They can grow in almost any light, which makes them hardy and versatile. It doesn’t matter if you have a low light or bright light spot, snake plants are always recommended. But how much light does a snake plant need? What is the perfect conditions for your snake plant? Let’s find out!
There are a variety of lighting conditions in which snake plants can grow. The snake plants can grow in both low light and bright indirect light. However, the growth rate depends upon the amount of light they receive. The snake plant thrives well under indirect indirect light, whereas it grows slowly under low lighting conditions.
Growing snake plants under low lighting conditions is sometimes recommended. But are there any drawbacks to growing them under low lighting instead of a bright indirect light?
The following article discusses ideal lighting conditions for your snake plant and what you should expect from your snake plant under different lighting conditions.
Importance of light for snake plant
Energy comes from the sun, the source of life for all living things, including plants. Plants were never meant to be grown inside our homes. They belong outdoors, where they have access to everything they need.
Even if we justify it by saying it brings a little bit of nature into our homes, it doesn’t really alter the needs and requirements of the plants.
Photosynthesis is essential to the life cycle of plants. Oxygen and sugar are produced through photosynthesis when they are exposed to sunlight and CO2.
If our snake plants do not receive adequate lighting, photosynthesis may be hindered, resulting in stunted growth and other problems.
What type of light does a snake plant need?
Snake plants come from an arid environment with very little moisture and humidity. They can store large amounts of water in their thick fleshy leaves.
Despite the snake plant’s tough leaves, they cannot tolerate direct sunlight. They will burn their leaves when too much sunlight falls on them.
Furthermore, low light can cause your snake plants to grow slowly as well as some other difficulties.
The snake plant probably needs more sunlight when some of its leaves are drooping, so moving them to a brighter spot can help them rebloom.
Direct light vs. Indirect Light
It is crucial for the growth of your snake plant to distinguish between types of light. Both too much light and low light conditions are bad for the growth of your snake plant.
Light is generally divided into two types. One is direct sunlight, and the other is indirect lighting. If you are a total beginner, then let me step you through a brief explanation of indirect lighting.
It is also known as direct sunlight when the light received by the plant is unfiltered and direct. Direct sunlight forms a clear and distinct shadow on the plant’s leaves that can easily be identified.
Nevertheless, if your plant is placed in a spot that prevents direct sunlight from falling on its foliage, then it is considered indirect sunlight.
Indirect light comes from filtered sheer curtains, refracted through walls and floors.
It should clear up the confusion regarding lighting conditions.
You now need bright indirect sunlight for your snake plant. With that in mind, move on to determining the best placement for it.
Can snake plant survive without sunlight?
Low-medium lighting conditions are suitable for snake plants. The bright sunlight can burn the leaves of your snake plant. Therefore, they do not need direct sunlight to survive.
However, snake plants do need sunlight for photosynthesis, so you should provide them with bright indirect sunlight to thrive.
Your snake plant will grow exceptionally well in a well-lit space. However, they will survive even if the lighting conditions are low because they will have other important cultural requirements met.
Best spot for snake plant
Our snake plants can be kept at almost every location due to their sturdy nature.
No matter where it is housed in your home, whether a cornered office desk or your shower window sill, your snake plant will thrive provided other cultural conditions are right for it.
Whether the spot is near the window or far from it doesn’t matter. As long as the plant gets some natural light, they should survive.
It doesn’t mean your snake plant will grow equally under different lighting conditions. The growth will vary depending on the lighting and other care you provide.
Your snake plant will thrive in any spot that is 4-6 feet away from the window. It is best to not place them at the window sill where they will be caught by the afternoon sun, since those fleshy leaves can get scorched under direct sunlight.
Is my snake plant getting enough light?
Even in low lighting conditions, Snake plants can survive. However, don’t expect too much growth from them in such conditions.
Your snake plant will tell you if it doesn’t have enough light, if it’s not receiving enough light. Understanding these cues will help you fix the issue and keep your snake plant healthy. Here are some common signs:
- Wet soil
- Slow growth
- Droopy leaves
- Root rot
- Soggy leaves
Your snake plant will start storing energy when it doesn’t receive enough sunlight, which will ruin its growth.
Droopy leaves are a sign that there is not enough light. The lower leaves will usually start drooping first.
If you see any of these signs, you should move your snake plant outside for a few weeks. With enough light, the plant might proliferate again.
Is my snake plant getting too much sun
Although snake plant thrives in brightly lit environments, too much sunlight might be detrimental to them. Some of these signs of too much light can be found on a snake plant:
- Yellow or brown leaves
- Leaves start drooping
- Dry and cracky soil
- Scorched leaf
Using sheer curtains or blinds may help you as well as moving them to a different location.
Many people think that watering insufficiently is the cause of the above problems, but that is not always the case. Snake plants sometimes have problems with too much light.
Clipping the yellow leaves would be ideal, so that your snake plant can produce more growth hormone. By concentrating on healthy foliage and new growth, the plant can focus more on new growth.
Can snake plants grow in low light?
Your snake plant will grow slowly if exposed to low lighting conditions, but it can still grow.
One terrific trick that I use to keep a snake plant alive at my office desk that receives very low light is to keep rotating it.
If I have a snake plant at my desk for 20-25 days, then I move the plant to my living room for a period of one-two weeks and bring the snake plant back to my desk.
Rotating them according to the needs of my plants is what I do. The snake plant will do well even if light conditions aren’t ideal if you rotate it with another plant of the same size.
What if my room has no windows?
Any beginner will find it impossible to grow any houseplant without natural light. You will find that some people do be successful with it, but finding a way to supplement the light either naturally or artificially would be necessary.
Are you saying that the snake plant will eventually give up if you’re in a room with no windows? You can still grow them. I would recommend buying a grow light for them.
I rotate my plants outdoors from time to time if I see that my plants are not growing properly.
There is hope in low lighting conditions, and these fantastic bulbs have changed how I view growing plants.
How many hours of sunlight do snake plants need?
These plants require at least 8-10 hours of bright lighting daily. The more, the better for your snake plant. These plants will adjust to a variety of lighting conditions and intensity.
So they can be placed at a spot that receives a little less light, and you will likely be surprised with their profound growth.
Final Thoughts
Snake plants are strong and versatile. Lighting and watering are two crucial factors which be sure to remember. They are very forgiving and really hard to exterminate.
If you provide your snake plants with adequate light and water, they will still thrive even if you don’t have the right temperature and humidity.
It does not matter how much or how little lighting you give your snake plants. Plants that receive too much light will burn their leaves, while too little light will result in droopy leaves and slower growth. Therefore, finding the right balance is crucial for a growing plant.
My hope is that I have discussed all your questions regarding the lighting requirements for snake plants. If you think it is helpful share it with friends & family.
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