Sansevieria ehrenbergii is a perennial succulent that bears its leaves in 2 opposite rows, forming a sparse fan-shape. It develops a short stem up to 7.2 inches (18 cm) long. Mature leaves are rounded in cross-section, though with grooved channel on the inner side, dark green, up to 5 feet (1.5 m) long and up to 3.2 inches (8 cm) wide. The plant offsets by rhizomes, eventually forming tight, relatively dense clusters. The flowers are grayish-white or grey-green, tinged with purple.

How to Grow and Care

Place Sansevierias in moderately bright or filtered light. Good locations include a spot in front of a north-facing window or in front of a bright, sunny window covered by a sheer curtain. Although the plant tolerates low light, bright light brings out the colors in the leaves. However, intense light may cause the edges of the leaves to turn yellow.

Allow the soil to dry completely before watering and then water deeply until water drips through the drainage hole. Allow the pot to drain and then discard water that remains in the saucer. Never allow the soil to become soggy and never let the pot stand in water. Water sparingly throughout the winter. Like most succulent plants that store water in their leaves, Sansevieria rots quickly in excessively wet soil.

Place Sansevieria in average room temperatures. Protect the plant from drafts and cold temperatures as it is damaged at temperatures below 50 °F (10 °C).

Feed the plant once every 3 weeks throughout the summer. Use a general-purpose fertilizer for houseplants diluted to one-half the strength suggested on the container. Sansevieria is a light feeder and too much fertilizer makes the leaves fall over.