The importance of fertilizing indoor plants, especially snake plants, is often overlooked. Sansevieria, or snake plants, are well known for their ability to tolerate neglect. Almost any growing conditions seem to be able to support their growth. They may be viewed as not needing feeding as a result of this. This is utterly untrue. A new plant parent may also be confused about the needs of their plants. Understanding when and how to feed your plants can be challenging. Using fertilizer for a snake plant is a simple process that I’ll cover in this post. Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of the process of fertilization.
A Snake Plant Needs Fertilizer?
In order to grow strong and healthy houseplants, light, temperature, and fertilizer need to be closely controlled. When compared to other indoor plants, snake plants are quite forgiving in this regard. Both experts and beginners appreciate the low-maintenance habits of Sansevieria. Snake plants must still be fed periodically, however. The following are some reasons why your snake plant needs fertilizer.
Soil Amount Limited
Houseplants (and some outdoor plants) have limited storage space in their containers. Their soil contains a small amount of nutrients that they can absorb. The first step to ensuring they receive proper nutrition is using good quality soil. Several new fortified potting soils are now available on the market. Fertilizers and nutrients are mixed into the soil. When your potting soil is fresh, your plants may not need any extra fertilizer. However, after a few months, your snake plant would have consumed all those nutrients. It will need supplementation after this point to promote healthy growth.
Nutrients Deplete Overtime
Plants lose some soil nutrients every time they are watered. Soil depletion is also influenced by natural environmental factors like sunlight and wind. Moreover, if you use too loose potting mix, the fertilizer itself may wash out easily.
Nutrients Are in Short Supply
Nature provides many nutrients in outdoor settings. They can propagate through rhizomes or send new roots searching for food if they do not find them nearby. In contrast, nutrients available to a potted plant are limited by the amount of soil in the pot and by any supplements you add to it.
Conditions of a Diverse Environment
A houseplant’s natural habitat is quite different from its environment in the house. You may need to provide different supplements for your plants depending on the conditions in your region. With proper care and fertilizers, you can mimic the natural growth environments for the plants.
Better Immunity and Health
In order for plants to grow strong, healthy, and beautiful, they need to be fed properly. Furthermore, it prevents pests and diseases from easily attacking the plant.
What Fertilizer Is Best For Snake Plants?
For leaves, roots, and flowers to grow, plants require nutrients. Ensure fast growth for snake plants with a balanced fertilizer. In the end, it has to do with the type and nutrients of the soil.
Organic Fertilizers
There are some indoor plant growers who never use chemical fertilizers on their snake plants. Compost, manure, or mulch are the only natural supplement they use. Although organic fertilizers are a great option, if you are new to gardening, you should stick with chemical ones. You know exactly what goes into the soil when you use chemical fertilizers. As you gradually add organic fertilizers, you can observe what effect they have on your plants. However, don’t overdo it.
Some of the best organic supplements for snake plants include alfalfa meal, blood meal, worm compost, and corn gluten. Moreover, they are full of micronutrients, vitamins, plant hormones, and good microorganisms. Although organic fertilizers like seaweed extract and fish emulsion are good sources of nitrogen, their smell is off-putting. There are also odorless forms of fish emulsion, which can be equally effective. Add organic matter to the soil, such as compost, manure, or mulch, to improve its fertility. The best organic fertilizer for houseplants should be an all-purpose product. You can find them at most home improvement or gardening stores. You can also order one online.
Chemical Fertilizers
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the three primary macronutrients found in most fertilizers. This ratio (N-P-K ratio) represents the percentage of each of these nutrients in a fertilizer. Depending on the plant group, such as flowering plants, vegetable plants, etc., this ratio varies. It also depends on the purpose for which a fertilizer is used. It is best to use a fertilizer formulated for cacti and succulent houseplants for snake plants. Another option is to use a general balanced fertilizer for houseplants. The NPK ratio should be balanced. For snake plants specifically, use a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 strength fertilizer. You can find instructions on how and how much to use on the packaging.
As well as N-P-K and micronutrients, some fertilizers contain iron, copper, zinc, and boron.
Even though they are present in smaller amounts, they are essential to plants. It is not mandatory to consume small amounts of these nutrients, but they can be beneficial.
Fertilizer Types
There are many different types of fertilizers available, so finding the right one can be challenging. A liquid fertilizer or slow-release granular fertilizer is best for indoor use. Sticks, spikes, or tablets might seem convenient, but they don’t always distribute nutrients evenly. Bacteria and fungi are also thought to release nutrients apart from water. Nutrients are distributed laterally by fertilizer spikes, so Snake Plant roots are not provided with nutrients. By concentrating fertilizer in one place, spikes can also damage fragile roots.
Liquid Fertilizers
Watering cans are supposed to be filled with these directly. The amount of fertilizer can be controlled precisely in this way. Fertilizer burn is also reduced with liquid fertilizers. Liquid fertilizers have to be applied more frequently than granular fertilizers, but they are easier to apply. It is okay to stop feeding during dormancy in the winter. During the growth season, increase the doses based on your plants’ condition. Its disadvantage, however, is that you have to remember to do it every time.
