One of the hardiest varieties of home greenery, snake plants are virtually indestructible! If you’re a newbie on the green scene, these babies are some of the lowest maintenance plants you can get your hands on; if you consider yourself a brown thumb, you’ll be pleased to know they’re nearly impossible to kill. But, to avoid any disastrous mishaps, here’s our foolproof guide to keeping your snake plant happy all year-round!
What snake plant should I choose?
These striking succulents have a stiff, architectural form that is well loved by indoor plant fanatics and novices alike. They shoot out sword-like leaves and come in quite a few varieties and sizes, so there are lots of options when it comes to choosing the right one of you! If you’re looking for a tall, statement snake, then a Laurentii or a Bantel’s Sensation may be your best bet, but, if you want a little cutie for your desk or book shelf, something like the Hahnii would be perfect for you - they won't grow past 20cm.
Quick tip: There are plenty more varieties and the care for them doesn’t vary much at all. Just make sure that whichever you choose has very pigmented, dark or vibrant green leaves - paleness in the green is a good indication that the plant’s not so healthy!
How much light do snake plants need?
Snake plants are super easy to grow, and will be as content in a dark and gloomy corner as they might be by a bright window. They’re pretty tolerant of most light conditions, although, you’ll obviously see more growth if you provide them with more sunshine. If you can, place your snake plants in bright indirect light or give them few hours of soft, direct morning sun a day for the best growth.
How often do snake plants need watering?
In short, not that often… During the winter you can get away with watering once a month, sometimes even less! They thrive on neglect, so are very forgiving if you do happen to forget about them for a little too long. Because of their low-maintenance needs and hardiness, it’s always better to err on the side of under-watering, as an excess of moisture really doesn’t sit well with the snake plant. You should be allowing the soil to dry out very well between waterings — depending on the amount of light provided, these guys need a drink every 2-3 weeks in the warmer weather.
What about fertiliser?
Much like watering, these slow-growing succulents rarely need a feed, but you'll see them thrive if you're giving them some good nutrients. A bioactive liquid fertiliser, like our Grow concentrate, is perfect for a boost and, unlike other fertilisers, our products can be used year-round and with every water! In addition, you can pop some Support pellets into the pot every few months to guarantee consistent nutrients and keep your soil healthy. Digging our pellets into the top soil will promote the development of healthy rhizomes, giving you even more snakey babes.
What temperature do snakes plants prefer?
These succulents are native to arid regions of Africa and Southern Asia, so they love warm and dry environments. Though they’ll tolerate some humidity, best to avoid misting them or placing them near a humidifier. The ideal temperature range for these spiky guys is between 20 and 30 degrees and you’ll want to make sure you’re keeping them out of draughts!
What’s the best soil?
Snake plants prefer a loose, well-drained and nutrient-rich potting mix — they’re easily prone to rot, so use a fast-draining potting soil and containers with good drainage holes. An all-purpose cactus potting soil should do the job.
Quick tip: Snake plants are slow growers with shallow root systems, so they rarely need repotting. If you have leaves spilling out of your container or roots are poking through your drainage holes, you’ll know that’s your cue to repot. And, if you need to do so, the best time is in Spring.
Get propagating!
Aside from its tall and uniquely snakey appearance, another thing we love about these chic little succs is how easy they are to propagate. Not only do they look great, but they’re also amazing air purifiers, so you’ll definitely want to have more of them around. Luckily, there’s a couple of ways to make baby plants from your mama plant, with relative ease and high rates of success.
Your quick propagating guide
Snake plants produce rhizomes (fleshy underground stems that strike new roots out of their nodes) and can be easily divided. You can separate these pups anytime, but the best time is during Spring as they’ll establish themselves much faster in the Summer.
If you see a new little shoot pop up and decide it’s the one to prop, start by taking the plant out of the pot and remove as much of the soil as you can. You’ll see the stems that run underneath the soil, and the main part of a rhizome attached to each new pup. Grab a clean, sharp knife and - after making sure you’ve given your cutting enough of a root system to get it going - slice off your new snake plant and pot it to your liking!
You can also propagate snake plants with leaf cuttings; just cut 2 to 3-inch pieces of a leaf near its base and place them in a clean jar of water. Add some Support pellets to help the roots develop and once they’ve got a good little set growing, you can repot them in fairly shallow soil.
Quick tip: Make sure you’re putting the cuttings into the water the same way they were growing and keep the soil moist on your potted props for the first few weeks, as they’ll be adjusting from growing in water.
Et voila! You’re a certified snake collector already!