If you are looking for a great looking house plant that requires little care or long term maintenance, growing snake plant might just be the perfect solution!
Snake plant is truly one of the easiest of all house plants to grow indoors. In fact, it’s fair to say with the slightest of care, it’s nearly impossible to kill. But this evergreen houseplant has so much more to offer than just simple maintenance.
Snake plants thick, waxy foliage adds big color and interest to any indoor setting. And with varieties that can grow from just a few inches tall to more than 6 feet, there is a plant to fit nearly any space.
But in addition to it’s interior beauty, snake plant can also be grown outdoors during the warmer months. Potted plants can add pizazz to porches, patios and all types of outdoor living spaces. The plant can even be planted directly in bed spaces, and then re-potted in the fall for overwintering indoors.
How To Grow Snake Plant
Successfully growing snake plant all boils down to providing a few basic needs : good soil, proper lighting and warmth, and adequate but not excessive water.
Although there is a When selecting a plant for purchase, look for plants that are vibrant in color, and have strong upright foliage. Product Link : 12″ Tall Snake Plant)
Soil
Snake plant grows best in loose, well draining soil. Avoid potting soil mixes with too much compost or peat moss as they tend to trap moisture into the soil.
Instead, select a high quality, loose soil mix that is more on the sandier side. This allows roots to dry out between each watering, and prevents them from sitting in wet soil for long periods.
Potting mixes that are geared for growing cacti or succulents are among the best to use for snake plant. They drain fast and do not retain excessive amounts of water in the soil. Product Link : Fast Draining Soil Mix
Warmth & Lighting
Because of its tropical nature, snake plant grows best in temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees. Select warm rooms for best results, but locations that are away from drafts or excessive heat sources.
One of the best attributes of the snake plant is that it can handle nearly any lighting condition. From low light to partial sun, snake plant adapts well to nearly any lighting.
With that said, for optimum growth, select locations that are away from full sun exposure, but still receive large amounts of daily indirect lighting. If moving outdoors during the summer months, covered porches and patios are excellent choices.
Watering
Over-watering is much more of an issue when growing snake plant than under-watering. The roots of snake plants are extremely susceptible to rotting when they remain in water too long.
Allow the soil to dry out between each watering. Check deep in the soil for moisture with a long wooden skewer or stick to be sure soil is completely dry before watering.
Just because the top layer of soil looks dry, there could still be moisture down at the root level. If water pools for more than a few hours in the saucer or tray below the plant after watering, drain it away to prevent saturating the roots.
Long Term Care / Dividing Overgrown Plants
Snake plant will occasionally need to be replanted when it begins to outgrow its container. Under normal interior growing conditions, snake plant will usually need replanting every 4 to 5 years.
Select a pot about 25% larger than the root ball to allow enough room for roots to expand. This is also a great time for dividing plants to create new starts.
Propagating New Plants
Although you can root new cuttings in water to create new snake plants, the process can be quite long. For that reason, most prefer to create additional plants by simply dividing the roots of existing plants.
To divide snake plants, use a sharp knife to slice down through the root ball. Try to slice in between the foliage and soil line to create equal sized new plants. Depending on the size of your existing plant, you can create anywhere from 2 to 4 new plants quite easily.
Re-pot the root sections in high quality, well-draining potting soil and keep in a warm, well-lit room with good indirect lighting. And just like that – you have multiple snake plants! For more great info on houseplants, check out our House Plants Page on the blog.
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