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Sansevieria Zeylanica “Devil’s Tongue”

Devil’s Tongue, or Sansevieria zeylanica, is an easy-care houseplant that requires little water, making it a perfect plant for novice plant owners and those who are busy.

Latin name
Sansevieria Zeylanica

Pronunciation
(“san-sev-ee-AIR-ree-ah zay-LAN-ik-ah”)

Common name
Snake Plant

Origin
Dracaena fragrans is found throughout equatorial Africa from Tanzania to Ivory Coast.

Superficially resembling Sansevieria trifasciata (Snake plant, or Mother-in-Law’s tongue), this species is found many thousands of miles away in Sri Lanka and India. The leaves are long and strap-like and are grey-green with horizontal bands of darker green along their length. The largest leaves occasionally show signs of age. These leaves are the oldest on the plant and may be several years old by the time it is ready to be sold, which means that sometimes they have small brown lesions and scars on them, especially near the tips and leaf edges.

Devil’s Tongue is also sometimes called a Snake plant, or even Fan snake plant, which can be confusing (and why using the scientific name is always a good way to be sure to find what you need!)

Sansevierias are now classified as a species of Dracaena – if you examine their underground stems, the resemblance becomes very clear.

Did you know?

It’s a hardy, low-maintenance plant often praised for its air-purifying qualities.

Sansevieria zeylanica is toxic to pets if ingested. It contains saponins, which can cause nausea, vomiting and drooling in cats and dogs. It is generally considered safe for humans but should not be consumed.

caring for your plant

Light

It will tolerate low light levels. Direct sunlight causes bleaching of the leaves.

Watering

Little water required – can tolerate dry atmospheres. The compost should be allowed to dry out between watering.

Pruning

Do not prune, although the plant can be divided when large.

Feeding

A little dilute fertilizer added to the water will be all that is necessary.

pest & diseases

Can occasionally be affected by mealybugs, which can be removed when cleaning the leaves with a damp cloth.

Our plants are grown in Ecoponic, an alternative to soil. Officially known as a vulkaponic substrate, it replaces traditional compost with a clean, mineral-based medium that helps protect peatlands.

According to the IUCN UK Peatland Programme, “A loss of only 5% of UK peatland carbon would be equal to the UK’s annual greenhouse gas emissions.” As well as storing carbon, the natural wetlands where peat is found are critical to the survival of plants and wildlife. Ecoponic also improves plant health and uses water more efficiently.

Find out more about Ecoponic here.

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Did you know?

Research from the University of Exeter found that offices with plants can increase productivity by up to 15% while also improving concentration and job satisfaction.