Saint George's sword, to perhaps our favourite of all, mother-in-law's tongue. What better plant to feature ahead of International Mother's Day? (Sunday, May 12th)
![Floom Sansevieria Hero 1](https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-sansevieria-hero-1.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=a616d04b1a3b90fe50a4a9cc772b28fd 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-sansevieria-hero-1.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=f61f9bbf943bf54eff2ecb54c6c1993c 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-sansevieria-hero-1.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=ea6a68e2ba9bad34699d36a3e2601d89 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-sansevieria-hero-1.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=2aae34acf3971b9fdbefe3f6e09ae1fc 400w)
There are in fact some 70 different species of mother-in-law’s tongue, each characterised by its glossy green leaves that appear to stick straight up out of the soil, with subtle stripes and spots, and distinctive yellow edges. Originating from the deserts of Ethiopia, among other places, the first snake plant was recorded when naturalist Carl Peter Thunberg brought it to Italy in 1794. Thunberg named the plant after the Italian Prince Raimondo di Sangro, who hailed from from San Severo.
![Floom Sansevieria Hero 2](https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-sansevieria-hero-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=0acd296e9355b5fbcffd0a9409fc487d 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-sansevieria-hero-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=2550049cd71abb73c4b48c99842c896a 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-sansevieria-hero-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=ba6464c7f252d3af4ca2521714344fd7 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-sansevieria-hero-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=4207b065804342ea318abc2e75e9cc39 400w)
How to care for it:
Given its desert origins, the mother-in-law’s tongue is partial to a little heat. It will do well in both shade and sun, away from any draught, and its colour will adapt according to its surroundings. Want yours to look a little darker? Position it further away from the window. A little lighter? Pop it closer to the window in a spot where it will receive more sun. When it comes to watering, be sure not to overwater this desert native – allow the soil to dry out thoroughly between waterings for optimum health. The snake plant is a fast grower, too. Its sizeable spikes can reach 1m tall, which means that repotting is essential to avoid a cracked pot.
![Floom Sansevieria Hero 3](https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-sansevieria-hero-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=fcdd82a838d4dd58f91b6a1264cd0c72 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-sansevieria-hero-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=878da919b80aa4916e44534d640ee1e6 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-sansevieria-hero-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=99094ba3e4e00f596832f3f745e840b8 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom-sansevieria-hero-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=18e7a46d57f371dfd4e25960ae3096d8 400w)
Top Floom tip:
Aesthetically pleasing the mother-in-law’s tongue may be, but it’s a hard working perennial that will naturally work towards eradicating the humidity in your home. Consider the snake plant the skin booster you’ve been seeking – thanks to its ability to convert poisonous substances into oxygen you can ensure healthy glowing skin. Why not start a collection of mother-in-law’s tongues? Now that’s a sentence we never thought we would write.