How to know if the snake plant is healthy? Amazing Thing You Should Know (2022) - All Gardeners (2023)

FAQs

What does an unhealthy snake plant look like? ›

Leaves are wrinkled

What is this? Snake plant leaves are normally deep in color with shiny, healthy-looking leaves. If your snake plant has wrinkled and dull leaves, you know something's not right. There are a number of causes for wrinkled leaves, but most are related to temperature.

When shopping for snake plants, select one that has dark green leaves; leaves that are too pale indicate that the plant may already be faltering. Check to see if your plant needs to be re-potted, and choose a terra cotta or porous material pot and a potting mix that allows for good drainage.

For instance, if the snake plant's sword like leaves are brown, that too is usually a symptom of sun exposure. If mostly the leaf tips are brown, then it could be that your snake plant isn't getting enough water. Yellowing leaves are your snake plant's way of telling you that you're overwatering it.

Snake plants are easy going and will thrive in almost all light conditions - though they draw the line at being locked in a windowless room for decades. The lighter and brighter the place you pick for your snake plant, the happier they'll be.

Look for dark green leaves to make sure your sansevieria is healthy. Dark leaves on a snake plant indicate that it is healthy and well-nourished. Leaves that have a yellowish tinge on the outer edge of the leaves or leaves that are pale and floppy could indicate that the plant is dying.

If your Snake Plant goes too long without water, its leaves will start to wrinkle, curl, and droop. With prolonged or repeated underwatering, you may see them fade to yellow or turn crispy and brown. Try to check the soil often so that it doesn't get to this point!

Snake Plant Pot Size

The snake plant can grow to be 12 feet tall and 10 feet wide, so it's important to have a large enough pot to accommodate the entire plant. The best pot size for a snake plant is at least 18 inches in diameter and 24 inches deep.

Do snake plants like to be crowded? Yes, snake plants do like to be crowded. However when they're severely root-bound the pot can break, or they can have a hard time absorbing the water and nutrients they need.

If your snake plant isn't getting enough sunlight, it will tell you with droopy and sad-looking leaves. While you should be careful to not suddenly move your snake plant from a dark corner to a high-light environment, you can train it to grow really well next to a window that receives some brighter light.

Similar to other household succulents, snake plants help to filter indoor air. What's unique about this particular plant is that it's one of the few plants that can convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) into oxygen at night. This quality makes it an ideal plant for bedroom decor, since it can help regulate healthy airflow.

What does a stressed snake look like? ›

A stressed snake's body language will be different from normal. It may refuse to eat, rub its nose against objects, and start hissing or strike. The cause will be improper care or living conditions, such as the tank is too large with no hides or there's too much or little humidity.

Unlike other plants, the Snake Plant produces oxygen at night. It does this by converting carbon dioxide with its wide long leaves into fresh breathable air. In fact, it is best known for producing the highest amount of oxygen among all houseplants. This makes the Snake Plant very friendly for your bedroom.

What will naturally keep snakes away? Snake-repellent plants, such as marigolds, allium, lemongrass, mother-in-law's tongue, garlic, wormwood, pink agapanthus, snakeroots, basil and yellow alder will all keep snakes away naturally.

Dracaena trifasciata is commonly known as a Snake plant and is the most popular among indoor plants. It is a low-maintenance plant that produces an effective mosquito repellent called Saponin. This chemical can repel annoying mosquitoes and a wide variety of insects, like spider mites.

While some plants are fairly high-maintenance and borderline dramatic (cough, cough: the fiddle-leaf fig) sansevierias, known also as snake plants or mother-in-law's tongues, are the quite the opposite. In fact, these trusty greens are so resilient they can go up to two weeks without water.

Water. Your Snake Plant only needs to be watered fortnightly, allowing its soil to completely dry out between waterings to prevent overwatering and root rot. During the winter months feel free to only water your snake plant once a month if the soil is still moist after 2 weeks.

Depending on the variety, a healthy snake plant should be a mostly dark green colour. If you notice that the foliage is becoming pale or a light shade of green, this could be a sign that it needs some extra TLC and is feeling a little under the weather.

Touch the soil every few days to see if it's dry or crumbly. If the soil is dry, it's time to water your snake plant. Generally, once a week works great. Smaller snake plants may last up to two weeks between watering while larger snake plants may require watering every two to three days.

Putting your plants in the shower helps remove dust and pests. The occasional shower helps counteract the low humidity and indoor heating that's prevalent in winter, removes dust and dirt that may have accumulated on the leaves, and allows the plant to “breathe” and photosynthesize more efficiently.

No, snake plants do not need deep pots. In fact, they prefer wide, shallow containers to help promote proper drainage and discourage root rot. Make sure you choose a pot that is at least two inches wider in diameter than its current size to give the roots adequate space to develop and expand.

How tall should you let a snake plant grow? ›

Keep it planted at the same depth it'd been at in its old pot, but keep it within 2″ of the pot's rim. Remove or add soil to get it to the right depth. You do not have to tamp the soil down too firmly. Ensure it's in there well enough to support the plant, then water it in.

At night, on the other hand, these plants take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide, a process called respiration. However, the Snake Plant is one of the lucky few that continues to produce oxygen at night, making it the ideal plant to place in your bedroom for better sleep.

You don't have to use any pebbles, but it will keep the plant sturdy and in place, and look much nicer! What is this? You can use materials other than river pebbles, but just make sure they're safe for use for plants.

These flowers sometimes appear out of nowhere or for no reason. Snake plants require little care to thrive, and some even theorize that neglect helps the plant bloom. Ultimately, patience and meeting this plant's light needs, with a bit of healthy stress added in, can result in the sweet, elusive white blooms.

