Snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata) are an excellent choice for new gardeners because they require little maintenance. Many households keep these hardworking, tropical plants as house plants.
With their upright, sword-shaped leaves and evergreen foliage, they look stunning. Snake plants thrive in low light, so they are commonly found in homes and offices. During the night, these plants produce oxygen and absorb some air pollutants. In spite of its many benefits, growing snake plants at home still has some disadvantages.
Humans and Pets are at Risk
The toxicity of all Sansevieria species is a common complaint. Snake plants are toxic to pets, as are Peace lilies, English ivy, pothos, etc. When chewed or consumed, mother-in-law’s tongue plants are poisonous. If you have only adults in the house, this may not be an issue. Having snake plants around kids and pets may make you a bit nervous.
Saponin is found in all parts of this plant, including leaves, roots, flowers and rhizomes, making them mildly toxic. By acting as a natural insecticide and fungicide, saponin actually benefits the plant by keeping diseases at bay. Several parts of the world use snake plant juice as an herbal remedy because of its astringent properties. Consuming any part of this plant is not recommended.
This plant is mainly poisonous to the digestive system. It causes the tongue and throat to swell as a result of its numbing effect. Large amounts of food can lead to nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, drooling, abdominal pain, etc. Some people can develop rashes or dermatitis after touching the plant juice with bare hands. Snake plants are more toxic to dogs and cats than to humans. Despite its bitter taste which discourages them from eating large quantities, curious pets may take a bite of the plant. The ingestion of poison causes similar symptoms in pets (such as vomiting and diarrhea).
The Solution
Keeping your plants away from children or pets is the best way to avoid any accidents. Do not place them in pet-free zones or on top shelves. Pets will be repelled by the strong scent left behind by lemon or orange zest squeezed on rims of pots. Dogs and cats hate the smell of citrus. Cinnamon sprinkled in the soil is even better. Additionally, it does not only repel animals but also works as a fungicide.
Easily Overwatered
In all Sansevieria, overwatering is one of the most common problems. Snake plants are drought-tolerant and can survive with little to no water. Despite neglect, they can thrive. Snake plants do not like sitting in soggy and wet soil. Rotting roots can result in a dark, stinky appearance. The leaves can turn yellow, mushy, and begin to droop. When the whole root system is mush, the plant cannot be saved.
From place to place and season to season, the amount and frequency of watering the snake plant varies. Many factors (low temperature, little sunlight, dense soil, large pot size, etc.) can contribute to overwatering.
The Solution
Use a pot with drainage holes and sandy, well-draining soil to prevent overwatering. When the top layer of the soil is dry, water the plant regularly during the growing season. If you water in the fall or winter, reduce the frequency to about once a month. Monitor the appearance of your plant for signs of overwatering, and adjust the watering schedule as necessary.
Unlikely to Survive in the Cold
The mother in law’s tongue is a tropical species well adapted to dry and hot climates. However, this plant is not very winter hardy. If you live in a region where winter temperatures go below zero, leaving snake plants outside is not a good idea.
Plant leaves can be permanently scarred when exposed to cold temperatures (below 50° F or 10° C). Leaves cannot recover from damage caused by frost, so they are also at risk. Snake plants are harmed by freezing temperatures and moist soil.
The Solution
Snake plants need to be protected from cold damage by prevention. Indoor plants are easier to maintain because they can be kept near a heater. Plants in the open can be protected from the elements with thick cloths. In such conditions, do not water the plant. Even if the leaves are damaged, new leaves can grow from a strong root system later in the summer. However, keeping the roots moist in extreme cold will surely kill the plant.
Plant Growing Slowly
Snake plants can grow as tall as 6-7 feet (depending on the type), but they do so slowly. Sansevieria grows at a slow to medium rate. A sapling purchased from a nursery will take years to grow to a substantial height. Plants like snake plants are durable and live for a long time. Even when propagating these plants, the tiny roots take months to appear.
As a result, snake plants are not a good choice if you are planning to grow a dense garden in a few years.
The Solution
Bright light conditions appear to encourage plant growth, but the amount of growth is not significant. A mother-in-law’s tongue plant makes a great ornamental plant for small rooms.
Flowers Irregularly
Its flowering habit is erratic, which is one of the disadvantages of a snake plant. The snake plant blooms once a year in some cases, but not in others. Snake plants can also differ based on their specific variety and cultivar. Some varieties are more likely to flower than others. Sansevieria cylindrica, for instance, starts flowering at a younger age than other species. In contrast, Sansevieria golden hahnii flowers very rarely. It is quite rare for snake plants to bloom.
The Solution
Well, nothing guarantees that a snake plant will bloom. Keep your plant healthy by giving it bright, filtered sunlight. It is not guaranteed that snake plants will flower annually just because they are flowering species.