Last Updated on August 31, 2022 by Plant Mom Care
Sansevieria hahnii or Bird’s nest snake plant, a hybrid developed from the Sansevieria trifasciata, is from 70+ species of snake plants and belongs in the Asparagaceae family. The parent species is indigenous to subtropical Africa and grows well in arid and hot climates with poor soil. This succulent is popular due to its rosette appearance (hence its common name) and easy-to-maintain nature. This variety was originally bred and developed in a plant nursery.
These plants are fairly small and grow quickly, reaching no larger than about 1 foot high. The foliage forms a constricted rosette shape with green flat leaves of about 5 or 6 inches in length and 3 inches wide that often have mottled light green horizontal bands.
While these plants can produce flowers in summer, sometimes they rarely bloom even under the right growing conditions. The flowers produced are greenish-white with a sweet fragrance.
Sansevieria Hahnii Light Requirements
These plants enjoy growing under indirect moderate to bright sunlight. However, they are adaptable and can grow under low light or partially shaded conditions as well, although too much low light will result in stunted growth and faded leaves. When grown under ideal lighting conditions, the colors of their foliage are enhanced.
Their ability to thrive under different natural and artificial lighting conditions makes them suitable to be cultivated indoors in places like homes and offices.
Sansevieria Hahnii Watering
These plants are succulents and are drought-tolerant. In other words, they do not need to be frequently watered to thrive. Always allow their soil to become fully dry before watering. The frequent life-threatening problem these plants face is root rot resulting from overwatering. You can neglect to water them for a day or two rather than overwatering to avoid this problem.
Check the soil always before watering – it’s safe to water the plants when the soil is dry. Pour slowly until excess water drains from the drainage holes for thorough deep watering. Empty water from the collection saucer as these succulents don’t like to soak in water.
Your watering frequency depends on the climate, the season, and the lighting conditions of your plants. Typically, they only need watering once each week, although once in 14 days might be necessary for some instances, particularly if the weather isn’t hot, reducing it to once a month in winter.
Sansevieria Hahnii Humidity
Humidity levels should be around 45%. If the air is arid around your succulents, you might have to resort to a humidifier. Finely misting the foliage can increase surrounding humidity levels but don’t allow big water droplets to sit on the leaves as this might cause problems.
Sansevieria Hahnii Temperature
They prefer temperature ranges between 60-85°F as these are not cold-hardy plants. However, they can tolerate temperatures around 50°F for short periods although frost must be avoided.
Sansevieria Hahnii Soil
These plants, as with almost all succulents, prefer light and well-draining soil. Succulent/cactus potting soil is a good choice but it’s very easy to create your mix. A well-draining soil amended with some gravel, coarse sand, or perlite will be good enough.
The plants are not selective regarding soil pH levels and can tolerate slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil.
Sansevieria Hahnii Repotting
These plants are commonly grown in pots. However, they can also do well planted in gardens, although they can spread rapidly when they have space to grow.
When they’re grown in pots or containers, the size should be adequate including having enough drainage holes. Repotting is only essential every few years. Most gardeners let their plants turn root-bound and only repot them once in 2 to 5 years. These succulents don’t mind getting root-bound and thrive.
Repotting is simple – remove it from its present pot or container and replant it into a little larger one. Gently tap the roots to ease excess soil and put the plant into its new container and top up with fresh soil. Water the repotted plant thoroughly and deeply to finish the process.
Sansevieria Hahnii Propagation
The best ways to propagate these plants are through offshoots, leaf cuttings, and division.
Since this succulent naturally spreads through its rhizomes and produces offshoots, a division is the easiest method. Take the plant out from the container or pot and remove any excess soil and separate the offshoots or rhizomes by cutting through the connecting roots. Replant the original plant and plant the divided offshoots/rhizomes in separate pots and continue with your usual routine of care. The rhizomes or offshoots will begin to grow as new plants.
Propagating with leaf cuttings involves removing a healthy leaf that should be left to callus for some time. Once the callus forms, simply insert the leaf-cutting into suitable soil. Water and care for the leaf-cutting normally and new roots and leaves will begin to grow within a couple of weeks.
Additional Care
These plants are not big feeders and don’t require frequent feeding. Well-balanced plant food can be added once monthly when watering to help dilute the fertilizer.
Do not use strong fertilizers – a suitable fertilizer for succulents/cacti is good enough.
The most important tip in caring for these plants has to do with how they are watered. Never water these plants if you are not sure when they need watering, as less is better than more. Just let the plants be until you are certain the soil is fully dry and never water the foliage as water sitting on the foliage often results in rotting.
Sansevieria Hahnii Common Problems
Spider mites, aphids including mealybugs are the common pest culprits to affect these plants. Spider mites are easily eliminated with insecticides. However, if the infestation is severe and the foliage has been damaged, affected leaves will have to be removed.
To fight mealybugs that are generally found underneath leaves apply an insecticide, neem oil, or rubbing alcohol on the leaves to combat an infestation and kill these pests. Leaves damaged by these pests appear yellow or may even drop. Damaged leaves must be removed.
Aphids feast on the stems and leaves of these plants, resulting in yellow leaves and/or leaf drops. It’s always better to prevent pest infestations with the need for oil or insecticidal soap than to use insecticides that also affect beneficial insects.
The biggest problem these plants have to deal with is root rot, typically resulting from overwatering. This commonly results in the death of these plants, although it is easy to avoid by watering the plants properly.
