Kufundisha · CC BY-SA 4.0
About
The genus *Sansevieria* is a historically significant group of plants, now classified under *Dracaena*. Hobbyists appreciate the wide variation in foliage, which ranges from stiff, erect, lance-shaped leaves to soft, rosette-forming varieties. The species are popular houseplants known for their air-purifying qualities and slow growth.
Field notes
Morphology
Leaves are typically arranged in a rosette or distichous pattern, varying greatly in form. Hard-leaved species, adapted for arid climates, have thick, succulent, cylindrical leaves and thick cuticles. Soft-leaved species, originating in tropical regions, have wide, strap-like foliage. Flowers are usually greenish-white, rose, lilac-red, or brownish, produced on a simple or branched raceme, and the fruit is a red or orange berry.
Distribution & habitat
Native to Africa, particularly Madagascar, and southern Asia. Hard-leaved species often originate from arid climates, while soft-leaved species originate from tropical and subtropical regions.
Cultivation notes
These plants thrive on warmth and bright light, though they tolerate shade. They are susceptible to rot from over-watering and require well-drained soil. They are slow-growing and can be propagated by rhizome division to retain variegation, as leaf cuttings may revert to a non-variegated type.
History & etymology
The genus name *Sansevieria* was originally named *Sanseverinia* by Vincenzo Petagna in 1787, honoring his patron Pietro Antonio Sanseverino. Carl Peter Thunberg used the name *Sansevieria* in 1794. Molecular phylogenetic studies later showed that the genus was nested within *Dracaena*.
Habitat
- Altitude
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- Altitude Class
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Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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