Plants like snake plants perform best when they are treated lightly. The plants don’t require a lot of water, and they actually thrive when you let them dry out between waterings. We’re going to walk you through everything you need to know about watering snake plants at home including when to water, how to water, and the main factors related to light, temperature, soil, and the seasons. Come on, let’s go!
Water snake plants with dechlorinated tap water or filtered water once the top 2/3 of the soil is dry – about every 2-3 weeks in the summer and every 6-8 weeks in the winter. Temperature, sunlight, and low humidity will all increase the amount of water snake plants need.
Considerations for Watering Snake Plants
Water snake plants (Dracaena trifasciata) based on the following physical and environmental factors.
Temperature & Humidity
Snake plants will lose significant amounts of water through transpiration in areas with high air temperatures. As a result, you will need to water your plant more at warmer temperatures than you would at lower temperatures.
In dry conditions, your plants will also transpire more than in humid conditions. If the air is dry, you’ll need to water more often.
Conditions of Light
Although snake plants prefer indirect light, they can survive in darker areas or in indirect light. Light that lasts longer and is more intense will require more water.
The Season
Snake plants slow down their growth during the winter because of a decreased amount of light. As a result, they don’t require frequent watering because they don’t use much water.
When the days lengthen, snake plants resume their growth and begin to use more water.
With a grow light, you can provide consistent light all year round, so the seasons won’t have a significant effect on how much you need to water your snake plant.
The Soil Mix
The snake plant needs to be planted in well-draining soil so that excess water can run off. You will need to water less if you are using a mix that is not well-draining. However, switching to a proper soil blend is the best move
The Container Size, Type and Plant Size
It is always going to be a challenge to find the right balance here – larger plants will need more water than smaller ones, as you might expect, but larger plants will be in larger pots. This does not necessarily mean that you’ll need to water larger plants more frequently. When you water, you should provide a larger volume of water.
The soil in smaller containers dries out faster than the soil in larger containers, so you will need to water them more frequently. During each watering, however, you won’t need to provide a large amount of water.
How often you need to water also depends on the type of container you have. Terra cotta pots pull water from the soil, allowing the soil to dry out faster. Therefore, plants in terra cotta pots need to be watered more often than plants in ceramic or plastic pots.
Snake Plant Variety
The snake plants do best in the same environment and with the same care. Therefore, the type of snake plant does not affect how much water you need to give it.
When Should I Water My Snake Plant?
When the top two-thirds of a snake plant’s soil looks dry, it’s time to water the plant. You can use your finger to check the soil’s moisture level.
As an alternative, you can check the soil’s moisture with a moisture meter. On a scale of 1-10, a meter reading of 2 indicates that it’s time to water.
How Often Should I Water My Snake Plant?
The following estimates can be used while determining how frequently to water snake plants while taking into account the factors listed above.
You should water your plant every 2-3 weeks in the summer and every 4-6 weeks in the winter. In the spring, increase the frequency of watering and decrease it in the fall.
What Kind of Water is Best for Snake Plants?
Water doesn’t matter too much to snake plants, but they will struggle if there is too much chlorine or other salts in their water. Let tap water sit on the counter overnight before watering, or use rainwater.
How to Water Snake Plants
Be careful not to wet the leaves of the snake plant when you water it. Only water the base of the plant.
Make sure you add water until you see it running out of the bottom of the container when you water your snake plant. When you are using a potting mix that is well-aerated and well-draining, you do not have to worry about the soil holding too much water, even when fully saturated.
If there’s an overflow dish underneath your plant’s pot, make sure to empty it after watering. Wet conditions are not conducive to snake plants.
What to Do in Between Watering Cycles
During the summer, allow the soil to dry out between waterings, which is one of the most important things to remember when watering snake plants.
Despite the surface of the soil appearing dry, the deeper soil may still be moist. Put your finger into the soil a few inches deep. When it’s dry, you should water again, whereas when it’s moist, you should wait.
Your plant should become more familiar with how fast it evaporates moisture. You won’t have to check the soil every time you water.
How to Water Propagated Snake Plants
You should never leave a snake plant sitting in wet soil after propagating it via a cutting or division. As with mature snake plants, follow a watering schedule that allows the soil to dry between waterings.
The Importance of Watering Snake Plants After Repotting
Repot the snake plant into its new container by thoroughly moistening the new soil. Then, your snake plant will be watered according to a typical schedule.
Overwatering and Underwatering Snake Plants
The most common problem for snake plants is overwatering, but they can also suffer from underwatering.
A rotting leaf or root is an indication of overwatering. When the roots rot, the plant has a hard time taking in oxygen and water, which can cause yellow leaves.
The brown, crispy tip of snake plants’ leaves may result from underwatering.
Should I Mist Snake Plants?
The leaves of snake plants do not require misting due to their low humidity requirements. Keep the spray bottle away from your snake plants since misting can lead to mold and other fungal issues.