How to Grow Starfish Plant in India

Starfish Plant is a easy to care for specimen that is a great option for shelves and tabletops!

Starfish plants don’t grow too tall, have an amazing shape, and keep on thriving even when you forget to water them – what more could you want from a houseplant? We’ve got the guide so you can grow these.

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Starfish Plant Information

The Starfish Plant is a type of Snake plant that is named so because it looks like a starfish. The plant is native to West Africa but is also found throughout India and makes a lovely houseplant.

Just like other snake plants, this is a low-maintenance wonder that anyone can grow. It grows about a foot tall and has cylindrical leaves that grow outwards and have dark and light green patterns. But that’s not all; it also purifies the air by removing toxins like formaldehyde and benzene.

Botanical Name: Sansevieria cylindrica ‘Boncel’

Common Names: San snake plant, Skyline spear, Dwarf African spear plant, Starfish sansevieria

Learn more about Snake Plant Benefits 

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Propagating Starfish Plants

You can easily propagate this plant from a leaf cutting. They’re really popular and can be found in most nurseries.

Take a firm, mature leaf and remove a 4 to 6-inch healthy section. Make a V-shaped cut at its base and leave this in a dry, airy place for 2-3 days to prevent rot.

Now, take a good succulent potting mix and make a hole in it so your Starfish plant cutting can be held firmly. Give it a little bit of water and then keep it in a place with bright but indirect light – like a windowsill. Just water it when the soil dries up, and in a couple of weeks, it will root. You’ll see new shoots growing, and then it will grow into a beautiful plant.

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Requirements for Growing Starfish Plant

Sunlight

Starfish plants need bright sunlight which is not direct. You should keep your plant near an east-facing window indoors. If you’re growing it in the garden, give it shade from the harsh afternoon sun.

Soil

These plants need well-draining soil so there’s no root rot. Just mix any regular potting soil with perlite or sand in a 2:1 ratio, and it’ll be good. It’s a low-maintenance plant and will thrive with minimal care.

Watering

You need to water less often but properly. Give your plant a good soak and let it rest. Check the soil, and only water again when the soil is completely dry. You’ll need to do it more in hot, dry summer but little in cooler months. You can stop watering it in the monsoon season.

And remember, wrinkled leaves mean underwatering, and mushy or yellow leaves mean you’re overwatering it.

Climate

The plant does well in warmer temperatures and moderate humidity but does not like the cold. If you keep your Starfish plant outdoors, you should bring it indoors during colder months.

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Sansevieria Starfish Plant Care

Fertilizer

The Starfish Snake plant does not need much fertilizer. You can use any balanced liquid fertilizer used for cactus or succulents for your plant during the spring and summer seasons when it is growing. Don’t do it in monsoon or winter, though.

Pruning

The plant is small and does not grow too tall, but if you see any yellow or diseased leaves, you can take a sterilized knife and cut these leaves off at the base. This will keep the disease from spreading and keep your plant healthy.

Don’t miss out on our How To Grow Tornado Snake Plant guide

Pests and Diseases

It’s pest and disease-resistant, so they won’t be a problem. Still, if you see mealybugs or scale insects, use neem oil to get rid of them.

Overwatering can cause a lot of harm to your Starfish plant, so avoid it. It’s better to let it stay dry for a few days than in wet soil. It’s a forgiving plant and will still stay healthy.