Do you want to know how often to water snake plants? Let’s give it a read and save your snake plant from drying and dying.
Snake Plants
Snake plants, or Dracaena trifasciata, are resilient houseplants that have won the hearts of many homeowners. It grows to a maximum height of 12 feet in its natural environment, and its leaves are fashioned like swords. However, it only reaches a height of around two feet when kept indoors, so it requires considerably less maintenance. You can choose from many different color combinations. The green stripes or bands on the leaves are the true eye-catcher, however; they’re often framed by a beautiful yellow or white margin. If you’ve been looking for a plant that can grow with little care and make it through even the worst gardeners’ neglect, your quest is over.
Snake Plants Beauty
Snake plants are renowned for their incredible resilience and versatility. This hardy beauty will wow everyone, regardless of their gardening skills. Gardeners who tend to their plants inside may rest easy knowing that this plant almost takes care of itself. Our topic today is the fascinating world of slow-growing yet attractive houseplants. These resilient charmers are as at home in bright spaces as they are in dark niches, thanks to their exceptional aptitude to adapt to varying levels of light. The species we collectively refer to as “they” is a fantastic illustration of a plant that deserves our consideration because of its flexibility and adaptability. They are the silent achievers of indoor gardening, quietly prospering as we go about our business.
The results of being patient with “they” are worth the wait, even if “they” aren’t the fastest growers. They have the potential to develop into stunning beings if given the care and attention they require. Some early morning light may be very beneficial for them. If you have a sunny window in your home, “they” will be eternally grateful to you. Ah, the joys of gardening! Spring is a terrific time to get your hands dirty and plant or repot your plants because of the nicer weather and longer days. No matter your gardening experience now is a fantastic time to get your hands dirty. Planting and repotting both need precise timing. Spring is the season with more favorable weather and longer days.
Read: Surprising Drawbacks of Snake Plants You Need to Know
Attributes of snake plant
| Common Name | Mother-in-law’s tongue, Saint George’s sword, Snake plant, Viper’s bowstring hemp, |
| Botanical Name | Dracaena trifasciata |
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Plant Type | Typically planted indoors as an evergreen perennial. |
| Types | Dracaena pearsonii, Dracaena angolensi, Dracaena trifasciata ‘Bantel’s Sensation’ |
| Soil Type | Sandy, well-drained |
| Soil pH | Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline |
| Sun Exposure | Sun to part shade |
| Pruning | Remove the highest leaves at the soil line using a sterile cutting instrument to manage snake plant height throughout the growth season. |
| Common Problems | Foul-smelling soil, yellow or brown leaves, curling leaves, leaves falling over or drooping |
| Bloom Time | Spring |
| Flower Color | White |
| Native Area | West Africa |
Benefits of Snake Plant
Snake plants are more than just pretty on the outside. Each night, these tropical plants remove formaldehyde and nitrogen oxide from indoor air, making them among the greatest air filters. Like the magical cleaning fairies from your childhood, except these plants purify the air in your bedroom as you snooze.
The mental health benefits of snake plants are similar to those of other houseplants. According to the Floral Marketing Research Fund’s studies, having houseplants in general and snake plants, in particular, has a positive effect on people’s moods.
Finally, another amazing thing about snake plants is that they aren’t diva plants. They are impervious to moisture, heat, cold, and even submersion in water. In addition, bugs seldom bother them. Add a snake plant container to your collection if you’re seeking a foolproof houseplant.
How often to water Snake plant
Both indoor and outdoor snake plants need watering only when the soil becomes entirely dry. Due to more light, higher temperatures, and a more aggressive growth schedule, you should anticipate watering your snake plant more often in the spring and summer than in the autumn and winter. For instance, throughout the spring and summer, you may need to water your snake plant once a week, but in the autumn and winter, you may only need to do so every two to three weeks. A constant watering regimen based on higher temperatures is what you should aim for if you grow snake plants outside and reside in a region where the temperature never drops below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Remember that it is preferable to submerge a snake plant than to overwater it if you aren’t sure whether it’s time to water your plant. For both indoor and outdoor plants, a moisture meter may be used to check the soil’s moisture level and determine whether or not it needs watering.
How Snake Plants Hold Water
Due to their ability to hold water in their thick, fleshy leaves, snake plants are classified as succulents. Their natural habitats in Africa and southern Asia include extreme climates. In addition to using Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM), a special kind of photosynthesis, snake plants are able to tolerate these circumstances by conserving water throughout the day. The stomata of CAM-using plants are closed during the day to avoid evaporation and are only opened at night to facilitate gas exchange. Of course, snake plants can survive dry spells because of their ability to store water. However, they are more prone to root rot and overwatering than other tropical plants.
Growth Conditions That Influence Snake Plant Watering
It is important to know how often to water snake plants (Dracaena trifasciata), despite the fact that they are almost hard to destroy. Even though snake plants thrive when ignored and can adapt to a variety of indoor and outdoor growth conditions, they will still exhibit signs of stress if their needs aren’t met promptly. Several factors interact to determine the best time of day and amount of water to give a snake plant. The following guidelines will help you give these tropical plants the attention they need.
Plant location
The growth rate and water needs of a snake plant are highly dependent on its environment. The snake plant should not be placed in direct sunlight or near a heat source.
It’s good knowledge that plants may suffer from sunburn and lose more water via evaporation when exposed to intense sunshine. Therefore, irrigation will be needed more often.
