Sansevierias, also known under the trivial names 'mother-in-law', 'bow hemp' or 'bayonet plant', are among the most popular indoor plants. These succulent plants can be several decades old and, depending on the species and variety, up to 150 centimeters high. However, scalloped hemp grows very slowly, so that such a stately specimen takes many years to complete.
Even as a houseplant, scrunchie can reach an impressive height
Size is limited solely by the pot
Many types of bow hemp reach heights of around 150 centimeters and dense clumps, the size of which is limited solely by the size of the planter. The species Sansevieria trifasciata in particular is very fast-growing, its rhizomes can burst if the pot is too small. Other species, on the other hand, especially the 'Hahnii' varieties of Sansevieria trifasciata, remain rather small at around 20 centimeters in height. It is not possible to limit the height through pruning measures, since the leaves do not fully develop again. To do this, you would have to cut off the leaves directly above the ground - the plant will sprout again from the rhizome. Before taking such a step, however, remember that bow-tie grows very slowly and your cut back specimen will need many years to get back to its old size.
Use cut leaves as cuttings
You can cut leaves that are about 10 to 15 centimeters long and stick them in cactus soil as leaf cuttings. However, it can take a few months for new plants to grow from it.
The right care for vigorous growth
If you feel that your scrunchie is growing too slowly or not at all, then check its growing conditions. The brighter the plant is, the faster it will grow. Of course, this also applies the other way round: Sansevieria grows even more slowly in rather dark locations. For healthy and vigorous growth, the plant must also be watered and fertilized regularly. Always water the plant when the substrate has dried to a depth of about one centimeter and fertilize with a cactus fertilizer about every four weeks during the growing season.
tips
You can tell how much sun a certain variety of bow hemp needs from the color of the leaves: the lighter and more colorful the leaves, the more light the Sansevieria needs.