Snake plants are among the best plants to grow indoors because of their spiky and sculptural leaves and minimal requirements. Maintenance and care are not required and they adapt well to new locations and conditions. In order to make sure they are at their best, it is important to understand how to grow them and how to care for them. The purpose of this post is to provide information on how to grow them indoors.
Best Snake Plants for Indoors
Snake plants are native to West Africa’s tropical regions, where the light is variable and the humidity is low. Planning snake plants might be a great idea for your place if it shares the same characteristics.
Snake plants used to be known by the botanical name Sansevieria. Everything, however, has changed. It is now classified under the genus Dracaena. Nevertheless, many people still refer to them as Sansevieria.
Several options are available to you if you are planning to grow snake plants indoors. Considering that each variation has similar requirements, you are free to choose the one you prefer. Here are some of the most popular snake plants you can choose from:
- Dracaena trifastiata, commonly called snake plant, has erect and sword-shaped leaves. Additionally, it has horizontal grey-gren stripes and sharp leaf tips.
- Variegated snake plants have thick, narrow, and mottled green leaves with bright yellow leaf margins, known as Dracaena trifasciati Laurentii.
- Dracaena trifasciata Hahnii, or bird’s nest snake plant, is the one that is small. As it stays under 6 inches tall, it is also called the dwarf form. The short and spiky leaves form a rosette that looks like a nest.
- Silver snake plant, or Moonshine snake plant, is also known as Dracaena trifasciata Moonshine. The leaves are pale silver-green and ethereal.
- The cylindrical snake plant, or Dracaena cylindrica, has rounded leaves instead of sword-like leaves.
How to Care for Snake Plants Indoors
There is a popular belief that says that the snake plants do best when they are neglected. That’s actually not that true. While it is true that they do not need much maintenance and care, they do need a very little care. Here are the requirements to take care a good care of them:
Lighting
Snake plants adapt well to light extremes, but it is best for you to avoid them if you want best results. Light with strong and filtered qualities is best for them, but they are not bothered by low light and prolonged shade. Ideally, the best spot is one that is sunny, warm, and protected from the direct heat of the sun.
Watering
Drought is not a problem for snake plants since they come from tropical places. Overwatering will cause the roots to rot, so they shouldn’t be overwatered. During the summer growing season, water them only when the soil looks dry about 3 inches deep. During the winter, you can water only when they are needed to keep the leaves looking good and firm, or you can use the sprayer.
Fertilizer
As with overwatering, overfertilizing is not recommended for snake plants, knowing they come from poor soil.
Repotting
Snake plants grow slowly, so you don’t need to repot them often. Re-potting is best done when the container is overflowing with leaves or roots from the drainage holes. In order to reduce transplant shock, it is recommended that you give the newly repotted plants the fertilizer mentioned above as it is full of nutrients.
Propagating
It has long been known that repotting snake plants is the best way to start new ones, while division is the easiest way to propagate them. By gently pulling the roots of the plants apart, you can divide the root ball. Afterwards, you can plant the rooted rosettes and now you have new ones to take care of or to give to your loved ones.
Some Solutions to Problems with Snake Plants
Snake plants that don’t grow well as you wish are not a cause for concern. They are known for their toughness and endurance as they originate from extreme weather. Replacing snake plants can be accomplished by following a few simple steps:
Yellow Leaves
An overwatered plant displays this symptom. They should be allowed to dry out and watered regularly. Do not forget to pick up dead leaves at the base of the tree.
Root Rot
The leaves with healthy roots can be replanted in fresh soil and the rest of the leaves can be thrown away.
Brown Tips
Several things can cause this, including improper watering, sunburn, exposure to cold, and many others. In order to correct yourself, you only need to go through the plant care checklist.
Snake Plant Leaves Falling Over
There is nothing necessarily wrong with this one. Plants may open when they need repotting or more light. You can proceed if that is the case. When the leaves are collapsing, advanced root rot may be to blame. In order to resolve everything, you must examine the roots and work on the issue accordingly.
The snake plant can be pruned by using sharp shears on healthy and firm leaves in order to make everything look natural. Trim away the tips that are discolored or damaged. When the tips of the leaves are cut or broken, the leaves stop growing.