This Sansevieria is also called the African bowstring hemp, because the fibres of the plant are used in Africa to make bowstrings. The fibres are therefore very strong and can also be widely used as rope. The plant is native to the south-eastern part of Africa, where it grows in the undergrowth of dry forests. This makes the species resistant to drought and shade: a combination that usually suits houseplants well. The leaves grow upright from an underground rhizome and reach a height of about 60 centimetres. They are dark green and covered with light green spots or stripes.
The species grows best in a large pot, where many offshoots can be formed. This will also allow the plant to flower well with white flowers that have long stamens. After flowering, small orange berries form. All parts of the plant are poisonous, but the thick leaves often make it unnecessary to be aware of this.
Nowadays, this species is classified in the Dracaena genus, whereas before it was Sansevieria. This applies to all Sansevieria species, by the way.
Sowing description: Soak the seeds in water for 24 hours and then sow them shallowly in sowing mix. Keep the soil constantly slightly moist and allow to germinate at a temperature of about 25grC. A light position without direct sunlight promotes germination.
