African Bowstring Hemp
Taxonomy
Dracaena liberica
Sansevieria
Asparagaceae
Asparagales

How to care for African Bowstring Hemp
How often to water your African Bowstring Hemp

every 12
African Bowstring Hemp needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
12
Finding light for African Bowstring Hemp in your home

a window
African Bowstring Hemp can tolerate being far from a window and light source.
Place it less than 6 feet from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of African Bowstring Hemp in your home 🏡.
How to fertilize African Bowstring Hemp

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your African Bowstring Hemp after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
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Hello, little ones! 🤗🐶🥺 #NewGrowth #NewEnglandGregGang #SnakePlant #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #plantproper #PlantProperFanClub #SansevieriaSaturday
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#SlitherSunday please meet Spikey, he’s grown few inches taller since he arrived, he’s low maintenance and brings a lively color to our lounge 💚😂
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Hi can someone please confirm that my plant is a snake plant just looking at others photos and mine just doesn’t look the same thank you 😊 #Dracaena
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Is this really a snake plant? I bought a snake plant last week and I have this plant and they do not look alike but Greg has added this one as one and I’m not quite sure… does anyone know what kind it is? #SnakePlant #ValCasOasis
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I'm trying to add my sansevieria hahnii/Bird's Nest Snake Plant to my plants it's only giving me the option for the silver bird's nest. Halp. Thank you in advance. #snakeplant
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TFW your Sansavieria cylindrica apparently adopts a plant of its own. Stella WHAT.
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Is this the right id for this? The app says she’s a silver snake plant but I’d like to just make sure she is :)
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No seriously Stella, what the succ -- I let you keep your little plant pet, but now you have... a roommate? What is this life you've chosen for yourself? #whatthesuccwednesday
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Surprise pepper-plant stewardship; now what? So several months back I noticed my Stella had a new friend, and now Terra (named today) is taller than both Stella and Stella's two pups (not shown). I want to do right by all parties, but I have never even considered growing my own #Capsicum -- I believe this was a ridealong from Stella's nursery -- and I'm lost. Let them cohabit? Add them to today's repotting queue? Invest in trellis futures? All advice very welcome.
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Nooooo 😱 It's growing devil horns, and a tail too 👹 Whyyyy, what did I do?? 👻🪴 It's such a snake 🐍 #greggetsspooky
African Bowstring Hemp thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
☀️ Sunlight Needs
African Bowstring Hemp can tolerate being far from a window and light source. Place it less than 6 feet from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.
💨 Humidity
African Bowstring Hemp enjoys lots of humidity. Provide humidity for your plant by watering regularly and thoroughly, since plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves. They may also benefit from being placed next to a humidifier.
🪴 Soil
African Bowstring Hemp is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!
💩 Fertilizer
African Bowstring Hemp grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
❄️ Dormancy
It’s common for African Bowstring Hemp to go dormant in the summertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.
🌎 Native Region
African Bowstring Hemp is native to Africa and Southeast Asia.
🧐 Troubleshooting
When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.
Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.
Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.
Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.
Care Summary for African Bowstring Hemp
African Bowstring Hemp
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 12 days

< 6ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
