How To Grow And Care For Snake Plant

One of the easiest and most common houseplants around is the snake plant. It's striking, requires very little watering (perfect for forgetful plant parents), and can even bloom in the spring with proper care.

Snake plant—also called Saint George's sword, mother-in-law's tongue, and viper's bowstring hemp—is an evergreen perennial in the family Asparagaceae and has nearly 70 different species. Its botanical classification until 2017 was Sansevieria trifasciata, and you may still see some refer to it as such. But it is now known as Dracaena trifasciata.

Erect, spiky, sword-like leaves that resemble some snakes are this plant's defining feature. They're slow-growing, and they vary in color and size (they can grow up to around 6 feet), but most are dark green leaves with lighter green or yellow borders or accented veins.

Note that snake plants contain saponins, organic chemicals that are mildly toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. So be aware and take precautions if you have furry friends. Some varieties of this plant are also considered invasive in parts of the country.

Plant Attributes

Snake Plant Care

With a growing range of anywhere from 8 inches to 12 feet tall, snake plants are ideal for either outdoor or indoor environments—easily able to adorn porches, windowsills, and hanging containers. They continue to be a popular choice for houseplants because they are easy to care for and difficult to kill, which makes them the perfect starter plant for beginners and an ideal constant for those who want houseplants but don't have much time to devote to them.

Snake plant is tolerant of low light and irregular watering. It can also survive droughts. They grow best in the warm temperatures of the Coastal and Tropical South and come in several varieties.

A few of those varieties, including the common Sansevieria trifaciata and Sansevieria hyacinthoides, are considered invasive in Florida. However growing them indoors, in containers, or in properly maintained closed beds shouldn't cause an issue, according to the University of Florida.

Light

Snake plants can do well in almost any light, from dimly lit rooms to full sun, but they grow more quickly in bright, indirect light. Though it can tolerate low light and even dark corners of your home, snake plant grows slower in low light. Keep them near a sunny window out of direct sunlight.

Soil

Snake plants like slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil, and can be treated the same way you would treat a cactus or succulent. Plant in loose, free-draining, and sandy or loamy soil to provide adequate drainage and prevent rot. Cactus or succulent potting mixes work well.

Water

Because they retain water so well, snake plants are extremely susceptible to overwatering. which causes root rot. Too much water will cause the plant to suffocate, kill leaves, and root rot. Before watering your indoor plant, use your hands to check if the soil feels dry.

An outdoor snake plant doesn't need anything more than rain to sustain it. However, because it is a succulent and stores water in its leaves, it does require a pot with a drainage hole and fast-draining potting soil. The stomata, microscopic pores on the plant's leaves, open only at night, a tactic to prevent water from escaping or being evaporated. Given that, it can get rained on practically every day with no problem.

Temperature And Humidity

These plants like warmth. Keep them in areas free from drafts and at temperatures 50° or higher. A warm 70 to 90° F is optimal. Frost destroys these plants.

Fertilizer

Because snake plants don’t grow much, they don’t require a lot of fertilizer. Use a mild cactus fertilizer or all-purpose houseplant fertilizer during the growing season. During the winter months, fertilizer isn’t necessary.

Types Of Snake Plants

• ‘Golden Hahnii’: This mini variety grows to about 6 inches tall, and its leaves form a nest-like cluster.
• ‘Bantel’s Sensation’: This cultivar is known as the white snake plant because of its white-streaked leaves.
• ‘Laurentii’: This popular variety features variegated foliage of dark and light green coloring.
• ‘Black Gold’: Gold edges the dark green leaves of this easy-to-care-for upright plant.

Pruning Snake Plants

If needed, trim an overgrown plant or remove damaged leaves by using a clean, sharp knife to cut the stalk close to the base of the plant near the soil line.

Propagating Snake Plants

Just like caring for a snake plant, propagating one is just as low maintenance. And propagating can help extend the life of your plant. You can technically propagate snake plants any time of year, but it’s best to do so during the spring and summer, which is the plant’s active growing season. However, you should start early as the propagation process takes several months. There are two main methods of propagating: from cuttings, where you trim off part of a leaf and replant it, and from rhizome, which involves the plant's roots in a process called dividing.

Propagating From Cuttings

Growing new snake plants from cuttings is easy and cheap. Here’s how to root cuttings from your plant in soil. You can also root the cutting in water using the same steps, just changing out the water each week until roots appear.

1. Use a sharp knife to cut a leaf at least 3 inches long close to the soil line.
2. Allow the cut leaf to dry out for a few days so the cut end can heal. Not doing so may cause the leaf to rot.
3. Plant the cut end into a pot filled with loose, moist potting mix. Make sure the pot has a drainage hole and saucer.
4. Water twice a week for one or two months to keep the soil moist. Empty any excess water that drains into the saucer.
5. When new leaves emerge, care for the new plant the same as you do the mother plant.

