What is a snake plant? How to care for snake plant indoors? Snake plants are among the easiest indoor plants to grow due to their spiky, sculptural leaves and low-maintenance requirements. It is easy for them to adapt to new locations and conditions with minimal attention. Growing and caring for snake plants is essential to ensuring that they remain healthy and spiky. You’ll be on your way to snake plant success if you follow these basic steps.
Snake Plant Varieties
Snake plants come in low-growing nest-like forms as well as tall spikes. The snake plant is native to arid regions of Africa, with variable light conditions. Sansevieria was the botanical name of these attractive plants until recently, but scientists have reclassified the group. Currently, snake plants are classified under the genus Dracaena. Sansevieria is still known as the common name of the plant by many, including plant professionals.
The options are numerous when it comes to choosing snake plants for indoors. You’re free to explore any snake plant that suits your needs. The following types of snake plants are among the most popular:
The common snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) has sword-like, sword-like leaves with a greyish-green stripe and sharp leaf tips.
Its thick, narrow, maroon-tinted leaves have bright yellow margins. Variegated snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata ‘Laurentii’) gets its name from its thick, narrow leaves.
The bird’s nest snake plant (Dracaena trifasciati ‘Hahnii’) is a dwarf form that grows less than 6 inches tall. In the form of a nest-like rosette, the leaves are short and spikey.
Silver snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata ‘Moonshine’) is also known as the moonshine snake plant. Silver-green leaves adorn its ethereal appearance.
There is a cylindrical snake plant (Dracaena cylindrica) that has rounded, cylinder-shaped leaves instead of flattened sword-shaped leaves. Round leaves are characteristic of cylindrical snake plants.
There are many benefits associated with snake plants. NASA and university researchers have shown that these plants filter pollutants from the air. Be aware that snake plants are toxic to dogs and cats. Teach your pets to avoid houseplants and not to chew or eat the leaves of any plant. You should contact your vet if your pet consumes snake plant leaves.
What Is The Best Soil For Indoor Snake Plants?
Cactus or succulents do well in well-draining soil. How to care for snake plant indoors? For succulent plants like snake plants, I use a special succulent soil (see recipe for succulent soil). I also use a lightweight houseplant soil enriched with peat moss and perlite. The two items can be bought separately. It is important to remember that snake plants are succulents, so heavy soil will not be suitable for them.
Neglecting snake plants, according to some people, is beneficial to them. Although they thrive with little care, that is an exaggeration. Keep their arid African roots in mind when caring for them, and you’ll be halfway there. Potting soil should always be coarse and fast-draining, and containers should have holes for drainage.
How To Care For Snake Plant Indoors
Following are a few simple requirements for snake plants:
Lighting – Snake plants do well in a wide range of light intensity levels but should be avoided in extremes. They tolerate poor light and prolonged shade, but they prefer strong, filtered light. Warm, sunny locations protected from direct hot sun are ideal.
Water – Since snake plants are very drought tolerant, it is rare to see them underwater. Overwatering, however, can lead to root rot. The soil should not be watered more than three inches deep throughout the growing season. After that, rinse thoroughly with water. Only water your leaves as necessary to keep them firm and evenly colored during winter.
Fertilizer – Snake plants are native to poor rocky soil, so avoid overfertilizing. When fed once each spring, a premium plant food such as all purpose plant food provides your snake plant with all the primary, secondary, and micronutrients it needs. Then it continues to feed for up to four months.
Plant Repotting – Snake plants grow slowly and rarely need repotting. It’s time to repot your container when leaves have overflowed or roots are emerging from drainage holes.
Snake plants can be propagated during repotting. Propagating by division is the easiest method. To split the root ball, gently pull the roots apart. As soon as the roots grow, you will have new plants to nurture following this guide of how to care for snake plant indoors, or share these new grown pups with friends. Starting new snake plants is simple when you divide roots and repot.