OK, please don’t think I’m nuts, but I have a snake plant that is going on at least 50 years old.
It originally came from my Grandmother’s house. I remember it from when I was little and I’m going on 50, so I figure it’s at least my age.
I Googled snake plants and I guess it’s not that uncommon to have really old snake plants. Here I thought I might have a Guinness Book of World Records contender.
Somehow, I have accumulated a few more snake plants too. This one is in my kitchen eating area and is almost five feet tall.
Comparatively, it’s a youngster. Only about 5 years old.
This one is more petite and is in my husband’s office/guest room.
So, I guess you could say I have a collection of snake plants. Considering how much I hate snakes, I find that ironic.
BTW, this pot is a vintage stoneware one which coincidentally is where the 50 year old snake plant used to live. I moved the old plant to a pot with better drainage and then inexplicable put another snake plant in the pot. Go figure.
They say that snake plants are pretty hard to kill and I would agree. If I forget to water one for a few months they don’t mind at all. I think they sort of like my neglect better than a hovering plant owner. You gotta be tough to make it in my house.
Hooking up with Kim at Savvy Southern Style for her Wow us Wednesday Party
Tanna at The Brick Street Bungalow
They are beautiful!! Congratulations for keeping that one alive so long!!
Betsy
Now this is my kind of plant, second only to faux ivy topiaries. I used to have so many live plants in the house and just couldn’t keep up with them. I had no idea their shelf life was so long. You must be doing something right.
Tys
Oh wow, that’s neat!
I have a small portion of a plant that was my great grandmothers. It’s some sort of soft yet cactus-y type plant. My grandma has the original “mother” plant and has given everyone starts off it. I’ve even given some people starts from mine as housewarming gifts!
Sounds like I need to get me a snake plant! For some reason I always thought they were delicate or something?
A Vintage Vine
I love indoor plants…and that one is gorgeous!
⚜ ↁℯℬℬᴵℰ⚜
Ok so I think you are a little nuts! But it is a cool plant and a miracle you have it as long:)
Enjoy!
A Rosy Note
Wow Pam that’s old! I wish it wasn’t called a snake plant though…it doesn’t really seem snake-like to me.
My mom has a bunch of old plants too. My sister’s husband had to take care of them while we were all in Florida and he was all freaked out about something happening to them. They all have some special significance, like being from when my Grandma died or some other such thing.
How did you get your Google follow button to not show the number of followers? I like that. That is one of the reasons I don’t like that button, because it’s a way for people to compare themselves to others.
~Tricia
Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes
I’ve never heard them called that, I’ve heard them called “mother-in-law tongues” because they were sharp! LOL!!! They are beautiful!
Kim K.
Your plant is gorgeous. I was just going to say the same thing about it also being called a mother-in-law tongue plant. I have one too. It’s a hardy thing.
Linda
50 years…that really is amazing! They are called “mother-in-law tongues” in my neck of the woods, too!
AntiqueChase
I think my 94 year old grandma still has hers… I should ask her how old hers is??? funny!!
[email protected]
They are called “mother-in-law tongues” here. I have 4 larger ones and my mother has at least that many….all from the same mother plant. They are so easy to grow!!!
Erin
I coughed I laughed so hard!!! Love your sense of humor Pam..and I love those snake plants. Very cool, do they deter snakes maybe? At any rate, they are very pretty plants!
Tete
Pam, we always called these mother-in-law tongues. But either way, the name is not as pleasant as the plant. Did you cats can kill these> Yepper, when they sleep in the pots all the time. Killed mine. Love yours!
Hugs- Tete
La
Maybe I need a snake plant because my thumb is pretty brown.
Marigene
I am with you on not liking snakes but liking snake plants! You have a nice healthy collection, Pam.
Olive Cooper
I remember them from my childhood too. Your 50 yo one is wonderful. I have two on the deck. We also call them “mother-in-laws tongue” here.
Heather
Snakes scare me horribly, but your snake plants are quite neat! I can’t believe that one of them is 50 years old! Good thing it is yours because it would have never lasted that long with me! lol! 🙂
Pamela
50years old? Wow!
It is ironic that you have this plant i know like me you hate snakes!
I agree with Tete we call them mother-in-law tongues.
I thought of you today! I went to a local thrift store.
The other day when i purchased a bottle of South African wine they had this cute tiny hand sanitizer spritzer attached as a gift! I thought what am i going to do with this and then i remembered your post. It was in my purse today and i used it as soon as i left the store!!
But i did notice this thirft store has a sanitizer on the wall.
I got a couple of neat really old books and a glass decanter.
Lottie
Pam, such pretty pictures! I had planned a post about my snake plant also, but after seeing your pictures I just linked to your site. Love your blog!
www.mybluecottage.blogspot.com
Pam of Eastlake Victorian
Wow, those were the plants my great-grandma used to have! As she got older, she never remembed to water them! And they were still alive after she died! I think I should get one next time I need a house plant. Yours look great!
-Pam
Shirlee
I had no idea they could grow so large and for so long. I recently bought a small one and it seems to be doing well. I also have a small peace lily that seems to reject every single pot I’ve tried it in. There’s just no pleasing it!
Duane brush
So funny. I also have a 50-ish year old one. It has been near death a couple times when I decided to reduce it and make it start over I rarely water it and never fertilize and have only reported it maybe reuse in 51 years. I know it’s age because it was part of a terrarium of plants sent to me when I had my daughter 51 years ago. We call them both snake and mother-in-law tongue here in Michigan.