Beginners, as well as people who aren’t used to spending too much time caring for plants, should consider snake plants. Snake plant watering requirements are also not too complicated, but can become messy if not observed for a prolonged period of time. You are required to understand the watering requirements of snake plants and water them correctly.
If the snake plant water feels dry, you need to water it thoroughly. You should avoid having a fixed schedule of watering snake plants. Watering snake plants depends on various factors such as temperature, humidity and light availability. Snake plants need a lot of water, regardless of what type of pot they are in.
The important factor to remember when watering the snake plant, watering schedule, and care becomes easier to understand.
Here, we will cover everything related to taking care of the snake plant. Let us read further and come up with a routine that suits your snake plant’s needs.
When to water snake plants?
Watering snake plants, or any other houseplants, depends a great deal on the season in which they are grown.
Summer
Snake plants require relatively more water during summers. Due to the strong light and high temperatures, these times of the year are a great time for photography.
It is important to avoid overwatering snake plants in any case, as they are sensitive to excess water. Only water the soil when it needs it during summer.
It is important to check the soil before watering snake plants as they tend to get dry fast due to the intense sunlight.
Winter
Watering during winter is less necessary since the sun, temperature and humidity will be low, and the soil will remain moist for a longer period of time.
Winter is the dormant season, so snake plants also rest, and with good care routines, they go slow. You should water your snake plants twice a month in the winter.
How to tell if snake plant needs water?
Plants cannot communicate verbally, but they do give signals to indicate when something is needed. Depriving the plant of adequate food, water, or shelter for a prolonged period may result in weakening of the plants nutritional needs.
A snake plant will show signs of needing water by its leaves and soil. Underwatered snake plants also show signs of needing water.
Water is needed in the following ways:
Dry soil
A slight color change will appear in the snake plant soil if it is completely dried. When the soil is the slightest bit dry, it is 95% grey, which is normal.
But when the soil appears 100% grey or light brown, it needs water. By looking at the soil color, you can tell it needs water.
In addition, you can also use the moisture meter if you are uncertain whether the soil is moist or dry. When the moisture meter indicates a level of 3 or 4, this indicates dry soil.
Although snake plants can be left dry, even if the meter goes below that, it is okay to water them as soon as they need water.
Soil pulling away from the edge on the top
Snake plants pull away from their sides when they are allowed to dry out too much from dehydration. They will look too dry and, as a result, look dry from the top.
The roots are also dehydrated in such conditions. They crave for moisture inside and outside. If a plant is neglected, it could become underwatered and overexposed to light. If a planter continues to do things the same way blindly, it will suffer.
For example, when you water the snake plant, let’s say once every week, you might disregard the fact that their soil is drying out fast due to the temperature and their exposure to too much sun. Water is necessary to keep them moist in this state.
Put a dish on the bottom of the pot which you will keep on the dish and fill it with water.
After about an hour, remove the pot and place it in its new location. This will significantly increase the moisture level of the plant.
Brown crisp foliage
As the leaves drop moisture and subsequently turn brown, the snake plant is underwatering. It is due to the lack of water that I think it is hard for these leaves to stay crisp, glossy, and green.
Keep in mind that snake plants need proper light, temperature, and moisture, so if under-watered, they will dry out even more.
If the other factors change as well, then the outcome may be worse since everything is out of balance. Plant leaves turn brown and crisp as they remain dehydrated, making them appear ugly.
Make sure to water your snake plant as and when necessary and don’t keep it directly under the sun on sunny days.
Droopy, curling leaves
Water or underwater plants have drooping or curling leaves. The leaves tend to droop when the plant is thirsty due to a lack of moisture in the leaves.
Rather than under-watered plants, signs of drooping leaves can indicate over-watered plants that must be checked as soon as possible. Your plant will let you know if it is being overwatered or underwatered since you water it.
If you reverse the watering routine, you can check whether it is watering that is the issue. Do not follow anyone’s routine.
Each plant has different watering requirements; two snake plants placed in two different places within the same home will have to be watered differently.
It is important to understand what is best for your snake plant, in order to prevent water stress.
Bonus Tip:
Any of the following ways can be used to determine soil moisture:
- Visual observation:
By simply looking at the soil, you can tell if it’s dry, light colored, and compacted because it needs water.
- Finger/skewer:
You will need to dig your finger or a skewer deeply into the soil using this method. Pull out the soil if you do not see it sticking to your fingers or skewer after pulling it out, then it is dry.
- Moisture meter:
As with the finger method, with a moisture meter inserted into the soil, check when the degree of dryness shows 2-3.
- Wet pot:
The soil moisture can be determined by touching the pot’s bottom if you are using a terracotta pot. When you feel damp, the soil is still moist or see the shade of the bottom of the pot; if the pot is dark, the soil is still moist.
- Lifting pot:
To check if the weight difference is acceptable for small pots, lift the pot.
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