Growing Snake Plants

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Snake Plants

Rate this Article:

Snake plants, also known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue and Sansevieria, are one of the easiest house plants to take care of. This succulent plant is very forgiving and perfect for beginners. Here’s how to care for a snake plant in your home!

Too much water is one of the few things that can kill this plant. Soggy soil will cause root rot. In southern regions of the United States, it can be grown outdoors, but may become invasive.

Planting

How to Plant Snake Plants

Use a well-draining potting mix. A succulent mix is ideal, as it will resist becoming oversaturated with water.
When planting, don’t bury the plant too deep. It should be planted as deep as it had been in its prior container.

Choosing a Location

Snake plants prefer bright, indirect light and can even tolerate some direct sunlight. However, they also grow well (albeit more slowly) in shady corners and other low-light areas of the home.
Keep the plant in a warm spot with temperatures above 50°F (10°C). In the winter, be sure to protect it from drafty windows.

Snake plant. Photo by Mokkie/Wikimedia Commons.
Photo by Mokkie/Wikimedia Commons

Care

How to Care for Snake Plants

Let the soil dry between waterings.
Water from the bottom of the pot, if possible. This encourage the roots to grow downward, helping to stabilize the thick, tall leaves.
During the winter, water only about once a month.
Wipe leaves with a damp cloth as needed to remove dust.
In good conditions, snake plants are rapid growers and may need to be divided annually.
Divide and repot in the spring. Cut out a section containing both leaves and roots and place in a pot with well-draining potting mix.
If the plant is pot bound, it will flower occasionally. Fragrant, greenish-white flower clusters appear on tall spikes.

Pests/Diseases

Root rot due to overwatering is the most common issue.
- If this occurs, remove any dying leaves and allow the plant to dry out more than usual. Snake plants are resilient and typically recover. However, if the plant continues to die, remove it from its pot, discard of any rotted roots and leaves, and repot in fresh soil.

Recommended Varieties

Sansevieria trifasciata is the most common species of snake plant. It has dark green leaves with light grayish-green horizontal stripes.
‘Golden Hahnii’– Leaves are variegated along the edge in yellow. Leaves only grow 6 to 8 inches long. This variety does need bright light to grow well.
‘Bantel’s Sensation’ – Narrow leaves have white vertical stripes and grow to about 3 feet long.

Wit & Wisdom

Snake plants, along with spider plants and peace lilies, are effective at cleaning the air, removing toxins such as formaldehyde.
Sansevieria trifasciata, a native of tropical Africa, yields a strong plant fiber and was once used to make bow strings for hunting.

What do you want to read next?

Aloe Vera

Ponytail Palms

Peace Lilies

Hydrangeas

African Violets

Spider Plants

Jade Plants

Bee Balm

Daffodils

Sunflowers

Irises

Chrysanthemums

form.antibot { display: none !important; } You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form.