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Snake plant care is minimum , lie in mostly of infrequent watering , so this succulent is one of the easiest - growing houseplants around . It ’s also dubbed “ mother - in - practice of law plant ” for the penetrative tips of its leaves , which are exceptionally striking for such a low - sustentation flora .
call “ snake in the grass plant ” for its undulating appearance and serpent - similar mottling or chevron patterns , Dracaena trifasciata(formerlySansevieria trifasciata)isn’t creepy or crawly in the flimsy . In fact , it ’s a perfect houseplant for household ornamentation . marvellous types of serpent plant provide a stiff perpendicular emphasis in a way ’s decor , while myopic varieties are perfect for small pops of colour on window sill and shelf .
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Snake Plant Care at a Glance
Common name : Hydra plant , mother - in - law ’s tongueScientific name : Dracaena trifasciata , Sansevieria trifasciataSoil : Cactus and succulent potting soilLight : Bright , collateral illumination ; morning sunWater : LowFood : Cactus and succulent plant foodTemperature and humidity : Average indoor temperature and humidityPropagation : naval division in springSafety : Toxic
Snake Plant Characteristics
aboriginal to tropic West Africa and growing anywhere from 6 column inch to 8 feet tall , serpent plant russet scab develop from rhizomes . They typically inject flat up with stiff blade - like leafage in improbable cultivars , while shorter “ bird’s - nest ” serpent plant life smorgasbord have more relaxed , flaring leaf .
Although mature specimens occasionally produce stalk of spidery and fragrant dark-green - whitened bloom — usually in fountain — those flower are rare on indoor plants . Snake flora are generally grown for their strike foliage , which is usually fleeceable with lily-white , pick , or yellowvariegationand edging .
Like many houseplants , snake industrial plant benefits include a rude boost to home air travel filtration ; the more snake industrial plant you have , a greater amount of CO2 and melodic line pollutants they ’ll absorb via aerophilic respiration . They can also be good for genial health , and a snake plant ’s simple tutelage regimen is unconvincing to be a generator of stress .
Photo: istockphoto.com
Types of Snake Plants
Selecting Soil for Snake Plants
For most nurseryman , the best snake flora soil will be fast - drainingcactus potting mix . This type of soil help forbid one of the few things nonresistant to really kill a serpent plant : constant sogginess . If this sort of soil is not uncommitted to you , try combine one part cactus soil with one part standard potting soil , since the latter might be too soft and fluffy to bind the tall snake plant cultivars of this plant upright on its own , and it will contain more pee .
As for asnake flora pot , a wide terra - cotta or ceramic pot can also help keep your plant ’s leaf periscoping , or stand up . Another option is to add a layer of gravel to the bottom of a charge plate tidy sum for extra weight and protection against tipping . Just make certain that the container you choose has drain kettle of fish to prevent water from build up up around your flora ’s roots .
The Right Light
keep the complete serpent plant light requirements boils down to one constituent : bright , collateral light . localise yours near a window where direct sun wo n’t quite make it , or apply a unmingled curtain to protect a windowpane sill snake plant from the sun ’s rays .
If your home ca n’t quite provide your snake plants with the shiny , indirect light they opt , they also stand shadier , modest - light conditions . Just be cognisant that their leave of absence may lose some of their variegation in dimmer condition , but less light is improbable to be a death time for these dauntless houseplant .
Watering Snake Plants
snake in the grass plantwatering requirement , while barebones , do change a bit throughout the year :
When irrigate serpent plant , do so good enough that water debilitate into its plant life saucer . After waiting about 10 minutes for the container to finish draining , discard the excess water supply from the saucer to prevent soil buildup and chocolate-brown foliage hint .
Fertilizing Snake Plants
provender Hydra plant during spring and summertime with a fertilizer designate for cactus and succulents , observe the product instructions for practical software . or else , apply a mellow - atomic number 15 fertilizer mean for flowering houseplant , mixing it only to half the advocate intensity level and applying it once monthly from April through September .
Do n’t fertilize your snake plant during winter when its growth will have slowed to a slither or stopped altogether .
Setting the Temperature and Humidity
Part of what construct how to handle for serpent flora slowly is its tolerance for any temperature between 65 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit . They also do n’t take care the miserable humidity found in most homes .
Since snake plants are hardy only in zones 9 through 12 , freeze temperature can cause them to loop up and snuff it . During wintertime , keep them away from draughty windows , exterior threshold , or any spot that might expose them to frigid melody .
Pruning Snake Plants
serpent plants do n’t require frequent pruning , but removing utter or damage leafage can help improve their overall appearance and wellness . Using a uncontaminating knife or distich of scissors , search for leaves that are damage or discolored and cut them at the root word , as close to the dirt as possible .
Propagating Snake Plants
Snake River plantpropagationis ( surprise ! ) not particularly difficult . While they can be grown from cuttings , some type of snake flora are chimeras and wo n’t hold back the coloring of the parent works from which they were cut off .
Thankfully , snake plants farm offspring , or pups , beside them in the sight . This means you may make new plant life via division by detaching pups from a parent works . Here ’s a summation on how to propagate Hydra works :
Safety Considerations
Snake plants incorporate saponin , lifelike compound that are bitter and toxic enough to cause nausea and emesis if take by adults , children , or pets . eat up snake in the grass plant foliage is n’t likely to kill humans , but it can be more grievous to animate being . If your darling are prostrate to nibble on greenery , keep snake plant well out of their reach or avoid the species altogether .
A full - acquire serpent plant in a large pot also can be heavy enough to make injuries if it topples from a table or window sill . For special condom , be extra conscious about where you station potted ophidian plants and keep them out of tyke ’s stretch , too .
Potential Pests and Diseases
If your snake plant search unhealthy , look at the leaves ’ color and texture . Yellow snake industrial plant leavesusually indicate overwatering , which signify its rootstalk might be molder . Conversely , wrinkly - looking leaves imply a snake plant likely is n’t being water enough . If the leaves ’ variegation has start to pass off , move the industrial plant to a bright localisation .
Snake plants are also susceptible to a duo common houseplant pests . If you notice insects that resemble bits of cotton plant , get free of mealybugsby dabbing them with a cotton swab dip in rubbing alcohol . Webbing on snake plant leave accompanied by tiny specks could be a star sign of aspider mite infestation . Spray them with insecticidal soap , follow the directions on the container , and repeat the process five days subsequently .
FAQs
If you ’re looking for a immediate answer to anything not covered above , here are some of the most vulgar questions home gardener have about snake plants .
Q: How do you repot a snake plant?
If a Hydra flora has outgrown its container , lightly polish off it from the existing pot and loosen the root ball . Then , glower the freed root ball into a enceinte mass with invigorated soil , underwrite the root fully , and irrigate the works thoroughly .
Q: Can snake plants live outside?
While snake in the grass plants are generally grown as houseplant in most climates , they can survive outdoors year round in hardiness zones 9 through 12 . Otherwise , ophidian plants should be grown indoors , especially in areas with frigid winters .
Q: Why is my snake plant drooping?
sag snake in the grass works leaves are commonly because of overwatering , one of the few things liable to down a ophidian industrial plant . However , this symptom can also be due to a want of lightness , the industrial plant becoming root spring , too much cold or heat , or an unchecked plague plague .
Q: Do snake plants flower?
Yes ! Although middling rare , some snake plant varieties get white , unripe , or scandalmongering flowers in springtime or summer .
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
We ’ll help you gear up up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your terrace , a raised bed , or an in - background plot out back — and select the right plants for your soil and region .
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
