Snake plants are tough and trendy houseplants with sword-like leaves. Nicknamed ‘Mother-In-Law's tongue for its sharp edges, this low-maintenance beauty thrives on neglect. Follow our tips to grow amazing plants!
Getting a snake plant to grow well is generally easy when you get a few of the basics right. This involves planting them in the right soil, choosing the most ideal location for them, selecting the best variety, and ensuring the plants have the essentials to thrive. The Plant Company has the right advice to give you the greatest chance of success when growing Snake plants.
Mother In Laws Tongue, also known as snake plant (Dracaena Trifasciata), is known for its tolerance of low light conditions. They prefer bright, indirect sunlight which means they don't need to be placed directly in a sunny window. Filtered light through curtains or away from a window is fine.
While they can survive in low light, a location with bright, indirect sunlight is ideal. This will encourage healthy growth and potentially produce prettier, more vibrant leaf colors.
You can take your snake plant outside during summer and the plants can benefit greatly from doing so. There are a few things to consider, however:
Prolonged exposure to rain can be problematic. Snake plants prefer well-draining soil and don't like sitting in waterlogged conditions. Bring them indoors during heavy rain or extended periods of rain.
If you live in a climate with warm summers, moderate humidity, and protection from harsh elements, then you can experiment with placing your snake plant outdoors during the summer months. Just be mindful of their light, temperature, and watering needs for success.
Snake plants are known for their tolerance of being rootbound, and in fact, they can even thrive in a pot that's slightly too small for them. Being rootbound can slow down their growth with fewer leaves produced. They can tolerate this until such time as they run out of nutrients in the pot or they break the pot!
The most obvious sign that a snake plant is rootbound is when roots become visible at the top of the soil or start pushing out through the drainage holes. Don’t panic that the plant needs immediate repotting as they can grow in this state for years, provided they have water and nutrients to survive.
Snake plants, also known as the Mother In Law's Tongue or Sansevieria, are popular houseplants due to their easy care and architectural appeal. Planting and growing them is easy!
Once you have chosen your plant, select a pot that is at least twice the size of what it is currently growing in. Ensure the pot has plenty of drainage holes. Use a well-draining potting mix specifically for cacti and succulents. Avoid regular potting mix, as this will retain too much moisture. Place the plant in the pot, ensuring the base of the leaves sit slightly above the soil level. Fill the pot with potting mix and lightly firm the soil. You don’t need to tease the roots apart as this is more likely to do more harm than good. Water the plant until water runs out the drainage holes, then allow the soil to dry completely before watering again. Be careful with watering as overwatering is a common mistake with Snake Plants and they will die quickly if they are constantly over-watered. It is better the soil is dry rather than wet. As a guide, water every 2-4 weeks during summer, and less frequently in winter.
Snake plants prefer bright, indirect light but can tolerate some low light. Avoid direct sunlight unless they are accustomed to it, as this can scorch the leaves. The ideal temperature range is 18-29°C and they should not be exposed to drafts or sudden temperature changes. They only need a light feed once a year with a fertiliser specifically for indoor plants. By following these simple steps, you can enjoy a thriving and beautiful snake plant in your home!
Unfortunately, you can't actually make a dwarf snake plant. Dwarf snake plants, like Sansevieria 'Hahnii' are specific varieties cultivated to be a smaller size. They grow naturally in a more compact form compared to other snake plant varieties. That said, you can influence the size and shape of your plant to a certain extent:
To repot a snake plant, choose a pot that is no less than twice the size of what it is currently growing in and that has plenty of drainage holes in the bottom. Fill the bottom of the pot to about 1/3 of the way up with potting mix for cactus and succulents. Do not use soil or compost when growing plants in a container and do not add fertiliser.
Remove the plant from the container it is growing in by either pulling it free or breaking the pot apart. The Plant Company recommends cutting the bag or container, especially for larger plants, to minimise any chance of damaging the roots. If the roots have been growing in a circle or are all bound up you can tease them apart if you want but this is not essential. Similarly, you don’t need to remove any of the growing media. The Plant Company does not recommend cutting the roots, even if the plant is root-bound as this offers no benefit. This is explained in our article, Managing Rootbound Plants. Add more potting mix and firm this around the plant using gentle pressure, then water well. They should be watered once a week during hot weather and fortnightly during cooler periods.
