Sansevieria, also known as arched hemp or bayonet plant, is the perfect houseplant for people without a “green thumb”. The attractive plant not only beautifies any living room, it also ensures clean air and is easy to maintain. The plant can easily survive longer dry periods thanks to its fleshy, water-storing leaves, and it doesn't need too much fertilizer or a large pot.
How do I repot bow hemp correctly?
To repot bow hemp, choose a larger, heavy planter and drainage-rich substrate in spring. Carefully remove the plant from the old pot, check the roots and place it in the new container. Fill the substrate and water lightly.
Do not choose a planter that is too large
The arched hemp feels more comfortable in rather narrow planters, which is why the plant, despite a sometimes considerable height of up to 150 centimeters - depending on the species and variety - only needs comparatively small pots. Repotting is therefore only necessary when roots and rhizomes threaten to burst the pot. If this is the case, just select the next largest bucket size - this is usually completely sufficient.
Which substrate is suitable for bow hemp?
As a succulent, i.e. H. As a water-storing plant, arched hemp needs a rather permeable and nutrient-poor substrate. Commercially available cactus soil (€12.00 on Amazon) is very suitable, but you can also use perlite or a mixture of potting soil and sand. Hydroponics is also recommended.
Divide very large plants when repotting
Older sansevierias not only grow very tall, they also produce offshoots. When repotting, you can separate these from the mother plant with a sharp knife and then plant them separately. In addition to this form of propagation, dividing large plants also works very well.
Repotting bow hemp – this is how you do it
Bow hemp should be transplanted in spring if possible. However, if it is urgent (for example because the plant is threatening to blow up its container), then this measure can basically be carried out at any time during the growing season. Also choose a planter made of a material that is as heavy as possible, such as clay, as bow hemp is quite top-heavy and tends to tip over quickly in light plastic containers.
- Take a sharp and clean knife.
- Run it along the edge of the pot and loosen the soil and roots from the pot.
- Now carefully lift the plant out of the pot
- and take a close look at the roots for any damage.
- Cover the drainage holes in the new pot with a tight-meshed net
- or with large pottery shards.
- Fill in a drainage layer, for example from pottery shards.
- Now fill in a layer of substrate and keep the plant in the pot.
- Now all holes are carefully closed with substrate
- and the whole thing pressed gently.
- Water the plant lightly.
Tip
Since the roots are very fine, the potting soil should give the plant a good hold. Therefore, if possible, do not choose coarse-grained substrates.