A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2004 More Babies

Okay gang, I did it...yesterday I went to Kroger and purchased 4 plants! Any advice on what else can I do to keep my babies VERY happy

Around here "Snake plant" and "Mother-in-law tongue" are the same plants. They are also known as Sansevera.
Hope this helps.

Karen

Thanks gardenmom32210. You're right on the money

Keep them potbound for best results. That will help prevent overwatering. Protect the Camille from any direct sun. Snake plants are not as hardy as their reputation. If you provide lots of bright light, never repot until the pots are nearly split open by the plant, and keep the soil very dry, then you will have lots of success with your snake plants.

Enjoy your new acquisitions!

Thanx Will. Does the same go with the Ferns about letting them get potbound until they almost burst the pot open? I've seen plants like that before but I thought it came from rough handling in the store. Also, the salesclerk told me she'd been watering the furns every other day. When I first set eyes on them a few months ago Feb/Mar, they were on the inside of the store, now they're outside. I also asked her about her watering habits and she said she uses water straight from the spicket...no 24-hour period standing water for ANY of the plants and we are in the same city using the same "public" water system. She said to mist the ferns too. I figured a light spraying from the garden hose is the same. HELP

Most plants do best when tightly potted, but most will not tolerate bursting the pot the way a snake plant will.

I assume your ferns are Boston ferns. Keep them moderately potbound, but not so potbound that you can't keep the soil moist. Unlike snake plants, ferns do not tolerate dry soil at all.

Ferns also need protection from direct sunlight. Hanging outside on a porch is a good location.

If your city water is on the hard side you might want to switch to filtered, distilled, or rainwater. Letting water stand overnight won't help with hard water. It will help dissipate chlorine, but the amount of chlorine in most city drinking water is not concentrated enough to do any harm.