Many of us want a lush green environment at home, and plants like Viper’s Bowstring Hemp are an easy way to get that feeling. But we don’t always have the time or energy to put into a big garden. Indoor house plants are a great solution for those of us who want the greenery of a garden without the back-breaking work. They can bring a great deal of charm and interest to a home, without worrying about the weather or how to clean muddy boots!
But which plants grow the fastest? And which ones will give you the most bang for your buck?
Today, we’re taking a look at one of the fasting growing and easiest to care for house plants out there – the Viper’s Bowstring Hemp, aka the Snake Plant.
Origins of Viper’s Bowstring Hemp
This vine-like plant, which is a type of Snake Plant, is native to Asia. It was first discovered in southern Japan in 1892 or 1893. The name “Viper’s Bowstring” comes from the twisting, rope-like vines that surround and strangle the tree.
Best place to grow
The best place for you to grow this plant is in areas where it’s exposed to moderate light & average temperatures, so it’s an excellent plant for the beginner.
Plant your seedlings in the spring or early summer, about one foot apart. The seeds will do best in full sun, but will tolerate some shade.
Viper’s Bowstring Hemp is not invasive and sometimes grows to be about three to six feet tall. It has a long taproot that pulls nutrients from deep down in the soil.
If you are thinking about planting the seeds, you should know that it needs full sun to thrive. If it doesn’t get enough sun, the leaves will turn yellow or brown. It also needs plenty of water to grow well, but once a week is often enough.
How to take care of your Viper’s Bowstring Hemp
These Snake plants like to be pot bound and should be re-potted every few years. Like other Sansevieria, it can be propagated by division. Snake plants are generally easy to grow, so feel free to position it as a tabletop plant or on a windowsill, as it will thrive in most homes.
Some other varieties of Snake plants
1. Sansevieria Trifasciata is a gorgeous succulent plant that’s native to Africa. It grows up to 2 feet tall with thick, succulent leaves, arranged in a rosette. The plant produces small, green flowers, and its fruits are berries.
2. Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Alba’ is a popular houseplant that is often used in succulent gardens and greenhouses. This plant is easy to grow and can be propagated by dividing the stem. The leaves are triangular in shape and can be green, light green, or a deep purple color. The flowers are small and white and the plant can grow up to 3 feet tall.
3. The Sansevieria Trifasciata ‘Variegata’ has a range of gorgeous colourful flowers and leaves such as white, pink, yellow and light green. It’a a great choice for landscape design.
Check out these and even more types of Snake Plant on our dedicated post, and see which one you’ll love the most 🙂
