Bowstring Hemp
Sanseviera aethiopica

Family: Agavaceae

What it is like

Sanseviera aethiopica is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.6 m (2ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower in July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 0.6

Where it is found

Not known

Tropical Africa.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

The rhizome is a source of water. This is presumably of some use in the arid areas of its native range, but of rather limited benefit in Britain.

Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 2

A high quality fibre is obtained from the leaves. It is used for making sails and paper.

Fibre: Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.

How it is grown

Requires a very sunny position in a very well-drained sandy gritty loam and a pH between 6 and 7. This species is not very frost hardy, though it can succeed outdoors in the mildest parts of the country if it is given a selected sunny position. Plants must be kept dry after they have flowered. There is a lot of confusion between this species, S. roxburghiana. Schult. from India and S. zeylanica. (L.)Willd. from Sri Lanka. It is most likely that they all have similar uses, though none of them are likely to be very hardy in Britain.

Propagating it: Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a warm greenhouse in April. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on for at least a couple of years in a greenhouse before trying any of them outdoors. Division of suckers as growth commences in the spring. Leaf-cuttings, 7cm long placed in sand in a frame. The leaf is cut into sections, the cut surfaces allowed to dry for a few hours, and the sections then placed in pots in a warm light frame, but with shelter from direct sunlight. Rooting and new growth should take place within a month.

Best place to grow: South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 9-11

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

S. zeylanica. non Willd.