Sansevieria zeylanica goes by Ceylon bowstring hemp, or simply bowstring hemp. Ceylon is the old name for Sri Lanka, one of the two places this snake plant is native to.
Kew’s Plants of the World Online gives its native range as southern India and Sri Lanka, where it grows as a rhizomatous plant in the seasonally dry tropics.
Like the rest of the snake plants, it has a new botanical name. Kew now accepts it as Dracaena zeylanica and lists Sansevieria zeylanica as a synonym.
Iowa State Extension notes that even after the move to Dracaena, people still widely call this group of plants sansevieria, so you will see both names on labels.
Here’s the catch: the zeylanica name has been applied to other plants. The PROSEA fibre plants handbook says that in the literature the common snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) and Sansevieria roxburghiana have often been called Sansevieria zeylanica by mistake, and that the true species seems to be native to, and cultivated only in, Sri Lanka.
Kew still lists old names such as Sansevieria zeylanica var. laurentii as synonyms of the common snake plant, Sansevieria trifasciata.
So a plant tagged “Zeylanica” may be either species. The good news: the care advice below comes from guides written for sansevierias as a group, so it fits whichever one you have.
Sansevieria Zeylanica Quick Care Tips
- Botanical name: Dracaena zeylanica (formerly Sansevieria zeylanica)
- Common names: Ceylon bowstring hemp, bowstring hemp, zeylanica snake plant
- Pronunciation: san-se-VEER-ee-uh zey-LAN-ee-kuh
- Family and origin: Asparagaceae; native to southern India and Sri Lanka
- Growability: Easy, low-maintenance houseplant
- Growth: Relatively slow-growing and long-lived
- Flowering: Rare indoors; fragrant, cream to greenish-white flowers on a long stalk
- Light: Bright, lightly shaded spot; tolerates low light; keep out of summer midday sun
- Temperature: 60 to 75°F (RHS); Iowa State Extension calls 70 to 90°F ideal; avoid cold drafts
- Humidity: Low humidity suits it; no misting
- Soil: Free-draining cactus mix, or potting soil amended with perlite
- Water: Only after the soil has completely dried out; barely any in winter
- Fertilizer: Optional; half or quarter strength in spring (Iowa State), or monthly from April to September to boost growth (RHS)
- Pests and diseases: Root rot from overwatering; mealybugs, spider mites and vine weevil grubs
- Propagation: Offsets, division or leaf cuttings
- Safety: Mildly toxic to people and pets; sap can irritate skin
Care Guide For Sansevieria Zeylanica
Size and Growth
Like other sansevierias, bowstring hemp has leathery, succulent, pointed leaves, which the RHS says store water and make the plants drought-tolerant.
Kew describes it as a “rhizomatous geophyte”: a plant that grows from an underground rhizome. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) describes S. zeylanica as similar to the common snake plant, but with plain, silver-green, mottled leaves.
Patience helps here. The RHS calls sansevierias long-lived but relatively slow-growing, and says individual leaves usually last many years without withering or browning. If you want a big plant right away, buy a larger one to start.
Flowering and Fragrance
Don’t count on flowers. Iowa State Extension says it is rare for sansevieria to flower as a houseplant, though plants given abundant light and good fertility may bloom. The flowers form along a long stalk that rises from the base of the rosette.
Iowa State describes them as cream to greenish-white and tubular, with a sticky texture and a pleasant scent, especially at night, similar to vanilla or jasmine.
When the flowers fade, the RHS says to snip the stalk off at the base. More on blooms in our snake plant flower guide.
Light Conditions and Temperature
This is one of the easy-going ones. The RHS lists S. zeylanica among the all-green sansevierias to choose for low light.
Ideally, though, sansevierias like a bright, lightly shaded position. Iowa State Extension describes bright, indirect light as bright enough to cast a shadow but not in direct sunlight.
Light changes how the plant looks. The RHS says sansevierias in shade often grow taller leaves, while those in sun may stay more compact, and that summer midday sun can scorch the leaves. Iowa State adds that low light can mute leaf coloration and patterns.
For temperature, the RHS says sansevierias prefer typical room temperatures of 60 to 75°F and should be kept out of cold drafts and away from radiators. Iowa State says they prefer it a little warmer, ideally 70 to 90°F.
On the cold side, UF/IFAS warns that houseplants left below 50°F for a long period may suffer permanent damage.
Watering and Feeding
Watering is where most snake plants get into trouble. Iowa State Extension says to water only after the soil has completely dried out, and that the quickest (and sometimes the only) way to kill a sansevieria is to overwater it. Plants can go weeks, sometimes months, without water.