Propagating From Rhizome Cuttings

For varieties like ‘Laurentii’ that feature green leaves with gold bands, leaf cuttings won’t work. You’ll need a rhizome cutting. This process is also called dividing. Here’s how:

1. Remove the snake plant from the pot and shake off excess soil.
2. Look for feeder roots on the plant’s underground stems, or rhizomes, and use a knife to remove a rhizome that has leaves and roots.
3. Proceed with steps 2–5 above.

How To Grow Snake Plant From Seed

While propagating a snake plant is the easiest and most effective method for growing new plants, they can also be grown from seed.

1. To start, fill a small pot with cactus potting soil mix and spread seeds on top. Keep the seeds moist.
2. Cover the pot with plastic wrap to maintain humidity, and set it in a warm, sunny area.
3. Remove the plastic covering when the seeds begin to grow, and repot when the seedling is about 4 inches high.

Potting And Repotting

Snake plants rarely need repotting—usually only once every five years or so. When they do, choose a sturdy pot that can withstand the plant’s strong roots. Clay works, but if the plant grows too big, it can break the container. The new pot should be about 2 inches wider and be well-draining. Repot in the spring using a cactus potting mix or potting soil. When you do so, untangle the rootball, removing excess dirt and dead and damaged roots.

Overwintering

Snake plants are semi-tropical, native to tropical West Africa, from Nigeria to the Congo, as well as tropical and subtropical regions of Europe and Asia. Even though they can handle low light, they will not survive freezing temperatures. Bring an outdoor snake plant inside during the winter months. You will only need to water it every couple of months. As the temperature increases, water every one to two weeks, but let the plant dry out between waterings. Underwatering is better than overwatering for these plants.

Common Pests And Plant Diseases

Snake plants can get common houseplant pests like aphids, mites, mealybugs, whiteflies, and fungus gnats. Remove the insects with a spray of water, and treat the plant with neem oil.

These plants are pretty sturdy when it comes to disease. They are susceptible to root rot and fungal infections, like powdery mildew. Red leaf spot is another issue. Treat these with a fungicide, but be sure to pick one designed for houseplants.

How To Get Snake Plant To Bloom

Many people—both beginner plant parents and seasoned gardeners—grow snake plants, but only a smattering have ever seen one bloom. The flowers of a snake plant are small, tubular, and look a little like a honeysuckle. They are often white or yellowish but can come in several colors, and they have a strong, sweet smell. They can also produce insect-attracting nectar; you can pluck the flowers or leave them be. 

Snake plant flowers are quite rare, but it is possible to get yours to bloom every spring with the right care regimen. Here's how to get your snake plant to bloom:

1. After overwintering a snake plant indoors, move it to a partly sunny location outdoors after the last spring frost. 
2. Feed it twice during the summer with Miracle-Gro and let it get plenty of sunlight. Increasing the snake plant's exposure to sunlight will boost its growth and increase the chances of blooming flowers. It needs several hours of direct sunlight to promote growth and encourage flowering. 
3. Do not water an outdoor snake plant, and only water an indoor plant as necessary. 
4. Take the snake plant back inside before the first autumn frost
   

Note: Snake plants will not flower when they are new and young. An aged, slightly stressed plant is your best bet for getting the flowers to bloom. So, if you are too impatient to wait for a few years to see flowering, make sure you get a more mature snake plant.

Common Problems With Snake Plant

While snake plants are an easy, beginner-friendly plant, they do have some common problems, especially with respect to watering, its roots, and its leaves. Make sure it is getting the correct amount of sunlight and water.

Yellowing Leaves

When the snake plant is unhealthy—for myriad reasons—its leaves can turn yellow. Consistently water your plant the proper amount; don't expose it to extreme temperatures (both too hot and too cold); and leave it in direct sunlight for the proper amount of time. However, even with a healthy care regimen, if the plant is old, then it will yellow as it nears the end of its lifespan.

Drooping Or Bending Leaves

Snake plants are similar to succulents and store a lot of water, meaning they don’t need to be watered often. Soft and mushy leaves are signs of overwatering. If you are watering infrequently and the leaves are still soft, make sure the pot has proper drainage.

Root Rot

If the soil smells bad, this is an indication of overwatering and root rot. Root rot can occur when plants have been sitting in water or soil that’s too moist for too long. Even if there is root rot, the plant can be salvaged. Gently remove the affected roots and clean off any potting mix. Allow the remaining rots to air-dry for around 24 hours, then repot your plant.