Find out how to care for a snake plant with our easy guide. Get tips on light, watering, and more to keep your plant thriving
How to Grow Snake Plant (Sansevieria):
The Snake Plant (Sansevieria) is an eye-catching house plant with sword-shaped leaves. These pointed leaves have earned this beauty the name mother-in-law’s tongue. There are various varieties to grow – for those short on space there’s the compact, rosette-forming ‘Hahnii’ variety which only grows to 25cm tall while those with tall ceilings may prefer Laurentii, with its variegated leaves reaching as much as 1.2 meters in height.
The Snake Plant hails from Africa, where it thrives in extremely arid conditions and requires minimal care or watering. Because of this resilience, it makes an ideal houseplant; low maintenance needs with no preferences regarding where or when it should be planted – perfect for beginners as its virtually indestructible qualities make it an excellent starter plant!
Snake plants feature different leaf patterns depending on the variety; most commonly green bands with different hues of green. Their leaves also sometimes sport white or cream edges, although they are rarely produced as houseplants here. Snake plants can produce small white flowers, although this is rarely seen in homes in the UK.
How to Grow Snake Plants:
For optimal success, place your snake plant in a light environment out of direct sun. Water it when its compost dries out completely; consider giving a liquid feed monthly from April until September as it will further support its health.
Where to Grow a Snake Plant:
For optimal growth, place your snake plant in an indirect light setting but out of direct sun. While they will still survive in darker corners, any variations on their leaves may become less striking and attractive.
How to Plant a Snake Plant:
After you bring home your snake plant, keep its original pot until its roots start growing out from underneath it. They’re slow growers so repotting won’t need to happen frequently; if its pot has outgrown itself report it in spring into something slightly larger using either house plant/cactus compost, regular peat-free multipurpose compost with some horticultural grit added or heavy pots with drainage holes to avoid its toppling over. If your plant is tall enough, consider planting in one to prevent it toppling over.
Caring For a Snake Plant:
Winter water needs are minimal – just water when the soil becomes dry. Make sure all excess moisture drains away completely as any standing in can cause root rot to set in and your snake plant should thrive!
Feed monthly from April to September. Wipe the leaves occasionally to reduce dust build-up. However, make sure not to damage leaf tips as this will prevent further growth of the plant. Snake plants are hardy plants that can survive draughts and dry air conditions without needing misting regularly.
How to Propagate a Snake Plant:
Snake plants can be propagated through cuttings, however the easiest and simplest method is division. Carefully slice away one leaf and piece of root from an established snake plant and transplant them in a small pot of compost with plenty of moisture – keep watering as necessary until the new cutting has established itself in its new home out of direct sunlight.
Growing Snake Plants: Solving Problems:
Yellow leaves are an indicator of overwatering in winter months. Be wary if the compost becomes waterlogged before watering again – allow it to dry out between applications and let any excess runoff; snake plants don’t require as much moisture during this season anyway!
Wrinkled leaves could indicate you have underwatered your plant. Give it some light watering every couple of days and it should begin to revive.
If the leaves on your plants are dropping sideways, this could indicate either inadequate watering or not enough light being provided to it. When older leaves collapse they do so frequently.
Mealybugs may appear on your foliage. Be wary of white, fluffy insects on the undersides of leaves that appear like white fluffy dots; wipe off these pests using a damp cloth or cotton bud that has been saturated with an insecticide containing fatty acids or plant oils for removal.
FAQs
Q1. How to make a snake plant happy?
- Provide indirect light.
- Well-draining soil, and
- Water sparingly.
Q2. Does a snake plant need sunlight?
Yes, the snake plant needs indirect sunlight. But it can tolerate low light conditions.
Q3. How often do you water a snake plant?
You should water your snake plant every 2-6 weeks. Also, allow the soil to dry out between waterings.