How to take care of a snake plant: Usually known as the Snake Plant, Sansevieria or Dracaena trifasciata is one of the hardest plants you can grow for the home. They do, however thrive the best when taken care of like any living creature. No matter where you are growing your snake plant whether it is indoor, outdoor or caring for the winter will depend on how well it grows.
Sunlight: Best Placement for Your Snake Plant
One of the most important factors in learning how to care for a snake plant is proper lighting. Snake plants are low-light folks, but they prefer indirect light. For best results, keep them close to a window but not in direct sunlight. Too much sunlight will burn their leaves, and not enough natural light can make them grow more slowly. Take care in watering them too, as snake plant indoor is very hardy and can undertake the irregular environment for periods of time which includes not ideal amounts of light and water.
Watering: Less is More
Overwatering Watering excessive is most likely one of the common mistakes when it concern looking after this plant. With thick, hardy leaves that store water like a camel stashes its humps for later use, snake plants require very little maintenance when it comes to hydration. In fact, it’s better to allow the soil to completely dry out after watering. Root rot can develop from the overwatering of people’s typically tough plants. Decrease watering even more during winter when the plant growth is slowed. Your pot MUST have drainage, no exceptions or the water will stand at the bottom.
Soil: The Soil is the Base of Plant Health
Snake plants are not fussy, but they like soil that drains well. Cactus or succulent soil mixtures work well since they help the water to move through so that it is not stuck in the ground. Alternatively, you can include some perlite or sand to enhance the drainage. It produces water logging in the soil due to which roots of your plant will become unhealthy.
Fertilizer: Feeding Your Snake Plant
Fertilizing is an important aspect of how to care for snake plant indoor or outdoor. Use a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer during the growing season (spring and summer). Feed your plant once a month to support its growth. In winter, when growth slows down, reduce the frequency of fertilization. Be careful not to over-fertilize, as this can lead to nutrient imbalances.
Varieties of Snake Plants: Choices from Your Garden
There are many varieties of snake plants, all with their own unique beauty. Well-known types include Sansevieria trifasciata (mother-in-law’s tongue), Sansevieria cylindrica; cylindrical snake plant and, Sanservier hahnii (birds nest snake plant). There are some slight variations in the care each variety needs but overall they have the same basic requirements.
How to prune snake plants to keep them healthy
The key way to care for a snake plant is with pruning. Dead leaves or damaged foliage must be removed as necesario for an aesthetic appeal. You can even prune the older bottom leaves to promote new growth. Make clean cuts with a pair of sharp, properly disinfected scissors to prevent damaging the healthy areas.
Why your plant needs Repotting?
In time, your snake plant will grow so large that it can no longer be contained in its original pot. Select a pot that is just bigger than the one it’s already in and make sure it drains well. Replace your snake plant in a new pot every 2-3 years or when you see roots from the drainage holes. Very calmly take it out of its original pot, remove the most injured roots and plant it in a new flowerpot with fresh soil.
Propagation
It is easy to propagate Snake Plant by leaf cuttings and division. Plant through leaf cutting: Cut healthy single leaves into pieces and keep on sand or water until roots come. For division, gently split away the offsets or baby plants from the mature plant and pot up individually. Propagating is such a fun way to increase your snake plant herd or give away some rooted sections!
Common Problems with Snake Plants
if you provide top care, your snake plant could nevertheless face some problems. Symptoms of the issue are: yellowing leaves, drooping leaves and smell from soil especially it results due to over watering. It can be attacked by pests such as spider mites or mealybugs. Keep checking up on your plant and deal with these issues promptly.
Temperature and Humidity
Temperature and Humidity The snake plant thrives best under the temperature range of 60-75°F (16-24°C) and doesn’t need a specific humidity level. They should, however be protected against frost and freezing temperatures -mainly outdoors. In winter, move your plant under a roof or in the house to prevent cold damage.
Pests/Diseases
Snake plants are also relatively pest free, though they aren’t completely immune. The primary pests are spider mites and mealybugs, while the most common disease is root rot from overwater. Control pests with neem oil or insecticidal soap, provide proper watering to prevent diseases.
