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Received the MILT late fall after my grandfathers sister passed away. No one wanted it and it was brought to me. Today, my daughter accidentally knocked over the very flimsy stand it was on and I got a shot at the roots. The little roots you see at every dry looking.. I don't want to pick at them to see how the bottom of the plant looks thill and the soul looks a lot like dirt. It's cold here now in West Virginia.. too cold at night to really water it.

a MILT ideally like the temp to be between 65-80*F..but never subject them to temps below 55*F. They like bright light and can even withstand direct sunlight, but will tolerate a bit of shade. if it has been in sun for any amount of time, Gradually set it in a sunny location for small periods of time--increasing the amount of sun over time, to build up it's tollerance to the sun.

as the plant itself looks good, I think I would just wash off the roots and repot it in a pot with quick drainage with 1/3 sand or perlite to a soil based potting mix. It would be good to put some clay pot fragments or miss-shapen rocks into the pot first to aid in drainage. Remember these plants like cramped roots, so they do not need a lot of room.

back again--I was just thinking--if you were really worried, you could take a few cuttings (3 or 4, at least 2 inches in length and plant them about 1/2 inch down in a mixture of peat moss & sand. lAce them in a bright spot with normally warm room temeratures and water sparingly,(just enough to make the soil barely moist. Eventuqally rhizomes will be produced. (it will take a long time so be patient)
When this happens you could cut away the old plant and repot the new Rhizomes.

Just an idea.

They root easily for me, not sure of putting them in the sun??
b

Barb, my book said bright light-----they could have meant just well lit but not direct sun???

Thanks ladies!

So here's my plans with the MILT:

1. Remove the plant from the pot.
2. Wash off the roots.
3. Place different shaped rocks in the bottom.
4. Add 2/3 soil.. 1/3 perlite.. and plant.

Sound right?

Can I use the dirt/soil thats in it or should I replace it?
I have Miracle Grow Moisture Control potting mix.. is that alright?

I would change the soil. Miracle Grow is good.

yes I agree with Sheri...if you are going to the trouble of repotting it would be best to start with new soil. And yes Miracle grow potting soil is a good choice. and to add the perlite or sand would be a good choice. Your plan sounds good to me.

I'm a little late to this discussion, so maybe you've already repotted the sansie (that's what i like to call them, from the botanical name, which is Sanseveria) but here's my input. I wouldn't use a "moisture retentive" soil, this plant is a succulent. A good potting mix is cactus soil with an equal volume of perlite added. You don't need to put rocks in the bottom of the pot, sorry if I offend anyone, but that's pretty much of a myth. I live in West Central Florida, where these plants grow like weeds outside, and they take temps well down into the 40's; several days below freezing will kill them, though. I would just leave it in the house, since you'll have to bring it in for the winter anyway. If you put it outside, keep it in the shade. Basically, they truly are probably the hardest of all plants to kill. Soil that stays wet is the only real danger. So relax, and enjoy

Putting one by the front door is a very old Chinese good luck practice.