The Sansevieria Bantel’s Sensation is more commonly called the White Sansevieria or simply Bantel’s Sensation. This succulent is a unique cultivar of the Sansevieria Trifasciata. Although developed in a nursery, its parent plant is native to the tropical regions of western Africa.
The man who developed the White Sansevieria was Gustav Bantel. Thus, the plant got its name Sansevieria Bantel’s Sensation.
Bantel’s Sensation is an easy-going house plant or outdoor plant. This is due to its capability of tolerating a range of environmental and cultural conditions.
To distinguish this plant from others is simple. White Sansevieria plants stand out due to the distinctive leaf patterns. The upright leaves are a dark green, adorned with white vertical stripes.
Sansevieria Bantel’s Sensation Care Guide
Dissimilar to others in its genus, the White Sansevieria needs a bit more light. However, that is the only unlike care requirement. Watering should still be minimal and infrequent. The soil still needs to be free-draining. Temperatures on the warmer side are preferred but no extra effort is required for humidity. Do not mist this plant! Water droplets on its leaves will encourage rot. Fertilizing isn’t vital. However, it can be done twice a year at most. This should only be done during the plant’s growing season.
Soil
Not a fan of sitting in soggy soil, the White Sansevieria needs a well-draining potting mix. It is often found growing in peat. But any potting soil for succulents and cacti will do the trick.
As a rule, you should never have your Bantel’s Sensation in 100% soil. It is always necessary to have some sort of porous material mixed in.
Light
Unlike others of its genus, the Sansevieria Bantel’s Sensations requires a bit more light. This is due to its patterned white stripes.
Interestingly, these white stripes do not catch the light for photosynthesis. This means it is harder for the White Sansevieria to get its required amount of nutrients. To give your plant a hand, it is best to pick a slightly brighter location.
Although it will adapt and survive in light levels from full sun to shade, these are not ideal. If your Bantel’s Sensation had to choose, it would rather be in a spot with bright, indirect light.
Lower light situations may cause its leaves to dull or darken. It is also best to note that leaving your White Sansevieria in direct sunlight may burn its leaves.
Watering
Sansevieria Bantel’s Sensation is an extremely drought-tolerant plant. The biggest mistake plant owners can make is to overwater it. These succulents would rather be a little parched than be left swimming in water.
Amidst its growing season, the White Sansevieria only requires water once every ten days or so. The time between watering does not mean a larger amount is needed. Bantel’s Sensation should only be given a minimal amount of water.
During the colder months from autumn to winter, watering should be even less frequent. At this time, these plants go into a type of rest period where they stop growing. Therefore, watering is only required once a month.
It is never advised to pour water directly onto your plant’s leaves. The water will sit on the leaves and cause damage. Always, when watering your White Sansevieria, pour the water directly onto the soil.
If you’re unsure of if or when you should water your Bantel’s Sensation, it is best to check.
A simple way of seeing if your plant needs some water is to feel its soil. Your White Sansevieria’s soil should be by to the touch to about as deep as your first knuckle.
If the soil has not dried out yet and is still slightly moist, wait. Rather leave watering for another day or two and then check again. Overwatering is this plant’s worst nightmare.
Bantel’s Sensation would like best if you forgot about it. It is much better equipped to surviving with too little water. Too much water, however, is a lot harder to deal with.
Temperature
Like its parent plant, the Sansevieria Bantel’s Sensation thrives in warmer temperatures. This is due to its descending from the arid regions of Africa. But, the White Sansevieria is still willing to and capable of adapting.
Being quite versatile, Bantel’s Sensation can adjust to fluctuating temperatures. Ideally, they should be kept in temperatures between 13°C and 29°C (55°F and 85°F).
Temperatures below 4°C (40°F) are not ethical. If your White Sansevieria’s soil is dry, they will be slightly more tolerant. However, wet soil and near-freezing temperatures, and colder are a recipe for disaster.
Humidity
Sansevieria Bantel’s Sensation is not particularly concerned when it comes to humidity. Whatever your average room humidity is will do just fine. No extra effort needs to be made.
However, they are not entirely partial to constant humidity. Therefore this is not the plant for your bathroom. It is also a good idea to keep your Bantel’s Sensation out of the lone of air vents or drafts.
Do not mist your White Sansevieria! Water droplets left on their leaves will cause rot.
Fertilizer
Fertilizing your White Sansevieria is not essential. But it will not argue should you wish to give it a little bit of food.
A store-bought, all-purpose fertilizer will do the job. Be sure to choose a well-balanced one. As they have a low fertilizer requirement, you should not feed your plant more than twice a year.
Fertilizing should take place during the Sansevieria Bantel’s Sensation growing season. This is around the months of spring to summer.
Propagation
Propagating your Sansevieria Bantel’s Sensation is possible through a handful of methods. It should be noted, however, that as this plant is a cultivar propagating may not always be successful. Meaning, you may not end up with the White Sansevieria but rather its parent plant.
Nonetheless, propagation of your Bantel’s Sensation is possible through division or leaf cuttings.
