A snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue makes an excellent houseplant for a home or office. In general, snake plants are known as Sansevieria Trifasciata (Dracaena Trifasciata), but there are a large number of varieties and cultivars of this plant. The genus Sansevieria contains more than 70 different species. The leaves of each are unique, tough, and breathtaking. While snake plants have different visual features, they mainly share the same favorable conditions for growth. Their origins are all tropical African or south Asian. You can learn how to take care of Sansevieria Trifasciata in this post.
The Sansevieria trifasciata comes in a variety of forms. There are also dwarf cultivars such as Sansevieria hahnii that are very popular. They are all drought-tolerant and hardy. Temperatures range from low to high, and they can thrive in low to bright light. Generally, they are very low-maintenance.
Uses and Benefits
As ornamental plants indoors, snake plants are widely used. New gardeners are recommended to grow them because they are easy to care for, have a slow growth rate and beautiful leaves.
Besides its beautiful appearance, the snake plant offers some interesting benefits.
- Air pollution is absorbed by it, making it a natural air purifier. There are toxins present in many household products including formaldehyde, toluene, and benzene. These chemicals can be absorbed by snake plants to a certain extent.
- In Chinese culture, snake plants are considered lucky plants. In Feng Shui, they are believed to bring good fortune and protection. It is also said that they bring eight virtues into the home.
- During the night, snake plants release oxygen, helping people sleep better. A plant like this is perfect for keeping in a bedroom because of its ability to provide shade.
- Allergic reactions are reduced by these devices.
Growth Rate and Size
In optimal growing conditions, Sansevieria Trifasciata can reach a height of six feet. Growing upright and not spreading much, it grows upright. It is normal for top widths to range from two to three feet. Leaves are long, fleshy, and pointed toward the ends of the plant. Plant growth is aided by bright sunlight (for 12-16 hours) and space for the roots to spread. An indoor snake plant, however, is less likely to grow that large.
For the plant to remain healthy, pruning is necessary every two or three years. The plant can also grow naturally if you let it. A repotting will be required after a few years in that instance. Snake plants are usually dormant during the winter. During warmer months, they grow actively. The flowering season is from late winter to spring.
Soil
Plant health depends on choosing the right soil. It’s recommended to use a soil that is coarse and well drained for snake plants. Snake plants need an easy-to-drain soil because overwatering is a major problem. Snake plants shouldn’t spend too much time sitting in water soaked soil. A long period of time could lead to root rot.
Snake plants do well with a potting mix made for tropical plants or succulents and cacti. Also, you can make a DIY potting mix if you have regular soil. If drainage is poor, add some perlite, gravel, or sand. Add coir or peat to the soil mix so that moisture is retained without making it dense. If soil needs to be replaced, do so. During nutrient depletion or an infection near the soil surface.
Pot
Your snake plant will look great in a good pot. Indoors, ceramic, plastic and terracotta pots are popular. It is possible to choose wooden, metal, or glass pots. Pots made of concrete are nice, but they can be heavy.
Functionality is more important than aesthetics in a pot. Inspect the drainage holes most carefully. Plants should be potted in proportion to their size. Plants growing in snake containers don’t grow fast, so filling the container will take a long time.
Using a smaller container inside the holeless pot will allow you to continue using it. Set a drainage plate on top of the inner pot and place the snake plant there. Be sure to drain the water from your plant after watering.
Water
Snake plants do not need to be watered frequently. Overwatering is a very common problem in snake plants. Mushy leaves can be a sign of root rot, which can even kill a plant.
Snake plants should typically be watered once or twice a week. Plant size and environmental conditions will determine how often and how much water your plants need. In humid and cold weather, watering is not necessary. It may be necessary to water your plants more frequently in dry tropical areas.
- You should check the soil condition before watering your snake plant. You should be able to touch the dry soil. Let it dry for a few days if it’s still a little damp.
- When watering, avoid watering the leaves directly. Ensure that the soil is thoroughly soaked. It is a succulent plant, so don’t just add a little water.
- Once the water has been drained, let it completely dry. The water can be collected in a drainage plate and thrown away, or you can do this over a sink.
- If the leaves have water on them, clean them. They can also be dried by blowing air.
- Water only once a month during the winter months. Plants can sometimes go for several months without needing water. Avoid frost on the leaves, as it can permanently damage them. You should water during the day so that the excess water evaporates easily. Never drink water during extremely cold winter nights.
Check out this snake plant watering guide for more information.
Sunlight
Regardless of how much light is available, snake plants are able to thrive. Snake plants can be placed almost anywhere in your home. Do not, however, place yourself in too dark an area. The leaves will slowly change color if the light is too low. It can also stunt the growth of plants.
You should place your snake plant on a window sill or in a brightly lit room. You can choose north- or south-facing windows. Indirect sunlight is good for plants. Put it where the morning sun will shine on it. Protect the plant from harsh afternoon sunlight, however. Sunlight is not a necessity. Even bright LED bulbs or house lamps will grow snake plants.