Snake plants are notoriously overwatered as a general rule. The most common question therefore is how often to water them. The general rule is to water them only when the top inch or so of soil is dry. It is also essential that they are grown in growing media that drains quickly as they do not like being wet. Even short periods of wet can lead to root rot disease. The Plant Company waters snake plants once a week during summer in our greenhouses and then once a fortnight during winter. We use a free-draining potting mix that does not hold a lot of water. This regime results in amazing plants.
Mother-in-law's tongue grown in containers require different fertiliser to those grown outdoors in soil. In this instance the correct fertiliser to use is either container plant fertiliser or fertiliser tablets. Each of these will provide safe, sustained, and complete nutrition to the plant for the next 12-months. Using other types of fertilisers can be detrimental to the plant and may result in plant injury or death.
Foliar feeding using a liquid fertiliser can be undertaken if you have time, but this is not essential if container plant fertiliser or fertiliser tablets have been used. If you think the plant needs an extra boost or has some yellowing, a liquid fertiliser application won’t hurt. A great benefit of foliar feeding is that it helps keep the leaves strong and lush as the nutrition is right where the plant needs it.
The best soil for snake plants prioritizes drainage and aeration as this prevents root rot. The perfect mix is fast-draining as snake plants dislike wet conditions. A cactus and succulent potting mix is generally ideal. Also check that the mix is light and airy as good air circulation around the roots is essential. If the soil is dense or compacts easily, it will be suboptimal for your plant. A good guide here is to look for a mix with chunky components. Most commercial potting mixes are preloaded with nutrients to keep the plant sustained for 12-months. You can always place a fertiliser tablet or container plant fertiliser on the soil surface to provide an extra boost.
Snake plants, also known as mother-in-law's tongue, thrive in warm temperatures. The ideal range for optimal growth is between 65°F to 80°F (18°C to 27°C). They can tolerate fluctuations as long as they are not too extreme. They can survive temperatures as high as 105°F (41°C) and as low as 50°F (10°C) for short periods. Temperatures lower than this are likely to result in plant injury and eventual death.
It is important to keep your snake plant away from cold drafts from windows or air conditioners. Similarly, don’t place them directly next to heaters or vents where the temperature might fluctuate rapidly. They are hardy plants that will cope with indoor living temperatures.
While Snake plants can tolerate low light, they will grow best in bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight when they have been grown in low light as this can scorch the leaves. If you wish to move a plant to better light conditions, gradually expose the plant to the brighter light over a week or two-week period. A sudden change in light intensity can destroy pigments in the leaves and result in unsightly scorching.
You can grow plants on window-sills, benches, or the like without issue, even if the sun shines directly on them through a window. It is the sudden change in light levels that can be disruptive to the plant.
Propagating Sansevieria is a relatively straightforward process when you have the right advice. They can be divided or grown from leaf cuttings, and our articles give you the best chance of doing this successfully and without wasting time.
Splitting, also known as division, is a great way to propagate snake plants and create new ones. Similarly, if your snake plant is getting too full and crowded in its pot, splitting it can give each section more space to grow.
To split a Snake Plant, carefully remove the snake plant from its current pot. Brush off any loose soil from the roots. Carefully cut through the root ball vertically, dividing the plant into sections with 2-3 leaves and a healthy portion of roots on each. The cuts can be treated with a fungicide to prevent rot or allowed to dry for a day or two to form a callus.
Plant each division in a separate pot with fresh, well-draining potting mix. Water moderately and allow the soil to dry completely between waterings. Don't overwater the newly divided plants. Rather, let the roots establish themselves before resuming regular watering.
There are two ways to propagate Mother In Laws Tongue. Division is the easiest, fastest, and most successful but only results in a few plants (often only one or two). Leaf cuttings are more challenging to root but will give more plants in the longer-term.
Propagation by division
Carefully remove the plant from its current pot. Brush off any loose soil from the roots. Carefully cut through the root ball vertically, dividing the plant into sections with 2-3 leaves and a healthy portion of roots on each. The cuts can be treated with a fungicide to prevent rot or allowed to dry for a day or two to form a callus.
