Snake plants can even improve your health and well-being. There are things you need to know before growing one, like how much light snake plant needs. In China, the plants were first cultivated and kept as treasured houseplants, since it was believed that the eight gods bestowed their virtues (long life, prosperity, intelligence, beauty, art, poetry, health, and strength) upon those who grew them. During 1989, NASA conducted a study on how plants can be used to purify the air and combat “sick building syndrome.” According to joint studies conducted by the University of Georgia and Yonsei University, snake plants can neutralize formaldehyde and benzene.
One of the most popular and hardy species of house plants is the Spruce / Alonda Baird Sansevieria trifasciata (also known as snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue). Depending on the variety, the stiff leaves can measure six inches tall to eight feet tall. There is a wide variety of snake plants, but most have green leaf bands with a yellow border. It’s easy to grow them, and they’re almost indestructible; they thrive under bright light as well as in almost complete darkness. A few hours of direct morning sun will boost their growth if they are exposed only to indoor light. Spring is the best time to repot.
Snake Plant Care
Snake plants are an ideal plant for new gardeners because they are nearly impossible to kill. It is an excellent container plant and can be grown on the floor or on a tabletop display. Drought-resistant plants are also found here. Two types of low-growing plants are available, but they are rarely found at garden centers.
Snake plants should not be overwatered, since this can lead to rot. Water the soil again after it has dried. Winter months are the only time when they need no watering. The warmer months require more frequent watering. In cold weather, snake plants are likely to suffer.
Light Snake Plant Needs
So how much light snake plant needs. Although snake plants can be very forgiving, they prefer indirect and steady light. As well as surviving in bright sunlight, they can also live in quite dim conditions.
Nevertheless, they tolerate low and high light (as long as they are 10 feet away from a west or south window). It’s amazing how versatile they are! That is how much light snake plant needs.
You should buy the darker-leaved species and varieties of Sansevieria in lower-light conditions (such as S. trifasciata and S. hanhnii jade). Low light will reduce the intensity and pattern of snake plants with brighter variegation.
Snake Plants should be kept out of the direct, hot sun (west or south window) as they will burn.
Generally, snake plants do best in indirect, bright light. As snake plants are low-light variants, they are often misunderstood. In most cases, that’s how snake plants are sold
Snake plants will show you droopy leaves if they lack light. A snake plant will thrive best at a window with direct sunlight, but you can train it to thrive in any location. If you put it in a dark corner, be careful not to move it suddenly into a bright area. The plant will need watering if it is near your window. A snake plant’s leaves will thinning and looking brown or black if the plant has sunburn.
Plants with extra leaves, stems, and roots can survive in drier habitats because they store water. Sabharwal observes that snake plant roots are very thick when they are pulled out. These plants can handle some breaks between waterings because their roots store water and their meaty, fleshy leaves do, too. You should ensure that the soil on snake plants is completely dry before watering.
According to Sabharwal, overwatering snake plants leads to soggy stems connected to the roots. The abuse is very tolerant, so this is a sign there is something amiss.