Plants such as the snake plant grow easily indoors. For those who are a beginner, you are able to try planting it indoors. However, like other indoor plants, it requires certain growing conditions. Therefore water is needed to grow a healthy snake plant.
Snake plants need to be watered when the soil dries up. Make sure the water you use is at room temperature. You need to remove the water from the pot so that it doesn’t stay on it. The roots and leaves will rot if the water is not drained out. What is the recommended watering frequency for snake plants? Let’s find out what that information is.
What Is the Water Requirement for Snake Plants?
It is best to water snake plants lightly at first, then water them again once the soil has dried up. If the snake plant is in shade and the temperature is low, it is generally able to survive long periods without water.
- Snake plants need to be watered once a week during the summer.
- Snake plants need to be watered once or twice a month during the winter.
Calculating Watering Frequency
You should be aware that incorrect watering is one of the causes of snake plant diseases. Therefore, it is very important to determine how often you should water your snake plants. The following are incorrect watering scenarios for Snake plants:
Overwatering
Because of incorrectly selected irrigation frequencies and the amount of water used for single irrigation, snake plants will suffer. The Snake plant’s roots will rot if they are overwatered.
Underwatering
Dry soil in snake plant containers can be caused by lack of moisture. Snake plants cannot continue growing normally without water.
It should be possible for you to identify the issue with the watering.
When to Water Snake Plants
Knowing when to water is the most important thing. Before determining when to water your snake plants and how frequently to water them, it is important to understand certain situations.
By checking the potting soil, you can determine when to water your snake plant. You can do it by digging your finger up to your two knuckles into the soil. You can now feel whether the potting soil remains moist or dry. You can water your Snake plants if there is dryness. Use a pencil or any kind of stick if your finger does not get dirty. You should water your Snake plants if the soil is dry below two inches from the top layer.
Despite their ability to survive without water for over a month, snake plants cannot be regularly overwatered. Snake plants can be killed by root rot, which can cause the roots to rot.
Factors Affecting Watering Schedule
Certain environmental parameters must be considered. You can use this to determine the right frequency of watering for Snake plants.
- A pot’s size and material determine its water-retention capacity. Water dries faster in a small container. In this case, you must indicate the watering capacity. It is best to check the moisture level manually or with a moisture meter.
- A significant portion of the potting soil is not covered with roots if the container is really large. There is probably a risk of overwatering. It is likely that you will water your Snake plants based on the container’s size in this case. Considering the size and needs of the Snake plant is also important.
- The snake plant will need to be watered less frequently if it has brown spots, root rots, or is yellow and soft. Physiological processes in Snake plants are slowed down by disease. As a result, it tends to use less water.
- Temperature, lighting, humidity, and changes in temperature are some of the environmental factors that determine when to water. Low humidity and high temperature will cause your pot water to evaporate quickly.
We have attempted to cover all the important aspects of determining the watering frequency for Snake plants as well as other indoor plants. Now that we’ve shared some information about watering your plants, let’s talk about how to determine whether your plant has been overwatered or if it is just too dry.
Watering Principles
- Snake plants require less water in winter than they do in summer.
- If you water your plant during the winter, drain the water from the container after watering.
- Clay pots usually have a porous structure that allows moisture from the soil to easily be absorbed.
- A drainage layer of stones or other non-degradable material must be placed at the bottom of the pot if there is no drainage hole. The roots will be protected from excess water because of this.
Signs of Dehydration
- Snake plants have translucent leaves.
- Snake plants lose their leaves and flowers prematurely.
- Brown edges appear on the leaf.
- Twisting and drying occur on the lower leaves.
Overwatering Early Signs
- Both young and old leaves will fall at the same time.
- In the pot there is a rotten odor. Oxygen deprivation causes the roots to die.
- After watering, the water stagnates in the pot.
- On the substrate’s surface, mold will grow.
- This leaves a brown necrotic spot on the leaf, which prevents it from growing.
- Snake plant roots will change color from white to brown when they are healthy.