Like other succulent species…
…snake plants also tolerate most indoor light conditions.
But, there would be a huge difference…
…if they receive several conditions of light.
Lets Hear Jack’s Story
It began when I bought these beautiful creatures.
I found it very green and lovely.
I put it in my bedrooms…
…it is at the end of my house.
No sunlight at all.
After 2 weeks, I found it die.
I just knew that needed more light.
So, how much light does a snake plant need?
Snake Plant (Sansevieria) is an easy-peasy plant.
You can neglect them for a week…
…yet they can still look fresh & happy.
Do Snake Plants Need Sunlight?
It is important to let plants receive enough light to increase growth…
…and produce more leaves, even though snake plants are often hardy.
They need sunlight for photosynthesis as well.
As part of this process, oxygen, water, and light are converted into carbohydrates to create energy.
Despite the fact that snake plants can tolerate low light indoors…
…they will become sloppy, leggy, and ill-looking when the light is too low.
Occasionally, they may wilt and die off from prolonged exposure to water.
Growing snake plants under grow lights or in place of sunlight can work very well.
How To Check The Sunlight Level of My Snake Plant?
The Hand Shadow Test
The hand shadow test is an inexpensive way to know how much light does a snake plant need….
….yet effective way to determine how much light your spider plant is receiving.
A stick can also be used in place of your hand in this test.
- Put a large piece of white paper on the ground where your plant is parked
- Hold your hand at a distance of about 12 inches (30 cm) directly above the spot where your plant will grow. For the most accurate results, perform this test around noon.
- You should spread your fingers in a wide, even pattern
- Look at the shadow cast by your hand on the paper. How does it look to you?
If the shadow cast by your hand is clear or well defined…
….the light surrounding the spot will be intense (or brighter).
To interpret the hand shadow test, follow these steps to know how much light does a snake plant need:
- Low light – a spot with almost no shadow or no shadow at all receives low light. In this dim area, you shouldn’t keep your snake plant.
- Medium-light – An area with medium-light will have hand shadows that are blurred, hazy, or muddy. Still, it’s instantly recognizable.
- Bright light – they produce a distinctive shadow where it interacts with the surface. It is easy for you to identify your digits. When the light is filtered or indirect, your snake plant will thrive.
Keep Reading
Generally, the brightest light comes from a south-facing window…
….followed by west- and east-facing windows in that order.
It usually is darkest in north-facing rooms.
When you are walking away from a window or light source…
…the brightness or intensity of light decreases drastically.
Use Lux Meter
You can determine how much light does a snake plant need by measuring two significant parameters.
The first is the amount of light, and the second is its intensity.
Light intensity is measured by a lux meter….
….which is essentially how strong or intense the light is.
A Lux is a unit of light proportional to one lumen per square meter.
The ideal light meter reading for snake plants is between Lux 10,000 and 20,000…
….since they thrive in bright areas.
They can still do okay with medium-light, in the range of Lux 2,500 – 10,000.
Here’s How
How Much Light Does a Snake Plant Need?
Because these plants are quite forgiving…
….mother-in-law’s tongue is quite popular among plant parents.
Besides full sunlight, they can withstand partial shade and low levels of light.
It depends on the intensity of the light, however, whether it is advisable to expose for a specific number of hours.
At least 8-10 hours of indirect, bright sunlight would be ideal for your snake plant each day.
You can expose snake plants to sunlight for up to six hours per day.
If it’s too hot, the sun will scorch the leaves….
…..which will cause the leaves to wilt and turn brown.
Here’s The Interesting Part
Signs That Your Snake Plant Isn’t Getting Enough Light
One of the misunderstood factors is that snake plants are considered low-light variants. That’s how they’re usually sold
Puneet Sabharwal, the CEO of plant subscription service, Horti.
Leggy Growth
Your snake plant will naturally react to lack of light by becoming unhealthy and dying.
As it grows, it will strive to reach for where there is light.
Your plant might suddenly become unattractive due to the increasing space between the leaves.
We refer to these spaces between leaves as internodes.
You can tell if your leaves are longer than normal if they are not getting enough light.
Leaning Towards Light Sources
Optimal photosynthesis is achieved by snake plants by using red & blue light.
If it is not getting enough of these rays it will gravitate toward sources of light or conduits, such as windows.
Your plant’s natural response to light is phototropism. Even though the thick streaked leaves are tough…
…they will lean towards the light. Clearly, the leaves are not receiving enough light.
You can correct this temporarily by rotating your plant. As a result, foliage on the ‘other side’ will gain more light rays.
If not, you’ll need to move the snake plant to a bright, indirect location.
Producing Small Leaves
Snake plants with thin, small leaves can also signal a lack of light.
Through photosynthesis, light plays a vital role in your plants’ growth and health.
Snake plants cannot grow roots, leaves, and new shoots unless they have enough energy and food.
The presence of small leaves is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as extended internodes.