Plant each division in a separate pot with fresh, well-draining potting mix. Water moderately and allow the soil to dry completely between waterings. Don't overwater the newly divided plants. Rather, let the roots establish themselves before resuming regular watering.
Propagation by leaf cuttings
Mature leaves are cut into 10 cm long sections. They are left to dry for two days before being inserted into pumice or other quick draining media. They are placed with bottom heat and watered just once per day with no misting. They will take 3-4 weeks to develop a good root system. Buds will form from the lower cut surface after a further 6-8 weeks and this is usually the time they are potted up.
Caring for Snake plants is about making sure they are thriving. Our plant care articles provide the necessary details to give you the greatest chance of success. Afterall, there is nothing worse than putting the effort into growing them and they fail. Therefore, follow our advice and give yourself the best chance of success!
There are a few ways to save your Snake plant depending on what the issue is. Some of the more common issues include:
Snake plants grow slowly and don't need repotting very often. In fact, they can thrive even when rootbound. That said, they will benefit from being repotted and grow more rapidly. A fast-growing plant might need a new pot every two years. If your snake plant has visible roots at the top of the soil or circling around the bottom of the pot, it's time to repot.
Caring for Mother In Laws Tongue, also known as a snake plant, involves a few key elements:
Lighting: - They can tolerate low light conditions but will thrive in bright indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight or sudden changes to full sun as this can scorch the leaves.
Watering: - Overwatering is the most common mistake. Water only when the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. During winter, water even less frequently. This is typically once a week during summer and once a fortnight during winter.
Soil and Potting: - Use a well-draining potting mix like a cactus or succulent mix. A pot with drainage holes is essential to prevent water from accumulating around the roots and causing rot.
Feeding: - Use container plant fertiliser once a year in spring. A teaspoon full is all that is needed.
There are two easy ways to clean dust off your snake plant:
Don't use any harsh chemicals or commercial leaf shines on your snake plant as these can damage the leaves. Be sure to use a gentle touch as the leaves are still fragile and easily damaged.
Root rot only happens when Snake plants experience continuous periods of wet soil. The level of rot is exasperated when temperatures are cold. The immediate remedy is to stop the watering and move the plant to a warmer environment. The plant can be removed from its container, the rot cut off the roots, and the plant repotted with a cactus and succulent potting mix. If the all the roots are brown and mushy, and there are no healthy-looking roots, the plant is unlikely to recover. If, however, there are some healthy roots, the plant may survive. To increase the chances of survival, a copper fungicide can be applied every two weeks. Of course, ease up on the watering!
There are a couple reasons why your snake plant (Dracaena Trifasciata) might be turning white. The most common culprits are:
Sunburn: Excessive exposure to direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, causing white patches or bleached-looking areas. The white patches may appear dry and papery, and the affected leaves might feel limp. The solution is to move the snake plant to a location with bright, indirect sunlight and avoid direct sun. The damaged areas won't recover, but new healthy growth should resume again.
Overwatering: Snake plants are susceptible to root rot if they are overwatered. In severe cases, this can cause the leaves to turn mushy and develop white or translucent patches. If the case is mild, remove the plant from the pot and cut away any rotten roots and repot the plant in fresh, well-draining potting mix. Water only when the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch.
This series of articles answers many of the frequently asked questions about Snake Plants, such as how fast they grow, their hardiness, and more!
Snake plants, also known as mother-in-law's tongue, are toxic to both cats and dogs. All parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested, but the leaves are the most toxic. The toxic component is called saponin which is a foaming agent that can irritate the mouth, stomach, and intestines of pets. Symptoms of poisoning in cats and dogs include:
If you think your pet has eaten a snake plant, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Snake plants come in a range of sizes and their ultimate size depends on the variety. For example:
Encouraging your snake plant to flower takes some patience as they don’t normally flower when grown indoors. However, t there are some things you can try:
The invasiveness of Mother-in-law's tongue, also known as snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata), depends on the climate it is grown in. Generally, they are considered non-invasive. However, in some warm climates with moderate rainfall, they can become invasive when grown outdoors where they spread readily through dumped garden waste. In Australia, particularly Queensland, New South Wales, and the Northern Territory, snake plants are listed as environmental weeds.
