Are Snake Plants Succulents? Discover the Superb Facts Here! (2021)

Among the most difficult houseplants to grow are snake plants (also known as mother-in-law’s tongue). Due to their ease of use, they are especially popular with beginners. Despite its name, snake plants are not considered succulent plants. It is also a cactus, isn’t it? Snake plants seem to fall into a confusing category, so we did some research to clarify.
The snake plant is actually a succulent plant. All snake plant species fall under this category. Despite having characteristics that are not cactus-like, they are not considered cactus plants.
A lot of confusion can arise when growing snake plants and cacti, due to their relationship. To find out how to identify succulent plants, continue reading. Likewise, we’ll discuss the difference between succulents and cacti, as well as why snake plants belong to the former category.


What is a Succulent Plant?


Water Storage

Succulent plants are characterized by their ability to store water. During the drier months of the year, these plants collect water in their leaves, stems, and branches. Succulents are known for their hardy leaves, and their ability to store water internally allows them to survive droughts. Those who inhabit warm climates such as Africa, Eastern Asia, and South America, for example, are especially reliant on this.
Despite their diversity of color and form, succulents always have one thing in common: they can store water. Because snake plants are usually filled with water, their leaves typically stand tall and firm as opposed to drooping or leaning.


Propagation

It is easy to propagate succulent plants by cutting their leaves. To create an off-shoot of a plant, clipped leaves can be placed in water or topsoil. It is possible to do this for multiple plants, and they can also be grown alongside the mother plant.
If you cut a rosette from your snake plant, for example, you will find that it will begin to grow its own stems after six to eight weeks. A succulent is also easy to grow in number, which is why home gardeners love them as indoor plants. This eliminates the need to purchase plant seeds.


Leaves and Appearance

It is well-known that many succulent plants can tolerate brief temperatures below freezing without harm. Succulent plants are characterized by their thick, fleshy foliage (or, in some cases, pads), although some varieties have thinner leaves. Snake plants have leaves of an average thickness for a succulent plant, but their leaves are thinner.

Short stature is another characteristic of succulent plants. Even though some succulent plants can grow several feet tall (such as snake plants), many have a bush-like shape, which is likely an adaptation to survive in their native environment. These plants come in a variety of colors, including green, yellow, red, and even purple.


What Are the Differences Between Cactus Plants and Succulents

Succulents and cacti often get confused, but these are different kinds of plants. It is important to know how to differentiate cacti from succulents in order to understand their relationship. Let’s examine the differences between these two plants.


Succulents

The leaves, roots, and branches of succulent plants are known for their ability to store water. Succulents are currently known to exist in over 50 plant families, and cacti are among them. What is the reason? Water can be stored in cacti. Therefore, all cacti are considered succulent plants.

Cacti

Cacti and succulents have similar forms, including spines and thorns, but they are not the same. Whether a plant has leaves or branches doesn’t matter. Cacti and succulents differ in the presence of something called areoles.
Cacti grow flowers, hair and leaves on areoles, which are round cushions of flesh. All plants classified as cacti contain areoles, but not all succulents. Here’s the big difference between a succulent plant and a cactus. The categorizations have some gray areas.


What Is the Best Way to Identify Snake Plants?


Sansevieria (or Genus Sansevieria) contains over 70 varieties currently known. Therefore, snake plants can be difficult to distinguish from other types of plants. All varieties share a few characteristics, however. Snake plants are all known as succulents, and their varieties are characterized by long sword-shaped green leaves that are flat and stand upright.
Some snake plants may have yellow, red, and purple leaves, though they are predominantly green.

There should be a label on snake plants when you purchase them, whether they come from an online supplier or a local supplier. To find out if your new plant is a snake plant, visit a local plant nursery or contact a horticulturist online.



Are Snake Plants Tropical?

Snake plants are tropical and sub-tropical plants. African, European, and Southeast Asian moths hail from various continents. The combination of moderate shade and very bright light is an asset for these tropical plants. Snake plants thrive in almost any part of your home, and can be placed almost anywhere.
Snake plants can go between four and six weeks without watering, depending on their variety. Plants that grow in environments like their native habitats thrive. Here are some elements that will support these tropical plants’ growth.


Water

One of the most important aspects of keeping a snake plant healthy is to water it properly. 
To thrive and grow, snake plants require a very small amount of soil. It’s best to let your soil dry between watering sessions. Typically, you won’t need to water your snake plant more than once or twice a month.
Overwatering will rarely make a plant healthy, even if it is damaged. You should water plants only once or whenever they are extremely dry during the winter months.


Temperature and Humidity

A temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit or higher is ideal for Snake plants, which is similar to the temperature in their native environments. Between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal temperature range for snake plants. Plants should never be placed near air conditioners or drafty areas and away from air conditioners.


Light

Plants like snake plants have a reputation for being extremely forgiving. It is possible to place them under direct sunlight for a few hours without their leaves becoming scorched-they have a high water content. As well as being able to be placed in places with indirect sunlight, they can also adapt to bright conditions relatively quickly.


Soil

Ideally, they should be planted in loose soil that drains well. By doing so, their roots are allowed to grow freely, providing nutrients to the plant. As snake plants are similar in maintenance and nutrition to cacti, it is possible to use an all-purpose cactus soil for it. You should stay away from plant media that contain a small amount of peat, as they may make it difficult for the soil to stay hydrated or drain.


Fertilizer

In order for snake plants to thrive, they don’t need a lot of fertilizer. Nevertheless, you can use a mild fertilizer if your plant is suffering from a health issue or if it needs a growth boost. NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium) fertilizers are the best ones to use for snake plants. In the winter months (which are slower-growing) it’s best not to fertilize snake plants as it can burn them.


More Related Articles for You!

https://allthingsgardener.com/21-snake-plants-you-can-grow-indoors-2/
https://allthingsgardener.com/snake-plant-why-is-it-so-famous/
https://allthingsgardener.com/you-should-have-a-snake-plants/

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