Snake plants are one of the best-liked and easiest-to-care-for home plants.
You can leave it anywhere in the house, even in dark areas, and it will still grow. However, it will grow at a slower rate than if it gets a few hours of light to moderate direct sun every day.
Apart from that, there are other things you have to know for taking care of a snake plant. This will keep it looking fresh and appealing in your property so everyone can enjoy it for many years.
So keep reading to learn more about it!
Location
Snake plants love to get plenty of indirect light so they can be nourished and grow healthily. It can tolerate direct, bright light, but ensure it is not too intense because the leaves will get burned.
Also, if you’re planning to transfer it from a low to a high-lit environment, let the plant adjust to it slowly or it will be shocked. Place it under bright light, gradually increasing the brightness over the week.
Furthermore, you can set the plant to a place that’s warm with a temperature that’s roughly above 50℉. And close the windows, if there’s a wintry breeze coming in from the outside.
Watering
While they are versatile in living under any light condition, they are quite sensitive with their watering needs and conditions.
A lot of homeowners overwater their snake plants and this causes their roots to rot. You should only water snake plants when the soil is dry.
You can test this by sticking your finger in the soil or using a stick. If you feel it to be moist or boggy, then don’t water it yet.
What’s more, follow the watering tips below for your snake plant to keep them healthy and happy:
- Water the roots only a bit and evenly around the plant. Then, let the water drain out from the bottom of the pot.
- You can place a shallow and wide plastic container over the snake plant’s pot to catch the draining water—great if you’re keeping the plant inside your house.
- Since the plant will stop growing in winter, you have to water it less frequently at that time.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing a snake plant is pretty straightforward. You have to use an all-purpose food and feed it to the plant only during the growing season.
You can use these fertilizers for the plant: mild cactus fertilizer, 10-10-10 balanced liquid fertilizer, or 20-20-20 diluted fertilizer. They can be bought from your local florist, nursery, or online.
Additional Snake Plant Care Tips
Besides what we discussed, here are some additional snake plant care tips:
- The leaves tend to collect dust over time so wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove it.
- As a snake plant grows rapidly, you may have to divide or repot it to prevent overcrowding.
- Occasionally, a cluster of green and fragrant flowers may bud on your potted snake plant.
- Repot or divide the snake plants in spring or summer. For this, simply remove a section with leaves and roots and place it on a pot with a free-draining soil mix.
