Sansevieria repotting question

7 years ago

Hi there, I'm a houseplant novice seeking some guidance on my mother-in-law's tongue.

I bought the plant about three to four months ago, when it was housed in a four-inch diameter plastic pot. It had one main shoot and the very beginnings of a second one peeking through the soil. I transferred it to a slightly larger, five-inch-diameter pot about six weeks later.

Since that time, though, a third and fourth shoot have emerged, and I'm wondering if it would be wise to transfer all of them to a considerably larger pot. Of particular concern to me is the fact that, in the past two weeks, a couple of the smaller shoots developed small segments at the tips of the fronds that have dried out and wilted.

Am I just under-watering, or are the larger shoots leeching water and nutrients from the smaller ones because they're all packed in too close together? Or something else? Any tips would be appreciated. Photos attached. Thanks!

Featured Answer

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

7 years ago

I'm wondering if it would be wise to transfer all of them to a
considerably larger pot. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being very stressful, when you pot up a plant it experiences a stress level of about .5 - almost none. So there is no danger from the act of simply potting up again, but there could be a considerable amount of stress associated with what happens subsequent to the potting up if you end up with an over-potted and soggy plant. Of particular concern to me is the fact that,
in the past two weeks, a couple of the smaller shoots developed small
segments at the tips of the fronds that have dried out and wilted. Am I just under-watering, or are the larger shoots leeching water and
nutrients from the smaller ones because they're all packed in too close
together? Or something else? There is no chance you're under-watering if immediately before you water you can detect the slightest bit of moisture in the soil. It's FAR more likely the necrotic leaf tips are from over-watering than under-watering. It's the same drought response whether you under-water or over-water - but a different cause. If the roots don't have enough oxygen in the soil (too much water) they cannot move water to its most distal parts (leaf tips/margins, and that part of the plant dies. Dying of thirst in a sea of plenty.

You can allow this plant to completely dry down in the interval between watering. I'm not encouraging or endorsing that practice, it's better to water just as this plant is starting to go dry, but I will say that given a choice the plant would rather be completely dry for a few days than sit in saturated soil for the same interval.

Tip - never let your plant sit in the effluent that exits the drain after you water. Water thoroughly, so you're flushing the soil, then tip the pot with the drain hole down and let it drain until it stops. Then, hold the pot at the same angle and move it up and down over the sink. As you reverse directions from down to up, you'll see more water exit the pot. Do this until no more water exits the pot. This simple watering habit can make an incredible difference in how much of their potential plants in water-retentive media can realize.

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Comments (9)

jamilalshaw26
7 years ago
Plant looks fine to me.
christine 5b
7 years ago
Do Not re-pot again, that only will stress a plant. How wet is the soil? When you water do you water enough so that is comes out the drain holes? You can't keep sans soil wet otherwise it will get root rot. I think your sans will be fine in the pot it's in for at least 3 years, by then the entire pot will be full and it will look great, it looks good now so enjoy it, your doing a great job.
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socks
7 years ago
Nice looking plant. Just don’t let it sit in water in that dish when you water. Assuming the pot and dish aren’t attached, let plant drain on newspaper an hour or so after watering before replacing on the dish.
Laurie (8A)
7 years ago
Can't wait to water my sans now tapla.
hc mcdole
7 years ago
They are pretty tough plants. They will fill almost any container to the point of breaking the pots (clay and glazed alike). The most important thing is to provide them plenty of light to thrive. Last year I let them in too deep of shade and they looked sick all winter. This year they look so much better in a sunnier location. PS this is from 2017 as I've not taken any photos of them this summer.
Tim Schneider thanked hc mcdole
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
7 years ago
Of course it should be known that tight roots take a toll on plants that increases in direct relation to the severity of the root congestion. It's not uncommon for neglected plants to lose huge %s of their potential (growth, vitality, natural defenses) to root congestion. In many cases, the amount of potential being realized is a negative number as plants shed older growth to reduce the amount of living mass requiring its share of energy to sustain its viability.

Al
Shawn
7 years ago
I'd avoid repotting at this point, as @tapla said it's far too easy to over-water. I've had this sans in the same pot for ~5 years and it seems to thrive on neglect. It gets good light (south-east exposure), sometimes goes months without water, and it's been regularly flowering for the past two years! I also have amended the potting medium at the soil line a couple times with fresh peat/potting soil when its looking a little sparse.
Tim Schneider thanked Shawn
Tim Schneider
Original Author
7 years ago
Tremendous thanks to everyone for their time and insights, especially @tapla! Will take all this to heart and let you know if I have any other issues. But I feel way more equipped and secure about how to proceed as a responsible Sans caretaker.