The snake plant is perfect even for beginner plant enthusiasts—tips for growing and care
The snake plant is a beloved houseplant that continues to charm new generations. The best part about growing it is that even beginners can learn the tricks to make it thrive. Check out our snake plant care guide to make your plant flourish!
The snake plant (Sansevieria sp.) originates from the tropical and subtropical regions of Afro-Eurasia. Cherished in Finland since the 1950s, the snake plant’s popularity has had its ups and downs, but it’s now back in the spotlight. Its appeal likely stems from its bold, graphic growth habit and low-maintenance nature. It’s perfect for centrally heated homes, where the room temperature stays constant year-round.
Snake plant care guide:
Temperature
The snake plant does well at standard room temperatures year-round. In winter, a slightly cooler spot can be beneficial, but the temperature should never drop below 10 degrees.
Light conditions
The snake plant isn’t very demanding when it comes to light. It does best in diffused light or partially shaded spots. It can manage even in strong sunlight, but the leaves might lose some of their vibrant color. Too little light, on the other hand, will turn the leaves uniformly dark green. Especially for yellow-edged varieties, choose a bright spot to maintain their lively coloration.
Snake plant: watering and fertilizing
Water your snake plant every couple of weeks during the growing season, from March through September. You can add liquid fertilizer to your watering solution during this period.
Reduce watering in winter and let the soil dry out between waterings. If you miss a watering, don’t worry—the plant usually recovers, as it stores water in its leaves.
Overwatering is the biggest mistake with the snake plant. If the leaves start to wilt or detach at the base, it’s usually a sign of too much water, as the lower parts begin to rot. The safest approach is bottom watering—giving water on a saucer under the pot.
Propagating the snake plant
You can propagate the snake plant by cuttings and division, although yellow-edged varieties must be divided rather than propagated from a leaf cutting—if you were to propagate from a cutting, the new plant would develop uniformly green leaves.
To propagate from a leaf cutting, snip a piece about ten centimeters long from a leaf and let the cut end dry. Then, plant the cutting in cactus soil and water lightly—so that it isn’t soggy, yet moist enough for the cutting to begin developing roots.
If you have a bird’s nest snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hahnii’), you can also try rooting by taking a top cutting and placing it in a glass of water to root, making sure that only the tip of the rosette is submerged.
Repotting the snake plant
The snake plant prefers a snug pot, so repot only once the roots have completely filled it—a process that may take two to four years. Cactus soil is ideal for a snake plant.
Before repotting, water your plant to help the root ball come out of the pot easily. Gently remove the old surface soil and soil that has compacted around the roots, then transfer the plant to a new pot that’s a couple centimeters larger than the old one. A terracotta pot is a good choice for the snake plant since its porosity reduces the risk of overwatering.
Other care for the snake plant
Regularly dust the leaves of your snake plant with a damp cloth.
If older leaves start to look worn or develop brown edges, trim them down to the base to give room for the young, healthy leaves to grow.
Snake plant species and varieties
The most common snake plants:
- Snake plant Sansevieria trifasciata
- Variegated snake plant Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’
- African spear Sansevieria cylindrica
The most common bird’s nest snake plants:
- Bird’s nest snake plant Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hanhii’
- Variegated bird’s nest snake plant Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’
