The beauty of a Snake plant extends beyond the surface of its leaves. At night, these tropical plants work to remove formaldehyde and nitrogen oxide from the air inside. This makes them some of the most effective air purifiers I can keep inside. Because they purify the air while you sleep, these plants are an excellent option for inclusion in bedrooms.
Snake plants are known to improve one’s mental health and well-being. It is a must-have for me in my home. Since watering is essential in the maintenance of plants, you should know how to properly water snake plants.
How to Water Snake Plants
The most effective method for watering snake plants is to give them a substantial amount of water by completely saturating the soil. Here are other things you should know about watering snake plants:
- If you have access to filtered water or rainwater, use it instead of tap water. Give the top layer of soil time to dry out before applying further moisture.
- You should avoid watering the leaves and make every effort to prevent water from pooling in the veins of the leaves. Doing so can cause the plant to decay.
- When planting snake plants or repotting them, it is essential to use potting soil that drains quickly. Also, use a container that has a bottom with a sufficient number of drainage holes. It will prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged.
What kind of watering schedule should snake plants follow?
One of the plants that require the least amount of care is the snake plant. They can thrive with relatively little work. But watering is a significant challenge here, just as it is with any other plant. Poor watering accounts for 80% of the problems associated with snake plants.
The watering issue presents a more significant problem for snake plants since there are no specific guidelines on the watering amount. However, I devised a watering schedule to properly care for a snake plant. The schedule varies depending on whether it’s the summer or the winter. Therefore, allow me to walk you through it.
Summer Watering Schedule
Most snake plants’ growth occurs in the summer, the right time of year for them to flourish. Therefore, you must put in additional work to speed up the development. It indicates that you must exercise caution whenever you water them throughout the warm months. To put it all together, snake plants require little water to thrive. The number, however, is significantly more during the summer months. Here are quick points to note:
- Before you water your plants, examine the soil. Try probing the ground about an inch deep with your finger. Check to check if the earth is parched.
- If a depth of roughly an inch seems dry to the touch, you should water it. Pour half of the water into a small pot.
- Add half a cup of water to a small pot, 1 cup to a medium pot, and 1.5 cups to a large pot.
- You can examine the plant once every 15 days. If it feels dry, add some water.
Winter Watering Schedule
In the winter, snake plants tend to cause fewer problems than they do in the summer. Consequently, there is much more leeway in the watering schedule during the winter. You should perform a check of the soil once every thirty days. Check to see whether all of the soil is dry or not. Only after the soil is dried should you water the plant. You should add the exact quantity of water for the winter as well.
If you use water from the tap, check to see that it is not too ice cold. The water from the tap in the winter is typically ice cold. Therefore, if it is too cold, you shouldn’t use it. This is because snake plants cannot survive in freezing temperatures. Thus, water at the same temperature as the surrounding air is appropriate for the plants.
How often should snake plants be watered?
When the weather is warm, snake plants need to be watered once every two to four weeks. However, during the cooler months, they require less frequent watering. Check the top layer of soil with your finger to determine if it is dry before you water your sansevieria plant.
If it is dry, you can go ahead and water your plant. If the soil feels dry when you stick your finger about an inch and a half (2.5 cm) deep, it is time to water the plant. If the soil has yet to dry out, you should wait one more week before watering it. A soil moisture meter is a valuable tool for determining whether it is necessary to water again once the soil has become sufficiently dry.
Once the soil of your snake plant has completely lost all of its moisture, you should begin to water it again. Due to increased light, temperatures, and rapid growth that occur during spring and summer, water the plant more frequently than during fall and winter.
For instance, you may water the plant once per week during the spring and summer months. However, you may do so throughout the fall and winter months once every two to three weeks.
Additional Advice on Caring for Snake Plants
The following are some extra considerations to keep in mind when tending to your Snake plant:
- The bright light conditions to the full sun are optimal for its growth. On the other hand, it can develop in virtually any light.
- Cactus or soilless potting mix is the soil type that works best for Sansevieria plants.
- Reduce the water you give your plants throughout winter to keep the soil from drying. Always take care not to moisten the leaves, especially the veins in the middle of the leaf.
- Snake plants do well under average indoor humidity. Although it can survive in dry air, you should still keep your plant away from draughts and vents of any kind.
- Repotting your snake plant in the spring is recommended. However, you should only do it if your plant is overgrown. When repotting a plant, it is essential to maintain the position of the rosette of leaves at the same level as the soil.
What to Do in Case of Overwatering?
When you overwater your plant, the first step that you need to take is to get rid of the plants that are already infected. Look for stringy decaying root matter. If you find any, clip them off carefully using sterile scissors if you want to keep them. By cutting it, you can reduce the risk of the rot spreading to the entire root.
To finish, repot the plant. Since the plant has already absorbed the excessive water, you need to report it. It will perish if you leave the plant in that condition for an extended period. Therefore, you will need to place it in a dry soil container. After you have moved the plant to its new location, wait 15 days before giving it any water. Then it would be best if you continued to water them on the previously mentioned schedule.