Houseplant Tips: Snake Plant Care (Everything You Need To Know)
Ahhhh snake plants. You gotta love em! Scientifically known as Sansevieria and also known as the Mother In Law’s Tongue, these plants are native to the tropics of Africa, Madagascar and Southern Asia. With their long, slender, thick leaves that have variegation resembling snake scales, the snake plants are one of the toughest, low maintenance plants out there that are suuuuuper hard to kill. As long as you’re not neglecting the snake plant, it will thrive in your space!
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS
Firstly, one of the most important things when it comes to plants…LIGHT! One of the best things about snake plants is that they can tolerate just about any light level! They can be placed in spaces ranging from low light to indirect bright light, but keep them out of direct sunlight because it will scorch their leaves!
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WATERING
Snake plant watering is very easy. Snake plants prefer dry soil, rather than evenly moist soil. Wait until most of the soil is dry (at least half the soil) between waterings and then thoroughly water them. A thorough watering means the plant goes under the sink faucet for about 3 minutes (more or less depending on the size of the pot), allowing the water to drain out of the bottom hole. If you need a better understanding of when to water plants in general and how much to give them, we have another article specifically about watering!
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TEMPERATURE/HUMIDITY
A temperature between 70 - 90° F is ideal for the snake plant! As well as low to average humidity levels!
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FERTILIZER
The snake plant is one of those plants that doesn’t require that much fertilizer, its great to give them some to give them a little boost! A balanced NPK ratio (10-10-10) houseplant fertilizer is ideal for the snake plant! Be sure to fertilize when watering if using liquid fertilizer and dilute to the recommended strength on the bottle. You only need to fertilize 2 times in its growing season, once in spring and once in summer!
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SNAKE PLANT SOIL
Snake plants like a loamy, well-draining soil composed of 2 parts of sand/perlite, 1 part peat moss/coconut coir and 1 part regular houseplant, or even better, succulent soil. If potted in regular houseplant soil it will still grow well, but won’t thrive like it will with this mixture!
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REPOTTING SNAKE PLANT
Have you had your snake plant for a while now and are wondering when it is time to repot? The snake plant can be repotted in late winter/early spring when you notice the roots sticking out of the drainage holes. Another indication to re-pot is to take the plant out of the pot and take a look at the roots. If they are circling the bottom of the pot, loosen them up a little and repot into a bigger pot! Remember to only go up in pot size by no greater than 2 inches or else the soil will hold onto too much water, which could lead to root rot.
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LOVE THESE SNAKES!
There are a few different common snake varieties, check em' out below!
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Whale Fin Plant
characterized by their single nice big leaves that resembles a whale fin
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Moonshine Snake Plant
a wide leaf snake plant that is painted with silvery moonshine
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Sansevieria Zeylanica
one of the most common snake plants, the green Zeylanicas have all the shades of green with "v" shaped patterns highlights!
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Sansevieria Trifasciata
yellow edged snake plants, you literally see these everywhere! The #1 beginner's choice, they are internet famous and associated with low maintenance plants, beginner plants, and the indestructible plants!
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Cylindrical Snake Plant (Sansevieria Cylindrica)
single cylinder shaped foliage neatly braided side by side, I don't know about you but I'm intrigued by the unique appearance this plant has!
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Sansevieria Fernwood
this plant is similar to the last one just without the braids! It has a very exotic appearance
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Snake Plant Sayuri
this snake turn heads with their unique mix of white and silvery green foliage and if you've been with houseplants enough you know that plants with white variegations go for crazzzzzzy prices, thankfully the internet didn't explode on this plant yet :)
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Snake Plant Whitney
wide leaf snake with dark color inside and light color edge. Often confused with the zeylanicas, the Whitneys have shorter more compact leaves.
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