You can bottom water your snake plants by placing them in a shallow container or bathtub filled with about an inch (2.5 cm) of water. Bottom watering allows the soil to become fully saturated and encourages the roots to grow towards the bottom of the pot.

Another popular houseplant, the snake plant (also known as mother-in-law's tongue) has a multitude of air-cleaning tricks up its sleeve. It removes formaldehyde, xylene and nitrogen oxides from the air, and at night continues its hard work.

They are adaptable plants that can survive in low-light conditions. However, if you give them low light, their development rate will be a little bit slower. Therefore, avoid placing your snake plant in spaces without windows or natural light if you want it to thrive as well as possible.

Fertilizer – Because snake plants are native to poor rocky soil, avoid overfertilizing. A premium plant food such as Pennington UltraGreen All Purpose Plant Food 10-10-10 fed once each spring gives your snake plant the primary, secondary and micronutrients it needs. Then it keeps gently feeding for up to four months.

Snake Plants do not need a lot of water, and it's always best to err on the side of underwatering with this plant. In fact, the sanseveria is incredible drought resistant and can go long periods without a single drop of water.. Water once every ten days to two weeks, or whenever the top soil is completely dry.

What does snake plant symbolize? ›

Snake plant symbolizes Cleanliness and tenacity which makes it perfect to be gifted to someone who loves nature. This plant makes as a perfect house warming gift indicating persistence and happiness. The plant is a popular Feng-Shui plant and is associated with good luck.

If your snake is dehydrated, you may notice several symptoms, including cloudy and sunken eyes, weight loss, and a lack of appetite. if you're not sure whether your ball python is dehydrated, look for these signs: Sunken eyes. Dry and flaky skin.

As a rule of thumb, snake plants should be watered once their soil has completely dried out. During the spring and summer, you can expect to be watering your snake plant more often than in the fall and winter due to increased light, warmer temperatures, and more vigorous growth.

An Indian household is usually incomplete without the presence of a sacred Tulsi plant. Every day, Tulsi gives out oxygen for 20 out of the 24 hours day. It absorbs toxic pollutants from the air such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide.

Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum morifolium)

Florist's chrysanthemums or “mums” are ranked the highest for air purification. They're shown to eliminate common toxins as well as ammonia. Treat yourself to a fresh pot, as this flower only blooms for about six weeks.

Research has shown that cinnamon oil, clove oil, and eugenol are effective snake repellents. Snakes will retreat when sprayed directly with these oils and will exit cargo or other confined spaces when these oils are introduced to the area.

Use Natural Predators

Snakes have a few natural predators that can help keep them away. Common snake predators include cats, raccoons, pigs, turkeys, guinea hens, and foxes.

Sarpagandha. Known by a variety of names, for example, Sarpagandha, Indian Snakeroot, and Insanity herb, this plant is known for its capacity to repel snakes.

In fact, too much water will kill a snake plant by causing root rot. This plant's toughness makes it a top choice for offices and homes alike. It can survive long stretches of neglect and will thrive when treated with bright indirect light and proper watering. It's the perfect starter houseplant.

What bugs live in snake plant? ›

Snake plants are susceptible to numerous pests and diseases, including aphids, spider mites, Southern blight, and root rot. To keep your plant healthy, inspect it regularly and treat issues as soon as they occur. Providing your plant with the proper environment will also help prevent and treat pests.

Grip your Snake Plant near the base and slide it out of its pot. Then rinse the dirt off the roots and inspect them. If they're healthy, they should be firm and white or bright orange. If they're rotting, they'll be gray, brown, or black, and they'll feel soggy and slimy.

Mushy and Wrinkled Leaves

A clear sign of root rot is when the leaves of your Sansevieria begin to look wrinkled, soft and mushy. You can confirm this by touching the wrinkled areas to test touch your indoor plant. Snake plants hold water reserves in their leaves, and they should feel firm, with very little give.

Overwatered snake plants will have squishy leaves that are soft to the touch. You may see this sign before the leaves start to droop. Excess water in the leaves causes the cellular structure of the leaves to break down, making them soft, and sometimes even mushy.

Snake Plant Watering

They thrive on neglect. Water only when the soil is nearly dry. The quickest way to kill a snake plant is through overwatering. Before you think it's time to water, check the soil with your finger.

If you turn them upside down, they will not grow. After you make your cuttings, allow the cuts to dry and callous over. This will help prevent your cuttings from rotting. Let them air dry at least 1-2 days, but it could be longer.

Your Snake Plant only needs to be watered fortnightly, allowing its soil to completely dry out between waterings to prevent overwatering and root rot. During the winter months feel free to only water your snake plant once a month if the soil is still moist after 2 weeks.

Like sulphur, cinnamon is a natural fungicide that helps most plants root, while inhibiting the spores that cause rot in stem cuttings. Dip prepared plant stems in cinnamon and push them into the soil. It's an effective rooting hormone that's easy to use and inexpensive.

What fertilizer do I use for snake plant? ›

Fertilizer – Because snake plants are native to poor rocky soil, avoid overfertilizing. A premium plant food such as Pennington UltraGreen All Purpose Plant Food 10-10-10 fed once each spring gives your snake plant the primary, secondary and micronutrients it needs. Then it keeps gently feeding for up to four months.

To successfully grow a snake plant, you need to do the following: Water it on a two-to-six-week basis when the soil dries out, and make sure you don't wet the plant's leaves. Provide an indoor environment with indirect yet bright light.

Water from the bottom of the pot, if possible. This encourages the roots to grow downward and deep, helping to stabilize the thick, tall leaves. During the winter, while the plant isn't actively growing, water less often than you would in spring and summer.

A thirsty snake plant shows wrinkly, curling, browning leaves, and its soil may be so dry they seem baked. If your snake plant is dehydrated, give it a thorough, deep watering and allow all excess water to run off. Your plant should revive shortly.