What You Need To Know Before You Buy A Snake Plant
The Snake Plant, or Sansevieria, is one of the most beloved indoor plants around. And don’t get nervous: there’s no caveat here! What you have heard through the grapevine is all true: The Sansevieria plant family is full of low-maintenance wonder plants. With a host of varieties to choose from, you can be confident that whether you opt for a classic Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’, or a more rarified Snake Plant, you will be in for a pleasant new plant friend. But there’s even more to love about the famed Snake Plant. If you’re considering buying a Sansevieria for your space, you’re already on the right track. All you need to know is what to look for as you shop (healthy, thriving plants only!) and how to care for your Snake Plant once you bring it home. So check out our simple guide, and prepare for a beautiful friendship with a gorgeous new Snake Plant!
Snake Plants Have Flexible Light Requirements
Here’s the first bit of great news: Snake Plants can thrive in varied degrees of light. That means that whether your space enjoys a steady glow of bright sunshine or revels in mysterious shadows, a Sansevieria can adjust to your environment over time. With a disposition this flexible, it’s hard to wrong: but not impossible. Keep in mind that when placed directly in the path of bright, direct sunlight, a Snake Plant’s blades can scorch. (Like us, they can be sunburned, and they don’t enjoy it either!)
When It Comes To Snake Plants, More Light = More Growth
This is true of most plants, but keep in mind that if you would like your Snake Plant to grow quickly and achieve great height, you will want to place it in a spot that receives consistent, indirect sunlight. This tropical plant has no problem thriving in low light, but it will not grow quickly without some natural sun. It’s the key to photosynthesis, after all.
How To Place Your Snake Plant
Now comes the fun part! Think about what you hope to achieve with your new Sansevieria’s placement. Are you seeking an air-purifying punch? Snake Plants are especially popular as bedroom accents for this very purpose. (The Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’ is considered to be both the strongest air purifier of the Sansevieria family, and the most potent air purifying indoor plant in general in scientific studies.) Do you have your heart set on a sky-high Snake Plant? If so, you’ll want to place yours in a sunny spot a few feet from a window that receives natural light. It’s hard to go wrong with Sansevieria placement, but even so, investing in a new plant can feel daunting. Consult our illustrated Light Guide if you get stumped, and remember that more light = more growth.
Your Snake Plant Has A (Good!) Reputation
Sure, they’re sometimes known as the “Mother-In-Law’s Tongue” Plant. But don’t let that moniker put you off: Snake Plants are actually renowned for positive properties in the feng shui tradition. In many cultures, Sansevierias are considered to bring good luck and positivity to the environments in which they’re placed. They are thought to protect homes from negative chi- a property that is considered to be even more potent when they are placed in a southeastern, southern, or eastern corner of your home.
It’s Important To Avoid Overwatering Your Snake Plant
Snake Plants are so easy-going that it’s easy to think they can withstand anything. And that is almost true: but there is an exception to that rule. Overwatering is the number one cause of damage in Sansevieria health. It’s important to remember that your Snake Plant may not require water as frequently as other plants in your home. Overwatered Snake Plants can face a rough road to recovery, so prevention is the best medicine here.
It’s Easy To Avoid Overwatering. We Promise!
Your Snake Plant is an individual, and several components affect the rate at which it uses the water you provide it. This means that Sansevierias should have their own watering schedule, tailored especially to them. But don’t worry, it’s a remarkably simple practice. Every 10-14 days, stick your finger two inches down into your Snake Plant’s soil to monitor its moisture. Provide water only when its topsoil is dry to the touch. You will likely find that you only need to water your Sansevieria every couple weeks, or even every month. Don’t worry: this is normal! Snake Plants process water at their own pace. This is not a plant variety that needs water every few days, so be sure not to treat it like one. Supplemental tools like moisture meters are also great for taking the mystery out of Snake Plant watering, by notifying you when soil is moist or dry.
