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.
NOTE: Plant lovers may take issue, but Sansevieria is now part of the Dracaena genus.
Sansevieria Moonshine Quick Care Tips
- Botanical Name: Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Moonshine’
- Common Name(s): Moonshine Snake Plant
- Synonyms: Sansevieria laurentii ‘Moonshine’
- Family & Origin: Asparagaceae family, native to West Africa
- Growability: Easy to grow and care for
- Grow Zone: 10-11
- Size: Grows up to 2′ feet tall
- Flowering: Rarely flowers indoors
- Light: Thrives in bright, indirect light but can tolerate low light conditions
- Humidity: Tolerates low humidity levels
- Temperature: Prefers temperatures between 55-85°F
- Soil: Well-draining soil mix
- Water: Allow soil to dry out completely between waterings, water sparingly in winter
- Fertilizer: Feed with a balanced fertilizer every 2-3 months during growing season
- Pests & Diseases: Susceptible to spider mites and mealybugs, root rot if overwatered
- Propagation: Propagated through division or leaf cuttings
- Plant Uses: Air-purifying, decorative plant for indoor spaces
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 their silvery sheen. Moonshine is drought-tolerant. Let the soil dry out between watering.
Size and Growth
Compared to Sansevieria trifasciata Hahnii, which grows only 6” inches tall, Sansevieria moonshine plants grow up to 2’ feet tall.
The upright leaves are what earn this cultivar’s 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 their length.
In low lighting, the leaves may turn a darker green color but still keep their 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.
Related: Read our article for details on Snake Plant Flowers
Light and 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 temperatures 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. This plant stores water in the foliage, so be careful not to overwater because it can lead to root rot.
Even though Sansevieria moonshine can tolerate drought conditions, let the soil dry out between watering. Keep the leaves dry, and avoid overwatering.
Reduce the watering frequency to once a month when the temperatures start to drop.
Feed your moonshine plants with general-purpose plant food twice a year in the spring or summer. You can also use a cacti or succulent fertilizer. However, don’t overfeed the plants.
Soil and Transplanting
The standard potting mix used for succulents and cacti is suitable for the 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 with a drainage hole 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 remove yellowing or dead leaves if you see signs of root rot.
Other unique varieties of 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 division propagation, keep the areas of the cuts dry and let them be callous before transplanting them.
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 Snake Plant 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 placed 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 contain 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
Sansevieria Trifasciata Moonshine makes 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 them 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.