Snake Plant Care

INSIDE : Learn the best plant tips for your Snake Plant care! Helpful plant ideas for Sansevieria – from watering needs, light requirements, grow big healthy Snake Plants.

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This post has been updated since it’s original publish date of January 2020.

It took me a few years to dive deeply into Sansevieria or Snake Plants.

Are Snake Plants popular?

According to a 2022 survey by the National Gardening Association, snake plants are the fourth most popular houseplant in the United States – right after succulents, cacti, and pothos. Snake plants are also popular in other parts of the world, such as Europe and Asia.

Here are some of the reasons why snake plants are so popular:

Low maintenance: Snake plants are very easy to care for. They can tolerate low light, infrequent watering, and dry air. They are a great choice for people who are new to plants or who don’t have a lot of time to care for them.
Versatile: Snake plants can thrive in a variety of conditions, making them suitable for a wide range of homes and offices. They can also be grown in a variety of containers, from small tabletop pots to large floor planters.
Stylish: Snake plants have a sleek and modern appearance that can complement a variety of interior design styles. Their sword-shaped leaves can add a touch of greenery to any room.
Air-purifying: Snake plants are believed to have air-purifying properties. They can remove toxins from the air, such as formaldehyde and benzene. This makes them a great choice for people who live in polluted areas or who have allergies.

Snake Plants are an amazing plant and really are having a resurgence in popularity. I went from having no snake plants to now having five and in the middle of propagating an additional one!

I have learned quite a bit about Sansevieria over the last year and I am so excited to share some of the important care tips I’ve found out about them.

How to care for Snake Plants

The Snake Plant, also known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, is striking with upright leaves. It is very low-maintenance and is a favorite for beginner plant parents and seasoned enthusiasts alike.

To ensure your Snake Plant’s health, use a well-draining potting mix and avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

With minimal effort, you can enjoy the air-purifying benefits and stylish aesthetic of this resilient indoor plant.

They are also very easy to propagate, meaning you can easily create more snake plants to add to your collection, or to give away to friends.

See my 13 Hard to Kill Houseplants post (snake plant is included!).

Sansevieria are evergreen perennials that can grow anywhere from eight inches to 12 feet high. Their leaves are more stiff, broad and upright than many typical indoor houseplants and come in a variety of green, yellow and white patterns.

Snake plants are most known for being able to survive in some of the worst growing conditions.

If you love plants like me or are wanting to become a better #plantlady, then you definitely need to check out my indoor houseplant care ebook, Happy Houseplants!

My Happy Houseplants ebook has an entire chapter on “how to not kill all the plants” and includes chapters on:
– A helpful checklist for the 6 steps to keep your plants alive + thriving.
– A deep dive on 7 trending “it” plants (like your finicky Fiddle Leaf Fig!)
-5 plant printables to hang in your home.

Buy it here.

How often should you water a Snake plant?

For being such an easy going plant, snake plant does have one downfall that can take your plant down… too much water.

Always make sure the soil of your plant is completely dry before watering it again.

They are drought tolerant and overwatering is the most common cause of death for snake plants.

I am a huge believer in watering plants once a week (my watering day is Friday). However, in reality, on Friday’s I simply walk around to all of my plants and give them a check. Most plants need a weekly watering, however that is not the case for Snake Plants – I still give them a weekly check, though.

Water your Snake Plants about every other week. Soggy soil will cause root rot and can lead to the death of your plant. During winter, reduce watering to monthly, or whenever the soil is dry to the touch. Always err on the side of under watering with a snake plant.

How much light do Snake Plants need?

Snake plant light requirements prefer bright indirect levels, but they also can withstand higher AND low light levels. It is not many plants that would make it no matter what light conditions you give them!

They will do well in most rooms of your home, but avoid placing them in direct sunlight, as this can scorch their leaves.

However, Mother-in-laws-tongue variety is best known for coping with more direct sun AND lower light conditions.

Check out my Best Sunlight Levels for Indoor Houseplants post.

What supplies are needed to grow Snake Plant?

Plant Moisture Meter | 6″ Pot Snake Plant | Pot | Fertilizer

What are other names for Snake Plant?

The Snake Plant is known by several names, which can sometimes lead to confusion. Perhaps the most common alternative name is “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue,” derived from the sharp, pointed shape of its leaves.