During the growing season, you can give your snake plants liquid fertilizer up to once a month. Follow the labeled instructions to use a balanced 10-10-10 ratio. You can also use half strength 20-20-20 liquid fertilizer. Liquid fertilizers are easily absorbed by snake plants, and there are no adverse lingering effects. Liquid organic fertilizers are also available. Composted teas, worm teas, humic acid, liquid bone meal, liquid kelp, etc. are some of the most common ingredients used.
Slow-Release Fertilizers
Fertilizers that release slowly are also called controlled-release fertilizers. During the course of time, they slowly release nutrients to the soil. As a matter of fact, a wide variety of fertilizers are available, such as capsules, pods, and spikes. Each pellet has a coating of varying thickness that dissolves at a different rate. The fertilizer is released in low doses over a long period of time. You need to fertilize less frequently as a result.
Up to 8 months can pass between applications.ths. Check the label to see how long they can eat, and do not add more before that time has passed. Fertilizers like these are perfect for potted plants because there is less area to cover and you don’t have to worry about nutrient distribution. Slow-release fertilizers have the disadvantage of being a bit more expensive than liquid fertilizers.
If you want to grow snake plants, you should use slow-release plant food in granular form. Granules are more evenly distributed than pods or spikes. Potting soil with slow-release fertilizer is available from some brands. Follow the label instructions to use this product correctly. Choose the one with equal amounts of N-P-K. As long as you use it with caution, you won’t have to worry about root burning.
Fertilizers with Granules
Dry fertilizer granules that can be mixed into the soil. If a pot is watered, granular fertilizer delivers its nutrients all at once. As a result, it is hard to control how much the plants receive at a time. These granules are especially useful for making a first potting mix, where they can be scattered throughout the pot. There are two types of granular fertilizers for houseplants: granules and spikes. They are also available in organic forms made from naturally derived ingredients.
Snake plants shouldn’t be fed with granular fertilizers. The risk of overdosing and burning is higher with these drugs than the other two types.
When is The Best Time to Fertilize Snake Plants
Snake plants show signs of improper watering, light, or infections pretty readily. The tricky part is determining when your plants need to be fertilized. Since snake plants grow slowly, a stunted growth due to a lack of nutrients can be difficult to notice. Therefore, instead of waiting for a distress signal from the plant, it’s better to fertilize on a regular basis.
During the summer months, snake plants grow the fastest. During this time, they need extra nutrients to grow and bloom. Even though indoor plants experience more constant temperatures, changes in the weather and the growing cycle affect them similarly to outdoor plants. In general, it is best to fertilize snake plants during the summer months, whether they are indoor or outdoor.
The spring and summer are ideal times to feed your plants. Snake plants don’t necessarily need fertilizer in the fall. However, if you wish, you can use very dilute doses. Snake plants are dormant in the winter, so do not fertilize them. Nutrients are not necessary during this period.
When Should You Feed The Plant?
How often should you feed the snake plant after you have your fertilizer? Snake plants don’t require much fertilizer, but if fertilized twice a year, they will grow a little more. For a general idea, read the feeding instructions carefully. During the spring and summer, you should fertilize your snake plant. You can also get away with fertilizing indoor plants only once a year for healthy plants. During the spring and summer, you can fertilize twice a month at most to maximize the growth of your snake plant. There is probably not much you can handle if you feed more than that. Tender roots are at greater risk of burning.
When it comes to fertilizing snake plants, each one has its own needs. As outdoor plants are exposed to more fluctuations in the environment, they require more fertilizer. The brighter the light, the more they grow. In addition, atmospheric factors can also lead to nutrient depletion. Increase the frequency of feeding rather than the concentration, as long as it’s within limits.
Low-light plants require less fertilizer, on the other hand. Snake plants require little water and few nutrients in low-light conditions. For plants that are kept in dim areas, as well as plants that experience seasonal changes, this is true. You will need to feed your plants less and less as the daylight decreases. During the winter months, avoid feeding snake plants since they are resting.
How Do You Fertilize Snake Plants?
While feeding your snake plant, consider the following tips and considerations.
- Follow the instructions on the fertilizer packaging for the correct dosage and method. Depending on the plant’s height, pot diameter, etc.
- It is best to have a 10:10:10 ratio. Use half the dose of 20:20:20 strength fertilizer. For indoor and outdoor snake plants, use the same concentration.
- Water-soluble fertilizer should not be poured all at once. Coat the entire soil surface evenly.
- Spread a recommended amount of granules uniformly on the soil surface when applying granular formulations. There is no need to bury them unless it is specified on the package. Every time you water them, they’ll release nutrients.
- Immediately empty the saucer beneath your Snake Plant’s pot once the water has drained.