How to Grow and Care for the Golden-Edged Snake Plant, and Is Its Flower Toxic?

The golden-edged snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurentii') is one of the more ornamental varieties among the more than 60 species of snake plants. It is distributed in both tropical and subtropical regions. It is currently a common indoor potted foliage plant. So what are the growing methods and precautions for the golden-edged snake plant? Is its flower toxic?

1. Growing Methods for the Golden-Edged Snake Plant

1. Light: The snake plant grows well under conditions of sufficient light. Apart from midsummer, when direct sunlight should be avoided, it should receive plenty of sunlight in all other seasons. If it is placed in a spot with too little indoor light for too long, the leaves will become dull and lack vitality. In addition, if it has been kept indoors for a long time, the snake plant should not be moved suddenly into direct sunlight; it should first be moved to a spot with better light so that it has a process of adaptation before being exposed to sunlight, to avoid the leaves being scorched.

2. Potting soil: The potting soil for planting the golden-edged snake plant should preferably be well aerated. For potting, equal parts of leaf mold and garden soil mixed with a small amount of decomposed base fertilizer can be used as the substrate. Therefore, when planting the golden-edged snake plant, it is best to use two-thirds leaf mold plus one-third garden soil, stirred evenly. Never use only impermeable clay or sandy soil, because after watering this kind of soil is not aerated and easily causes the rhizomes of the golden-edged snake plant to rot.

3. Planting: The golden-edged snake plant is a rhizome-propagating plant. Planting 10 individual plants in a flower pot with an inner diameter of 40cm will yield a full pot of golden-edged snake plants after one year. When planting, first place part of the soil at the bottom of the pot, then start planting from one side of the pot, and space the individual plants properly to ensure that the plants are planted evenly.

4. Watering: The golden-edged snake plant should be watered in moderation, following the principle of preferring dryness over moisture. Usually, wipe dust off the leaf surface with clean water to keep the leaves clean and glossy. In spring, when new plants sprout at the root crown of the golden-edged snake plant, it should be watered a little more to keep the potting soil moist. In the hot summer season, the potting soil should also be kept moist regularly. After late autumn, the amount of water given to the snake plant should be controlled, and the potting soil should be kept relatively dry to enhance its cold resistance.

5. Pruning: In summer, the golden-edged snake plant sprouts quickly and new leaves grow relatively fast. When the pot becomes full, the method of thinning can be used, removing old leaves along the roots with scissors so that the new leaves can fully receive light and space to grow.

6. Repotting: Generally, the golden-edged snake plant should be repotted once every two years, in order to remove old roots and leaves, replace some of the soil to add nutrients, and keep the whole plant fresh and attractive in appearance.

7. Diseases and pests: The common pests and diseases of the snake plant include leaf spot disease and anthracnose, and a professional insecticide can be purchased and sprayed.

2. Precautions for Growing the Golden-Edged Snake Plant

1. The golden-edged snake plant should not be watered too much. Generally speaking, watering twice a week is enough, and in the colder winter, watering once a week is sufficient.

2. Because many people like to place the golden-edged snake plant indoors to remove formaldehyde, if the golden-edged snake plant stays indoors for a long time, do not suddenly let it come into contact with strong sunlight, as this will scorch the leaves.

3. The golden-edged snake plant likes light and can be placed directly in direct sunlight. If indoor conditions do not allow this, it can also be placed in a spot relatively close to sunlight. Since the golden-edged snake plant dislikes strong light, it should be shaded appropriately in summer. In winter, it should be placed in a sunny spot, watered less, and the potting soil kept dry.

4. During the growing period of the golden-edged snake plant, take care to keep the leaf surface clean, and it can be sprayed and washed frequently with a spray bottle.

5. When planting directly in plastic pots or porcelain pots, water less, preferring dryness over moisture, otherwise too much water will cause root rot and death.

3. Is the Flower of the Golden-Edged Snake Plant Toxic?

The flower of the golden-edged snake plant is not toxic. It can be placed in many locations, and it is also beneficial to the air. Researchers in the United States found that it can both absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. It is a natural good helper for cleaning the air, and can even help remove more than 80 percent of the harmful gases in the home.