Snake plants are a great plant for first-time growers because they are very forgiving plants and don’t require a lot of maintenance or care. We’ve done some research on snake plants to help you figure out whether or not you can grow them outside. That said, we will tell you how to grow snake plants in this post.
Snake plants can be grown outdoors. They can be grown in pots or directly in the ground. However, snake plants prefer temperatures between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit to thrive. As such, if you live in a cold climate, they may not survive outdoors without some extra care.
You can grow a snake plant outside, but there are two things you need to consider in order to make sure that the plant thrives. Keep reading to discover what factors contribute to a snake plant’s growth outdoors.
Snake Plants in the Outdoors
The biggest problem with growing snake plants is realizing just how little water they need to grow. However, there are other factors to consider when planting snake plants outside. Here are some of the most important things to note.
Temperature
A snake plant is a tropical plant native to West Africa, so it can grow outdoors, anywhere from 55 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it cannot sustain temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit for longer than a few days.
Light
Snake plants are quite adaptable with lighting changes. They are able to survive in semi-lit, shady spots as well as in highly-lit outdoor spaces. They prefer indirect light, so placing outside in the garden or patio will be fine.
Avoid exposure to strong sunlight for several hours, as it can dry them out. It’s also important to keep plants out of areas with little light, as this can cause their leaves to wither and eventually fall off. Snake plants are best placed outside in a spot that gets indirect and direct lighting all day, ideally facing south or west.
Water
Since snake plants need very little water to survive, they need it only when the soil is completely dry. Depending on the size of the plant and the outdoor humidity levels, snake plants can go anywhere between two to six weeks without water.
You’ll want to make sure that if you choose to plant a snake plant in the ground outside, it is placed in an area free from other plants that require regular watering, or you can also put the snake plant in a pot alone (or with other tropical plants). A good way to determine if your snake plant needs water is to look at the leaves. If you see that the leaves are turning yellow or seem wilted on the ends, it is time to water the plant.
Soil
In a regular soil mixture, snake plants can grow outdoors as long as the mixture drains well. When planting your snake plant outdoors, you can use terracotta, porcelain, or ceramic pots as long as the pots have drainage holes. You can also use soil specifically formulated for snake plants, cacti, or succulents.
Re-planting
Plants like snake plants grow slowly and do not need to be re-potted often. If placed outdoors with low lighting, they may only need re-potting every five to ten years. The plants may need re-potting after two to five years if they’re placed in an area with bright lighting. Snake plants normally prefer to be crowded, but can adapt well whenever they are free to roam inside their pots. It is perfectly normal that your outdoor snake plant becomes more crowded during the cooler months, this is not harmful to its growth.
Outdoor Pests
The snake plant has the ability to resist pests as well, even when grown outdoors. However, as with any other house plant, they may become vulnerable to pest infestation if the surrounding area is not properly maintained. Snake plants are mainly attacked by mealybugs and spider mites, the most common types of pests. If they do not get rid of these pests quickly, they will cause your snake plant to grow wilted and sick. They can be removed with neem oil or rubbing alcohol.
How to Prevent Evasive Snake Plant Roots
Although snake plants themselves aren’t invasive, they can become so when planted outdoors, especially in warm climates. Here’s how you can prevent this from happening:
- Stop the snake plant from spreading by planting various barriers that are at least ten to twelve inches deep into the ground.
- Instead of directly putting the plant in the ground, keep it in containers, stick the containers below the rim of the ground, and be sure to have drainage holes in the containers.
- Dividing the snake plant about every two to three years is necessary.
Snake Plants: How To Divide Them
Remove The Plant From The Pot
Then, carefully remove the pot by gently removing the leaf of your snake plant. Next, lay newspaper or an old tarp around the surrounding area. You may need to cut around the soil with a utility knife if the pot has become stuck to the soil. You can use a squeeze the base of the pot to pull it off. This is a much safer alternative to using a pencil or chopstick since this will not hurt the roots.
Slice The Pups
Shake off the loose soil and separate the leaves by inverting the plant so you can see the three to four pups on the bottom of the plant. Cut off the pups with a sterile paring knife or gardening shears from the leaves’ bottoms.
Prepare The New Pots
Fill your new pots with cactus or snake plant soil about an inch or two from the top. Plant the snake plant divided into their pots. Cover them with another inch of soil, smoothing it over the roots of the plants.
Add Water
Water lightly to moisten the soil, and then tuck them away about four feet from a north-facing window or a location with low to medium lighting. You want the plants to get sunlight, but not too much that they become stressed.
Things To Avoid When Growing Snake Plants Outdoors
Misting The Leaves On Hot Days
Leaves of your snake plant do not need misting. The plants contain water, which keeps them adequately hydrated even on the driest days. Misting can lead fungi to develop on the leaves.
Remember that these are tropical plants that struggle with drought, so it is not like they are missing a lot of water. If you suspect that they are under-watered, place the water in the plant’s soil, not on the leaves.
Cold Temperatures
Consider using a small greenhouse to store your snake plant during the colder months if you live in a cold climate. If your climate gets below 50 degrees Fahrenheit during the colder months of the year, keep it warm instead.
Ignoring Pests
However, the snake plant’s resistance to pests can also change once it’s exposed to a natural environment. If you plant your snake plant near other plants that suffer pest infestations, it is likely your snake plant will also do the same. Prevent any pest infestations from affecting your snake plant by eradicating pest infestations as soon as they arise.
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