It is easy to grow snake plants, which are also called Sansevieria. In addition to adding modernity to any abode, they make wonderful tabletop displays. You may be wondering how tall snake plants get and how fast they grow if you are considering buying one for the first time. We will answer these questions and discuss other factors related to their maintenance and care in this post.
Snake plants are known for their slow growth when compared to other plants. When grown indoors, snake plants can grow up to 8 feet high and grow up to 12 feet when planted outdoors. Based on its height, the entire plant can range between 6 inches and 3 feet wide. Plants can grow between 10 inches and 24 inches per year.
A few important factors will influence how fast and how much your indoor snake plant grows, including light exposure, proper watering, and soil content. The best way to guarantee your snake plant’s continued growth is to properly care for and maintain it. Find out how to take care of your snake plant by reading on.
How To Grow Snake Plants Optimally
Temperature
A hot, dry environment is ideal for snake plants. In a fairly warm climate (such as California or Florida) a potted snake plant may also be placed outside or on a window ledge. It will also be great if you have a garden in your backyard, as long as the temperatures don’t get below 50 degrees Fahrenheit for longer than a day.
Light
It doesn’t matter what kind of lighting snake plants get. Plants can grow in almost any kind of light, though they should be kept away from direct sunlight for as long as possible. Leaving them on window sills or in outdoor gardens can cause their leaves to burn. It would be ideal to place the plant about 8 to 10 feet away from a window facing south or west.
Fertilizer
Unless they are in a sickly state and need immediate nourishment, these plants don’t require much fertilizer. Using an NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium) ratio of 10-10-10 for cactus or succulent fertilizer will be effective on your snake plant. The best time to fertilize snake plants is in the spring or summer–avoid fertilizing them during the winter. It is best to fertilize at most twice a year.
Soil
Your snake plant needs a well-draining potting mix. For succulents, you can also use an all-purpose cactus soil or another commercial indoor soil. Ideally, your snake plant soil mix should quickly drain and rehydrate after watering. In loose soil, there are many air pockets that help to prevent overwatering.
Water
For your snake plant to survive and grow properly, it needs to be watered properly. When you get a snake plant for the first time, you usually overwater it. Water and session sessions are usually separated by drying periods for snake plants. This means that if you stick your finger in the soil a few days after watering the plant, and it feels a bit crumbly, that’s perfectly fine. It’s amazing how long these plants can go without water!
If you want your snake plant to thrive, you shouldn’t water it more than once every two or three weeks. Getting root rot is prevented by letting the soil dry out before watering the plant again. Due to their minimal water requirements, snake plants are more susceptible to root rot. You’ll be able to detect root rot if your leaves turn yellow and bend a bit, rather than standing straight as a board before.
Pests
Generally, snake plants are better at resisting pests than most other indoor plants. They can, however, become susceptible to spider mites and mealybugs if kept in poor conditions or planted outdoors. The first sign of a spider mite infestation is white spots on the plant’s leaves and webs formed between them.
If left untreated, mealybugs will consume your snake plant’s foliage, eventually killing it. Neem oil and pesticides can be used to prevent snake plant infestations. Rub alcohol can also be used to remove bugs from foliage.
Repotting
Due to their slow growth, snake plants don’t require as much repotting as other indoor plants. Repotting your snake plant only needs to be done every four to ten years on average. You may need to repot your snake plant every 2 to 6 years if you keep it in an area with plenty of bright light (which speeds up its growth). Snake plants should be repotted at the beginning of the growing season. Repotting your snake plant also requires adding fresh soil.