The Temperature
Indoor snake plants do not have a problem with temperature. You can tell if your plant is healthy if you feel comfortable with the temperature in your home. Snake plants grow best at normal room temperatures. A temperature range of 60-75°F (15-24°C) is considered ideal. Even so, snake plants are capable of tolerating fluctuations.
Be sure to check the temperature during winter if the plants are kept in a greenhouse. Plants that live in hotter temperatures are better suited to withstand cold temperatures. During harsh winters, water your plants carefully. A heavy cloth should be used if the temperature drops below 50°F (10°C). This will help to retain some warmth.
Pests
Even though snake plants can survive on a little neglect, this does not mean you can completely ignore them. Snake plants can attract insects and bacteria if they are not properly cared for. Its thick, fleshy leaves provide protection against some insects and physical harm. A warmer climate can, however, promote the spread of pests. A snake plant’s enemies include mealybugs, spider mites, and thrips.
It is a tough and hardy plant. If a snake plant gets infected, it is probably still salvageable. It is possible to prevent pest attacks by cleaning your leaves once in a while, keeping the leaves and roots dry and providing your plant with enough light and water.
Diseases
As well as good light and water conditions, healthy plants are less likely to become ill. A snake plant’s leaves can become yellow, mushy, and soggy when overwatered. A swollen root can turn black and begin to rot. Conversely, dehydration causes leaves to turn brown. As leaves dry, they will eventually die.
A plant that has been overwatered will suffer from fungal diseases as well. On the leaves or on the soil surface, fungi can grow. Therefore, keep the leaves dry, ensure proper drainage, and have a good air circulation.
Fertilizer
Snake plants do not need to be fertilized often. Three to four times a year is a good amount for the plant. During or just before growth season is the best time to do this. From early spring to summer.
It is recommended that you use a diluted liquid fertilizer at half strength. During spring and summer, it can be applied every month. You can also add some fungicide to the soil to prevent fungal infections.
Fertilizer shouldn’t be added in some cases.
- In the winter, do not fertilize your plants. Even without the stress of winter, snake plants are already stressed. Most of them are dormant. Fertilizers can cause unnecessary stress.
- Plants in their early stages do not need fertilizer. A newly purchased plant needs some time to become accustomed to its new environment.
- After propagation, do not fertilize seedlings. Plants need at least one month to adjust to soil after they are repotted.
- Natural fertilizers shouldn’t be overused either. Use worm compost or cow dung sparingly as fertilizers. It can be thrown into the mix of potting soil.
Flowers
It is quite rare to see snake plants produce flowers. Plants can bloom every year, while others don’t flower for decades. Spring is the most common time for it to occur. Sadly, this happens every year. Blooming seems to be encouraged by bright light conditions.
Snake plants are characterized by their long, vertical flower stalks. On this stalk, small white flowers appear in bunches. Their shape is similar to a lily, and they can have green or pinkish tones. Especially at night, the flowers have a pleasant smell that is not inconspicuous.
Propagation
Using snake plant seeds is difficult. Creating new plants from parts of an existing plant is a great way to propagate it. Additionally, this can be done with just water or soil. By dividing the roots of a plant, you can propagate it quickly.
- You must remove the plant from its container in order to propagate a plant by division.
- Look for natural separation points between roots and rhizomes.
- Slice the plant in half with a sharp, sterilized knife. Depending on the size of the plant, more than two sections may be needed.
- Each section should be repotted separately. Make sure you thoroughly water them. It wasn’t long before you had numerous plants.
The propagation of plants through leaves is another method. Nevertheless, this process will cause the offspring to lose variegation. A leaf cutting is needed if you want to grow new plants from it.
- Slice a healthy, long leaf into 3-4-inch sections.
- Plant each section base-side down in the soil or water. To ensure the formation of roots, the orientation of the roots is extremely important.
- Under the soil or water, the cuttings must be at least an inch deep.
- The soil should be watered appropriately and any water that has propagated should be replaced with fresh water.
- Once roots begin to grow from the cutting, wait a month.
- Plant the roots in soil after they grow 2 inches long.
Repotting
Plant overgrowth can be prevented by repotting your snake plant. It also makes the plant look neat and tidy in a new bigger container. Usually this needs to be done every 2-3 years. Repotting makes the plant stronger by encouraging a healthy root growth.
Repotting your snake plant involves the following steps:
- It is important to choose a container that is the right size. The new pot should be at least one inch larger in diameter than the old one.
- The bottom of the casing should be filled with pebbles to cover drainage holes. Over the soil, put another layer.
- Put your plant in a new pot after removing it from its old one. Once you have the soil mix in the container, fill the remainder with it.
- After watering, allow the soil to dry thoroughly before watering the plant again.
Maintenance and Grooming
Typically, snake plants do not spread wildly because of their slow growth rate. Consequently, their cleaning needs are fewer and less frequent. They’ll look fine if you don’t groom them for months. To maintain a healthy appearance, you can remove dead or damaged leaves from the base of the plant.
You will need to trim your snake plant if you wish it to remain the same size. You can prune a snake plant by one third of its original size. This can be done every 2-3 years.