Houseplant rarely needs repotting
QEverything I’ve read about a houseplant called mother-inlaw’s tongue (snake plant, Sansevieria) indicates that these plants rarely bloom, but mine flowers regularly. Is this because the plant is rootbound? Should I break the plant up and move it into two pots?
AUnder good growing conditions, a mature clump of Sansevieria can produce sprays of small, fragrant flowers. Clay pots are recommended, and very infrequent watering in winter. These plants rarely need repotting. I’ve often come across advice to repot only when growth begins to crack the pot, but if more plants are desired, the clumps can be unpotted and divided into sections for repotting individually. Or, simply cut away an “offset” leaf cluster from the base and pot it.
QAs I was watering one of my houseplants, I noticed tiny, pale bugs scurrying over the soil surface. What are they, and what should I do about them?
AThe creatures could be either fungus gnat larvae or springtails.
Fungus gnat larvae are white maggots with dark heads. They feed mostly on decaying plant matter in the soil, but they also can injure the roots of young plants. The maggots hatch from eggs laid on the soil surface by the adult form — tiny, dark flies that hover around plants and rise up when the plants are disturbed. If you see these flies, you’ll know the issue is fungus gnats.
Otherwise, you probably have springtails — tiny insects, usually pale in colour. They are commonly seen hopping or crawling about on the soil surface after watering. Their presence often indicates over-watering or an excess of decaying plant matter in the soil. As with fungus gnat larvae, springtails may damage seedlings and small plants.
In light infestations, the remedy is to cut back on watering. Let the soil surface dry between waterings.
Where high concentrations of the soil insects are present, unpot the plant(s), gently rinse the roots, and then repot in a new, clean soil mix that drains freely of excess moisture.