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Mother In Law's Tongue

Mother In Law's Tongue
Photo: Sheldon Navie
Invasive Plant
Mother In Law's Tongue
Sansevieria trifasciata
 

Dense clumping plant with succulent sword like foliage to 1m in height. Mottled upright grey green leaves with occasional pale cream flowers on spikes in Spring. Effective spreading habit, preferring moist and shaded areas.

 

HOW IT SPREADS

  • Often spread through the dumping of garden waste, this plant is difficult to eradicate once established.
  • The variegated form of Sansevieria is a popular indoor plant. This use is acceptable; however it should not be planted in the garden or disposed of in dumped garden waste.
 
 
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Other superior selections include;

  • Dianella species and cultivars - Flax Lilies
  • Lomandra species and cultivars - Mat Rushes
  • Zamia furfuracea - Cardboard Palm

Ask your local retailer for more superior selections

 

Alternative Plants

Bird of Paradise
Photo: Macbird Floraprint
Alternative Plant Bird of Paradise
Strelitzia reginae
Trees and Shrubs
 

Glossy grey green paddle shaped foliage forming a dense clump 1.5m x 1.5m. Spectacular orange and blue flowers shaped like a birds head form on erect stems in warmer months. It is worth trying to obtain Strelitzia juncea for its rush like cylindrical foliage emerging without a leaf blade.

Cordylines
Photo: Macbird Floraprint
Alternative Plant Cordylines
Cordyline fruticosa cultivars Syn. Cordyline terminalis
Trees and Shrubs
 

If sub-tropical colour and form is what you are after then this plant is an absolute must. There is an absolute myriad of colours and growth habits available through the many cultivars of this all time favourite. Flowers are less spectacular but for all round colour it is hard to go past these beauties.

Zanzibar Gem
Photo: Norwood
Alternative Plant Zanzibar Gem
Zamioculcus zamiifolia
Trees and Shrubs
 

An extremely popular 'accent' plant used for its unusual emerald green foliage and striking appearance. Deep green leaves that are so glossy they appear to have been 'shined' emerge from an underground tuber. This is a most versatile indoor or shade tolerant plant.

 
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