You’re not a complete plant parent until you own several snake plants in your collection. Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue or Sansevieria, it is probably one of the most common houseplants for beginners and enthusiasts.
For good reasons, of course.
First, the snake plant is difficult to kill, thrives almost free from pests and diseases, and it’s absolutely gorgeous. However, in its early stages of growth, it requires meticulous care practices to set it up for success. That’s what we will discuss in today’s guide.
Snake Plant Care Profile
Image: Hort Zone / Chris
Common Name: Snake Plant, Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, Sansevieria, or Saint George’s Sword.
Scientific Name: Dracaena trifasciata (formerly - Sansevieria trifasciata).
USDA Hardiness Zones: 8 through 11.
Suitable Soil: Any well-drained soil.
Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade.
Plant Type and Growth Habit: Evergreen perennial grown as a houseplant, upright, and self-heading.
Tips and Tricks for Growing and Caring for Sansevieria
Snake Plant Propagation
Snake plant propagation is the best way to instantly own several pot plants. While buying is still an option, it’s not economical. You can start by purchasing healthy mother plants, borrowing from a friend, or using your own collection.
There are four methods for propagating snake plants. But some are more effective than others. They are:
- Propagate from leaf cuttings (root in water or soil)
- Rhizome division
- Root division
- Propagation by seeds
Snake plants propagated from Seeds
Rhizome/Root Division is the best and, by far, the fastest method of propagating the Snake plant. It is an efficient way of propagating because it takes much less time than other methods, and also, the chances of your baby plant dying are almost zero.
While growing leaf cuttings in water is a super-easy way of propagating, it demands a lot of patience, and sometimes, the cuttings tend to rot in water.
Here’s a detailed guide on propagating snake plants.
Suitable Soil
The best soil for snake plants is a well-draining, sandy, or gritty mix that prevents water from sitting around the roots, which can cause root rot. Here’s what to look for in a good commercial mix:
Ideal Soil Mix for Snake Plants
Well-Draining Potting Mix: A cactus or succulent mix works great.
Sand or Perlite: Helps improve aeration and drainage.
Coco Coir or Peat Moss: Retains some moisture without becoming soggy.
Compost or Organic Matter: Slowly adds nutrients over a long period.
DIY Snake Plant Soil Mix Recipe
- 2 parts cactus/succulent mix
- 1 part perlite or coarse sand
- 1 part coco coir or peat moss
This mix ensures proper aeration and drainage while retaining just enough moisture for your snake plant to thrive.
Watering
Water your snake plant when the soil has completely dried out, being sure to water deeply. During winter, check the plant's soil mix every two weeks or so—the plant might need to be watered only once a month. If you notice its leaves are brittle and dry, water it immediately.
Keep in mind that overwatering is the quickest way to kill a snake plant, and it's better to underwater.
As discussed above, your choice of soil sure does help, but proper watering remains a key component of your plant's health.
Light Requirements
Snake plants can grow and thrive in almost any light conditions. However, it enjoys bright, indirect light. While these plants tolerate low light, some variegated cultivars might revert to the traditional deep green if the light is insufficient.
Too much direct sunlight is also likely to burn the leaves. Make sure you strike a balance, and your plants will thrive.
Temperature and Humidity
Snake plant thrives in normal room temperature (18 – 27oc) and average humidity. Low temperatures are still acceptable but will slow down the growth.
Prolonged low temperatures or freezing will definitely cause irreparable damage to plants. Hence, avoid it as much as possible. Similarly, excess humidity or moisture isn’t very ideal since it creates a conducive environment for fungal infections.
As a general rule, keep your plants away from cold drafts, air conditioners, and heaters.
Fertilizer Application
You rarely need to feed these slow-growing plants.
However, during their active growing seasons (Spring and Summer), feed them a dose of any houseplant food each season for a total of two times a year.
Alternatively, you can fertilize your snake plants with worm compost in a thin layer on top of the soil once a year.
Pruning
Recently pruned snake plant, looks a bit root-bound
Prune snake plants during the growing season to encourage new growth.
To control height, remove the tallest leaves at the soil line with a sterile cutting tool. Instead of throwing them away, propagate them to grow more mini plants.
Damaged leaves can be removed at any time; however, don’t prune when the plant is dormant, especially during winter.
Potting and Repotting
After a few years, the plant will create offspring. Remove the plants from the container, divide them, and repot them with new soil. It likes to be repotted with fresh potting media every 5 years or so.
It is best to choose a heavy pot for the taller varieties because the weight of the leaves can topple the plant over, especially when the soil is dry.
The rule of the thumb is to repot a snake plant when the roots become overcrowded, the plant is so big the pot is tipping over, or there's no more room for offshoots to grow.
Flowering - How to Help Your Snake Plant to Bloom
This snake plant has been on my balcony for over three years (at the time of writing). During that time, I’ve tried all the tricks and tips in the book to force it into flowering without success.
I gave up at some point and consoled myself that it was the cultivar. Yes, some cultivars won’t flower regardless of your effort, especially when grown indoors or on dark balconies.
Flowering of any almost always comes down to light exposure. Without sufficient sunlight, those wonderful creamy spikes of flowers are a pipe dream.
For snake plants, however, as I came to learn through several experiments, even with enough light exposure, they won’t bloom unless they’re rootbound! The plants have to fill up the growing container for flower stalks to emerge.
But beware that it can break a clay pot if it gets too root-bound.
Therefore, if you need to help your snake plant to flower, stop splitting the rhizomes too often.
Conclusion
Caring for a snake plant is simple, making it an excellent choice for beginners and seasoned plant lovers alike.
With the right balance of well-draining soil, moderate watering, and proper light, your snake plant will thrive with minimal effort. Its ability to purify the air, tolerate neglect, and adapt to various conditions makes it a valuable addition to any indoor space.
By following this guide, you can ensure your snake plant remains healthy and vibrant for years to come. With just a little care, this hardy plant will reward you with its striking beauty and resilience.