Image - Wikimedia / David J. Stang
On some occasions it is possible to find plants in nurseries that attract a lot of attention, as is the case, for example, with the colored sansevierias. These succulents are really curious, since they have cylindrical leaves, quite thin and can become very long. But what we can all ask ourselves is whether those plants are really natural or not.
Why? Because sometimes there are those who do whatever it takes to sell more. In certain cases names are even invented as if they wanted to make others understand that they are new species. You have to be very careful with this.
They are natural?
The colored sansevierias they are succulent, in particular, Sansevieria cylindrica, which have been painted; that is, they are natural plants, but the color they have in the upper half of each leaf is not. In fact, its natural color is green; not red, not yellow, not any other: just green. What's more, if we scratch it with our fingernail we will immediately notice that it is nothing more than paint that has been added to… well, I suppose that to attract the eyes of potential buyers and sell more, but without taking into account the problems that are caused to them. to the plants.
Why do I say this? Because all the green parts of sansevierias, and of any plant, have photosynthetic capacity. When they are painted, their pores become clogged, which is why their ability to photosynthesize and breathe is reduced. And this, of course, can have disastrous consequences, since all plant beings need to carry out photosynthesis, and also breathe.
What problems can colored sansevierias have?
Image – thriftyfun.com
The consequences will be more or less serious depending, above all, on how long the plants have been painted. A) Yes, the more time that passes before they are cleaned or until said paint is removed by itself, the weaker they can become.. Therefore, it should not surprise us if we have bought one and something like this happens to it after cleaning it, for example:
- If we expose it to the sun abruptly, without having accustomed it before, the part of the leaves that was painted will burn very quickly.
- The plant could become very weak, to the point that, in extreme cases, it could become ill: it would lose leaves, it would be very difficult for it to flower if it is already old, and its growth rate would be slower.
How to prevent a colored sansevieria from dying?
The ideal is to remove the paint as soon as possible, but it is important that you know that this is very thick. Therefore, The best thing to do in these cases is to remove it with a piece of cotton soaked in hot water. (don't burn). If after a few passes it does not go away, then it is best to have the plant at home, in a room where there is a lot of light but away from the windows, since direct light would burn it.
Over the months, the painted leaves will either lose their paint or die as new ones sprout. But yes, for this to happen, we have to take care of it the best we know how, and for this, we recommend you take into account everything that we are going to tell you now:
Plant it in a pot with substrate for succulents
The sansevieria is a succulent plant, which, like the rest of the species, fears having its roots flooded. That's why it is important that it be planted in a pot -with holes in its base- with a specific substrate for it (for sale here), or make our own mixture with peat and perlite in equal parts. In addition, this pot has to be the right size for her, that is, if the one she is using now measures about 8 centimeters in diameter, the new one will have to measure about 13 or 15cm.
Water when the substrate is dry
As it fears, and a lot, the excess of water, we will have to water it very little. Moreover, if one day it was time to water it but for whatever reason we have forgotten to do it, nothing will happen to it. In fact, I would almost go so far as to say, based on my own experience, that the best thing is precisely that, let the soil be dry for a while before watering it again. Why? Because they are plants native to semi-arid regions, where it rains little, which is why we should not water them frequently if we do not want to lose them.
That they do not lack light (indirect)
As they are painted and also the sun has never given them, it is not interesting to expose them to the direct light of the king star, because if they did they would burn. But be careful: it is important that they are placed in an area where there is a lot of light, since that way they can grow well. When the paint has worn off, then we can get them used to direct sun exposure little by little.
Is it a good idea to buy colored sansevierias?
Well, this will depend on each one. I "run away" from plants like this, cacti with artificial flowers attached, painted succulent plants, sansevierias that look like brightly colored "fingers"... The natural, for me, is much more beautiful. Also, it is interesting to know that the colored sansevierias were the idea of Holland: at first, the ends were covered with a cloth so that they would not be damaged during the trip, but now they are painted with a thick paint that, when it dries, looks like velvet. , and that fulfills the same function as the fabric, but is much more harmful because it is not easily removed.
In addition, we must remember that the natural leaves of these sansevierias are green; so the new ones that come out will be of that color.
And you, do you have some colored sansevierias?