Looking for an eye-catching, low-maintenance houseplant? It’s time to give Sansevieria cylindrica a shot!
Sansevieria cylindrica, also known as the African Spear Plant or the Cylindrical Snake Plant, is a succulent that is commonly grown as a houseplant in a container. Sansevieria cylindrica, a native of Africa (Angola), is very easy to grow and requires little care. It is distinguished by its cylinder-shaped leaves with pointed tips.
Cylindrical Snake Plant/African Spear was previously classified with other snake plants in the genus Sansevieria, but is now included in Dracaena. Dracaena angolensis is the new botanical Latin name for Sansevieria cylindrica. Continue reading to learn everything there is to know about Sansevieria cylindrica!
What Is Dracaena Angolensis?
The most popular air-purifying, succulent plant is Dracaena angolensis (Cylindrical snake plant). The leaves are striped, elongate, smooth, and greenish-gray sub cylindrical. It can grow up to 2 meters above ground and has a diameter of about 3cm. The spear sansevieria has fan-shaped leaves that grow from a basal rosette. It has greenish-white tubular flowers with a pink tinge. If consumed, Dracaena angolensis is mildly toxic.
Dracaena Angolensis Care
As said before, Sansevieria cylindrica/African Spear is relatively simple to care for and maintain. Here are some fundamentals of plant care.
Watering
Before watering your plant, make sure the soil is completely dry. If you overwater the plant, the water will have a much more difficult time draining and the roots may rot. Check that the soil has completely dried out before watering the plant deeply. If your plant is in a container, empty the saucer of excess water on a regular basis. Watering the plant once a week, or even every other week, should be enough.
Waterings should be spread out a little further during the winter months or especially cold seasons than they would be during the growing season (about once a month should be fine). Again, make sure to empty the excess water from the plant’s saucer. If you leave your African Spear in water for too long, it will develop root rot, which will eventually kill the plant.
Temperature
Besides that, it prefers moderately warm temperatures. Keep it in a room that is 60-73 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer. It can survive in temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit for short periods of time.
The best climates are usually hot and dry. Cold temperatures can quickly kill these plants, so don’t let the temperature drop too far. Unless your soil is saturated, humidity is less of an issue.
Fertilizer
Sansevieria cylindrica thrives in poor soil and thus does not require a lot of fertilizer. Purchase a succulent fertilizer and apply it to your plants at least once a month, diluted to half strength. This can be done from spring to fall, but it is not necessary to fertilize during the winter.
Problems and Illnesses
Sansevieria cylindrica is a hardy plant that can withstand a great deal of neglect. Obviously, you should care for it as best you can if you want to keep it healthy and thriving, but it usually takes a lot to break one down. Overwatering is one thing that can quickly deteriorate its health. If the leaf bases appear swollen and/or yellow, this could indicate that you have been overwatering it.
In contrast, you do not want to submerge your Sansevieria cylindrica. Dehydration symptoms may include bent leaves or leaves that are turning brown around the edges. It is a tough plant, but that does not make it unbeatable. Water once or twice a week (and water even less in the winter). Browning leaves can also indicate that your plant is in an unsuitable environment. Consider moving it to a warmer location if it is currently in a drafty one.
If the leaves are yellow, swollen, or mushy, you have likely overwatered the plant, and it is also possible that the Sansevieria cylindrica has developed root rot. If the problem is minor, let the plant’s soil dry completely before watering it again. You should also empty the saucer on a regular basis to avoid excess water.
If you suspect that your African Spear has serious root rot, repot it with dry, well-draining potting soil. After removing the Sansevieria cylindrica plant from its container, make sure to cut away any brown or mushy roots. Repeat with any unhealthy leaves. To get the plant to grow again, repot healthy rhizomes. Throw them out if none of them can be saved. Your next best bet is to try to create new plants by propagating a few healthy leaves.
The Benefits of Growing Sansevieria Cylindrica
Sansevieria Cylindrica is an extremely hardy plant. It can withstand extreme heat and cold. It, like all plants, requires some attention from time to time, but its maintenance requirements are minimal. If you are a plant owner looking for something that will not die off quickly, African Spear is the plant for you.
Sansevieria cylindrica is not only extremely difficult to kill, but it also requires very little care to stay alive. They rarely need to be pruned and only need to be replanted every year or two. Your Sansevieria cylindrica will most likely thrive and have few problems if you water and fertilize it on a regular basis and keep it in a warm room. It is not a fussy plant and can often be found growing in both sun and shade.
Sansevieria cylindrica, unlike many other plants, is not susceptible to many diseases or pests. The most serious issue you may face with your plant is root rot. If root rot is not treated, it can lead to a variety of fungal infections that can be fatal to your plant. As long as you check for and treat root rot properly, there is little else to worry about in terms of disease.
Growing Sansevieria Cylindrica Issues
Although it is a tough plant, Sansevieria cylindrica/African Spear will suffer if overwatered or the soil is not properly drained. This plant is indigenous to the African desert, where conditions are hot and dry. More than anything else, humidity and excess moisture will wreak havoc on the health of your plants. If the soil cannot drain properly, your Sansevieria cylindrica will sit in water and will most likely develop root rot.
While Sansevieria cylindrica is not particularly pest-prone, vine weevils can be particularly upsetting (you will want to look for tiny, black, beetle-like insects). These tiny insects will eat away at your plant’s leaves, causing them to appear jagged and shriveled.
If the weevils are allowed to work their way down the leaves, they may cause significant damage to the plant’s roots, at which point it may be too late to treat. Pick off visible insects and then treat the entire plant weekly with an organic insecticide to catch pest problems early.