You might be familiar with mother-in-law tongues, or snake plants. We love these easy to care for plants and recently received a member of the family that looks quite a bit different!

This very distinctive plant is aptly named whale, or shark fin,  snake plant. Sansevieria masoniana’s native habitat is the Congo region of Central Africa, which give us a clue as to how to take care of it. Though, to be truthful, their care  is similar to any snake plant you might have owned.

They like bright light, though they will tolerate lower levels. They are also happiest when left to go dry between watering. Too much water is never good for this family of plants and can lead to root rot. Remember, they’re from central Africa and go for long periods of time in their native habitat with little to no water.

If cared for properly they’ll grow up to about 3’ or so and their leaves will reach an impressive size. Because their leaves grow so large, it’s a great idea to wipe them off with a damp cloth to remove dust at least once a month and this keeps them looking their best too.

If you have any insect issues  (sometimes cottony, white mealy bugs and tiny spider mites can be a problem), using a bit of Neem oil on a cloth will eradicate them. Keep a close eye on your plant to ward off any future issues.

If you’re in the neighborhood, stop in and take a look at these rare and wonderful plants. You might just have to have one for yourself!

If you follow us on Instagram or FB, you might be seeing some of the videos we’re posting. We recently posted one on the whale fin Sansevieria! If social media isn’t your thing, we also have a YouTube Channel (Really!). Subscribe if you’re so inclined. We’re doing our best to put out interesting and informative videos. 

By Kris Blevons