Sansevieria moonshine [san-se-VEER-ee-uh, moon-shine] is a cultivar of the Sansevieria trifasciata, which is a succulent from the Asparagaceae family.
Also known as Sansevieria craigii, Sansevieria jacquinii, and Sansevieria laurentii superba, this beautiful plant is very popular as a houseplant.
Native to West Africa, ranging from Nigeria to the Congo, this plant is commonly known as a snake plant.
Other common names include:
- Sansevieria Futura Silver Offset’
- Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Moonshine’
- Moonlight Sansevieria
- Silver Moonshine
- Moonshine snake plant
- Moonlight snake plant
These names are in reference to the beautiful succulent leaves which sport a light silver-green color.
The most interesting name for the plant is mother-in-law’s tongue, or snake plant which is supposed to reference the sharp edges of the leaves.
Sansevieria Moonshine Care
Sansevieria Moonshine is a beautiful, upright snake plant with broad silvery green leaves. It enjoys bright indirect light. In low light conditions, the leaves may turn a darker green but keep its silvery sheen. Moonshine is drought-tolerant. Let the soil dry out between watering.
Size & Growth
Compared to Sansevieria trifasciata Hahnii, which grows only 6” inches tall, Sansevieria moonshine plants grow up to 2’ feet tall.
The leaves are what earn this cultivar its common names. The silver-green color has very faint dark green lines running longitudinally along its length.
They are silver-green in color with very faint dark green lines running longitudinally along its length.
In low lighting, the leaves may turn a darker green color but still keep its silvery green sheen.
These plants have a vigorous growth rate.
Flowering and Fragrance
Appearing similar to S. trifasciata ‘robusta’, this cultivar may flower.
The bloom time isn’t very cut and dry and quite infrequent.
But when they do bloom, the flowers are white in color, inconspicuous, and slightly fragrant.
Read our article for details on Snake Plant Flowers
Light & Temperature
Indirect bright light (e.g. morning sun) for indoor moonshine sansevieria is optimal.
But despite its requirements, the plant can withstand full sun and low light conditions.
Hardy to USDA Hardiness Zones 10 through 11, these plants do well in warmer climes with temperature ranging between 55° – 85° degrees Fahrenheit (13° C – 29° C).
Sansevieria moonshine is winter hardy in regions where the temperature is lowest at 32° degrees Fahrenheit (0° C).
Watering and Feeding
Being a succulent, this plant doesn’t require much water to stay healthy and thrive.
Even though Sansevieria moonshine can tolerate drought conditions, you should let the soil dry out between watering.
Keep the leaves dry and prevent overwatering as it may cause root rot.
Also, lower the frequency of water to once a month when the temperatures start dipping low.
Feed your moonshine plants with a general-purpose plant food twice a year in the spring or summer.
Don’t overfeed the plants.
Soil & Transplanting
The standard potting mix used for succulents and cacti is suitable for mother-in-law’s tongue.
Drainage is an important factor in the soil you choose as they are susceptible to root rot when water stands around the rhizome structure.
Even though you’re able to transplant the Moonshine plant any time of the year, repotting shouldn’t be rushed.
Repotting Sansevieria moonshine every 2-5 years should be sufficient.
When you want to move your moonshine Sansevieria, feel the root ball and carefully shake it loose from the pot.
Place it in a new pot at least 1”-2” inches below the rim of the pot.
Grooming and Maintenance
This plant thrives when left on its own but this doesn’t mean you should ignore it.
Sansevieria Moonshine plants are pretty low-maintenance.
There are no lengthy care instructions to keep up with.
The only maintenance you need to do is removing yellowing or dead leaves if you see signs of root rot.
Other unique varieties spear plant – Sansevieria cylindrical | Fernwood Snake Plant
How to Propagate Moonshine Sansevieria
Moonlight Sansevieria is best propagated by division as they have a strong and rapidly growing rhizome structure.
Remove offsets or new rhizome growth from the mother plant with a sharp knife, taking one healthy leaf with it.
Use leaf cuttings, which should be at least 2” inches long from a mature leaf.
Whether you use cuttings or divisions, keep the areas of the cuts dry and let it callous before transplanting it.
Plant the divisions or offshoots in a well-drained potting mix.
Leaf cuttings should be buried 1” inch deep.
Stick the leaf-cutting in water.
Use a tall container with enough water to cover only a few inches of the lead.
Place the container in low light or indirect sunlight, changing the water as needed.
Moonshine Sansevieria Care – Pests or Diseases
The snake plant moonshine plant is a hardy container plant typically free from serious disease and pest problems.
If anything would bother your Sansevieria moonshine, it will be either mealybugs or spider mites.
Fortunately, these problems are not terribly hard to deal with.
The plant may be susceptible to scarring on the leaves if places in chilly temperatures for too long or from having too much water or moisture in the soil.
The latter may be root rot.
Look for signs such as drooping or yellowing leaves.
Toxicity
Sansevieria species contains compounds known as saponins.
These may be mildly toxic to humans and pets.
Upon ingestion, they may cause irritation in the stomach or in the mouth.
Nausea and vomiting may be possible issues if consumed in large quantities.
More on the question – Is the Mother In Law Plant Poisonous?
Sansevieria Moonshine Uses
These plants make great potted indoor plants. The upright growth allows them to fit in small bright light areas or locations with low lighting.
Use Sansevieria plants in the landscape to frame other succulents or ferns.
Grow them in pots or plant directly in the ground.
Like other species, Sansevieria moonshine yields a strong, viable fiber. This was once used to make bowstrings.
It is used as an outdoor plant in warmer climates and as an indoor plant in cooler climes.