Sansevieria bacularis ‘Mikado’ – Fernwood Snake Plant

Description

The Sansevieria bacularis 'Mikado' is tall yet compact; most garden shops will call it Fernwood Snake Plant. Its stiff, nearly cylindrical leaves, densely clustered like bundled swords, grow up, up, and then slightly out. Fine lines mark the surface of the leaf and add subtle texture without interruption. It reaches upward instead of outward in a tight profile and fits where other plants would sprawl and look awkward. Most of us picture snake plants with flat, broad leaves and this variety goes in the other direction with thin, spiky leaves that are never messy.

Sometimes you will see this one called Mikado Snake Plant, also Rod Leaf, and also Fernwood Mikado. It is a type of Sansevieria so it will probably tolerate much more than other house plants: attention will not be necessary. It will adapt to bright or dim locations and last year after year. Its slender leaves will remain a soft green with muted stripes that fade into the surface of the leaf. It grows very slowly so it will not become a sprawling plant, making its tight profile a convenient arrangement.

The Mikado will live just as happily on a study desk. The office window ledge will be fine too. Kitchens and bathrooms will not prove problematic for these leaves that are very unfussy and tolerate typical humidity levels well. Office desks work too. Outdoors in the southern U.S. On covered patios or sheltered balconies in warmth and sun will likely do just fine. Protect from stormy weather and freezing temperatures, of course. It is true that many of its cousins are studied for air purification: this one is probably one too. Do not expect a major shift in room air quality though.

Key features

• Clustering stems forming upright, tidy, compact growth of slender, rod-like leaves
• Deep green leaves that can sometimes exhibit light natural stripes
• An easy to manage plant preferring a bright (full sun) location, but will survive in less bright conditions
• Drought resistant, can be left in dry conditions for extended periods as they store water in their leaves and therefore do not require frequent watering
• Extremely slow growing and the plants hold their form for a very long time, without the need for repotting
• Attractive as a decoration for the home and office space (desk, shelf, windowsill)
• A practical and relatively fuss-free gift, suitable for the beginning plant lover
• Withstands average household temperatures and humidity levels
  

Care at a glance

Product specifications

What’s in the box

• 1 × Live Sansevieria bacularis ‘Mikado’ plant
• 1 × Nursery pot (Bare-rooted / Pot: Optional)
• Potting mix
• Basic care guide

Important notes

• Fresh growth means leaves might look different than shown - size, shade, or stem length can shift. Each plant lives its own way.
• A few leaves might droop or turn pale when first unpacked - that bend at the edge, the faint yellow near the base. Most settle in within a fortnight. Time helps more than anything else. Roots adjust. The air feels different here. Light shifts. Then growth picks up again, quiet and steady.
• Right away, place the plant where it won’t face harsh midday rays once unpacked. Over time, let it adjust slowly to brighter conditions instead.
• Give the plant time to adjust - wait several days before doing anything. Skip watering right away. Feel the soil with your finger. How moist does the soil feel? Then and only then if the ground feels dry can you add more water. Patience works better than routine.
• When winter comes, the plant might grow much slower - happens every time, nothing wrong with it.
• Store this away from kids and animals who might nibble the foliage - common sense with indoor plants. A bit of caution goes a long way here.

Frequently asked questions

Q: The leaves on my plant are turning yellow.

This is mostly caused by either too much water, or standing in a pot that drains poorly. Feel the dirt below the top layer to make sure it is dry before you water it. Occasionally a single old leaf will yellow and this is a part of how the plant gets older. A pot needs to have an opening in the bottom to let off excess water.

Q: How often should I water this plant?

A: Water after all of the soil has dried out - about every two to four weeks when grown indoors and less frequently when growing in winter. This plant is able to store water in its leaves so it is more safe to under-water than to over-water the plant.

Q: Can this plant be grown indoors all year round?

A: True, this plant makes life simple when grown inside all year round. Room temperature suits it just fine, so no fancy conditions are required. With little fuss, it settles right where people live. No extra gear needed - just steady warmth and everyday care.

Q: How much sun do you need?

A: It thrives in bright, indirect light such as next to a sheer-covered window but it can tolerate shade as well, it will just grow more slowly and the colour will look a bit less vibrant.

Q: How fast does this plant grow?

A: It grows at a very slow rate and for a young plant this is actually beneficial because the compact shape will last for a longer period of time before repotting or pruning will be required.

Q: Do I need to fertilise it?

A: There is no need to fertilize but a dilute, balanced houseplant fertilizer, once a month, in the spring and summer will help with consistent growth. Do not fertilize while the plant is resting in the winter.