When the soil feels dry, you must thoroughly water your snake plant. Best case scenario: avoid setting up a regular watering schedule. Watering snake plants is influenced by a number of variables, including temperature, humidity, and light availability. When watering the snake plant, even the type, and size of the pot matter.
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How Much Water Do Snake Plants Need?-Detailed Schedule
One plant that requires little maintenance is the snake plant. To thrive, they require little work. However, watering is a big problem in this situation, just like it is with any other plant.
Because improper watering is the root cause of 80% of snake plant issues. Similar to how Azalea leaves turn black, improper watering is to blame.
However, it is more of a problem for snake plants. because it is unclear how much water is required. In order to create a watering schedule for your snake plant, we brainstormed.
Both summer and winter have different schedules. So let me walk you through it.
Summer Watering Schedule
The snake plants mostly flourish in the summer. They should flourish now. You must therefore exert more effort to accelerate the growth.
So, when watering them in the summer, exercise caution. Snake plants require a small amount of water overall to grow. However, in contrast, the amount is greater in the summer.
Therefore, check your soil before watering. Approximately 1 inch of soil should be touched with your finger. Additionally, check to see if the ground is dry. Water it if it feels completely dry after about an inch. Include ½ water in a small pot. 1 cup of water should be added to a medium pot, and 1.5 cups should be added to a large pot.
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One check every 15 days is permitted. Add water if it seems dry.
Winter Watering Schedule
Wintertime is a better time to avoid snake plants than summertime. In the winter, the watering schedule can be much more flexible.
Once per month, you must inspect the soil. Check to see if all of the soil is dry. Water the plant only when it is completely dry. For winter, add an equal amount of water.
Make sure the tap water is not too cold if you’re using it. The tap water usually comes out naturally cold in the winter. So, if it’s too cold, don’t use it. Since snake plants cannot tolerate cold.
Therefore, water that is at room temperature is suitable for use by plants.
Factors Affecting The Need For Water
The snake plant’s need for water is largely unaffected by outside factors.
Pot types
When watering and planting your plants, the pot type is the most ignorant consideration. The right pot type can help snake plants thrive because they prefer to be dry rather than remain wet.
There are many different types of pots that can be used depending on the needs of the plants.
Less water: Due to their non-porous nature, plastic pots keep the soil wet for a very long time. They are not advised for the snake plant.
Medium water: Plastic pots don’t retain moisture as well as ceramic, glass, or metal pots do, so the plant will require less water in those types of pots.
More water: Concrete, wooden, or terracotta pots are porous and quickly absorb water from the soil. For the snake plant, they are ideal because they promote airflow and maintain a healthy soil environment.
Soil
A well-draining soil mixture can help your snake plant thrive because it prefers to be on the drier side. soil mixture with good water and air drainage.
As a result of their easy susceptibility to root rot, which is supported by dense soil, If your snake plant is grown in a dense soil mixture, it might require less frequent watering. You can harm your plant by sticking to a routine.
If the other conditions are controlled, aerated soil may require more frequent watering because it will dry out more quickly.
Water is necessary for the chemical and biological processes that make the soil fertile and support the plant by generating energy. The plant’s health will improve with the right soil mixture.
For growing the snake plant, a mixture of one part garden soil, one part peat moss, and two parts perlite is ideal. For fertility, you could spread a layer of compost. Alternatively, you can use any succulent-friendly soil and supplement it with compost to add some organic matter.
Temperature
Between 55 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit must be maintained as the ideal temperature for snake plants. The water requirement falls within this range and is typically once per week.
The need for water will increase slowly if the temperature is unstable or below the ideal range. The soil will take longer to dry out due to the low temperatures and chilly surroundings.
They will require water more frequently if the temperature is above 80 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period of time. When such conditions exist, it is preferable to relocate them indoors and out of the sun.
Season
In order to properly water your snake plant, the season, as we discussed above, is crucial. The sun is very strong during the summer and spring. You’ll feel hot even at home.
Your snake plant will require more water right now, regardless of where you put it. In tandem with an increase in frequency, care also grows. It would be best if you continued to check the soil to prevent frequently encountering bone-dry soil.
The cold and dry weather of winter and autumn is also referred to as the “dormant season.” Because the sun is weak and only visible for a short period of time, the soil will remain wet for a long time and the leaves may suffer from cold drafts.
During this time, the soil will likely be frequently dry, but continue to monitor it. Keep them close to the heating system, but keep them far enough away so that the leaves don’t bake.
Humidity
More humidity in the air will aid in the plant’s ability to stay hydrated because the humidity is simply the amount of water vapor that is present. Unlike other houseplants, snake plants do not prefer moisture, as is well known.
