People love sansevierias. So much so, in fact, that the plants in this interesting and varied genus have overtaken even pothos as the most popular group in our Greenhouse. And it’s no wonder. Sansevierias are everything both new and experienced plant parents could want in a houseplant – they’re good-looking, addictively collectible, and virtually indestructible. If you have one, you’ll want another, it’s that simple. And if you don’t, maybe we can lure you into the club with one of our top five favorites.
Number 5: Sansevieria ‘Fernwood’
This sansevieria is a bit different than most with dozens of slender, somewhat flattened, but also kind of tubular leaves erupting out of the pot and arching this way and that – a lot like a big shock of hair. Each leaf shows that characteristic pattern of alternating tiger stripes in shades of green and silvery-green that most sansevieria varieties display, so it’s clear it’s still one of the family.
Number 4: Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’
If we had to name a “classic” sansevieria from this bunch, it’s this one. ‘Laurentii’ grows in clusters of upright, strap-like leaves with some remaining straight and others twisting slightly so no two plants ever look quite the same. Each leaf shows alternating patterns of green and silvery stripes with a distinctive creamy-yellow border that runs the entire length and over the tip.
Number 3: Sansevieria zeylanica
Similar to ‘Laurentii,’ but also very different – that’s S. zeylanica. This species shares the same strap-like, upright leaves as ‘Laurentii,’ but instead of fresh greens and creamy yellow borders, S. zeylanica chooses a moodier palette of blue- and gray-greens. Still the patterns are lively – each leaf has its own style with individual combinations of stripes, spots, bands, and ripples.
Number 2: Sansevieria cylindrica ‘Starfish’
Then there are sansevierias who take a completely different track and grow their leaves as pointed tubes instead of straps. As the name implies, ‘Starfish’ resembles what would happen if you half-buried a sea star in a pot with several fan-shaped, cylindrical leaves emanating outward from a central point. ‘Starfish’ is a sturdy plant too – its leaves are thick and stiff almost like wood. But those sansevieria stripes are still there – this time running in concentric circles around each leaf.
Number 1: Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Moonshine’
From straps to tubes to now spears – there’s a lot of variety in leaf shape with sansevierias. The cultivar ‘Moonshine’ has spear-shaped foliage and brings in a different, unusual color too. It’s a pale, greenish-silver glow you could almost describe as “ghostly.” But to keep things from becoming too ephemeral, there’s also a thin, dark green ribbon framing the outside edge of each leaf.
Find Your New Favorite
If you need a plant that’s simply amazing and doesn’t ask for much in return, that’s a sansevieria. These beauties love the chance for their soil to dry out between each watering, and they grow in a range of light conditions. Bright, indirect light is ideal, but sansevierias can handle low light too – a perfect addition for any plant collection. Stop by our Greenhouse to find a new favorite for your current sansevieria crew, or pick up something special to start a new one.
