(In-Depth Guide) How Much And How Often to Water Snake Plants #2

Size of the Plant

Larger plants may need more water because they transpire more. Watering may need to be done more frequently with leaves that are larger.

Type of Pot

The amount of water your Snake Plant requires depends on the kind of pot it is placed in.

Using a plastic pot or a glazed pot, for example, will prevent water from evaporating through the sides.

Because terracotta pots are porous, they lose some of the water they hold thanks to evaporation through the walls.

Planting in a porous pot is not out of the question. Many of my favorite houseplants look great in their terracotta pots.

The ground must be tested regularly and watered accordingly to minimize moisture lost.

Size of The Pot

There will be more space for soil in a pot that is considerably larger than the root ball, which will allow more moisture to be retained in the container when wet.

The risk of overwatering increases when the container is very large since a significant part of the potting soil is not covered by roots.

As a result, your snake plant will need to be watered in accordance with the size of the container.

Watering plants with a reduced amount of water might seem like a convenient way to reduce your watering duties. However, this is not always the case.

Snake Plants do not like having wet feet as this can lead to root rot and all sorts of other water-related problems. Many of these issues can prove fatal if not rectified quickly.

The Snake Plant prefers to be enclosed in tight pots and should only be repotted if it is absolutely necessary.

Plants that are root-bound will only produce the flowers we mentioned earlier.

For repotting, choose a pot that is one size bigger than the one that your plant has outgrown as a starting point.

Several snake plants have grown to be too large for their pots. When this happens, all of the water you provide simply runs right through the pot, without having any effect.

It’s not the roots that retain moisture, but the potting mix. When the root ball fills the pot to the brim, it may look and behave like it’s being underwatered, even if you are soaking it frequently.

Roots poking through drainage holes and trying to pull out over the brim of the pot are also signs to watch for.

Sick snake plants need less water

If you find brown spots, root rots, or yellow, soft snake plants, you should cease watering and use treatment.

Plants tend to use less water when sick because diseases slow down the physiological processes in the plant.

During this point, I tried to describe all the important factors that determine how often to water snake plants as well as other plants in the house.

We will now share some information so you will know if your plant needs water or if it has been overwatered.

Watering the Golden Rule

The water you use on your Snake Plant should be applied in a precise way, as there are a few rules you need to follow.

The Snake Plant will not necessarily suffer as a result of one or two of them being broken every now and then, but if you stick to them for a period of time, it will reap many rewards.

Maintain Evenly Moist Soil

Avoid getting your plant’s roots soggy by dampening them for several days, followed by drying them for another few days.

You do this by learning how to read the soil and water properly.

Let the soil dry between waterings.

Those plants that cannot stand to encounter dry soil will begin to wilt and become floppy.

This is not the case with Snake Plants. They like to dry out their roots before being watered, and they thrive when that happens.

Early morning water or late evening water

Watering is best done early in the morning or late in the afternoon after the temperature has started to drop.

There is less transpiration at these times because there is less evaporation taking place.

As a result, it is permitted to absorb more water since it is not competing against heat.

Do not water the leaves

If the leaves are wet, they provide a breeding ground for plant diseases and particularly fungi which thrive in damp conditions.

This problem can be easily avoided if the nozzle is aimed at the top of the soil with a small watering can.

Plants may need to be washed for various reasons, such as getting them clean or removing pests.

The best way to do this is to take it outside on a warm day and carefully mist it with tepid water.

You should do this early in the day, and then place the carpet in an open, bright position out of direct sunlight for a few minutes until it is completely dry. Only then should you move it back indoors.

Make sure water reaches the roots

Whenever you water, give a thorough soaking rather than just a few drops at a time. By doing this, the roots will have a better opportunity to benefit from sudden moisture.

Just be sure the water does not get stuck in the pot or in the saucer when you apply it.

Water must also be filtered, or harvested rainwater must be used, and it must be tepid.

Avoid Water Logging

The most dangerous thing for a Snake Plant to be exposed to is waterlogged soil. To avoid this, ensure that the container has adequate drainage holes at the bottom.

This water will become waterlogged if it cannot drain away. 

Then, water your plant thoroughly and stand it in a way that it can drain freely. Many people tend to water in the saucer of the plant, but this is dangerous.

In the event that the plant saucer fills up, the water drainage will be drastically reduced until the excess water has evaporated from the saucer.

Whenever possible, remove your plant from its saucer after it has been watered, and then water it in a sink or basin and place it back into it after it has completely drained.

Drainage Soil

You should never have an issue with waterlogging if your plant has the proper drainage holes and the correct size pot. Water-retentive potting soil is the only exception.

Free-draining soils are very hard to waterlog. This has been discussed in the past, but it bears repeating.

Conclusions

Snake plants don’t require frequent watering, so you need to figure out how often to water it.

Please read this article carefully and realize that there is much confusion out there regarding watering frequency.

Thus, you should have no problems with your Snake Plant if you check it often in order to prevent problems.

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