mother in laws tongue outside

Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
Price range: Contact Us
Rating: 4.8/5

Dreaming of bold, architectural foliage in your outdoor garden? Mother in Laws Tongue, also known as Sansevieria or Snake Plant, is a striking choice. While often seen as an indoor staple, growing mother in laws tongue outside is perfectly possible in many parts of New Zealand. With its upright, sword-shaped leaves and minimal care requirements, this versatile plant thrives in pots, containers, and garden beds, adding drama and structure to patios, courtyards, and low-maintenance gardens.

Selenicereus undatus

Selenicereus undatus (White Dragon Fruit) is a highly rewarding climbing cactus grown for its large, sweet, white fleshed fruit and impressive tropical appearance. This fast growing variety thrives in warm parts of New Zealand, producing spectacular night blooming flowers followed by delicious fruit.

Buy Selenicereus undatus

From $39.95

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Subtropical Fruit

Height: 2.00 m

Spread: 2.00 m

Flowering time: Spring, Summer

Garden uses: Living areas

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Tropical

Sansevieria Green (Serpent Plant)

Sansevieria Green, commonly known as the Snake Plant or Mother in Law’s Tongue, is a very popular indoor plant. It features upright and fleshy leaves that are green-grey. The spear shaped leaves arise from the base of this clump growing plant.

Buy Sansevieria Green (Serpent Plant)

From $32.95

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Indoor Plants

Height: 45 cm

Spread: 20 cm

Tolerances: Extended dry periods, Hardy

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas

Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Mediterranean, Modern

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You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Gasteria, Magnolia, and Microsorum, or related Categories - Ground Fern, Flaxes, and Indoor Plants.

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Can You Grow Mother in Laws Tongue Outside in New Zealand?

Mother in Laws Tongue outside fares well in locations with mild winters and no frost. Since Sansevieria originally hails from subtropical regions, it appreciates warmth, bright indirect light, and well-draining soil. In Northern New Zealand, the plant can be grown outdoors year-round, while in cooler regions, it’s best treated as a patio plant or brought indoors during winter. In frost-free gardens, it creates lush, evergreen pockets and is a favourite for contemporary landscaping.

Outdoor Care and Growing Tips

To grow mother in laws tongue outside, choose a sheltered spot with filtered sunlight or partial shade. Direct sun can bleach leaves, so protected locations are ideal. These hardy plants tolerate drought once established, requiring only occasional watering in dry spells—perfect for busy gardeners.

Ensure soil is free-draining, as waterlogged roots can lead to rot. Sandy or gritty mixes work well, especially in pots. Mulch in spring to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Sansevieria rarely needs fertiliser, but a light feed with slow-release granules helps boost summer growth.

Design Ideas Using Mother in Laws Tongue Outside

Mother in Laws Tongue brings structural beauty to outdoor spaces, pairing well with other architectural plants like succulents and palms. Try mixing varieties such as Sansevieria 'Laurentii' (Mother In Laws Tongue) with its golden edges, or striking Sansevieria Black Coral. For a softer look, the lush Sansevieria Green (Serpent Plant) works wonders in mixed borders or contemporary pots.

These plants make excellent low-maintenance hedges, traffic barriers, or accent pieces in rock gardens. For even more variety in your succulent garden, consider combining Sansevieria with unique foliage like Gasteria bicolour (Lawyers Tongue), which shares a similarly hardy temperament.

Pest and Frost Protection

Mother in Laws Tongue outside is generally pest-free, but keep an eye out for mealybugs in summer. If frost threatens, move containers indoors or cover garden plants with frost cloth. In colder climates, growing in pots is a smart solution—simply relocate them during winter months.

Varieties to Try Outdoors

Our nursery offers a range of Sansevieria to suit all outdoor styles. Explore the classic Sansevieria trifasciata (Mother In Law's Tongue) for timeless elegance, or experiment with colourful cultivars and robust green forms. Every variety delivers hardiness, bold form, and garden versatility.

Ready to transform your outdoor space? Plant mother in laws tongue outside for easy-care beauty and enduring structure—perfect for Kiwi gardens of all shapes and sizes.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.