Check before you pour. The RHS suggests pushing a finger into the potting mix rather than watering on a routine. Water from above, avoiding the center of the rosette, and pour away any water that collects in the saucer or outer pot so the plant doesn’t sit in water.
Iowa State lists frequent watering, pots without drainage holes and water left in saucers as the causes of the wet conditions that lead to root rot.
Winter is different. The RHS says growth slows and plants draw on the water stored in their leaves, so they barely need any water unless they’re in a particularly warm spot.
Humidity is not a worry. The RHS says sansevierias like low humidity, so skip the misting and the steamy bathroom. They enjoy good air flow, just not chilly drafts.
Feeding is optional. Iowa State Extension says frequent fertilizing is not necessary, and that an all-purpose fertilizer at half or quarter strength in spring promotes healthy growth. To boost growth, the RHS suggests a liquid houseplant fertilizer or liquid cactus feed once a month from April to September.
All-purpose fertilizer option: Peters Classic 20-20-20 All Purpose Fertilizer
Soil Mix and Transplanting
Use a fast-draining mix. Iowa State Extension suggests cactus mix, or potting soil amended with perlite. The RHS recommends a free-draining cactus compost, or a homemade mix of two parts loam-based potting compost to one part horticultural grit or fine gravel. For more on mixes, see our guide to succulent potting mix.
Don’t rush to repot. The RHS says sansevierias prefer a cozy pot and are generally happy in their original container for the first few years. Repot only once the roots and leaves have completely filled the pot or are making it buckle.
Choose a pot with plenty of drainage holes, only slightly larger than the old one, because a much bigger pot holds extra potting mix that stays damp and encourages root rot.
One correction to a common belief: yellow leaves don’t mean the plant needs a bigger pot. Iowa State Extension links yellowing and collapsing leaves to root rot from wet soil.
Iowa State also says sansevieria doesn’t mind being a bit crowded, and that dividing plants helps manage those that are excessively pot-bound.
Grooming and Maintenance
There is very little to do. The RHS says sansevierias don’t need pruning; just cut damaged leaves off at the base to tidy the plant. Wear gloves, because the RHS says the sap is a skin irritant.
The RHS also notes that taller S. trifasciata and S. zeylanica plants kept in particularly low light may have the odd leaf flop.
Support those with a wire hoop or bamboo canes and string. If the whole plant is leaning, not just one leaf, check for root rot. Turning the pot a quarter turn each time you water, as the RHS suggests, keeps the plant from leaning toward the light.
Another all-green sansevieria the RHS recommends for low light is S. trifasciata ‘Moonshine’. See our Moonshine snake plant guide.
How To Propagate Zeylanica Snake Plant
The RHS says sansevierias are quite easy to propagate in spring (March to May), when they’re coming back into growth. Wear gloves, as the sap can irritate skin. There are three ways.
Offsets. Established plants make young rosettes around the outside of the clump. Take the plant out of its pot, pull away well-rooted offsets and pot them up on their own or several together, the RHS says.
Division. Split a large clump into pieces, each with one or more leaves attached to roots. Iowa State Extension says to cut the thick underground rhizome so each section has both roots and shoots, then pot the new plants right away. The RHS says to discard damaged or dead sections, and that tall divisions may need a cane until they root in.
Leaf cuttings. Here are the RHS and Iowa State steps:
- Cut a mature leaf off at the base, then slice it widthways into sections. The RHS uses 2-inch sections; Iowa State Extension uses 3- to 4-inch sections.
- Keep track of which end of each section is the bottom; that end goes into the mix.
- Leave the sections in a dry place for a day or two so the cut surfaces callus over (RHS).
- Dip the lower end in rooting hormone, as Iowa State suggests, and insert it into perlite or another rooting medium. The RHS inserts half of each section into damp cuttings compost or a 50:50 mix of potting compost and grit.
- Keep them warm in bright, indirect light, using a plastic dome or bag to retain humidity. The RHS suggests bottom heat of about 65°F.
- Iowa State says new roots form, followed by a small plantlet after about two months. Pot it up in regular potting soil once it is several inches tall.
The RHS says leaf cuttings work best on non-variegated plants, because cuttings from variegated cultivars tend to revert to green. An all-green zeylanica is a good candidate.
Zeylanica Snake Plant Pests or Diseases
Sansevierias are tough. The RHS calls them almost bullet-proof, and says overwatering, or leaving them standing in water, is usually the main problem, potentially leading to root rot. NC State Extension says the same about the common snake plant: overwatering may cause root rot.