Temperature and Humidity
Although snake plants thrive in a variety of climates, producers should take into account the effects of temperature and humidity on watering requirements. Snake plants thrive in the typical 65–75-degree range seen inside most homes. Hotter temperatures inside the house mean the plant will drink up the soil’s moisture faster, so you’ll need to water it more often than usual. Temperature affects water needs the most, with warmer temperatures needing more water than cooler ones, and higher humidity requiring less water than low humidity. In hot and dry climates, a snake plant will need much more water than one in a cooler and wetter environment.
Light
Light Snake Plants have the reputation of being low-light plants, but in reality, they can thrive in varied quantities of light, ranging from very little light to very high levels of direct or indirect sunlight. Because light and water are essential components of photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light into food, changes in the requirements of one will impact the requirements of the other. The frequency with which a snake plant needs watering is particularly sensitive to its lighting conditions. Although snake plants are adaptable in terms of lighting, the amount of water you give them will change depending on how much light they’re getting. Plants maintained in bright conditions need more frequent watering than those kept in the shade. Different snake plants will have different watering needs depending on the lighting conditions in your house.
Your Snake Plant will need more water if you increase the amount of light that it is exposed to. It will not be necessary to water your plant as often if it is located in a low-light region of your house. This is in contrast to a Snake Plant that is located near a sunny window.
Age
More water will be needed if the snake plant is young and still actively forming roots. Older plants, on the other hand, have formed roots and leaves and may survive with less water. Finally, the snake plant’s age is an important consideration that is often disregarded. Young snake plants, particularly those that have been recently propagated, need a higher watering frequency
Particularly water-propagated cuttings will need more attention and hydration after they are potted with soil. However, the developed succulent leaves of a mature snake plant (one that is at least a year old) can hold far more water. Which means they can get by with less hydration. This, however, does not imply that they are not thirsty. Even older snake plants need to be well-watered. They can survive with less water. In addition, they have a greater tolerance for wet conditions.
Potting Container
How frequently a snake plant requires watering also depends on the container it is kept in. Terracotta pots, for instance, are notorious for rapidly drying out the soil since they absorb water at a far higher rate than plastic ones. A similar effect may be achieved by using a container with drainage holes, which allows excess water to escape. It’s important to keep an eye on your plants no matter what, but pots without drainage holes can keep that extra water in the soil for a longer period of time, which may be just as problematic.
Soil Type
The frequency of watering is also influenced by a number of other factors, one of which is the kind of soil that is used. Because they are succulents, Snake Plants do best when grown in soil that is extremely sandy and has excellent drainage. Utilize a porous mix that offers excellent air circulation as well as good drainage, such as a succulent or tropical plant mix that has been supplemented with some perlite, sand, cocoa coir, or peat.
This kind of mix is ideal for growing plants that need both good drainage and good air circulation. Because it is overly thick and may hold an excessive amount of water, regular potting soil that is used indoors is not suggested for use with snake plants. A lighter mix will retain moisture for a longer period of time than a looser, better-draining, and more airy potting mix; nevertheless, the latter will need more frequent watering. When using a lighter mix, you may need to water it more often.
Season
In the summer, snake plants need extra water because of their rapid growth. However, in order to avoid frost damage and overwatering, the plant should be kept dry throughout the winter.
Watering requirements for snake plants are minimal throughout the winter. Snake plants typically do better with less water if you reside in a cooler climate. Relax; this isn’t always a horrible thing to happen. The problem is that frost may kill these plants. Therefore, in order to live in these chilly conditions, they must avoid becoming wet. But throughout the summer, when temperatures rise and daylight hours lengthen, plants thrive. Since the plant’s growth will be stimulated by the increased light and temperature, it will need more water than normal. Keep an eye on your snake plant since it may begin to display indications of thirst more often during this time of year.
Read: How to propagate snake plant
How do I know I have overwatered Snake plant?
The danger of overwatering snake plants is genuine, despite the fact that they can tolerate some drought. Keep an eye out for overwatering symptoms like:
- Yellow leaves
- Mushy stems
- Waterlogged soil
- White patches in the soil
- Mold on the plant
- Roots turning brown or black
How do I know I have underwatered Snake plant?
Your snake plant will begin to wilt if it isn’t getting enough water. The following symptoms indicate that your plant needs water and attention:
- Brown, crispy leaf tips
- Dying leaves
- Hard, compacted soil that is pulling away from the edge of the pot
- Dry leaf edges
- Wrinkled leaves
- Leaves falling or drooping
- Curling of the leaves
- Slow or stunted growth
Read: Snake plant turning yellow? 6 Reasons and Solutions
When does a snake plant require watering?
It’s crucial to know whether your snake plant needs water to prevent overwatering or underwatering. Fortunately, there are several sensory cues that might help you determine whether your snake plant needs water. You should water the plant if the soil is dry and crumbly. If the earth feels moist when you push your finger into it, the plant is OK. Water it if it still seems dry. “Touch test” describes this procedure.
You may get a more precise reading of your soil’s moisture content by using a tool called a soil probe. You may also tell by the soil’s hue. dirt with moisture in it tends to be darker than dirt without moisture. If the plant’s color is different, it may be dehydrated. Observe the plant’s leaves as well, since they’ll vary in reaction to the moisture level. A healthy plant will maintain its gorgeous dark green leaf color.
