Plant Know-How: Sansevieria 'Fernwood'
One of the things we love most about Sansevieria* (other than how easy-going they are) is how much variety exists in this group of plants commonly called 'Snake Plants'. According to the most recent WFO Plant List, there are 200 accepted species/varieties/subspecies of Sansevieria- all with variation in colors, leaf shape, texture, and even in overall plant shapes. With that much variety you can easily have an interesting display of Sansevieria- even with just a few plants.
Today's feature- Sansevieria 'Fernwood' makes a great addition to a group of Sansevierias, but also holds its own as an interesting plant with amazing sculptural qualities. Its stiff, striped green leaves grow in an almost fountain-like shape when the plant is young, but twist and turn in unexpected ways as the plant matures. This cultivar- a hybrid of S. parva and S. suffruticosa- was developed in California at Fernwood Nursery (hence the name) and is often labeled as "Sansevieria Fernwood Mikado", but S. 'Fernwood' is its registered name.
Like other Sansevieria, 'Fernwood' is an easy-going plant with straightforward care. Read on to learn how to keep yours thriving!
HOW TO CARE FOR SANSEVIERIA 'FERNWOOD':
Light requirements for Sansevieria 'Fernwood': Bright filtered light is best for all Sansevieria, but they will tolerate lower light levels- at least for a time. In medium or low light, you can expect the plant to lose some leaves, and for colors to be less distinct over time. In lower light leaves will also become less rigid over time as the plant tissue stretches out to maximize how much light the plant can take in. Sansevieria can handle some direct sun as well, but if kept in full sun all day leaves can become bleached-out looking and some areas may get sunburnt.
Watering tips for Sansevieria 'Fernwood': Like other Sanseviera, 'Fernwood' should be allowed to dry out all the way to the bottom of the pot between waterings. Sansevieria have fine roots connected to thicker rhizomes- both of which are sensitive to overly wet soil. They also store water in their leaves, so when in doubt- wait another week to water as they tolerate becoming too dry (for short periods of time) much better than they do being too wet. If you need some help knowing how wet or dry your soil is, a moisture meter is a helpful tool that can take out some of the guesswork!
The Best Soil for Sansevieria 'Fernwood': Most Sansevieria are native to arid climates, so chunky, fast-draining soil best mimics their native soil. Our Desert Potting Mix is an excellent choice for Sansevieria, but our Folia Favorite Mix will also work as it provides good aeration and doesn't retain moisture excessively long.
Is Sansevieria 'Fernwood' pet-safe? Sansevieria are not pet-safe and can be toxic when consumed by pets. If you're looking for pet-safe plants, be sure to check out the Pet Safe category of the Plant Care Compendium!
How to style Sansevieria 'Fernwood': Younger 'Fernwood' specimens fit nicely into groupings of Sansevierias other other plants, but can also work well on their own in an interesting planter, or placed in a cluster of decorative objects. As the plant matures, it may need more space than a dense grouping of plants can provide.
Did you know? Some Sansevierias like 'Fernwood' produce stolons (aka 'runners'), which are stems that grow horizontally, above ground. New plants, often referred to as 'pups' will form at the end of these stolons- which can sometimes run outside of the pot the mother plant is in! These can be removed from the mother plant and rooted on their own- perfect for sharing your plant.
Ready to add Sansevieria 'Fernwood' to your collection? We have them in stock in both 4" and 6" sizes at our Eagle Rock shop.
*The genus Sansevieria was recently folded into the genus Dracaena. We prefer to use the more familiar, and still accepted Sansevieria synonyms, rather than the updated Dracaena names.
