Sansevieria 'Banana'

🌿 The Sansevieria 'Banana' (sometimes called Banana Snake Plant) is a rare cultivar in the Asparagaceae family, originating from West Africa's arid regions. This beginner-friendly succulent features uniquely curved, banana-shaped leaves that arch gracefully outward, making it stand out from typical upright snake plants. Unlike its straight-leaved relatives, this variety grows in a fan formation with thick, fleshy foliage that stores water efficiently. Fun fact: Sansevieria 'Banana' can survive months of neglect and still bounce back with proper care, earning its reputation as one of the most forgiving houseplants for busy plant parents.
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
This compact snake plant grows in an upright to slightly spreading habit, with leaves that curve outward like ripe bananas. Each leaf is cylindrical and gently tapered, reaching about 12 to 18 inches in length at maturity. The foliage displays a beautiful sage green colour with subtle darker green horizontal banding that creates a striped effect. The leaves have a smooth, waxy texture that feels cool and firm to the touch, giving the plant a sculptural quality that works well in modern spaces.
FLOWER DETAILS
Mature Sansevieria 'Banana' plants occasionally produce tall flower spikes with small, tubular white to cream-coloured blooms. The flowers have a sweet, almost honey-like fragrance that intensifies at night to attract pollinators. While not showy, these delicate blooms add an unexpected charm when they appear. Flowering is infrequent indoors, typically occurring once every few years when the plant experiences mild stress or seasonal changes. To encourage blooming, allow the plant to become slightly root-bound and reduce watering during cooler months, then resume normal care in spring.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
🌞 Light: Thrives in bright indirect light but tolerates low light conditions. Needs 4-6 hours of filtered sunlight daily for best growth and colour retention.
💧 Water: Water every 2-3 weeks in spring and summer, every 4-6 weeks in fall and winter. Let soil dry completely between waterings. Water when leaves feel slightly soft. Use bottom watering or water at soil level to prevent rot.
🌡️ Humidity: Thrives in low to average humidity, 30-50% is ideal. No misting needed.
🪴 Soil: Well-draining cactus or succulent mix with added perlite or coarse sand for excellent drainage.
🏺 Potting: Use terracotta or ceramic pots with drainage holes, 6-8 inches wide. Repot every 2-3 years or when roots push through drainage holes.
🌱 Growth rate: Slow growing. Produces 1-3 new leaves over 6 months, 3-6 leaves per year. Mature size reaches 12-18 inches tall and wide.
👩‍🌾 Fertilizing: Feed once in spring and once in summer with diluted succulent fertilizer at half strength. No feeding needed in fall or winter.
🐾 Pet friendly: No. Mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Contains saponins that can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if ingested. Keep out of reach of curious pets.
WHERE TO PUT IT
The Sansevieria 'Banana' works beautifully on tabletops, desks, shelves, or side tables in living rooms, bedrooms, offices, or bathrooms with natural light. Its compact size and architectural form make it perfect for small spaces like apartments and condos. Place it near east or west-facing windows for optimal light, or in bright corners away from direct sun. It adapts well to low-light areas like hallways or offices with fluorescent lighting, though growth will slow. Avoid placing it in high-traffic areas where leaves might get bumped, in constantly damp bathrooms without ventilation, or directly in front of heating or cooling vents that create temperature fluctuations.