Source: AllThingsGardener Com
If you’re new to gardening, you may wonder what signs snake plant is healthy and how to take care of them.
Sansevieria or snake plant care is covered in this blog written for new gardeners, including how to tell if a snake plant is healthy. If you read this blog to the end, you will know how to get started with snake plants as a houseplant for beginners.
Snake Plant
The Sansevieria Trifasciata plant is also known as the snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue. New gardeners and those with black thumbs should choose this Sansevieria. This plant, which is still a relative to Walking sansevieria, can be forgotten for weeks and then come back beautiful and healthy.
But you still need to know if your snake plant is healthy. If grown directly in the ground, the snake plant’s frilled leaves can grow up to eight feet long. Plant it in a container indoors and it can grow tall as well.
Snake plants have been proven to be one of the most efficient air purifying plants ever found in an international study. That is why you need to know if the snake plant is healthy.
Researchers found that frozen green snakes can ingest formaldehyde and benzene, converting them into pure oxygen. Therefore, let’s look at how to change the aesthetics of your house as well as help it breathe better.
Signs Snake Plant Is Healthy
If you’re wondering if your snake plant is healthy or not, here are some key indicators to watch out for.
Pumping, fleshy green leaves are characteristic of a healthy snake plant. A soft stem and mushy leaves are also symptoms of root rot; the leaves of a healthy snake plant are rigid. In addition, make sure the soil in the pot is dry. Good growth is an indication of spring and summer.
You can tell if your snake plant is healthy by its dark green leaves. A snake plant’s dark leaves indicate its health and nutrient levels. A plant that has yellowish edges to its leaves or leaves that appear pale and floppy could be dying.
Furthermore, snake plant leaves that lay down can be a sign that the plant is not healthy. You must therefore fix mushy snake plant leaves as soon as possible.
Perfect Growth Conditions For Snake Plants
Light
Snake plants are sun-loving creatures, but they shouldn’t get direct sunlight. It is better to plant ‘Mother in Law’s Tongue’ near a wall that can protect it from the hot midday sun if you live in a warm area.
Put it on the western side of your property so it will receive reflected sunlight all day long, and then get some fresh sun rays in the evening before it is smothered by darkness.
It is possible to grow it indoors, which we highly recommend, as long as it has access to indirect sunlight. An example of how to put it is shown in the picture.
Best Soil
Snake plants thrive in soilless potting mixtures! You can replace the soil with organic materials such as sand, peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite, and you can also add inorganic fertilizers if necessary. A good soil to use would be one that drains quickly.
It is because snake plants grow rhizomes in the best soil, which is a strong plant root that can easily rot in moist soil.
Fertilizing
The MIL tongue plant doesn’t require fertilizer most of the time. In summer, use a fertilizer all-purpose once a month and less often than that in other seasons if you strive to improve its health and growth pattern.
Water
Plants are designed to thrive without frequent watering. Because of the dry soil surrounding the leaves, it can absorb moisture from the air and other liquids.
Don’t ignore your plants or disregard their needs, however! In summer, water it twice a month, and in other seasons, wait until the soil has completely dried before watering it again. It is best not to water it more than once a month even when the soil is dry in winter.
Climate
Drought climates and hot temperatures are not a problem for snake plants. Temperatures between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit are acceptable. Temperatures below 70 degrees Fahrenheit hurt them.
If you live in an area with low moisture and high temperatures, you might have to water the plant up to three times a month. times a month. Ensure your roots don’t rot, however.
More About Snake Plant Care
Credit: amazon.com
Snake plants take care of themselves most of the time, but there are certain things they cannot do. This is how you can tell if the snake plant is healthy. Their beautiful flat leaves can attract dust, which may interfere with the plant’s ability to purify your home’s air.
Use a damp piece of cloth to clean the plant periodically. Under perfect conditions, snake plants can also grow pups and offsets. In that case, you should not let the offsets and the mother mix together.
The best snake plants have dark green leaves. Plants that are yellowish or light green are generally struggling. Snake plant keepers are most often faced with root rot.
If you watered your plant and it showed symptoms of root rot -such as leaf shrinkage- remove the affected leaves.
The soil needs to dry for some time and some hydrogen peroxide should be applied to combat root rot. A change of soil or repotting is the best option if the plant is in poor condition due to root rot.
Snake plant advantages
The snake plant is a hardy succulent that can reach heights of up to six feet. Snake plants not only provide some ambiance but also have a lot of health advantages, so if snake plant is healthy you will get these benefits below such as:
- air filtering inside
- eliminate harmful contaminants
- could improve mental health
- simple to maintain
- useful in preventing allergies
- may contribute to enhancing a space’s “energy,” according to feng shui
- can treat mild illnesses
Conclusion
Thank you for your time. We’ve discussed the essentials of snake plant care as well as how to tell if a snake plant is healthy in this article.
To help your snake plant thrive, make sure to use everything you’ve learned here to care for it. We wish you success in caring for your snake plant and becoming an indoor plant parent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key symptoms of a snake plant being unhealthy?
Abnormal growth, browning or wilting of leaves, and a lack of green leaves are all indications that a snake plant is unwell. We have an article about how to fix a wilting snake plant in our blog. Go here: How To Fix A Wilting Snake Plant? Here Are Superb Guide To Do It.
How can I treat my snake plant if it’s not doing well?
A fertilizer and water combination may be used to treat the plant. Remember the dark green leaves are one of the signs your snake plant is healthy.
Is it okay to move my snake plant around every once in a while?
It’s fine to gently relocate your snake plant from time to time.
How can I tell if my snake plant is getting enough light and water?
Healthy roots, glossy foliage, and blooms that are not over-pollinated are the best indicators of whether your snake plant is getting enough sunlight and water.
How do I know if my snake plant is healthy?
Others advise frequent inspection of the plant for fresh growth and green leaves, while others focus on finding spider mites or other pests. Plant experts are the best persons to ask if your snake plant is healthy. For more info about this condition, you can read again this post.
What is a snake plant, and what are its benefits?
Because of its resemblance to the material used for making terracotta pots, a snake plant is commonly referred to as a houseplant. Snake plants may flourish in regions with little light if they are drought tolerant. Because they are easy to care for and move from room to room, they are popular indoor plants.
How can I keep my snake plant healthy in the long run?
By watering the snake plant regularly and repotting it when necessary, it can be kept healthy in the long run.
What should I do if my snake plant starts to develop yellow leaves or flowers?
Your snake plant’s root system is likely to be problems if it starts producing yellow leaves or blooms. Repotting and fresh soil may be required by the plant.