Snake Plants Grow At Their Own Pace
If you’re looking for a tall and statuesque Sansevieria, consider your ideal size when you shop, not after. Snake Plants are not rapid growers in low to medium light, though they can grow quickly in brightly lit locations. All well-cared for Snake Plants will exhibit beautiful growth over time (especially when they receive ample light) but generally speaking, Sansevierias grow at a slower pace than other indoor plant varieties. The Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’, it should be noted, is considered to be the fastest-growing Snake Plant of the lot. But generally speaking, if it’s a lofty statement plant you’re seeking, buy a Snake Plant that is already large. Sansevierias typically grow about two to three inches per season, with overall growth averaging about a foot in height per year, in prime conditions.
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How To Select A Thriving, Gorgeous Snake Plant
Once you’re ready to buy a new Snake Plant, it’s time to pick the healthiest plant possible. Select a Snake Plant that is in dry to nearly dry soil. A Snake Plant that has been overwatered before you bring it home can exhibit issues down the line which can easily be avoided. Choose a Sansevieria with healthy blades that are firm and exhibit vibrant, even color. Avoid specimens that show large areas of browning, dry patches, or soggy areas on its blades. Select a Snake Plant whose size you are satisfied with, and note that growth will take time.
Avoid Purchasing Your Cactus From A Garden Center
Snake Plants are often available at garden centers and home improvement stores, but the plants at these retailers are not typically the pick of the litter. Remember that with living plants, as with so many things, you will get what you pay for. An attractive price tag can provide a momentary thrill, but a big headache often follows in its wake. Here’s why: garden centers are able to offer low prices for plants that are not sourced from premium growers. That means that the plant may have been mistreated or incorrectly watered. These issues may not be visible from the get-go, but plants exhibit stress overtime. You can avoid an unhealthy plant by purchasing from a reputable, premium supplier.
Plants sourced from premium growers will be grown in pest-free environments and prophylactically treated for insects as well. A well-tended new plant is a gift that will keep on giving. Or to look at it another way, a plant infested with insects is a problem that can leap from plant to plant at remarkable speed. That’s right, one insect-ridden plant can easily result in every plant in your home needing treatment.
Snake Plants are a hardy plant variety, but no plant is impervious to damage or stress. So while it’s easy to buy a mop at a home improvement store and bring it home, the same cannot be said for living plants. Purchasing a Sansevieria from a retail location and getting it home forces the plant to endure undue stress, not just from being jostled, but also from factors like dry gusts from your car’s A.C. Set your new Snake Plant up for success by having it delivered by hand or securely shipped in well-insulated packaging that has been specifically engineered for plants.
A Note On Toxicity In Snake Plants
Many pet owners find that they have no trouble with Snake Plants: their plant structure does not contain leaves or blossoms that are typically attractive to animals. However, Sansevierias are considered to be mildly toxic to pets due to the presence of saponins in their blades.
Even The Healthiest Snake Plant Can Experience Stress
The sturdy and reliable Sansevieria is a gold-standard plant due to its resilience. But because they’re living beings, all plants can experience stress caused by things like environmental changes, over-or-under watering, or pests. When questions or challenges regarding plant health arise, it’s a relief to know that a supportive plant pal that has your back. Snake Plants purchased from Léon & George are paired with lifelong access to our Plant Doctor service: a responsive team of professional horticulture experts, here to support you, provide assessments of your plant’s health, and offer helpful guidance whenever you need. No fees are required: our Plant Doctor service is just one of many ways that we support new plant parents, and ensure that every Léon & George plant is set up for success.
We’ve compiled a thorough list of common issues that Sansevierias can experience, and have a detailed care guide available. Get ready to welcome home your new Snake Plant! Click here to learn more about all things Sansevieria, and how to keep yours in prime shape for years to come.
Snake Plant
A stunning and lush statement plant with an easy-care disposition, the Snake Plant is a low maintenance succulent that is adaptable to varied light levels and needs water only sparingly.