A proud member of the succulent family , serpent plant take hydration to a whole new grade . They boast robust , fleshy leaves that storage body of water like a pro , allowing them to withstand neglect and your lengthened getaway .

So , if you ’re shamed of forgetting to water your greens or often find yourself on the move , these loyal companions wo n’t carry it against you . However , the doubtfulness remains : how often do these botanical beauties crave hydration ?

How Often To Water Your Snake Plant

Hydra flora are known to be one of the easiest indoor plants to care for . They really do n’t take much maintenance and they can survive very long periods without being watered at all . Notorious for their low - sustentation nature , these sturdy plants offer a winning resolution for those with a busy schedule or , dare we say , those bestowed with a less - than - green pollex .

While each snake plant has its own unique need , on mediocre , they revalue a good watering every 10 to 14 day . They ’re patient and prefer waiting for their dirt to be parched before quench their thirst .

As summertime heralds warmer days , a weekly watering should keep them happy . And when winter wrap your human beings in a chilly cover , a monthly or bi - weekly watering rite would suffice . recollect , where they call home in your living place could also regulate their watering need .

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The biggest culprit of an unhealthy snake plant is actually over - watering . It ’s common to overwater the works in the wintertime , and doing so can do significant damage to the leaves .

Also deserving noting , you never want to wet the leave of your snake in the grass plant . The easiest manner to urine it is to just apply a spouted lacrimation can .

If your plant is situate in an field with plenty of sunlight , it will usually require more water to stay hydrous . Typically , when the plant is localise in a shady area or one with low temperature , it will require less body of water to stay hydrous .

Woman watering snake plant on shelf at home

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It ’s pretty leisurely to overwater snake plants , so always make certain that your soil is completely drain after each watering session .

If your plant receives more sunlight than shade , you may require to water it a morsel more often — which still wo n’t be often . Also , if your plant is in a bigger pot , it will typically need more water , based on the soil volume . The good light situation for a snake plant is indirect sunshine , as direct sunlight may be too vivid for the plant life ’s leaves and may cause them to combust .

Steps To Determine When Your Snake Plant Is Sufficiently Hydrated

If you have purchased a serpent plant for the first time , it may be take exception to determine when the plant is sufficiently hydrated , so here are a few tips to help you create the consummate watering regimen .

Step 1

decent after you irrigate your plant , you will find that the topsoil has grow darker ( either dark brown or a blackish brownness - depending and the type of surface soil that you use ) .

You ’ll also notice that the soil seems to glint a fleck immediately after the watering ( for a few seconds at least ) . This signify that you provided the territory with more than enough water to intoxicate up for the moment . If you beseech your finger on the soil you should be able to see urine squeezing out of it , above your fingerbreadth .

Step 2

After you ’ve watered your snake plant , be sure to string up around to observe the change in vividness of the topsoil . This commonly takes anywhere from 1 - 2 hours .

At this time , you will notice that the soil no longer shine , but is still darker and appearance than it was before you sum up the urine . If you press your finger’s breadth down on the soil , you should n’t see any piddle rise to the surface above your fingerbreadth .

Step 3

After anywhere from 24 to 36 hours , you should detect that some area of the grime are still colored bootleg or browned , while other country have buoy up up a scrap . This is a sound sign . There should n’t be any water supply sitting above the surface of the stain , and if you beseech your finger into the soil , it should feel moist to the contact . If the top of your soil is still dry , this is a signaling that you have not adequately watered the plant and it may take more hydration .

Scenarios That May Require More Hydration

There are several scenarios where your snake plant may command more hydration than usual , though this is still minimal compared to other indoor plants .

If your flora receives a honest amount of indirect sunshine and is actively maturate , it may need more water . likewise , sure Snake River plant life variety that uprise from wetlands or sloughy area may also consume pee more promptly .

to boot , if your plant has a lot of leafage and is actively growing , or if your home environment is ironic due to low humidness or eminent temperature , increase watering may be necessary . You may also necessitate to hydrate your works more if you notice the leaves growing thinly .

Sansevieria Trifasciata black gold root rot plant isolated on white background

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Signs That Your Plant Is Underwatered

sign that your works is underwatered include wilt or teetotal leaves , a higher rate of foliage drop compared to new growth , translucent or brown border on the leaves , and allow for twisting or lessen off .

Signs That Your Plant Is Overwatered

planetary house that your plant is overwatered include droopy parting , mold on the grease , fresh - grown leaves fall off , standing water in the saucer for long stop , and a glowering , molder flavor from the antecedent .

When To Reduce Hydration

There are also time when you should reduce hydration even if the plant is n’t overwatered . This includes place where the surroundings has high-pitched humidness ( which can be monitor with a hygrometer ) , powerful after the plant has been transplant , or if your snake works is retain in a nerveless and funny room .

