Sansevieria Bantel's Sensation Care

Placement

PRO TIP: The large thick leaves of Sansevieria can gather dust easily, so be sure to wipe them down on occasion to help them photosynthesize — especially if they're in low light environments.

The Sansevieria Bantel’s Sensation is a striking variety of the foolproof Snake Plant, boasting distinctive white vertical striping on its thinner-than-usual leaves. Native to West Africa, this plant can tolerate long periods of drought and is very easy to care for.

Place your Sansevieria in a spot where it will receive anywhere from a bright to dim amount of indirect light. Note that the white variegation on the Bantel’s Sensation's leaves make it slightly less tolerant of low light conditions than your typical Snake Plant, so extremely low light situations should be avoided with this variety.

If you are unsure of the lighting conditions in your home or office, we have a guide for how to measure light in your space.

Sansevieria are one of few plants which release oxygen at night, making them an excellent plant for the bedroom.

Routine Maintenance

PRO TIP: When it doubt, let it drought! The most common mistake made with these plants is overwatering.

Always be sure to assess your plant’s watering needs upon receiving it. Before giving your plant a drink, it is best to check the moisture level in the soil first to ensure it isn’t moist right beneath the surface. Also, consider aerating the soil of your plant before the initial watering. We compact the soil to avoid shifting during transit, so aerating can help the soil breathe and allow moisture to be released.

Sansevieria like to dry out completely between waterings. The most common mistake made with these plants is overwatering. Even if your plant is placed in ample bright indirect light, you won’t need to water it more than once every 10 days (at most) during the growing season. During the winter months or if the plant is in low light, it can need watering as infrequently as once a month. Regardless of its placement though, make sure that you are letting your Sansevieria's soil thoroughly dry between waterings. Sansevieria are susceptible to root rot, so it’s very important that you do not water the plant if you detect any moisture in the soil.

Rotate your plant periodically to ensure even growth on all sides and dust the leaves often so the plant can photosynthesize efficiently. When dusting the leaves, also take the opportunity to inspect the undersides and keep an eye out for pests.

Remember each plant is a unique living thing and may have varying needs, especially in their individual locations. Pay attention to the condition of your Sansevieria and its watering needs and you will have a long and happy relationship.

Standard Planter Instructions

There are two types of standard planters offered by Greenery NYC—those with drainage holes, and those without. Within those two categories are an array of sizes and styles to choose from. The presence of drainage holes and size of the vessel play a role in the quantity and frequency of water given to your plant.

Plants purchased in a pot without a drainage hole have been set up with a built-in drainage system. A layer of hydro stones (porous, absorbent material made of recycled glass) has been placed beneath the soil to act as a reservoir for any excess water that flows through the soil. You will need to be slightly more cautious not to pour too much water into these containers as there is no way for the excess water to escape. We suggest pouring small amounts of water in bit by bit, until you have reached the desired moisture level in the soil.

For plants potted with drainage, water until it begins to come out the bottom of the pot and into the catch tray.

Always be sure to assess your plant's watering needs upon receiving it. Refer to the routine maintenance section for your plant’s specific moisture requirements.

Self Watering Container Instructions

The self-watering planters require a good, solid watering of the topsoil after they are first placed. This is important because the roots of the plants need to grow into the reservoir first in order to drink from it. Follow the standard planter instructions for the first four weeks. Then the reservoir is ready to be tested.

TEST: After four weeks, fill the water reservoir until the red indicator reaches the MAX line. If the indicator goes down over the first few days, it means the plant is ready for regular reservoir servicing. If not, be sure to continue top watering for a few more weeks, until the red indicator goes down, meaning the plant has started drinking from the reservoir.

RESERVOIR SERVICING: Once the indicator goes down, do not refill the reservoir right away. Similar to how humans need a breath of air between gulps of water, almost all plants require a drying out period. Always allow for the reservoir to empty all the way, and after a drying out period of a few days, be sure to refill it until the indicator reaches the MAX line.

From here on out, you should NEVER topwater the plant. If you water from the top, it can drown the plant. In the Self Watering Container, the top layer of soil will eventually become extremely dry and hard, and may even pull away from the edges of the pot. This is not a cause for concern, but simply because the plant is drinking directly from its roots in the water reservoir.

Step 1: Top water for two weeks. The indicator will look empty, like the picture above.

Step 2: Fill the reservoir until the red indicator reaches the MAX line.

Step 3: Watch the indicator over the next day or two. If it goes down on its own, it means the roots of the plant have grown into the reservoir. From here on out, ONLY water in the reservoir.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if I am overwatering my Sansevieria?

Overwatering results in mushy brown stalks. Hold off on watering and prune your plant. Only when the soil is completely dry all the way through the pot is your plant ready for a drink.

How can I tell if I am underwatering my Sansevieria?

Though difficult to do, underwatering a Sansevieria is not impossible and results in dry crispy tips on the plant's leaves. If this is the case, prune your plant and increase your frequency of watering.

Can my Sansevieria Bantel’s Sensation tolerate really low light?

This particular variety of Sansevieria is slightly more sensitive than most because of the white variegation on the plants leaves. The white parts of the plant's leaves contains no chlorophyll and cannot photosynthesize light, which means the plant has to work twice as hard in order to get the nutrients it needs. It’s best to place your Bantel’s Sensation in a bright to medium light space so it can thrive.

How often should I fertilize my plant?

In general, house plants will thrive when they are fertilized spring through fall. Fertilize once a month with an organic houseplant fertilizer, following the package instructions for dilution and administration. Greenery NYC uses an organic potting mix with a slow release fertilizer in the soil, so your plant will not need fertilizer within the first 6 months of receiving it.

How often does my plant need to be repotted?

For smaller desktop plants, we suggest repotting once every 12-18 months. Typically you want to choose a potting vessel 1”- 2” larger in diameter to allow for growth. Don’t choose a pot much larger than the previous as this could drown the plant's roots. If you prefer to maintain the current size of your plant, repot into the same vessel, providing new soil and trimming away some roots and foliage. Spring or summer is the ideal time to repot as the plant is at its strongest.
For larger floor plants, we suggest repotting every 18-24 months. Typically you want to choose a potting vessel 2”- 4” larger in diameter to allow for growth. Don’t choose a pot much larger than the previous as this could drown the plants roots. If you prefer to maintain the current size of your plant, repot into the same vessel, providing new soil and trimming away some roots and foliage. Spring or summer is the ideal time to repot as the plant is at its strongest.