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A single green snake plant leaf with striped patterns.

Starfish Snake Plant

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Dracaena cylindrica var. patula 'Boncel' (FKA Sansevieria)

KNOWN AS: African Spear Plant, Cylindrical Snake Plant, Spear Sansevieria, Spear Orchid

CLIMATE (LOCATION): West Africa | Tropical Savannah

DESCRIPTION: This snake plant is different from other plants because it has chubby leaves that look like spears. People often pot them in multiples to create an effect that looks like they're underwater.

Easy difficulty & pet toxic

Starfish Snake Plant Plant Care

Lighting

Light Requirement: High Light (Bright Indirect Light); Low Light Tolerant

The Starfish snake plant prefers bright, indirect light but will tolerate bright, direct light (full sun) and low light conditions. Placing your starfish snake plant in an east or west-facing window is suggested. You may use an LED grow light if natural light is not an option. Avoid overexposing your plant to full sun as it may scorch the leaves.

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Watering

Quick Tip: Allow soil to completely dry out before watering.

Starfish snake plants are low-maintenance plants that don't require regular watering. While watering a starfish snake plant, it is advisable to let the soil totally dry out in between applications. Because this plant needs soil with good drainage, it's crucial to check the container for drainage holes to prevent overwatering. While watering, make sure the soil is completely saturated and that any extra water drains through the drainage holes. Prior to placing the pot back on its saucer, give it some time to drain. To prevent rot, avoid getting water on the leaves or inside the rosette. As starfish snake plants can tolerate drought as well, it is preferable to submerge them rather than overwater them.

Temperature

Preferred Temperature: 60º - 85º

The starfish snake plant thrives in indoor settings and can withstand a wide range of temperatures. Starfish snake plants do best in temperatures ranging from 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 29 degrees Celsius). Although they may endure a few degrees lower or higher than this range, it's crucial to protect them from extremely high or low temperatures. Keep them away from drafts and places where they will be directly exposed to heat sources like heaters or radiators. Maintaining a temperature within the ideal range will encourage healthy growth and shield the plant from any potential stress or harm. Consistency is crucial.

Humidity

Preferred Humidity: 40 - 60%; Moderate Humidity

Starfish snake plant likes a medium level of humidity. Keeping the humidity between 40% and 60% can help plants grow well, stop leaves from drying out and wilting, and reduce the risk of pests. A humidifier can be a good way to control the amount of moisture in your home or office. Put a humidifier near your starfish snake plant to make sure it always has the right amount of humidity. By putting your plants close to each other, you can create a microclimate that makes it more humid. Put your Starfish Snake Plant near other plants that like the same level of humidity to make a naturally humid environment. A pebble tray is a cheap and easy way to raise the level of humidity. Put pebbles in a shallow tray and add water until it reaches the top of the stones. Place the starfish snake plant on top of the pebbles and make sure the water level doesn't reach the bottom of the pot. You can raise the humidity by misting your plant with water. Fill a spray bottle with water at room temperature and spray the starfish snake plant's leaves often. Make sure to mist in the morning so the leaves have enough time to dry before it gets dark.

Additional Plant Care

Propagation
The starfish snake plant can be spread by cutting off pieces of its leaves. To do this, choose a healthy leaf and cut it into pieces that are about 3–4 inches long. Then, put the cuttings in a mixture of soil that drains well and water them sparingly to keep the soil moist but not soggy. In a few weeks, the cuttings will start to grow roots. Once they have enough roots, they can be moved to their own pots. Make sure to keep the new plants in a bright place with indirect sunlight, and don't give them too much water.
Toxicity
Startfish snake plants, scientifically known as FKA Sansevieria, are toxic if ingested. The plant contains saponins, natural compounds which cause gastrointestinal discomfort if consumed in large quantities. If someone, including a pet, ingests snake plant leaves or other parts of the plant, it may lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach upset. It is recommended to avoid snake plants if you have young children or any pets.
Repotting
Starfish snake plants, also called Sansevieria cylindrica, are hardy and require little care. They don't need to be repotted very often. But if you see that the plant's roots are getting too big for the pot, you can repot it. To repot the starfish snake plant, start by making sure the soil in the new pot drains well. Loosen the soil around the roots and carefully take the plant out of its old pot. Cut off any roots that are dead or broken. Put the plant in the new pot and fill the empty space with new soil. Give the plant a lot of water and then leave to drain. Put the plant in a place with bright, indirect light, and don't water it until the top inch of soil feels dry.
Pruning
Use a clean, sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears to cut back any damaged, yellowing, or diseased leaves or stems at the base of the plant. This will help the plant grow well and keep any problems from spreading to other parts of it. You can also cut back any overgrown or straggly stems to just above a leaf node to encourage new growth and keep the shape and size of the plant. Starfish snake plants can grow slowly, so it's important not to prune them too much or they may take a while to recover. You should prune the plant when it's growing, which is usually from spring to early fall. Don't prune it in the winter, when it's not growing. Regular pruning can help starfish snake plants grow well and keep them looking lush and full.
Fertilizing
To feed a starfish snake plant, choose a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Before you put the fertilizer on the plant, you should water it well and dilute the fertilizer to half the recommended strength. Apply the fertilizer to the soil around the plant's base with a watering can or spray bottle. Be careful not to get any on the leaves or stem, as it can burn them. During the growing season, which usually lasts from spring to early fall, do this every four to six weeks. Don't give the plant fertilizer when it's sleeping in the winter. Too much fertilizer can hurt the plant, so it's important to follow the directions on the package and not use too much. If the leaves start to turn brown or black, cut back on how often you fertilize or make the solution less strong. You can also follow the instructions on the package and use a slow-release fertilizer once every three to four months. Starfish snake plants can grow well and have bright leaves if they are fertilized regularly.
Soil
Sansevieria cylindrica plants, also called "starfish snake plants," are succulents that can grow in many different types of soil. But potting soil with a lot of perlite, sand, or gravel that drains well would be best. To avoid waterlogging, which can cause root rot, the soil should be able to drain water quickly. Starfish snake plants need soil that is a mix of peat moss, perlite, and sand in a ratio of 2:1:1. The pH of the soil should be between 7.0 and 7.5. It should also be a little bit alkaline. If you add some compost or other organic matter to the soil, it will be more fertile, have more nutrients, and drain better.

Hanging Heights

Starfish Snake Plant Lighting Requirements: High Light (Bright Indirect Light); Low Light Tolerant

Chart showing recommended hanging heights for Soltech Aspect and popular plants for each range.

Aspect Hanging Heights - Starfish Snake Plant

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Soltech's Recommendation -

24" to 36"

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VIEW ASPECT GROW GUIDE

Vita Hanging Heights - Starfish Snake Plant

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Soltech's Recommendation -

36º Narrow Beam Vita : 24" to 36"

60º Wide Beam Vita : 12" to 24"

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VIEW VITA GROW GUIDE

Highland Hanging Heights - Starfish Snake Plant

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Soltech's Recommendation -

36º Narrow Beam Highland : 18" to 42"

60º Wide Beam Highland : 12" to 30"

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VIEW HIGHLAND GROW GUIDE

Grove Hanging Heights - Starfish Snake Plant

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Soltech's Recommendation:

  • 1" to 24"

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VIEW GROVE GROW GUIDE

Lighting guide for plants with Soltech Aura and potted plants on a neutral background

Aura Light Distances - Starfish Snake Plant

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Soltech's Recommendation:

  • 8" to 18"

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VIEW AURA GROW GUIDE

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