Sansevieria leaf tips

18 years ago

I have a very small Sansevieria, that has one largish leaf (relative to the others), one smaller leaf, and one tiny leaf in the centre. My cat has knocked the tip off the largish leaf.

I was reading an old thread on this forum, where people were discussing leaf tips, but no conclusion seemed to be reached.

Does anyone know if it's true that if the tip breaks off a leaf then that leaf won't grow? Do Sansevieria leaves grow from the tip, rather than the base? If so, should I cut that leaf off? Will doing so encourage new growth?

Thanks for any advice.

Featured Answer

Stush2049 Pitts. PA, zone 6

8 years ago

Wow, this is an old thread. The most reasonable reason anyone would cut the tips off is because it was damaged.

Nice to see so many new members.

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Comments (9)

flicker
18 years ago
The plant will continue to grow. Lots of people clip off the tip of sans when damaged. unsightly, but no problem.
Johanna
londongirl
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks Johanna! Much appreciated.
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daniel46
17 years ago
THE PLANT ITSELF WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BUT THE ONE LEAF WHICH IS MISSING ITS TIP WILL NOT GROW ANY LONGER THAN IT IS.
dufflebag2002
17 years ago
Right, a new tip will not grow, but the leaf if not fully grown will continue to grow from the bottom. All the new leaves coming out of the center will continue to be longer than the old leaves, until it is a mature. Some plants only have 3 leaves to a growth, others 14+ it wil depend on the species. Norma
albert_135 　 39.17°N 119.76°W 4695ft.
17 years ago
If the damaged leaf is particularly unsightly you can carefully slice it off near the base and root it to start a new plant.
Blake Hutchison
9 years ago
The individual leaf may stop growing if its tip is damaged, but the plant will continue to grow. Often if you see Sansevieria for sale in stores, the tips have been removed from the leaves.
Pat Z5or6 SEMich
8 years ago
Blake, why have the tips been removed in some stores?
albert_135 　 39.17°N 119.76°W 4695ft.
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Pat z5/6 MI....'' Blake, why have the tips been removed in some stores?''

Many things in stores have no discernible explanation.