Another name you might encounter is “Saint George’s Sword,” which, like the previous one, references the plant’s upright, sword-like foliage. While it was historically classified as Sansevieria trifasciata, it has since been reclassified scientifically as Dracaena trifasciata, though many still use the older, more familiar name.

I’ve also heard it called Viper’s Bowstring Hemp before.

Here are some common issues that Snake Plants may have…

Why is my Snake Plant turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves can be a sign of overwatering, root rot, or nutrient deficiency.

If you suspect overwatering, allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.

If you suspect root rot, remove the plant from its pot and inspect the roots. If the roots are black and mushy, trim them off and repot the plant in fresh soil.

If you suspect nutrient deficiency, fertilize the plant once a month during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength.

Is Snake Plant an indoor or outdoor plant?

In general, sansevieria is an indoor plant. However, in more warm humid climates Snake Plants can be grown outdoors, too. Be sure to check with your state’s regulations because some areas, have Snake Plant restrictions on outdoor planting due to their spreading nature.

Why are my Snake Plant’s leaves brown?

Brown leaves can be a sign of overwatering or underwatering. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings, and water deeply when the soil is dry.

Why is my Snake Plant leggy?

This can be a sign of low light or infrequent watering. If your plant is leggy, move it to a brighter location and water more often.

Why are my Snake Plant leaves falling over?

There are three main reasons why your Snake Plant leaves may be falling over in their pot, improper watering, too little light or your plant may need to be re-potted.

Droopy snake plant leaves often are because the plant is overwatered. Water snake plant only when the top 2 or 3 inches of soil is completely dry, which turns out to be about once every two weeks in the warmer months and once a month in the cooler.

Although Snake plants can survive in very low light levels, leaves that are falling over can be an indication that the plant has been in excessive darkness for too long of a period.

One last reason your plant may have bent over leaves is that it has been in the same pot for too long and needs to be repotted. Snake plants typically can get root bound and need to be repotted only every three to five years.

How do you propagate Snake Plant?

Repotting Snake Plant is a very easy plant to propagate, which make such fun plant gifts! Check out my how to wrap and gift plants + plant tag printables.

The easiest way to propagate Snake Plants is from their new shoots that emerge from the soil. As new leaves come up, they can be taken out of the soil and potted independently. They are rapid growers once established.

However, my preferred way to propagate is with leaf cuttings in water. Make sure your knife or hand pruner is clean and sharp. Once the leaf has been cut, let the leaf section heal for a couple of days before you place them in water. Within a few weeks, you should see a few small baby roots starting to grow. Wait until there are a few inches of new roots before transplanting into soil.

You should check out my Water Propagation for Plants post.

Do Snake Plants make the air cleaner?

This makes me so happy, Sansevierias are one of the best plants when it comes to air purification. They filter out formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, and nitrogen oxides in the air. They do this at night time, which makes them great plants for the bedroom.

NASA conducted a study on Snake Plants and came to the conclusion that you need at least 15 to 18 medium-to-large size plants for a 1,800 square-foot home – so let’s get buying!

What is the ideal soil for Snake plants?

For thriving Snake Plants, the ideal soil is one that prioritizes excellent drainage. These plants are highly susceptible to root rot, so a well-aerated, fast-draining mix is crucial.

A blend of standard potting soil with added perlite or coarse sand is generally recommended. This combination ensures that water doesn’t linger around the roots, allowing for proper air circulation.

Cactus or succulent mixes, which are specifically formulated for drainage, also work well but avoid heavy, moisture-retentive soils that can lead to water-logging.

By providing your Snake Plant with a light, porous soil, you’ll create an environment that mimics its natural arid habitat and promotes healthy growth.

How to Get Snake Plant to Bloom

Getting a Snake Plant to bloom is a bit of a challenge and not something that happens frequently, especially when the plant is indoors. These plants primarily focus their energy on leaf growth.

However, if you want to encourage blooming, you need to mimic their natural growing conditions as closely as possible. This generally involves providing bright, indirect sunlight, ensuring proper drainage with a well-aerated soil mix and allowing the plant to become slightly root-bound.

Stress, in a healthy way, can sometimes trigger blooming. For instance, allowing the plant to experience a slight period of drought or a minor temperature fluctuation can stimulate the plant to produce flowers.

Be patient, as it can take many years, and even then, blooms are not guaranteed. When they do bloom, Snake Plants produce small, fragrant, white or greenish flowers on a slender stalk.

You might be interested in some of my other Plant Care posts:

Rubber Plant Care