Plants like Sansevieria grow well in indoor conditions & require little care. Learn how to grow Snake Plant indoor here, including how to take care of them.
The snake plant (Sansevieria) is one of the toughest plants you can find. No matter where you keep them, inside, outside or on your balcony, these spiky beauties can handle just about anything. You can grow them easily, but you should know a few things. Snake Plants are very low maintenance once you learn how to care for them as a houseplant.
Location To Grow Snake Plant Indoor
Despite their preference for indirect light, snake plants can also tolerate some direct sunlight. But, they will also grow (albeit at a slower rate) in shady corners and other areas with low lighting.
Ensure the plant is kept at a temperature of around 50°F (10°C). Make sure the windows are not drafty during the winter.
How To Care Snake Plant Indoor
Overwatering snake plants is one of the most common problems encountered with them (and also other succulents). Soggy soil is not conducive to the growth of these plants; they often develop root rot. Don’t water too frequently to avoid this. In between waterings, let the soil dry out mostly.
Make sure you don’t just look at the soil’s surface to determine when it’s time to water. Instead, carefully insert a wooden chopstick or finger into the soil. The chopstick should not be watered if it feels moist or soil sticks to it.
Water the pot from the bottom, if possible. To maintain these thick, tall leaves, deep root growth is encouraged. As the plant isn’t actively growing during the winter, water less often than you would in the spring and summer. In good conditions, snake plants grow rapidly; they may need to be divided at least annually due to their large, flat leaves..
In the spring, divide and repot. Cut out a section of both leaves and roots, and then plant both in a pot with potting soil that drains well. It is possible for snake plants to flower occasionally if they are potted. Fragrant,clusters of flowers appear at the top of the spikesr on tall spikes.
Snake Plant Growth Rate
The growth rate of Sansevierias is moderate to slow. Rhizomes, which develop as new growth, are the underground stems that spread the plants. The plants will grow faster in strong natural light and slower in low light.
Temperature for Snake Plant Indoor
We can grow Sansevierias in our homes all year round since they are hardy. As long as your house is comfortable for you, then it’ll be the same for your snake plants. You should keep them away from drafts and heating or air conditioning vents.
I have one in a pot growing outdoors that does just fine. Our desert is very hot in the summer and some nights in the winter can drop below freezing. You should bring yours indoors before the temperatures fall too low if they are outdoors over the summer. They do not tolerate frost or snow.
Air Circulation For Snake Plant Indoor
Our homes and offices are not a problem for these plants. In the bathroom, where the humidity is much higher, they will also thrive. This is yet another characteristic that makes this houseplant stand out as a “diehard”.
Water For Snake Plant Indoor
It’s easy to water Snake Plants – this is an important part of Snake Plant care. To prevent your plant from rotting out, do not overdo it. Be sure to thoroughly water the soil after almost complete drying.
Snake Plants require watering every two to eight weeks. The watering schedule will vary for you depending on your home environment, type of soil mix, and pot size.
Learn more about determining a watering schedule by reading my Guide to Watering Indoor Plants. During the winter, when the weather is cooler and the sun is less intense, I water my Snake Plants less often (every 8 weeks for those in large pots). This is the time of year when your houseplants like to rest.
Water should not be allowed to accumulate in the center of the leaves (where they form a cup), as this can cause a mushy plant and eventually rot. In this case, it is the ideal plant for travelers and people who tend to ignore plant life.
Light For Snake Plant Indoor
However, Sansevierias do tolerate low light as well as high light (about 10 feet away from the west and south windows). How versatile they are!
You should buy the darker leaves plants (Sansevieria trifasciata & Sansevieria hanhnii jade) for lower light conditions. The pattern and intensity of snake plants with brighter variegations will lessen in low light.
If you place a Snake Plant in a hot area (west or south window), it will burn in a heartbeat.