Growing snake plants is one of the easiest things you can do. Snake plants are easy to maintain, so if you have had little success growing houseplants in the past, try them. But what if you want to grow them in your backyard?
A good drainage system is necessary if you plan to plant snake plants in the ground. The reason for this is that too much water could cause them to rot and die. Because snake plants have thick cuticles, they do well in arid conditions since they do not dry out.
We will discuss how to plant your snake plants in the ground, how to care for them, and how to ensure their success in this article.
Snake Plants, What Are They?
There are a variety of snake plants available, including Sansevierias and mother-in-law’s tongues. African, South Asian, and Madagascar are home to these beautiful evergreens.
In suitable conditions, snake plants are also hardy succulents that can live for decades. Their photosynthesis, called Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM), allows them to survive both drought and heat. The owl absorbs carbon dioxide during the day and releases oxygen at night.
By closing their stomata during the day, they conserve water, and by opening them at night, they store CO2. The following day, the plants use the stored acid for photosynthetic needs.
Snake plants come in more than 70 different species. Green, tall leaves are the most common feature of snake plants. Their height ranges from 3 – 4 feet (0.9 – 1.2 meters). The leaves of mother-in-law’s tongue typically have gold borders.
Although snake plants produce tiny flowers, they are mostly grown for their foliage. Their native environment produces berries when the flowers are in bloom. In contrast, you won’t have this problem if you plant them indoors since they need moths to pollinate.
Since snake plants are tropical plants, they are sensitive to cold temperatures. It is preferable for them to live in warm temperatures, and they dislike frost or snow. Its ideal temperature ranges from 70 – 900F (21.1 – 32.20C).
Do Snake Plants Have Benefits?
There are many benefits to snake plants. Here are a few of them:
- By removing toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene, they improve air quality
- Fiber used to make rope and other products
- They are ideal bedroom plants since they release oxygen at night
Planting Snake Plants in the Ground
Snake plants may have similar needs – such as the right soil – but every growing environment is different. Thus, some adjustments may be needed. As a result, snake plants fare well even when neglected, so they’re great for frequent travelers.
If your soil is clay, your plants will not grow. Snake plants grow best in well-drained soils (like sandy soils). Plant them in raised beds to get around this problem.
Generally, they need more light when planted outdoors, but can grow under light shade as well. Even so, if you intend to plant mother-in-law’s tongue, plant it in a sunny spot so it can show off its gold borders. Generally, plants with insufficient light are dull, weak, and spindly.
Dividing Snake Plants
In spite of their ability to grow from seeds, snake plants tend to spread through rhizomes. The roots form a large mass below the soil, from which the leaves emerge. This activity is best done in the spring.
The steps are as follows:
- Rhizomes should be divided with sharp scissors. Make sure the section you remove has healthy leaves growing from it.
- After letting it dry for a day, replant it in well-drained soil.
- After planting, wait a few days before watering.
You can also propagate snake plants from leaf cuttings. Slice the leaves into 2 – 3-inch (5 – 7.6 cm) pieces and plant them 1 inch deep (2.54 cm) in a well-draining soil. Make sure the cuttings are bottom-up. Once they have developed roots, they can be transplanted to their own pot or location in your garden.
A snake plant’s aggressive roots can cause it to spread unchecked. Additionally, they grow quickly in ample sunlight, so they need to be divided annually.
Snake Plant Growing From Seeds
Snake plant seeds are hard to find, and they will normally only go to seed if they are grown outdoors. When propagating by seed, you might also have difficulty obtaining your desired leaf shape or color.
However, their seeds can still be used fresh. Make sure the soil is moist and well-drained. Seedlings will appear in 3 – 6 weeks. You can also germinate your seeds by placing them in a damp paper towel, then keeping them in a Ziploc bag. Keep the temperature between 65 and 750F (18 and 23.80C). Within a day or two, the seeds should sprout. Seeds should be transplanted into soil gently.
The spacing between your plants should vary between 6 and 36 inches (15.2 cm) according to your desired effect. The smaller varieties make excellent ground cover plants, but typical snake plants tend to take over large parts of your garden.
Snake plants may also suffer from weeds if they grow upright. The reason for this is that their skinny leaves do not provide adequate shading, which means that weeds can grow. Use mulch to keep weeds down or pull them out as soon as they appear.
Why Your Snake Plant Isn’t Growing
It isn’t unusual for snake plants to take longer than expected to grow; they are not among the fastest-growing plants.
Still, a number of factors could hinder growth. Here are some examples:
- Dark brown roots could indicate either waterlogging or drowning if they’re mushy and dark rather than tan
- Spotty or rotted leaves are caused by overwatering or fungus
- In addition to causing unsightly holes on the leaves, slugs also damage the roots
- In order to have bright, green leaves, you need more water
- Plants that are infested with pests such as mealybugs and spider mites shed leaves and suffer small wounds
Provide enough water for your snake plants to resolve most of these problems. Avoid fungal issues as they can cause wilting and eventually death of your snake plants.
Always ensure that the leaves are dry and that the water is not too much.
Taking Care of Snake Plants
Snake plants are quite easy to care for, even if you don’t have a green thumb. Following are a few tips to follow:
Watering
To prevent root rot and fungus, don’t overwater your plants. Water is only necessary to keep the soil around the plant moist. You should again wait until the soil is completely dry before watering.
Pruning
Snake plants do not require any pruning, so they are a good choice for growing. You can, however, use the small new growths from the base to form new plants.
Keep the plants moist until the roots appear in the soil. Before planting the cuttings, allow the roots to grow to 1 – 2 inches (2.5 – 5 cm). In four to six weeks, you will have thriving plants.
The Safety Precautions
Because snake plants can be toxic if eaten, keep children and pets away from them. Rarely, some people may also experience an allergic reaction.
Sun Exposure
Snake plants need about 6 to 8 hours of sunlight every day if they are grown outdoors. This allows their colors to get more vivid. However, they are quite forgiving and can withstand full sun as well as shady conditions.
Fertilizer
Snake plants can be fed with mild cactus fertilizer or all-purpose plant food, though this is not essential. Winter is not the time to apply fertilizer since the plants aren’t active.
Plant some snake plants in your garden now that you know everything about planting snake plants.