Snake plants or Sansevieria Trifasciata are hardy indoor plants with lots of amazing properties that make this plant the best amongst all houseplants. Snake plants fit in any indoor décor and are excellent air purifiers as suggested in NASA clean air study. These plants are capable of removing harmful indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde, Xylene, benzene, carbon monoxide etc. They also release lots of Oxygen and add moisture to the air, which reduces the impact of airborne allergens, e.g., dust and dander. This is a popular houseplant that requires very minimal effort in plant care, making it the first choice for urban homeowners. These are some of the Snake plant’s benefits.
Snake plant poisonous nature (toxic) is dangerous, and it’s harmful to humans, cats, dogs and other pets.
If you are looking for non-toxic or safe plants for your home, visit this link for all plants which are non-toxic to humans and pets.
Snake plants are a species of flowering plants from the Asparagaceae family. These plants are native to West Africa, Nigeria and Congo. Snake plants are also called Mother-in-law’s tongue or Sansevieria Trifasciata or St. George’s Sword.
If you are a person who likes to view rather than reading, I have created a YouTube video on Snake Plant Care.
Snake plants look like a bunch of stiff pointed leaves with a circular base. Mature leaves have a dark green colour. Sansevieria Trifasciata plants come in many different shapes and sizes. Some plants are cylindrical (Sansevieria Cylindrica) and are sold as braided in the market. Some snake plants have very flat large leaves and are called whale fins (Sansevieria Masoniana) and some have leaves that are striped, speckled, bordered or tipped with shades of yellow or grey. Snake plants can be grown anywhere, indoor or outdoor, and can reach up to 3 feet tall depending upon the breed and environment in which they are growing.
Snake Plants are extremely low maintenance plants and thrive well on neglect. Following are some of the care requirements of this plant.
Snake Plant LIGHT Requirements
Unlike many other plants, the Mother in law tongue plant can tolerate a wide range of lighting conditions from low light to full sun. However, they prefer bright indirect light. It has been observed that Snake plants grow fast in bright filtered light.
Snake Plant SOIL Requirements
Well-drained soil is the one that can keep Snake Plants growing. Succulent or Cacti soil with perlite in a ratio of 1:1 is the right soil mix for Snake plants. Make sure that the pot contains enough drainage holes to let the excess water run out. Soggy soil which can cause root rot is the only killer for these plants.
Snake Plant WATER Requirements
Sansevieria roots are rhizomes that store a lot of water in them and their architectural leaves; therefore, they do not need frequent watering. Watering them once in two weeks during summers and once in 3-4 weeks during winters will keep them alive. We must allow the soil to dry before watering it again. Overwatering will definitely kill this plant. You must always check the soil for dryness before watering.
Snake Plant FERTILISATION Requirements
Snake plants do not need fertilising. Honestly, I have never fertilised my snake plant, and still, it is doing great. But if you want, you can use diluted liquid fertiliser once a month during the spring and summer season—no need to fertilise during autumn and winters.
Snake Plant PESTS and DISEASES
Snake plants are highly resistant to pests infestation or any diseases. But sometimes you might see the tips of the plant turning yellow. This can be due to underwatering or overwatering. Sometimes, lack of enough light can also turn the leaf tips yellow or brown. If the leaves are turning yellow from the plant’s base, then this could be a sign of root rot where the leaves start getting soft and slimy.
Snake Plant TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY requirements
Snake plants generally do well in warm temperatures. They are not frosted tolerant plants. Therefore, keep them indoors during the winter season and place them in a nice warm spot. Temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius can affect the growth of this plant. Snake plants do well in dry and humid conditions which make them versatile plants.
REPOTTING
Snake plants love to be root bound; therefore, if your plant is doing well, let it be in the same pot. You can change the soil and add fresh soil and compost of providing nutrition to your plant once a year during the spring or summer season.
Snake Plant PROPAGATION
Snake plants are super simple to propagate. They can be propagated by dividing the roots or by their leaf cuttings.
Propagation by Leaf-cutting:
Take a healthy cutting of the leave. Make sure that the cuttings are at least 3-4 inches long. When cutting the leaf, always be mindful of the base and the top of the leaf. The base must go in the soil or water, and the top must remain in the air. It is easy to get confused or forget which part of the soil’s leaf sticks. In a week or two, you can see the roots developing. Water propagation works best as I can look at the root development, and it’s easy and quick.
Propagation by Root Division:
Remove the Snake plant from the pot and gently try to cut the root (rhizome) to separate the plant from its mother plant. Ensure that your knife or scissor or secateurs are sterilised to avoid the transfer of microbes.
Check the following video on the propagation of snake plants.
WHY SNAKE PLANTS ARE SO SPECIAL FOR ME!!!
I have kept Snake plants everywhere in my house, mainly because of their air-purifying properties. Its low maintenance feature and forgiving nature make me fall in love with this tough, spiky plant. This plant has never given me any trouble in diseases or pests attacks. Moreover, its architectural look makes me fall in love with it. I adore my snake plants more than any other houseplants at home.
If you are a beginner or without a green thumb, make sure that this plant is first on your list. Believe me, Snake plants (Sansevierias) will never let you down. They will be your friend forever!!!
See this link for more Houseplants care and propagation tips.
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