Are you looking for what type of pot for snake plant? When it comes to snake plant pots, terra cotta pots are the best. Their natural ability to soak and dry water is impressive. This will enable the plants to grow and thrive. But they may not be available in all places. If that is so, then we have other options that can be an alternative to terra cotta.
In addition to these pots, there are others available in the market. The materials can range from plastic to ceramic. Nevertheless, you need to pay attention to whether a drainage hole or tray is included or not. Learn how to pair your snake plant with a beautiful and convenient pot.
Does The Pot Need Drainage?
Yes, definitely. It is extremely important for snake plants to have proper water drainage. Overwatering can cause the roots of mother in law’s tongue plants to rot. It applies to the majority of Sansevieria varieties. Pots without drainage are possible for some houseplants if everything is done correctly. However, snake plants should always be potted in drainable pots.
The Size Matters!
Choosing the right size pot for your snake plant will ensure that it grows well without getting sick. However, for new gardeners, choosing the right container size can be a little challenging. To help you with that, we’ve outlined some guidelines.
Match The Pot Size With The Plant Size
Some plants enjoy sprawling out, but too much or too little space can be problematic for them. In large pots, soil dries more slowly and holds onto moisture longer. When this happens, plants can spend too much time in the water. This will eventually lead to root rot on your snake plant.
In contrast, a pot that’s too small could result in the soil drying out quickly. There will be a need to water it more frequently. Further, your plant could become root-bound, resulting in stunted growth. When a snake plant is too large for its pot, it tends to fall over.
Consider The Growth Rate
When you purchase new plants from the nursery, use pots the same size as those in which they are growing. Plants are usually repotted when they have outgrown their original pot. Therefore, you should pick a pot with a larger diameter. If your plants grow quickly, choose the 2-4 inch larger size. If the plant is slow to grow, a pot that is 1-2 inches larger is recommended.
Snake plants generally grow slowly. The snake plants grown outside tend to grow more rapidly than those grown indoors. A dwarf Sansevieria variety, such as Sansevieria Trifasciata Hahnii, grows slowly and will rarely grow more than 6 inches wide.
Deciding The Pot Material
Another thing to consider before you decide what type of pot for snake plant, is the material. The material used to make pots differs not only in appearance but also in function. Take a look at some of the materials that are commonly used in pots.
Terracota Pots
The Terracotta pot or clay pot is a pretty common and readily available item in most places. Since pots of the same size and shape can easily be matched, it makes finding matching pots easy. The porous nature of these pots allows water to drain quickly, allowing well-aerated soil to thrive. Among snake plants, terracotta is the best choice due to this quality. They can offer beautiful patterns, and look excellent with their neutral color. Using clay pots has some disadvantages as well. Dropping them can cause them to shatter. In the winter, extremely low temperatures can crack them.
Plastic Pots
Pots made of plastic are versatile, colorful, lightweight and inexpensive. In addition to being widely available, they are also easily washable and reusable. There are various types, sizes, and designs of plastic pots. If weight is an issue, such as with hanging baskets, these baskets are an ideal solution.
Plastic does not let water pass through because it is completely impermeable. Snake plants cannot use the sides of the pots to evaporate water, like they can in terracotta vases. It is absolutely necessary for plastic pots to have drainage holes. If not, snake plant roots will rot in no time. As well as becoming brittle in the sunlight, the color of plastic pots fade in the sun.
Ceramic Pots
Most ceramic pots and glazed pots are used indoors since they look absolutely stunning. They are strong, perfect for growing smaller plants, and available in various sizes and shapes. Despite being heavy, they can prevent top-heavy plants from topple over. One disadvantage of ceramics is their porous nature. Therefore, you need to make sure the soil is properly moist. Pots made of ceramic can weigh a lot and are difficult to move around. Moreover, they are expensive compared with other materials. So you better consider these factors before deciding what type of pot for snake plant.