I could be that it curling back /or folding to go dormant. I have only had one plant do this to me, and it is now planted and developing new roots. See if you can save the plant, by cutting a leaf off at the base, letting it dry for a week and planting it in loose sandy soil, and keeping very warm in the house, you may want to use a heat pad on low until it is rooted. not over 74F please. Save the plant. I have had a leaves split in scallops along the edges, this happens. What species is this one ? Norma

This is a Sans. downsii that I received in October from the Huntingtons. This is the same plant that had a defect in the leaf that I mentioned when I first received the plant. The plant has 5 leaves and only two seem to be affected. The leaf with the wound and the newest leaf are the only two that have splits in them. They have both had these splits for a while and the leaves are not splitting in half, just mainly have a brown line running vertically along them. Temp inside is between 72 and 74. It does have established roots too. I have noticed that the soil has settled and am wondering if perhaps the roots are being smothered. Could this cause the lines I am seeing?

Very few Sans. leaves are perfect. No, it's the watering and drying situation. I was at the sale in October, those were newly propogated plans, coming out of freezing temps. and a sizzling heat, no fans, no heat. It does damage, but we don't throw away material. It will grow nice new leaves for you, if you are ever unsatisfied return the plant. Why in the world did you buy it with 2 leaves with defects if that would bother you, alway return the plant immediately. You buy a plant because it's a species that you don't have. It will grow very large. Let it crowd the pot before potting up.
You can't smother the roots, The only way you can do damaage is giving it too little water too often, or not enough at one time. Only water when it is growing and warm. Winter just don't water once the plant is established. Did you buy is already potted? out on the lawn, if so I'm the lady who sold it to you. WE repot into fresh soil, but don't water in, we must wait at least 2 weeks. But we always fresh soil, and repot before they are sold. This is what I have been doing at the Huntington since Oct 1. We stop watering Oct 1, and the plants live on the water in their rhizomes and continue to grow and flower.
S. downesii is not often offered at the sale. Did this come in the mail. Just lift the plant a bit and add more fresh soil under neath, plant it high in the soil, not sunk down, bounce the pot on a hard object/ bench, steps. rocks, that will help settle soil. Don't fertilize until April l. If damaged leaves are bothering you just cut them off at the soil line and repot those leaves in very tiny pots and loose, fast draining soil, they will grow. Norma

I bought this through the catalog. I'm too far away to go in person. The damage isn't bothering me, I was just concerned since these are my first "fancy" sans (not the typical mother in law plant) that perhaps I was doing something wrong. I bought these plants because they were a species I didn't have so I'm not upset. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't killing them. :)

It is seldom found or sold. I had a friend here tonight a specialist in Sans. she said too much water the wrong time of the year. Mine also split, I did the same thing I watered in Oct. wanted to give its last drink for the winter. If I make enough mistakes I will learn with each one. It was growing to fast for the stiff leaf. Mine took root right away and a baby is coming up now, but I heat my green house, Hold up on the water as soon as it turns cold. Meaning Oct 1 it's the night and early morning hours that does them in. Norma

I'm probably watering too much for the time of year. Since I have the plant inside and under a plant lamp, I assumed that it would be ok to water. Also, the tips of some of the leaves were brown so I thought, "must need more water." I'll stop watering until spring and cut down on the amount of light I let the plant get from the lamp. Perhaps this will help mimic winter a little better. Thanks for all the input.

It only grows in season, you must not water when it's trying to go dormant. I have watered mine during the winter months because I have greenhouse heat, but your home takes care of that, it still knows the difference of how many daylight hours. It is programmed to grow when it's time. They know more than we give them credit for they have been a species for heaven knows how many thousand of years and have adapted to what nature has dished out. Sansevieria are able to go six months without water, they won't look good, but they will be alive. I have that species it will get very large, once established you will write and ask what do I do now, it broke the pot. Just remember it can break out of any pot it is in. Are you new to Sansevieria? Norma

Yes, I'm fairly new to this. I've been keeping common Sansevieria (the typical snake plants) for a few years, but have just started trying the more unique/interesting species. I bought the Splendid Sansevieria last year and have been studying that in addition to reading posts here. :)