Matching a plant with an equally beautiful pot is undeniably satisfying. An attractive feature of snake plants (Sansevieria Trifasciata), also known as Mother-in-law’s tongue, is their dazzling upright leaves and evergreen colors. It’s also crucial to choose the right plant pot for a particular plant. Find out how to pair your snake plant with a gorgeous and convenient pot.
For raising a healthy plant, choosing the perfect pot might not be as important as other factors, but it certainly has its advantages.
A plant’s characteristics determine the type of container it needs. While some plants may dry out the soil quickly, others won’t. Repotting is necessary for some species due to their rapid growth. The type of foliage is also important. Hanging planters look great with trailing plants.
Choosing snake plant containers and pots has a few major considerations. We’ll go through them one by one.
Make Sure You Know Before You Buy
Is it Necessary to Repot the Snake Plant?
Depending on the situation. Depending on their size, age, and pot size, snake plants need to be repotted every two to three years. The best thing you can do for your plant is to repot it. It’s a good little project, as well as good for your health. Plants grow healthier and stronger with it. The repotting of a snake plant can be done step-by-step by clicking here.
A new plant should also be replanted when it is bought. A new sapling is usually overgrown by the time it is purchased and comes in plastic grow containers. From the greenhouse, the newly bought plants look fresh and full. A lack of repotting, however, will result in the plants dying. Pot-size increases are not always necessary when repotting.
When you repot your plant, you can also add new potting mix, or replace the old soil. By replacing the old depleted soil with a new soil mix, you can restore the soil’s nutritional value.
Does the Pot Need to be Drained?
Without a doubt. Snake plants require proper drainage of water. Plants growing in mother-in-law’s tongue are prone to overwatering, which causes the roots to rot. Most varieties of Sansevieria fall into this category. With a little finesse, it’s possible to make pots without drainage work for some houseplants. In the case of snake plants, however, it’s always best to use a pot with drainage. I will explain in a later section how to find the right type of pot that will provide good drainage.
Where Do You Want To Keep it?
It is also important to consider the location of the snake plant. How much pot maintenance will it require if it’s outdoor? To withstand extreme weather outside, does it have to be extra durable? As an ornamental plant, you could keep the plant in your living room. You may need a decorative pot if you plan to place the snake plant on your desk or coffee table. Snake plants can grow up to five feet tall in some varieties. In a corner of a house, they look really nice. Make sure the pot can support the plant’s growth. For outdoor use and mature plants, larger pots are recommended.
Size Matters
For your snake plant to grow neatly without becoming ill, you must choose a pot of the right size. A new gardener, particularly, can find it challenging to choose the appropriate container size. You may find these guidelines helpful.
Select A Pot Size That is Comparable to the Plant
Despite the fact that many plants like some room to spread out, too much or too little space can cause issues. The soil in a large pot dries slowly, and holds onto moisture for a long time. Too much time in water can cause a plant to rot. In the end, it will cause root rot on your snake plant.
In contrast, a pot that’s too small can cause the soil to dry out quickly. The plant will need to be watered more frequently. Additionally, roots can become confined and stunted, resulting in your plant’s death. Snake plants commonly tip over when they are too large for their pots.
Consider Your Plant’s Growth Rate
You can use a pot of the same size that the plant is growing in for the new, smaller plants from the nursery. Repotting occurs when a plant has already outgrown its current pot. Therefore, choose a pot with a few inches more diameter. If your plants grow rapidly, choose a size that is 2-4 inches larger. Plants with a slow growth rate should be planted in pots that are 1-2 inches larger.
Snake plants are generally considered slow-growing plants. Snake plants that grow outdoors tend to grow a little faster than indoor plants. Additionally, dwarf Sansevieria varieties, including Sansevieria Trifasciata Hahnii, are typically not more than 6 inches wide.
Don’t Make Drastic Size Jumps
The plant can have problems if it is given too much space, as mentioned previously.ioned previously. Don’t go overboard and drastically increase the pot size. The plant will take a long time to spread out. In addition, it can increase your chances of overwatering the plant. Make the snake plant pots 1-2 inches larger than what they are now.
Don’t Forget the Root Depth
Deeper pots are needed for plants with large roots, while shallow pots are needed for plants with small roots. Based on the variety of Sansevieria you have, choose a pot. A rule of thumb is that large plants with big foliage develop deeper roots. Shallow pots are also suitable for smaller plants.
Roots and soil should be equally distributed.
You can check the roots length by removing the plant from its container.
Deciding the Pot Material
Pot materials have different functions and look. The materials used for pots can be found here.
Clay
In most places, terracotta or clay pots are readily available. Matching pots are easy to find with their standard shape. The porous nature of these pots allow them to drain water quickly and keep the soil well aerated. It is the perfect choice for snake plants. Their neutral color makes them look good.
The use of clay pots has some drawbacks. The heavier they are, the easier it is to shatter. In winter, they can crack.
Plastic
Plastic pots can be used in many different ways and are inexpensive. You can wash and reuse them. Different shapes and sizes of plastic pots are available. Hanging baskets are a good example of how they work well in cases where pot weight is a concern.
Plastic is impermeable, so no water can pass through. Unlike in terracotta pots, water cannot evaporate from the sides of snake plants. Plastic pots require holes for drainage. If the snake plant roots don’t start rotting soon, they will be dead in no time. Plastic pots are susceptible to fading in the sun.
Ceramic
The ceramic or glazed pots look great indoors. The pots are sturdy and great for small plants. They are big enough to keep plants from tipping over.
Ceramic isn’t as porous as terracotta. It’s important to keep an eye on the soil’s level of hydration. It is difficult to move large ceramic pots. The materials are more expensive than others.
Concrete
Concrete pots might work well with your decor. It’s a good idea to keep the soil temperature comfortable with concrete. It’s great for small indoor plants or large outdoor plants. Pots left outdoors are unaffected by weather changes. Without a single crack, they will survive the cold and hot summers.
Concrete pots are quite heavy. They can’t be used indoors for larger plants. Some types of concrete have different levels of porosity.
Wood
People use wood for planters and pots. It is easy to make wooden planters and pots from scrap wood. They look like they are from another time. Snake plants can benefit from wooden containers. It is important that they are made of rot- resistant woods.
Good quality containers can expand or shrink slightly. They are painted with a non-toxic clear varnish to protect them from rot and splintering.
Drainage Over Decor
When choosing a pot for your snake plant, make sure there are drainage holes. Plants that sit in water for long can rot. The excess water should be drained from the snake plant when it is dry.
You can drill small holes at the bottom of the pot if you have already got one. It is possible that it is not possible for all materials.
If you want to use a hole-less pot for decorative purposes, you could place a smaller pot with drainage holes inside. A saucer is used to hold the plant in the inner pot. The double-potting technique is related to this.
To avoid drilling altogether, use a cheap plastic container inside a pretty looking pot. Ensuring proper water drainage and keeping your snake plant healthy are two things it does.
There are different pots that come with a stand or drainage trays.
Design and Style
Pick the pot designs you want and place them in your office or home. Pick your room according to the style of it.
To complement a modern home decor, you can go for shiny ceramic. If you’re looking for a country style look, choose casual, rustic wood or concrete. You can decorate a terracotta or plastic container yourself. Paint, buttons, pebbles, shells, and decorative paper are some of the great options available.
You can choose out of the box pot materials such as metal, cane baskets and colorful glass to give your plant a unique touch. The pot could be made to stand out by using items like vintage boxes and cookie jars.
It is necessary to make sure that the pot doesn’t overshadow the plant.