Snake plants are one of the most popular houseplants, for good reason.
It’s incredibly drought-tolerant, with the ability to go weeks without water in low and medium lighting conditions.
This low-maintenance container plant adds decorative interest when planted indoors.
The Spruce / Alonda Baird
Put it in an east-facing window or near a south- or west-facing window.
Soil
As a houseplant, snake plants prefer a loose, well-drainedpotting soilmix.
They do well in sandier soil which makes all-purpose cactus potting soil a good choice.
The Spruce / Alonda Baird
Avoid soil mixes that contain a high percentage of peat, which can retain too much water.
Water
Water your snake plantwhen the soil has completely dried out, being sure to water deeply.
If you notice its leaves are brittle and dry, water immediately.
The Spruce / Alonda Baird
Temperature and Humidity
Snake plants grow best in warm temperatures between 70F and 90F.
Keep plants away from cold drafts.
They won’t tolerate frost, and prolonged exposure to less than 50F can kill the plant.
The Spruce / Candace Madonna
They’ll do fine with average household humidity between 30 and 50 percent.
Do not fertilize in winter.
New shoots that emerge can be separated and repotted on their own.
The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Amy Sheehan / Alonda Baird
All you need is a sharp knife, clean pot, and potting soil.
Pruning
Prune snake plants during the growing season to encourage new growth.
To control height, remove the tallest leaves at the soil line with a sterile cutting tool.
The Spruce / Melissa Ling
Damaged leaves can be removed at any time, however, winter pruning can cause stress.
Dusting Your Snake Plant
Snake plant leaves should be dusted regularly.
Dust gets in the way of the plant’s ability to see the sun and photosynthesize.
The container’s width should be roughly twice the size of the root ball.
Terracotta pots wick away excess moisture, which can help prevent overwatering.
The new container should be an inch or two wider than the current container.
The best time to repot is in spring.
They can produce delicate, creamy-white, tubular flowers when growing conditions are ideal.
Night-blooming flowers are fragrant and similar in appearance to lilies.
Be sure to choose a cultivar that blooms, because not all snake plant varieties will flower.
Overwintering
Snake plants dont tolerate temperatures lower than 50F.
As the plant enters winter dormancy, reduce watering and allow soil to dry out completely before watering.
Treat infestations withneem oil.
Most problems are sparked by overwatering, which can lead to fungal infections and root rot.
Cut away any brown, mushy roots and leaves, then repot the healthy portion of the rhizome.
Yellow or brown leaves indicate overwatering, pests, or root rot.
Avoid these conditions by maintaining a proper watering schedule only when the soil is dry.
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Benefits of Snake Plants
Owning a snake plant has many benefits.
It’s an easy and practical way to start earning your green thumb.
Here are some of the best aspects of owning a snake plant.
Snake plants release oxygen at night.
Seasonal change spurs development, so placing plants in a shade or partial shade locationoutdoors in summeroften boosts growth.
Propagating will let you keep a snake plant going for many decades.
The best place to put a snake plant is in or near a window.
It can handle most kinds of lighting conditions, except for little to no light.
Common houseplant insects & related pests.Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center.
Dracaena trifasciata.North Carolina State University Extension Gardener Toobox.
Does Root Rot Smell Like Sewage?National Gardening Association.
Sansevieria Production Guide.University of Florida, IFAS.
