The Tiger Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Futura Superba’) is a popular choice for indoor plant enthusiasts. Its robust nature and striking appearance make it a favored addition to homes and offices. Its adaptability contributes to its widespread appeal, especially for those seeking low-maintenance greenery.
Identifying Tiger Snake Plant
The Tiger Snake Plant has striking variegated foliage. Its leaves display prominent horizontal bands of dark green against a lighter, often yellowish-green or silvery-green background. This banding pattern gives the plant its distinctive “tiger” appearance.
The broad, stiff leaves grow in an upright, compact rosette formation. Unlike taller snake plant varieties, ‘Futura Superba’ maintains a squat, bushy habit, usually reaching 10 to 18 inches tall. This compact size makes it well-suited for smaller spaces or as a desk plant.
Tiger Snake Plant Care
Light
Tiger Snake Plants thrive in bright, indirect light, which maintains vibrant leaf variegation. An east or west-facing window provides suitable illumination. While they tolerate lower light, prolonged dim conditions can slow growth and reduce coloring. Direct, intense sunlight can scorch leaves, causing brown spots.
Water
Overwatering is a common issue for Tiger Snake Plants. Allow the soil to completely dry out between waterings; feel the top two to three inches to ensure dryness. Reduce watering significantly in winter, as the plant’s growth slows. Proper drainage is essential to prevent waterlogging and root rot.
Soil
A well-draining potting mix is essential to prevent water accumulation around the roots. A standard succulent or cactus mix provides necessary aeration and drainage. Alternatively, amend regular potting mix with perlite or coarse sand to improve drainage. Good drainage is paramount for this plant’s root health.
Temperature and Humidity
Tiger Snake Plants prefer average room temperatures, ideally 65°F to 80°F (18°C-27°C). They tolerate typical household humidity and do not require high moisture. Avoid temperatures below 50°F (10°C), as cold drafts can damage leaves. Their resilience to low humidity makes them suitable for most indoor environments.
Fertilizer
Fertilizing a Tiger Snake Plant is not frequent due to its slow growth. During the active growing season (spring and summer), apply a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer once every two to three months. Dilute the fertilizer to half strength to prevent over-fertilization. Do not fertilize during fall and winter.
Propagating Tiger Snake Plant
Propagating Tiger Snake Plants can be done through leaf cuttings or division. For leaf cuttings, cut a healthy leaf into two to three-inch pieces and allow them to callus for a few days before planting. Note that leaf cuttings may result in the loss of ‘Futura Superba’ variegation, producing solid green offspring.
Division is effective for larger plants with multiple rosettes. This involves carefully separating rhizomes and their attached leaves, ensuring each new section has roots. Rhizome separation retains the original variegation.
Common Tiger Snake Plant Problems
Root rot is a frequent issue for Tiger Snake Plants, indicated by mushy or yellowing leaves. This problem stems from overwatering, where roots sit in excessively wet soil. Adjusting watering frequency and ensuring proper drainage resolves this. Lack of sufficient light can cause variegation loss or stunted growth. Moving the plant to a brighter location with indirect sunlight can help restore its characteristic coloring and encourage healthier growth. Pest infestations are less common but can occur, with mealybugs or spider mites sometimes appearing, which can be addressed with insecticidal soap.