A few insects can turn up. The RHS lists mealybugs, which hide between the leaves at the base; red spider mites, usually only in hot, dry conditions; and vine weevil grubs, which feed on the fleshy roots and can make the leaves collapse. NC State also advises watching for mealybugs and spider mites.
Is Sansevieria Zeylanica Poisonous?
Yes, mildly. Iowa State Extension says sansevierias are mildly toxic to humans and pets. They contain saponins, which cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach upset, and all species should be kept out of reach of children, dogs and cats.
The ASPCA lists the common snake plant as toxic to dogs and cats, with saponins as the toxic principle and nausea, vomiting and diarrhea as the signs. The RHS adds that the sap is a skin irritant. If you think a pet has chewed one, call your veterinarian or ASPCA Poison Control.
Related: Are Sansevieria Plants Toxic To Dogs?
Can You Grow It Outdoors?
Where there is any frost, only for the summer. The RHS says sansevierias can go outdoors for the summer, once hardened off, into a sunny or lightly shaded spot, but should come back inside well before any hint of frost. For the common snake plant, NC State Extension lists USDA hardiness zones 10 to 12.
If you garden in Florida, like I do, think twice before planting any snake plant in the ground. UF/IFAS rates snake plants a high invasion risk, and UF/IFAS Extension Orange County advises keeping them in a pot indoors rather than planting them in the landscape.
That assessment covers the common snake plant and does not name zeylanica. But UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County says that no matter what variety of sansevieria, the runners don’t quit, and that planted in soil without a barrier it will overgrow.
Sansevieria Zeylanica Uses
That “bowstring hemp” name is no accident. The PROSEA handbook says the name comes from the long use of sansevieria fiber for bows in Africa and India.
It says the leaf fiber is used locally for string, rope, nets, mats, hats, hammocks and coarse fabrics, and also for paper. UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County says sansevieria first came to Florida in the 1800s as a fiber crop.
Today it is mostly grown as an easy houseplant. Pair it with other snake plants such as Sansevieria cylindrica and Sansevieria Hahnii, or with another easy-care plant like Dracaena fragrans.
What about clean air? Snake plants are often sold as air purifiers, but that idea comes from potted-plant tests in small, sealed chambers.
A 2020 review of 12 of those studies in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology found it would take 10 to 1,000 plants per square meter of floor space to remove airborne chemicals as fast as the normal air exchange in a typical building already does. Grow bowstring hemp for its looks and its easy care.
Conclusion
Ceylon bowstring hemp is about as forgiving as houseplants get. Give it bright, lightly shaded light (it copes with less), water only when the soil is dry, keep it warm and out of reach of pets, and it will mostly look after itself.
Does your plant have a “Zeylanica” tag? Tell us what yours looks like in the comments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sansevieria zeylanica the same as the common snake plant?
No, they are separate species. Kew accepts Dracaena zeylanica, native to southern India and Sri Lanka, as its own species, while Iowa State Extension says the common snake plant, Dracaena trifasciata, is native to tropical West Africa. The PROSEA handbook notes that, in the literature, the common snake plant has often been called Sansevieria zeylanica by mistake. Care guides such as the RHS and Iowa State treat sansevierias as a group.
How often should I water a zeylanica snake plant?
Water only after the soil has completely dried out, not on a schedule. Iowa State Extension says overwatering is the quickest way to kill a sansevieria and that plants can go weeks without water. The RHS suggests checking with a finger first, pouring away water left in the saucer, and giving plants barely any water in winter unless they are in a warm spot.
Can Sansevieria zeylanica grow in low light?
Yes. The RHS lists S. zeylanica among the all-green sansevierias to choose for low light, though it says sansevierias ideally like a bright, lightly shaded position. Iowa State Extension adds that low light can mute leaf color and patterns. Keep the plant out of summer midday sun, which the RHS says can scorch the leaves.
Is Sansevieria zeylanica toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes, mildly. Iowa State Extension says sansevierias are mildly toxic to humans and pets because they contain saponins, which cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The ASPCA lists the common snake plant as toxic to dogs and cats. Keep the plant out of reach of children and pets. More in our guide, Are Sansevieria Plants Toxic To Dogs?
How do you propagate Sansevieria zeylanica?
Use offsets, division or leaf cuttings. The RHS says sansevierias are quite easy to propagate in spring, from March to May, and that leaf cuttings work best on plants that are not variegated. Iowa State Extension says leaf sections form roots and then a small plantlet after about two months. Iowa State says division keeps the leaf pattern of variegated cultivars.