Sanseveria masoniana

Sansevieria, S. 'Mason's Congo'

Mason's Congo Sansevieria, Whale Fin Plant

Asparagaceae

Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa

1 Gallon

4'

2'

Zone 10a, Zone 10b, Zone 11a

30° to 35°F; -1.1° to 1.7°C

High heat tolerance

Shade to part shade

Drought tolerant, keep drier in cool weather

Remove any old disfigured leaves if desired.

This plant makes an excellent container and houseplant. It also can be grown outside in frost-free areas in lower-light conditions. It makes an interesting vertical accent when grown against or atop a wall in a linear planter.

This plant can be propagated by root division or seed.

Requires well-draining soils to avoid rot.

Sanseveria masoniana is a semi-succulent herbaceous perennial with 8-10" wide dark green leaves with attractive dappled light-green patterned areas. The leaves can reach 8' in its native habitat in Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa, but generally are 3-4' in cultivation. It is a great plant for low-light areas. When grown under higher light conditions Sanseveria masoniana will flower occasionally, sending up a stalk of white flowers from the center of the leaf rosette. The raceme of Sansevieria is derived from the apical meristem, and after flowering that stem will no longer produce new leaves. Unlike monocarpic plants such as agave which die after flowering, Sansevieria will simply cease to produce new leaves and will spread slowly by growing new stems from underground rhizomes. This plant was collected in what was called the Belgian Congo (then Zaire and now Democratic Republic of the Congo) by Maurice Mason, a renowned plant collector from Norfolk, England. Plants in this genus are believe to make good air purifiers by removing toxins. Sanseverias are used in Asian cultures to create various Feng Shui effects.