It's always best to check with your local authorities or gardening organizations to see if there are any restrictions on planting snake plants outdoors in your area. It is perhaps better to avoid planting them in your garden if you live in a warm climate. While the safest place for a snake plant is indoors in a pot, be sure to dispose of the trimmings responsibly.
Sansevieria trifasciata and Dracaena trifasciata are the same plant. For many years, the snake plant was classified in the genus Sansevieria, with Sansevieria Trifasciata being the scientific name for the most common variety. Around 2017, with advancements in DNA analysis, scientists discovered that the Sansevieria genus was more diverse than previously thought. The snake plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata) belonged more closely to plants in the Dracaena genus. Based on this new genetic understanding, the scientific name for the snake plant was changed to Dracaena Trifasciata to reflect its closer relationship to other Dracaena species.
Snake plants offer a variety of benefits, making them popular choices for homes and offices.
Mother-in-law's tongue, also known as the snake plant, has a variety of characteristics that make it a popular and interesting houseplant:
Physical Appearance:
Tolerances:
Snake Plants are tough and generally resistant to pests and diseases. They will live for many years with proper care.
Overall, the Mother-in-law's tongue is a visually striking and resilient plant that offers many benefits for your home environment.
There are over 70 known varieties of snake plants, though there are five that are the most popular:
These are just a few of the many different types of snake plants available. With so many varieties to choose from, you're sure to find one that is perfect for your home.
Mother-in-law's tongue], also known as snake plant, has a variety of uses beyond just being a tough and visually interesting houseplant. Some of it benefits include:
Overall, Mother-in-law's tongue is a versatile plant with a range of uses that make it a popular choice for homes and offices alike.
Snake plant flowers are a rare sight, especially when grown indoors. They typically appear on mature plants that are rootbound or slightly stressed. When they do flower, the flowers grow on a long stalk, sometimes reaching up 1 metre tall. The stalk is covered in dozens of small, white or cream-coloured buds that open at night, releasing a sweet, fragrant scent. While the flowers themselves are not very showy, their fragrance can fill a room. Some people find the scent pleasant, while others find it overpowering.
Snake plants thrive in climates that mimic their native habitat in tropical Africa. Their ideal climate is:
Temperature: - Snake plants prefer warm temperatures, ideally between 16°C and 30°C). - They can tolerate cooler temperatures down to 10°C for short periods, but frost or constantly cold conditions will damage and eventually kill them.
Light: - Bright, indirect sunlight is ideal for optimal growth. - They can tolerate lower light conditions but will grow slower.
Humidity: - Normal household humidity (30%) is fine for Snake plants. They don't require high humidity levels and in such environments, they will generally require less frequent watering. - Of note: Very dry air for extended periods can be detrimental, but overly humid environments can lead to root rot.
Water: - Snake plants are succulents and prefer to dry out completely between waterings. - Overwatering is the most common reason why plants fail. Sodden soils will often lead to root rot.
In summary, warm temperatures, bright indirect sunlight, average humidity, and dry conditions best represent the ideal climate for snake plants.
The current scientific name for Mother-in-law's tongue is Dracaena trifasciata. Previously, it was known under the genus Sansevieria. However, in 2017, after molecular phylogenetic studies, botanists reclassified this plant species and many others in the Sansevieria genus to belong under Dracaena genus.
Mother-in-law's tongue, also known as a snake plant, originates from the tropical regions of West Africa, specifically from Nigeria east to the Congo. It's a succulent that thrives in dry areas.
Snake plants, also known as mother-in-law's tongue, are popular for several reasons:
If you're looking for a low-maintenance, air-purifying, and stylish houseplant, a snake plant is a great option.
The name "snake plant" for Sansevieria trifasciata comes from the visual resemblance of its leaves to snakes. The shape of the leaves resembles the shape of a snake as they are long with pointed tips. Many snake plant varieties have dark green leaves, like some snake species. Some Snake plant varieties even have lighter green stripes or variegation, which could be seen as reminiscent of snake patterns. This combination of characteristics gave rise to the name, "snake plant."
The nickname "mother-in-law's tongue" for the snake plant is likely derived from a not-so-subtle jab at a stereotype about sharp tongues and critical personalities:
It's important to note that this is a nickname and not necessarily meant to be disrespectful. However, it does highlight some interesting cultural associations we make with plants.
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