# Identify my plant; how to care for it?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-my-plant-how-to-care-for-it/321086>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 11, 2005, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-my-plant-how-to-care-for-it/321086 "2005-09-11T09:05:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 8\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Caligulas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a5b964/32.png) [@Caligulas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caligulas)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2005, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-my-plant-how-to-care-for-it/321086/1 "2005-09-11T09:05:02Z")

</div>

I recently got this interesting plant that I don’t know anything about.

Here’s a picture: [http://sos.ssihosting.com/picture.jpg](http://sos.ssihosting.com/picture.jpg)

I’m wondering what it’s called and how I should take care of it. What does it like and so forth?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2005, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-my-plant-how-to-care-for-it/321086/2 "2005-09-11T09:07:49Z")

</div>

Looks to be a type of Sansevieria. Low light (but can tolerate more), low water plant.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2005, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-my-plant-how-to-care-for-it/321086/3 "2005-09-11T09:10:59Z")

</div>

And more descriptive, a Sansevieria trifasciata. But you picture shows horizontal lines, and the pics I found have vertical patterns. Hang out for more responses from others.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![quiltguy154](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ad7895/32.png) [@quiltguy154](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quiltguy154)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2005, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-my-plant-how-to-care-for-it/321086/4 "2005-09-11T12:14:06Z")

</div>

Some type of bromeliad, I believe. Try looking up Vriesia(sp?)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![JonG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/82dd89/32.png) [@JonG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JonG)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2005, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-my-plant-how-to-care-for-it/321086/5 "2005-09-11T12:48:35Z")

</div>

It looks close to Vriesea ‘Splenriet’.

[http://fcbs.org](http://fcbs.org) is a good place to find some good information.

“Genus of about 250 species of rosette-forming, mostly epiphytic perennials, closely related to Tillandsia. They found in forested and rocky areas in Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, and South America.”

“Never overwater, and ensure that there is good drainage. Keep the central ‘vase’ filled with water - use rainwater in hard water areas. Misting is necessary in summer.”

“Average warmth (60F or 18C). Provide as much light as possible, but no full sun.”

Fill the center area of the leaves with soft water. Some frogs lay thier eggs in the water.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2005, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-my-plant-how-to-care-for-it/321086/6 "2005-09-11T13:23:47Z")

</div>

[QUOTE=JonG]  
It looks close to Vriesea ‘Splenriet’.

Not just close, **JonG**. On the money.

Go to Google, type in **Vriesea Splenriet** , click on Images and then hit ENTER.

You’ll see lots of pictures of it.

Very appealing plant you have there, **Caligulas**!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2005, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-my-plant-how-to-care-for-it/321086/7 "2005-09-11T13:52:13Z")

</div>

Damn the center flower! Didn’t even see it!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Caligulas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a5b964/32.png) [@Caligulas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caligulas)\
**Post date:** [September 11, 2005, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-my-plant-how-to-care-for-it/321086/8 "2005-09-11T18:06:47Z")

</div>

Thanks for the help! I now know the name of my new critter, wee 🙂