Do you intend to provide optimal care for your snake plant (Sansevieria) by giving it plenty of water? Snake plant likes to be dry, and giving them too much water can make them wither and die.
If you take the time to learn how to properly care for your snake plant, you will have it for many years. Let’s learn the ins and outs of caring for a snake plant so we can take pleasure in its beauty.
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Sansevieria Characteristics to Consider When Watering
It’s easy to grow indoors, but it needs careful watering. Here are some Sansevieria characteristics to keep in mind when watering.
Tolerant of Dryness But Not Humidity
Snake plants come from dry places like Africa and South Asia.
Therefore, it is distinguished by its high resistance to drought, heat, and shade. They are “succulent” and can survive in dry conditions like cacti.
Though it can survive dry conditions, it won’t survive in damp or freezing conditions. Remember that it is better to under-water than to over-water your plants when watering.
This article goes into more detail about Saving Overwatered Snake Plant and explains some of the best ways to revive the plant and avoid watering mistakes.
Change How Often You Water Your Sansevieria With The Seasons
Depending on the time of year, Sansevieria may or may not have an easy time taking in water. Watering needs to be adjusted seasonally for how often and when you do it.
Watering in Spring to Summer
From spring to summer, you should water your plants for 4 to 5 days after making sure the top of the soil is dry.
However, you should wait until the temperature is at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) higher than normal before watering, as there are still some chilly days in early spring.
Because Sansevieria is cold-sensitive. Dormancy sets in when the plant’s environment drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius).
Even if you water Sansevieria in this state, it can’t take in water. It’s best to wait and see if the temperature has stabilized before watering on days when the air is chilly.
Watering in the Fall
A good rule of thumb for watering in the fall season is to wait 7–10 days after ensuring the soil surface is completely dry before watering again.
When the weather cools in the fall, Sansevieria’s growth slows down. Let’s slow down the pace of watering in spring and summer.
But even if you cut back on how often you water, you don’t have to change how much you water.
Watering in the Winter
Sansevieria is a type of plant that goes dormant when the average temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) in the winter.
Sansevieria, as previously stated, does not absorb moisture, so no watering is required.
However, Sansevieria requires watering year-round if it is kept in a room where the temperature remains above 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), even in the winter. Sansevieria may not go dormant if the temperature is moderately high.
You don’t have to water it as often as you did in the spring and summer, but you should still do so about every two months.
Don’t Water Your Snake Plant Until The Soil Is Completely Dry
You should wait until the soil is completely dry before watering Sansevieria. If you water the Sansevieria while the soil is still wet, it could die.
But it’s hard to tell how dry the soil is just by looking at it. If you don’t know how dry the soil is when you’re watering, bring your finger closer to the soil to check.
The soil is ready to be watered when it turns white and firm to the touch. The optimal time to water is a few days after that.
Remember to wait until the soil around your Sansevieria is completely dry before watering it again.
Get Rid of The Saucer Water
Sansevierias are sensitive to moisture, so don’t leave the saucer under the pot. If there is standing water, the roots and plant may rot and die. Whenever water accumulates in the saucer, it is best to get rid of it.
You might be surprised to hear that water builds up in the saucer and wonder, “Do I really need to water that much?” Water builds up in the saucer, which may come as a surprise to some.
It’s true that sansevieria can survive in dry conditions, but it still requires regular watering if you want it to thrive. Soak the soil until it drains into the saucer, then let the plant dry out completely before watering again.
When you water a sansevieria, it’s important to know the difference between “letting it dry out” and “rehydrating.”
Mist The Leaves With Water
You should water the leaves if you want your sansevieria to stay healthy and look good. Leaf watering is the process of misting the entire leaf with a spray.
Sansevieria plants like it when it’s dry, but if it’s too dry, the leaves will get wrinkled or curl up, which doesn’t look good.
It’s also worth noting that pests like spider mites and aphids easily attach to dry leaves.
Be sure to water the leaves of your sansevieria consistently to deter pests and maintain their beautiful appearance.
Where To Put Snake Plants And How To Take Care Of It
Aside from making sure your Sansevieria gets enough water, there are a few other things you should keep in mind to ensure its healthy growth. Depending on its unique traits, give it the care it deserves.
Ensure Plenty of Light
Sansevieria is not very good at withstanding cold, and it is said to be hard to grow in the ground. Grow it in a container and place it in indirect sunlight.
You should ensure it gets enough sunlight if you’re unsure where to put it. Sansevieria can also grow in the shade, but if it doesn’t get enough sunlight, the leaves will wilt and get long and thin.
The plant comes from tropical areas and needs a lot of sunlight to grow well.
But being in direct sunlight all the time is not a good idea. The leaves will become sunburned and discolored if exposed directly to strong sunlight or direct sun in the west.
Put it somewhere that gets plenty of indirect sunlight or where you can close the blinds to adjust the amount of light coming in.
Put Them Inside A Warm Room In The Winter
The winter months are fatal for a snake plant. They should be brought inside when the daytime temperature drops below 59°F (15°C).
However, after bringing the plant indoors, care should be taken to avoid exposing it to cold air.
A lot of people will probably say that they put their snake plant inside near a window to get the most sun. This is true in a way, but at night, they may be directly exposed to cold air coming in through the window.
It’s best to take the snake plant away from the window at night so it doesn’t get too cold and die.
Only Fertilize During The Growing Season
Fertilize Sansevieria only in the spring and fall. This is the growing season for Sansevieria, and it will absorb fertilizer properly if you feed it.
Sansevieria goes dormant in the winter. So, they do not need to be fertilized because they can’t take in any nutrients.
It is also suggested that you use inorganic fertilizer, where the essential ingredients are chemically synthesized.
Because of their odor and ability to attract insects, organic fertilizers are not recommended for indoor Sansevieria.
If you’re using a slow-release fertilizer that releases nutrients gradually over time, you should apply it once a month; if you’re using a highly effective liquid fertilizer, you should apply it once every two weeks.
Repot every 1–2 years
If you want to keep your Sansevieria alive and thriving for a long time, repotting it every year or two is recommended.
If you don’t keep up with your Sansevieria, the fast-growing plants will eventually outgrow their rhizomes.
If the soil around the roots becomes too wet, the plant may develop root rot, so repotting into a larger container is required.
Ideally, you should repot your Sansevieria in the spring, around May or June, when it starts to actively grow again.
Make sure you have a pot that is one size larger than the one your plant is currently in, and wait about 10 days before watering after repotting.
Key Takeaways
It’s equally important to keep Sansevieria dry and provide ample water when caring for it. It’s crucial to pay close attention to the “timing and amount of watering” if you want to develop into a solid investment.
To ensure a healthy and robust Sansevieria plant, it is also important to pay attention to the growing environment and replant when necessary.
Keep your Sansevieria healthy and beautiful by giving it the attention and water it needs.