The snake plant (also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, viper’s bow, or ivy arum) is a popular houseplant. With its long, spiky leaves and beautiful variegated patterns, the snake plant is an eye-catching addition to any home. They require very little maintenance, which makes them ideal for indoor spaces. However, since they are tropical plants, they need some special care if you want to keep them thriving. If you have a snake plant that isn’t thriving and needs some help, read on for more information about how to care for a snake plant so it thrives. There are many different varieties of snake plants—some are green with white stripes; others are yellow with black spots or vice versa. Check your plant tag to see what light conditions it prefers and whether it’s native to humid or arid environments.
How Fast Do Snake Plants Grow
Light Requirements
Snake plants can thrive in low-light conditions, but they will grow larger, have more flowers, and produce more leaves when given bright light. Check your snake plant’s tag to see its light requirements. Some varieties prefer direct sunlight, while others need shade. Avoid putting your snake plant in direct sunlight, as this can be too hot for the plant and cause burning. If your snake plant is receiving too little light, it will have smaller leaves and may produce smaller flowers. If your snake plant is receiving too much light, the leaves will be smaller and have brown spots on them.
Watering Requirements
Water your snake plant when the soil feels dry up to your first knuckle. You don’t want to water your snake plant too much, but you also don’t want to let it get too dry. If your snake plant has been in the same pot for a few years, it may need to be repotted. If the roots of your snake plant have outgrown their current pot, they might be “crowding” and have trouble getting enough water and nutrients. If your snake plant has been in the same pot for a long time and the roots are spreading out of the pot and into the soil, it might be time for a re-potting.
Soil Requirements
If you’re repotting your snake plant, use lightweight, well-draining soil. If your snake plant has been in the same pot for a few years, it might be time to re-pot it. If the roots of your snake plant have outgrown their current pot, they might be “crowding” and have trouble getting enough water and nutrients. If your snake plant has been in the same pot for a long time and the roots are spreading out of the pot and into the soil, it might be time for a re-potting. If your snake plant is in a clay pot, it’s important to re-pot it in well-draining soil.
Snake Plant Care: Repotting and Humidity
If you have a snake plant that is in a clay pot and hasn’t been repotted in a long time, you might want to re-pot it. If your snake plant is in a clay pot, it helps to add a bit of peat moss to the new soil for added humidity and to make the soil a bit more lightweight. If your snake plant is in a clay pot, add enough peat moss to the new soil so that it rises above the top of the pot and creates a moat around the plant. If you are re-potting a snake plant that has been in the same pot for a long time, be sure to do it during the winter months (around November or December). If you re-pot during the summer months, your plant may not have enough time to grow new roots before winter, and it could die due to a lack of water in the soil.
Snake Plant Care: Fertilizer Needs
If you notice that your snake plant is developing shorter, fatter leaves, you might want to fertilize it. If you notice your snake plant has taller, skinnier leaves, it may not need any fertilizer, or it may have too much fertilizer. If your snake plant is in a clay pot, you don’t want to fertilize it very much, if at all. If you fertilize a snake plant that is in a clay pot, too much fertilizer can leach into the soil and be absorbed by the roots. This can lead to root burn, which can kill your snake plant. If you see that your snake plant has taller, skinnier leaves, you probably have too much fertilizer in the soil. You can flush the soil to remove excess fertilizer and give your plant a break.
Conclusion
Snake plants are one of the easiest houseplants to grow. They thrive on low-light conditions and don’t need much water. With proper care and a little attention, your snake plant will thrive. If your snake plant isn’t thriving and needs some help, read on for more information about how to care for a snake plant so it thrives.
FAQ:
Q: Which type of light is best for snake plant care?
A: Generally speaking, low light is best for snake plant care. Snake plants should not be exposed to direct sunlight and they shouldn’t be placed in a window facing east or west.
Q: How can I tell if my snake plant needs repotting?
A: If you notice that your snake plant has taller, skinnier leaves or if it has lost some of its leaves, you might want to give it a re-potting. It’s important to re-pot your snake plant every 2 years. If it doesn’t need to be re-potted, you might want to fertilize the soil with an organic fertilizer that contains iron and/or extra phosphorus content (like Miracle Grow). If your snake plant has shorter, fatter leaves or if it has been dying back over the course of a few weeks, it may need some attention too. This can happen when the fertilizer you added dried out too quickly and caused the soil to become nutrient deficient. You can help remedy this problem by flushing the soil with water (to wash off any excess fertilizer) and adding a bit more fertilizer on top of what was already in the soil. Just be sure not to overdo it!
Q: What else do I have to do after I repot my snake plant?
A: Be sure that your new pot has plenty of drainage holes so that any excess water can drain out of the pot. The soil should also be loose enough to allow for movement in the pot so the roots aren’t too cramped. To ensure that your snake plant has bright, fresh new growth, give it a light dusting with fertilizer about two weeks after it has been repotted. You can also mist the leaves every few days to encourage more growth, but don’t overdo it – too much water will actually kill your snake plant!
