Adapted to drought, snake plants need a generous soak before being watered again, and they need to dry out completely before rewatering. Snake plants should always receive a good soak rather than a light watering to ensure water has penetrated the soil properly to reach the roots.
Snake plants are succulent plants native to Africa that require well-draining soil and a dry environment between bouts of watering to keep healthy and avoid root rot.
Keep reading to learn how to determine how often to water your snake plant according to its climate and environmental conditions…
Snake Plant Watering Schedule
Unlike other succulents, snake plants need little or no water to grow and they grow well in hot, arid climates with well draining soil. When it is hot and sunny, snake plants lose water from their leaves because of their thick fleshy leaves that store water. Stomata open only at night for this reason.
The adaptations of snake plants to drought means they should be watered less often and need dryer soil conditions. They usually suffer from root rot, too, and need rich soil. If the soil is moist, the snake plant leaves turn yellow or brown and have a soft texture as a sign of stress.
Watering snake plants should only take place when the soil is completely dry around the roots. You should water your snake plant once every two to three weeks.
You should be aware that the rate at which the soil around your snake plant dries out can vary due to several different factors and at certain times of the year…
- There is a difference between the average yearly temperature and humidity.
- It is important to choose a pot with a large surface area (smaller pots tend to dry out faster).
- When the snake plant is in direct air con or forced air (which can rob the plant of moisture and cause the soil to dry rapidly).
- Moisture retention capacity of the soil.
- A fluctuating temperature inside as a result of heating.
- As the weather changes (snake plants are less thirsty in the Winter), their demands for moisture decrease.
Feel the drainage hole in the pot at the bottom of the pot in order to determine how often to water snake plants.
The soil should not be watered just yet if it feels moist, but if it feels somewhat dry, it is the perfect time to water.
After you have established a watering schedule that emulates a drought cycle followed by rain, to which snake plants are accustomed in their native habitat in Africa, you can determine how long it takes the soil to dry out for your potted snake plant.
Check Your Snake Plant Watering Frequently or Not Often Enough
When you water snake plants more frequently than once a week, you are likely overwatering since this does not allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
An overwatered snake plant has leaves that turn yellow, brown, or maybe even black, and have a soft, mushy feel instead of being firm and green.
To help your snake plant recover, reduce the amount of watering and let the soil dry out properly.
Alternatively, if the snake plant is underwatered (not watered frequent enough or watered lightly) then it will suffer from shriveled leaves that may curl or droop, potentially turning brown.
Soak your snake plant well and submerge the root ball in water for a few minutes, allowing moisture to infiltrate the soil and reach the roots to access much-needed moisture.
The snake plant leaves should return to a more plump appearance after two or three watering cycles.
Snake plants are drought-tolerant plants, so try to keep them dry as much as possible since they can be revived easier if they are underwatered than when they are over watered.
Watering Snake Plants in Winter
As the year goes on, snake plants’ moisture requirements fluctuate.
Since snake plants do not require as much water in winter, they need fewer waterings:
- There are fewer daylight hours.
- There is less intensity in the sun.
- In the Summer, water evaporates from the soil at a slower rate.
- In Winter, snake plants lose less water through their leaves.
During the Winter, all these factors can cause the snake plant to go into dormancy and stop growing.
During winter, check the amount of moisture in the soil at the drainage in the pot to reevaluate how often you should water your snake plant. You should often delay watering your snake plant for longer than you would in the spring and summer due to the soil staying moist for longer periods of time.
Agood soak should be provided to snake plants every three to four weeks in the Winter to maintain the optimal watering cycle but adjust the schedule according to your specific conditions.
You should also consider the fact that winter plant maintenance can be more difficult if there is heat source nearby.
If you place the snake plant directly next to a source of heat, the soil will dry out faster and you will have to water your plant more often.
How Much to Water Snake Plants
It is important to know how much water to give your snake plant. There are several variables that can influence how often you should water your snake plant, but how much water you should use remains the same regardless of conditions or season. Snake plants need a particularly generous soak, so water emerges clearly from the bottom of their pots. This assures the roots that the water has been absorbed properly and that they will be able to take up the moisture they need.
The roots can also be established in the soil with a generous soaking, which will increase the snake plant’s resistance to droughts.
If watered too lightly, the soil is moist only to the top inch or two; the soil beneath stays dry resulting in drought stress and shriveled leaves and browning as a sign of stress.
After soaking the soil in water for a while and allowing it to dry out, this mimics the watering cycle snake plants experience in their native environment with a sudden deluge of rain followed by a period of drought and hot weather.
A Well-draining Soil Is Essential for Preventing Overwatering
Keeping your snake plant healthy and avoiding root rot requires the proper watering frequency and quantity, as well as well-draining soil.
Peat soil repels water when completely dried out (as the soil should between watering your snake plants), causing water to run off the surface and preventing moisture from reaching the roots, causing drought stress.
Snake plants prefer a sandy or gritty soil that drains quickly without holding too much moisture.
Using potting soil mix formulated especially for succulents effectively prevents root rot and allows snake plants to maintain a healthy growth.