Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:35 pm
The snake plant, also known as the Sansevieria trifasciata, is one of the most popular houseplants around because it’s tough, easy to grow, and doesn’t need much light. It does well in low-light situations and can be kept outdoors year-round in zones 9 or higher. If you’re thinking about getting a snake plant for your home or office, these facts will help you decide if this is the right choice for you!
Snake plants are hearty, easy to grow indoor houseplants that thrive in most home environments. Once you learn how to take care of a snake plant, it’s hard to stop having them around the house.
Origin and descriptions
Snake plant is native to tropical and southern Africa. It grows in the dry, rocky areas of Angola, Botswana, and South Africa. The leaves are long and pointed with a fleshy texture while the flowers resemble those of orchids. Snake plants grow up to 30 inches tall with rosettes that can be as wide as 12 inches.
Snake plant is also known as mother-in-law’s tongue or viper’s bowstring hemp. It belongs to the family of Asparagaceae and the subfamily of Agavoideae, which includes other plants such as Cordyline terminalis (Ti plant) and Yucca elephantipes.
Snake plant propagation
Snake plants are easy to propagate from just a leaf. Using rooting powder, plantlets will eventually grow at the base of their mother plants. The process takes about six weeks and you should place them in a sunny area or under a bright light indoors.
The best time to propagate the plant is when it’s in active growth or in spring. Use a sharp knife or scissors to cut off about half an inch, cutting through any roots that may still be attached. Dip your cuttings into rooting powder and place them in moist potting soil, then cover with plastic wrap for three days until they develop roots.
Remove the plastic wrap and move your new plant in a bright area but out of direct sunlight for about three weeks until it is well adapted before moving them to their permanent location. Keep soil moist during this process, not too wet or too dry. After that, they are ready to be transplanted into larger pots using potting mix.
Snake plants are great for the bedroom, living room, or any other location in your home. They provide oxygen at night and remove carbon dioxide during the day while also absorbing pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from their surroundings.
Snake plant care
Snake plant care is easy and doesn’t take up much time. These plants are known for their ability to purify the air in your home or office, making them a great option if you have allergies (and even better when paired with an ionizer).
Light requirements
Snake plants grow well in medium to low light. They will survive indoors with little natural lighting, but they may stretch out or become spindly if there isn’t enough light for them. To encourage compact growth and healthy foliage, find a bright spot nearby an east-facing window, which gets indirect sunlight during the morning hours.
The snake plant is a low-light and drought-tolerant houseplant. It’s best to keep them in medium or low indoor lighting, but it will grow well with bright filtered light as well. They can also adapt to outdoor shade if given protection from the sun in the summer months when they are grown outdoors.
Soil/potting mix
The snake plant doesn’t require much in the way of soil. A good quality all-purpose potting mix will do just fine or you can use cactus juice, which is extremely well-draining and contains little to no nutrients that could burn your plant’s roots over time.
Water requirements
The snake plant prefers to dry out between watering. If the soil is kept moist, it will cause leaf loss and growing problems for your plant. The leaves turning yellow are a good indicator that they need to be watered more frequently! Water thoroughly when you do water but wait at least two days before giving them another thorough watering.
Fertilizer requirements
If you want to fertilize your snake plant, it’s best to use a time-release fertilizer once a year in the springtime. This type of fertilizer is less likely to burn or damage the roots compared with other types. If you do choose another form of fertilizer, always dilute according to directions on the bottle before applying as they can burn or damage the plant if it’s not watered in properly.
Temperature
The snake plant is a tropical plant and will not survive below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. It can handle short drops in temperature, but long periods of cold weather may cause the leaves to turn yellow or die back completely. Keep your houseplant above 55 degrees if you live somewhere where it gets chilly during the winter months.
Humidity
The snake plant is not picky when it comes to humidity, but too much can cause the leaves to turn brown or yellow at their edges. If you live in an area that’s constantly humid, find a good spot for your houseplant away from any direct sunlight and keep it on the dry side so its soil doesn’t stay moist all the time.
An ideal humidity range is between 40-50% during the day.
Pruning
If the leaves of your snake plant start turning yellow or brown, it may be a sign that they need to be pruned. You’ll want to cut off any dead or dying foliage and thin out some of the growth near its base so more air can circulate around it. If you’re keeping multiple plants together as one collection, this will also help keep them from growing into each other.
When to repot
Snake plants can grow in relatively small pots for a long time without needing to be repotted. If the roots start growing out of drainage holes or it’s beginning to look crowded inside its pot, you should think about repotting them into a larger container with fresh soil. When doing so, make sure your new pot has drainage holes and use high-quality potting soil.
Dormancy
If you live in a milder climate or your houseplant is kept indoors for most of the year, and temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, it will lose some leaves and go dormant during the winter months. Don’t be alarmed when this happens as they’re just storing up energy to grow with once spring comes around again.
Flowers & Fragrance
Snake plants are part of the Sansevieria family, which means they all produce similarly shaped flowers that look like tall grass. These will usually come in shades of yellow or white and can grow up to 20 inches high. They’re also known for having a pleasant smell!
Growth rate
Snake plants are relatively low-maintenance houseplants that grow slowly and steadily in most cases. If you provide them with enough sunlight, water when the soil is dry, and fertilize once or twice a year during its growing season, they will reward you by staying healthy for years at a time!
Toxicity
All parts of the snake plant are poisonous which makes it not great for homes with pets or very young children. The leaves and roots can cause irritation if ingested, so keep your houseplant out of reach to avoid any accidents happening around your home!
USDA Hardiness Zones
Sansevierias are hardy in USDA zones 11-12
Pests and diseases
Pests and diseases may cause an overgrown situation resulting in the death of your houseplant, which is why it’s important to take action immediately if you notice any issues with your plant.
Conclusion
Snake plants are relatively low-maintenance houseplants that grow slowly and steadily in most cases. If you provide them with enough sunlight, water when the soil is dry, and fertilize once or twice a year during its growing season, they will reward you by staying healthy for years at a time!
