The snake plant is also known as Sansevieria or “Mother-in-law.” It’s a hardy plant that can survive even the toughest conditions. It’s, therefore, ideal for any beginner looking forward to tending to houseplants.
However, if it is not grown in the right conditions, it will be easily affected by water, affecting the plant’s growth. Therefore, you should only water them when the soil is dry and avoid constant watering as it damages the plant.
Also, if it’s grown in soggy soil, then the plant’s roots will rot. The snake plant is native to South Africa, which shares conditions with southern parts of the US. Whether you want to grow them indoors or on the balcony, they can easily survive.
But to enhance their chances of growth and development, you will need to adhere to correct watering. If you overwater or underwater these plants, then they will easily die. So, how should you water snake plants?
Table of Contents
Watering the Snake Plant
Since the snake plant is an easy growing plant, you won’t encounter many growth tissues. It’s only watering that disturbs many, and improper watering can lead to many problems. It, therefore, important to be vigilant when watering the plants.
Water the soil only and ensure the moisture does not accumulate in the leaves as it can make them rot. And since it has many leaves, this challenge is common and is the leading cause of rotting.
Also, note your watering schedule and apply enough and not excess water to the plant. To ensure optimum watering, the soil on the top should be dry.
Also, give enough spacing between the watering sessions. And when it’s winter, avoid frequent watering of the plants; instead, ensure
How much water does a snake plant need?
The amount of water the snake plant needs depends on its growing site. If the plant is in an area with much sunlight, you will need to use more water. But if it’s growing in a shady area and places with lower temperatures, you will use little water.
Can you Overwater a Snake Plant?
Yes, snake plants can be overwatered, and since it’s succulent, their roots will easily rot in soggy conditions. If the plant is overwatered, its leaves will start to wilt or drop. Therefore, ensure the plant receives sufficient amount of water for its growth. The best time to water it is when the top of the soil is dry and not wet.
How long can snake plants go without water?
Snake plants are hardy, and they can survive for up to 6 weeks with little or no water. The survival rate depends on factors like sunlight, temperature, and plant variety. Water the plant at least once every month to ensure its survival.
Should I Mist my Snake Plant?
Put your snake plants in an area with good sunlight and mist them daily to moisten them. The spray bottle is commonly used when misting, and the plant will develop the buds and roots after some weeks.
How do I know when my snake plant needs water?
Since the snake plant requires enough water for growth, too little water can make the plant degrade.
If the plant’s leaves stall, dropping, falling, or wrinkle, it’s a sign of insufficient water. Additionally, the soil will dry, and the leaf tips turn to brown color. The leaves may also start to turn yellow or brown.
Should you Water Plants from Top or Bottom?
If you water the snake plants from the bottom, then the roots will receive moisture uniformly. Additionally, it doesn’t wash mineral deposits and salt, which accumulates on the topsoil in time. But you should water it once a month from the top to get rid of excess minerals and rinse the soil.
How do you fix an overwatered snake plant?
If your snake plant is overwatered, then you will take the steps below to fix it:
- Stop watering and move the plant to a bright, sunny area
- Remove the plant from the pot and get rid of the dirt
- Check the plant for any signs of rotting
- Remove the affected parts using a sharp knife
- Treat the healthy roots with fungicides
What does overwatering look like?
Overwatering commonly affects snake plants, and it’s easy to overwater them since they’re succulent. Since you want to ensure the plant thrives, you should monitor them for any signs of overwatering.
Overwatered snaky plants usually have mushy or soggy leaves. Also, the leaves could have brown spots, and they can wilt. Root rotting is also a common sign, and the leaves usually turn yellow or brown.
Watering Needs for Optimum Growth of Snake Plant
The snake plant is succulent and therefore stores extra water in the stem, leaves, and roots. This helps the plant to survive even under drier conditions.
Once you uproot the snake plant, you will notice these giant root structures. They store water, and the fleshy leaves also help in water storage.
Since it’s a hardy plant, avoid using a lot of water when planting or nurturing it. Before you report it, put a little water to moisten the soil.
If you overwater the plant, the stem will get soggy. This is one of the indicators of excess water in the plant.
Conclusion
The snake plant is one of the most popular and easiest houseplants to nurture in your home. It’s even ideal for beginners who are growing houseplants in their homes.
But is susceptible to rotting due to overwatering; therefore, maintain the optimum conditions to ensure the plant grows well and attains maturity.
The snake plant is a popular succulent houseplant grown in many homes. They have beautiful, upright leaves which maintain their looks throughout the year. Though most varieties have green leaves, some have white or yellow edges.
Snake plants usually grow to around 60 cm in height, but some grow to a smaller height. Note that the snake plant is not ideal for indoor environments. Some varieties also have flowers on their base when the plant is still young.
The flowering in snake plants is unpredictable, but this plant is ideal for beginners because it needs low-maintenance. The plant also grows quite slowly, but it can survive for many years provided it is cared for well.
Photo by Elle Hughes from Pexels
