Plant Finder

Other Names:  Cylindrical Snake Plant, African Spear Orchid

Description:

This interesting succulent will form a fan shaped rosette of cylindrical gray green leaves, mottled and striped with dark green; fragrant greenish-white flowers in spring, on mature plants, when placed in full sun; a unique addition to a rock garden

Ornamental Features

Starfish Sansevieria features dainty spikes of fragrant light green tubular flowers with white overtones and pink streaks rising above the foliage in mid spring. Its attractive spiny leaves remain grayish green in color with showy dark green variegation and tinges of silver throughout the year.

Landscape Attributes

Starfish Sansevieria is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and may require the occasional pruning to look its best. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Starfish Sansevieria is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Starfish Sansevieria will grow to be about 16 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 inches. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant performs well in both full sun and full shade. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in sandy soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Starfish Sansevieria is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers and foliage against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden. Be aware that in our climate, most plants cannot be expected to survive the winter if left in containers outdoors, and this plant is no exception. Contact our experts for more information on how to protect it over the winter months.