As a matter of fact, these leaves are often washed out and a bit floppy.
The new leaves located away from light sources are the most vulnerable.
In addition to being small, they also look pale, ill, and sometimes even lifeless.
Keep Reading…
No New Growth
The key to growth is photosynthesis, as mentioned earlier.
In such a critical case, there is no light, so new foliage, roots, and even flowers cannot grow.
Without enough light, your snake plant won’t grow for weeks or even months.
During the winter months, snake plants experience slow growth or dormancy.
Nevertheless, if your plants remain dormant during spring and summer, that’s a big problem.
Place it in a place with plenty of bright light.
Abnormal Leaf Color
Snake plants have healthy, thick, and upright leaves with greyish silver streaks, hence the name.
Green leaves are evidence that they’re packed with chlorophyll which tells you that they’re healthy.
However, in some circumstances, a leaf may lose color or have an abnormal coloration.
It is possible that some leaves will become washed out or will start paling.
The stripes or creamed edges of snake plants can sometimes disappear.
Brown or yelped leaves are another indication of a lack of light.
It is possible that the leaves will turn yellow and droop or even collapse if the situation persists.
How to Provide More Light
Best Location for Snake Plants
The snake plant may be avoiding light due to the absence of light so you should move it closer to the light source.
The temperature should hover over 50°F (10°C) for the plant to thrive.
The ideal location is one that receives plenty of indirect, bright light.
This would typically be near an east-facing window, door, or skylight.
During the morning hours, your snake plant will benefit from moderate sunshine, which is not harsh.
Alternatively, north-facing windows do not seem too bad, either.
You need to make sure that your plant is as close to the window as possible to take advantage of the sun.
Similarly, filtered light from windows in the west and the south also contributes to the ambiance of a room.
You can cover your windows with drapes or curtains to filter the scorching sunlight.
The lux meter is ideal when all is said and done.
You can eliminate guesswork by ensuring your plants receive the ideal amount of light.
There’s a tip from Almanac to place in the right location, you should try to avoid moving…
…snake plant from a low-light area to direct sunlight too quickly, as this can shock the plant.
The Best Part?
Get a Grow Light & Put Plants Wherever You Like!
If you want to use grow lights instead of scorching sunlight on snake plants they are fairly versatile.
The LED light can also be used when the sun is hardly visible during the short winter days.
Using both red and blue rays, LED lighting illuminates your snake plants.
Their energy efficiency, durability, and cool design make them an ideal choice.
However, they can be prohibitively expensive.
For maximum foliage growth use LED lights for 12-14 hours each day.
Increase the exposure for 16+ hours if you want them to flower.
As an alternative, you can use a ratio of one to two incandescent and fluorescent lights.
The only thing you need to worry about when growing snake plants is where you will park them.
That’s it! Now you know how much light does a snake plant need.
Sum It Up
It is important to let plants receive enough light to increase growth.
They need sunlight for photosynthesis as well
You can use the hand shadow test and also use a lux meter.
8-10 hours of indirect, bright sunlight would be ideal for your snake plant each day.
You can tell if your leaves are longer than normal if they are not getting enough light.
They will lean towards the light if the leaves are not receiving enough light.
Snake plants with thin, small leaves can also signal a lack of light.
Without enough light, your snake plant won’t grow for weeks or even months.
Place it near an east-facing window, door, or skylight or you can use LED lights for 12-14 hours each day.
Conclusion
Now you know how much light does a snake plant need.
Even they are easy-peasy to plant…
…but they still need enough sunlight as well.
Do you think your snake plant receives enough sunlight as well?
Let me know by leaving a comment below!
Check out more of our posts like this one here!
I hope you can now take care your snake carefully and grow it big!
Thanks for reading this article! Bye!
Frequently Asked Questions Around How Much Does a Snake Plant Need?
How Much Light Does a Snake Plant Need? How Much is Enough?
Snake plants need indirect sunlight and bright indirect light.
They also like low humidity levels. In other words, they don’t do…
…well when the humidity is too high or the air conditions are overly dry.
And lastly, snake plants like cool temperatures – between 65 and 75 degrees…
…Fahrenheit is ideal. So now that you know everything you need to know…
…about snake plants, give them the light they need and enjoy watching them grow!
What kind of bulbs should I use for my plants?
A general rule of thumb is to use light bulbs that are the same wattage…
…as the plants’ grow light. For example, if a plant typically uses a light bulb…
…that emits 600 watts of light, then use a light bulb that emits 600 watts of light.
What type of lighting should I use for my snake plant?
A snake plant prefers indirect light, so a light with a low light bulb should be used.
Should I put the lights on a timer or leave them on all day and night?
In general, it is best to leave lights on a timer. This will save energy and help…
…prevent damage to the light fixtures.
How can I tell if my snake plant is getting enough light?
It is best to check theplant regularly for its growth and color. Snake plants grow best…
…when given indirect light, so placing them near a window is usually enough light…
…for them to grow.