Growth
The Sansevieria Bantel’s Sensation, like others in its genus, is an upright grower, Its upward reaching leaves can grow to heights anywhere between 0.6m to 0.9m (2ft to 3ft). On the thinner side, their leaves only reach widths of between 2.5cm to 3.8cm (1in to 1.5in).
The dark green foliage of the White Sansevieria boasts patterned white horizontal stripes. Interestingly, these white stripes are not capable of photosynthesizing light. This is because there is no chlorophyll present.
Bantel’s Sensations are flowering plants. However, it is rare for them to do so indoors. When they do bloom, these plants offer beautifully fragrant white flowers.
Occasionally the color may vary slightly, each plant is different. The variations include off-white, greenish-white, and creamy-white colors. The flowers of the White Sansevieria grow on a flower stalk.
The flower stalk is known to grow between 0.6m to 0.75m (2ft to 2.5ft) high. Typically only one flower stalk grows, but more is possible. Small and rather tubular, the Bentel’s Sensation flowers grow in a bunch on the stalk.
Summer is usually the season of blooming for the Sansevieria Bantel’s Sensation. Whilst the plant’s season of growth is in the spring to summer months.
Remember, these are slow-growing plants and will not show active growth.
As with most succulents, the White Sansevieria has leaves of an intriguing texture. They are a rather fleshy feeling and quite flexible. They grow from the bottom up and end at a point.
Different from other species of plant, as they do not grow from the tip. This often results in the browning of the leaf tips. Do not fear though, this is completely normal!
As a habit Bantel’s Sensation plants grow in a clump-forming type manner. They are also a suckering plant. This means that it will grow pups, or new leaves, from its base.
Potting
Sansevieria Bental’s Sensation is suitable for growing indoors as well as outdoors. They can be planted directly into the ground or potted.
Containers that are suitable for potting this plant are pots, planters, or flowerpots. Generally, due to their upright growth, pots that are wider than they are high are advised. This helps to ensure your plant stays stable and does not fall or topple over.
As a rule, when choosing a pot for your Sansevieria Bantel’s Sensation, you should only consider ones with drainage holes. Containers such as clay pots are ideal as they are heavier and of a porous material.
Repotting your White Sansevieria does not need to be done regularly. And when it does need to be done, it is a simple task.
Your plant will only need to be repotted roughly every two years or so, if not more. To repot all you need to do is remove your plant from its pot, and place it into a slightly bigger one. If you are not wanting your plant to grow bigger, repot it into the same pot.
Be sure to do some root pruning on your plant to free up some space for it. This is not only a good practice when repotting your plant into the same size container. Pruning will encourage new growth.
As with most Sansevieria plants, the Bantel’s Sensation does not mind being slightly root-bound. It may even prove to thrive in those conditions.
If you are unsure of when to repot your plant or if you should at all do not worry! Your White Sansevieria will likely tell you when it is time for a new bot. It is known to burst pots that are getting too small and overcrowded.
Sansevieria Bantel’s Sensation Propagation
Propagating your Bantel’s Sensation is best done through the division of offsets. When your plant bears pups, simply separate them from the parent plant. Then, plant them in their own container. This method ensures you get the same plant you started with.
When using leaf cuttings, this is not guaranteed. As the White Sansevieria is a cultivar of the Sansevieria Trifasciata plant, you may end up with this parent plant.
Should you wish to use this method, however, it is also fairly easy to do. Using a mature leaf from your Bantel’s Sensation, cut it off at an angle. This leaf cutting will need time to scab over.
After a day or two and the cut edge has dried partially, it can be inserted into fast-draining soil. As these plants are slow-growing, it will take time for new roots and a rhizome to grow. But, after a while, the cut edge will root into the soil and grow.
Common problems with Sansevieria Bantel’s Sensation
The biggest problem with this plant, due to no fault of its own, is root rot. Overwatering the White Sansevieria is the cause of root rot and is easily avoided.
Bantel’s Sensation is not really bothered by or susceptible to many pests. From time to time they may experience minor pests such as mealybugs or spider mites. These pests are not harmful to your plant, however.
Tips to keep Sansevieria Bantel’s Sensation problem-free
A foolproof method of not overwatering your White Sansevieria is to check it first. Because Sansevieria plants are susceptible to root rot, you should always do a soil test before watering. If your plant’s soil is still wet or moist, delay watering it for another day.
Pests can be avoided by cleaning your plant’s leaves every so often. Dust-free leaves mean pest-free plants!
And finally, for a healthy and thriving Bantel’s Sensation, it is best to keep it in a well-lit location.
Due to its reduced amount of chlorophyll they are not as hardy in shadier areas as others of their kind. Indirect and bright sunlight is ideal.
Frequently asked questions about Sansevieria Bantel’s Sensation
Is the White Sansevieria toxic?
If ingested by pets or humans mild symptoms of poisoning will appear. Typically you can expect gastrointestinal irritation. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Conclusion
Low maintenance and long-lasting, this flashy plant is the perfect addition to any home or garden. Not only do you not have to do much for it, but it also does so much for you!
Bantel’s Sensation is a winner when it comes to air purifying capabilities. This makes them the ideal bedroom plant! There really is no going wrong with a White Sansevieria.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.