The snake plant is another popular plant that is a good choice for beginners. Its other name is mother-in-law’s tongue. It is an evergreen plant that has no stems but has large, hearty, and thick leaves. It is a bright but indirect light plant. It has different varieties such as Dracaena trifasciata ‘Hahnii Laurentii’, ‘Twisted Sister’, ‘Bantel’s Sensation’, and ‘Pean-Soni’. These different types of varieties contain different types of features. Its leaves are green with yellow or cream-colored borders. It is a very interesting flowering plant. Its flowers are white in color. You can easily place it in the corner of your bedroom, living room, balcony, or office room. I will share with you some tips on how I take care of my lovely snake plant.
Now I am narrating these from my experience:
| Common Name | Snake plant, mother-in-law plant, mother-in-law’s tongue |
| Botanical Name | Dracaena trifasciata |
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Plant Type | Evergreen perennial typically grown as a houseplant |
| Mature Size | 6 in. to 12 ft. tall in native habitat; 2-5 ft. tall as a houseplant |
| Sun Exposure | Sun to part shade |
| Soil Type | Sandy, well-drained |
| Soil pH | Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline |
| Bloom Time | Spring |
| Flower Color | White |
| Toxicity | Toxic to cats and dogs |
Snake plant Care Tips
Care with Soil
Soil is one of the fundamental elements of plants. Snake plants prefer sandy soil. It grows well in sandy soil and likes well-drained soil, slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil, and dislikes soils containing a high percentage of peat. You can use some mixed soil that contains minerals and helps your plant to improve drainage.
Care with Water
Water is very important for your snake plant, but overwatering is very harmful. Excess water damages the snake plant more quickly than other plants. Overwatering causes its roots to rot very quickly, and it dies. So you have to be very careful about watering. Before watering, check that the soil is wet. If the soil is wet, then do not water; if the soil is dry, then water. I water my snake plant once every 2 weeks since it doesn’t need much water during winter.
Care with Light
Light is very important for your plants because they produce food. The snake plant prefers bright but indirect light. It can also survive in the shade, but early morning sunlight is very beneficial for your snake plant’s growth. Excess direct sunlight can cause a lot of damage to your snake plant and burn its leaves. It loses its variety if left in the shade for too many days. To bring back the variety of your snake plant, you can keep it in the shade for some time and then in bright light after a few days.
Providing the Right Place
Keeping your indoor snake plant in the right place is very important. As it prefers indirect bright light, you should not put it in a sunny place. It also likes shaded places to grow. So you can place it in the corner of your living room or office room. You can also place it in your balcony where direct sunlight doesn’t come.
Care with Fertilizer
You can use any type of fertilizer for your snake plant. However, water-soluble and slow-release fertilizers are best for your lovely plant. If using water-soluble fertilizer, it can be given less or more as required. Slow-release fertilizers are beneficial for your plant’s growth and health. Since the snake plant is a flowering plant, you can use a fertilizer with more phosphorus for your flowering snake plant. You can also use a higher ratio of nitrogen for higher foliage growth. The growing season, which is spring and summer, is the best season for using fertilizer. So, you should apply fertilizer in summer and spring. Winter is the rest time for your plant, so avoid using fertilizers in winter. Fertilizer will keep your snake plant healthy, pretty, fresh, and will also remove pests, helping your plant to grow and propagate well.
Plant Propagation
It is very easy to propagate your plant. Since this plant does not have vines, propagation is done through leaves. First, choose healthy and insect-free leaves. Then cut a few inches of leaves. After cutting the leaf, place it in a nutrient-enhancing medium. You can also place it on the soil. Then keep it in an indirect sunny place. Spray a small amount of water occasionally. You will see roots coming out from the cut part of the leaf within a few days.
Plant Pruning
The growing season is the best time to prune your plant. Cut the longer leaves to be level with the other leaves. Cut damaged leaves at the same time. Pruning in the winter season is not safe for your snake plants.
Plant Protection from Insects
Snake plants are relatively insect-free, but they can be attacked by insects from nearby plants. So keep it away from plants that attract insects. You can use neem oil or Savlon water to ward off insect attacks. You can also use some fertilizer that removes insects from your snake plants.
Flowering
The snake plant is a white flowering plant. Its flowers are white with a greenish tinge and are borne in large clusters. There is no specific time for its flowering, but most of the time, flowers bloom in spring. When its flowers bloom, they emit a sweet floral fragrance. The snake plant’s floral scent can fill a room, giving you peace of mind. So take care of your sweet and lovely snake plant, especially in the growing season.
Care through Cleaning
Snake plants like cleanliness. Remove the damaged leaves to keep the plant clean. Occasionally, you can clean the leaves with a tissue or clean cloth. Keeping it clean will make your plant grow faster, stay healthy, and be happy.
Solving Some Common Problems
There are some common problems I faced when I took care of my snake plants. Now, I will share these problems and ways to address them.
Problem 1
The most common problem is yellow leaves. It is normal for your plant, but when the leaves turn yellow excessively, you should stop fertilizing your plant and keep it away from bright light.
Problem 2
The second problem is root rot. You already know that the snake plant is very sensitive to water. Using excess water causes its roots to rot very quickly and give off a bad smell. Finally, your plant will die. So, be careful about watering.
Finally, it can be said that taking care of it is not very difficult and not very easy either. By following all the tips, you can easily take care of your snake plant. With proper care, keep your lovely snake plant happy and you happy too.
