How often should I repot my snake plant? Well, there is no exact answer, but it is fairly easy to determine when it is time to repot them.
When To Repot
Is the pot of your snake plant bulging uncomfortably? The foliage seems to be suffering, isn’t it? Then it may be time to repot the snake plant. The task isn’t hard. The age of your plant will determine whether you are able to divide it simultaneously, thus creating a second plant!
It is best to do this repotting at the end of winter or at the beginning of spring. The transplant is made at a time of year when the plant isn’t growing actively. However, it can be performed any time of the year if necessary. Once your roots begin to extend through the drainage holes of your pot, it’s time to repotted. Eventually, plastic pots will bulge a bit. There’ll appear to be no water in the soil when you water, and all water comes straight through.
Support the plant at its base and turn it over gently. Look at the pot – do you see roots spreading all over it? Are you able to easily remove the plant or does it seem stuck? Whenever you find that it’s stuck, you’ll definitely need to move it into something a bit larger.
Even though the mother-in-law’s tongue likes to stay a bit rootbound, it does not do well when all it has left is roots. As soon as it reaches that point, or if one of the other signs appears, it’s time to take action! Repotting snake plants will also allow you to propagate them by division. In a moment, we’ll talk more about that.
What To Do
Snake plants are easy to repot if you follow the instructions! Now that you know how often should I repot my snake plant, so let’s go over how to do it.
Choosing A New Pot(s)
Choosing a new pot is the first step. The mother-in-law’s tongue can become quite top-heavy because of the tall leaves. Picking a pot of sufficient size will ensure that the plant doesn’t tip over. It’s best to find a pot that’s about 1-2 inches wide than the current pot. Make sure the size doesn’t increase too dramatically. A large amount of soil may cause pockets of moisture to form, leading to root rot.
Choosing The Soil Mix
Additionally, you’ll need a soil that drains extremely well. Choose a soil that is suitable for tropical houseplants, since this plant can be a bit dry. Adding some succulent mix to standard potting soil will increase drainage as well.
I like to use a blend of African violet soil with a bit of sand added to make drainage easier. You can also mix one part garden soil with one part peat moss and two parts perlite or building sand. It is good to add a little compost, but do not add too much. Compost tends to hold moisture, which might pose a threat to the snake plant’s root ball.
Finally, Do It!
Make sure not to damage the root ball by removing the plant from its previous pot. After it has been freed, examine its roots. You should look for dark, mushy spots on the roots if they are destroyed by rot. Slice away rotten parts with a sterile knife.
Make sure to slice through the roots as well, if there are roots that surround the root ball. You should only have to cut it once. Stopping the roots from hindering growth is the goal. Plant the plant in your new pot with some of your potting mix on top. It should be planted at the same depth that it had been in its old pot, but within an inch or two of the rim. Add or remove soil to reach the correct depth.
The soil does not have to be tamped down too tightly. Make sure it is well-spaced enough for the plant to grow in. When your soil sinks after watering, you can fill the sides with more soil to restore it to the right height. How’s that? Now that you’ve known how often should I repot my snake plant, repotting snake plant is actually very easy, right?