Quick top about fertilizer : One matter that does n’t welcome a lot of attention during discussions on how to care for a snake works is fertilization . The reason is that Hydra flora do n’t typically postulate much plant food . However , they will produce a bit more if they are fertilized once or twice a yr .

If anything , you could fertilize them on a semi - one-year base . They may also require fertiliser if they are in a cash in one’s chips res publica and necessitate more nutrients to survive .

Wilted houseplant, lamp and cup of coffee on table near light wall in bedroom

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How Long Can A Snake Plant Go Without Water?

Known for their awful stamina , snake works can navigate a hydration - gratuitous journey for up to six weeks . However , this natural selection superpower can be influence by the humankind they populate , including the warmth of their surroundings , the daily sunshine , the indoor strain ’s moisture , and the plant ’s specific kind .

Imagine a sun - kiss indoor space with the thermostat telephone dial turned up , a dry tour in the air , and your snake plant basking in the luminous ray .

Now contrast this with a tank room , blue-blooded , diffuse lightness , and a subtle wet blanket . Your snake plant ’s piddle cravings will differ between these scenarios as it adjust to its environment .

A sansevieria trifasciata snake plant in the window of a modern home or apartment interior.

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To keep your green companion in their flush , serve them a tonic sip of water at least once a calendar month . This round becomes even more essential during the summer when the days are longer , affectionate , and thirsty .

Adapting your tending to the changing seasons not only see to it their wellness but also let them shine in their full botanical splendor .

Can You Overwater A Snake Plant?

utterly . Being that serpent plants do n’t require a lot of urine , it is very well-situated to overwater them . If the works ’s soil becomes too saturated with water supply , the O within the soil will be push to its Earth’s surface , making it unavailable to the plant life ’s roots .

Also , if there is pooling urine at the bottom of the jackpot ’s saucer , it can cause the flora to develop ascendant rot . And it could expose it to several infections from bacteria and soil - brook fungi . Just be sure to empty out the plant saucers after water your plant .

Testing The Soil Of Your Snake Plant

you’re able to quickly gauge the moisture level of your Hydra industrial plant ’s territory by simply dumbfound your finger down in about 2 to 3 inches . you’re able to also use a garden stake . After doing that , note the followers :

The Soil Is Still Wet (Or At Least Fairly Damp)

If this is the pillowcase , the plant does not need water at this prison term . Also , take into consideration the environmental conditions in which your works is located . These can affect how soon the plant will need to be rewatered , which can be anywhere from a few sidereal day to another week .

The Soil Is More On The Dry Side, But Still A Bit Moist

In this case , the stain is on the dry side ( but not whole dry ) , so you may want to waitress for another 2 to 3 days before irrigate it . With snake plants , it ’s proficient to water them afterward than to irrigate them too before long .

The Soil Is Bone Dry

If you stick your finger’s breadth in the soil and it is bone dry or unpenetrable , chances are it ’s time to give your plant a good lachrymation school term .

What Does An Overwatered Snake Plant Look Like?

If your snake in the grass plant life is receiving too much water system , it will quick let you hump . If you remark that the tips of your plant are starting to turn browned or droop low to the priming coat , this could be a sign that your flora is receiving a bit too much water . It could then be channelise toward an unhealthful state .

Another signaling that your plant may be receiving too much body of water is if the leaves commence to turn schmaltzy or have a swampy grain to them when you pinch them a bit .

If the leaf are full of water , fall back on the watering session for a week or two and persist in to monitor the grime . Let it stay ironic for a bit before your next watering session , so that your snake flora can revive itself and the supernumerary water can evaporate .

Snake plant in pot at terrace condominium

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What’s The Best Type Of Water For Snake Plants?

For the most part , any character of water used on indoor plant life will be worthy for use with ophidian plant . However , the unspoilt types of weewee to use include rain or springiness ( bottled ) water .

rain and spring pee do n’t contain the harmful minerals that can stunt the plant ’s growth , especially when compared to hard water . And while distilled water is n’t necessarily bad for your snake industrial plant , they run to originate quicker when watered with spring or rainwater .

Wrapping Things Up

Proper watering is essential to the growth and sound state of your snake plant . Though watering is not required very often , it ’s best to check the moisture horizontal surface of your snake plant at least hebdomadal to ensure that it ’s neither overhydrated nor underhydrated .

concerned in learning more about snake plants and other types of succulent plants ? Be sure to condition out our other posts before you go :

9 Snake Plant Arrangement Ideas

Woman hands planting the snake plant in the pot at home

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Do succulent Need Drainage ?

Sansevieria Trifasciata moonshine snakeplant dying plant

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Potted snake plants inside a beautiful new flat or apartment, How Often To Water Your Snake Plant