The snake plant requires slightly less water if the surrounding humidity is high. Although humidity doesn’t affect a plant’s need for water, it should still be kept at a level that meets those needs.
Less humidity is preferable for snake plants; generally, 40% humidity is ideal. Make sure to water them as needed and when the soil feels dry.
You shouldn’t mist your snake plant because too much humidity can cause the leaves to remain wet on the outside, which is not what the snake plant prefers.
Light
In both states, the source of the light could be either natural or artificial. The plant’s need for water is determined by a few factors.
- The intensity of the light
- Amount of light
- Spectrum
If we follow the general rule, the snake plants only need to be watered once per week if all the above factors are in balance. What ratio of the aforementioned factors is ideal for the snake plant? Lets learn.
Avoid using excessively bright lights, i.e., indirect or filtered light is preferred, whether natural or artificial source.
The amount of light represents the number of hours of light the plant receives each day. 6-8 hours of light in a day is advised for a healthy growing snake plant.
The right spectrum of light should be available from either a natural or artificial light source to enable photosynthesis, which is necessary for plant growth. Growing things are stimulated by violet-blue light with a wavelength between 400 and 520 nanometers.
Less water is available, which means that the soil requires less water, according to a straightforward rule: more light availability, more water requirement.
Size of pot
The soil in a large-sized plant pot will hold more water and stay moist for a longer period of time because it is more substantial. It won’t need water as frequently.
Large pots are ideal for snake plants because they provide enough room for the roots to expand and require water relatively more frequently.
The snake plant does well in smaller pots because they require less watering and less soil.
Since all of the aforementioned factors affect the needs and each corner differs slightly from the other in each condition, there is no general rule for watering.
How To Water Snake Plants
Snake plants require less watering, as you are aware. We also understand the ideal approach. Join us as we outline the ways.
Way 1: Use A Glass Funnel
You should half-fill a glass funnel with water. We favor funnels of medium size with a pointed mouth.
The funnel should then be suspended above the plant. Grab a rope made of cotton or jute. It should be thoroughly submerged in water until completely saturated.
The rope should then be attached to the hanging funnel. Tape it to the object. The rope should, however, have water soaked into the tip of it. Fix the placement of the funnel jar next.
It should be hung so that the plant pot is at an angle. The rope should now be stretched out and placed on the ground. The rope’s other tip can be inserted into the ground. Put a toothpick on the rope to accomplish that. And simply stick that toothpick back into the ground.
You’ll notice that the soil will gradually become wet. Every fifteen seconds, a drop of water drips from the rope. Check the funnel level after 10 minutes to determine the amount of water loss.
You are aware of the amount of water your plants require. When enough has reached its roots, halt the process. Pull the rope end out of the ground now. Furthermore, simply discard it. Alternatively, you can save it for later use.
Now that you know why you must use this watering technique, you might be wondering. due to the fact that you can simply water the plant directly.
The solution is straightforward: If you pour water directly, there is a good chance that some will fall onto the leaves. It’s a categorical no for snake plants. No, the leaves must not be wet. The leaves will begin to rot if they are wet. We, therefore, proposed a more secure approach.
Way 2: Use A Plastic Bottle
This approach is what we require. especially if you want to avoid the hassle of hanging a funnel. For this method, you’ll need-
- A plastic bottle
- A rope
- Driller
- Tweezer
Drill two holes in the belly of a spare bottle of your choosing. 5 to 6 inches should separate each of these holes. Fill the bottle to the top with water by pouring it through the hole.
With one end of the rope, fasten a pin. Through the hole, place it inside the bottle. Next, take a tiny tweezer and grab the pin. Simply remove the pin from the other hole.
You might require two or more attempts. The rope will eventually lose its other end at that point. To your plant pot, you must affix this end.
Just secure the rope’s end with tape. Alternatively, proceed with the toothpick method as usual. Remove the bottle once you notice that it is empty. Put the rope away from the ground as well.
The two safest methods for watering your snake plant are thus these two. Any way you choose, the plant will receive water.
Additionally, you won’t run the risk of overwatering.
Signs Of Overwatering Snake Plant
The snake plant will show signs of overwatering through the following signs:
- Brown tips
- Brown spots on leaves
- Yellowing foliage
- Mushy stems
- Mold on the surface of the soil
- Foul odor from soil
Signs Of Underwatering Snake Plant
Underwatered snake plants can be identified by checking the following signs:
- Drooping leaves
- Wilting
- Soil pulling from the edges of the pot
- Stagnant growth
- Wrinkled, crispy leaves
- Brown leaves
- Yellowing and dry brown spots
What To Do If You Overwater Your Plants?
Water is kept inside the plant itself. You have observed that the roots are substantial while planting. The plant stores water in its root system as a result of watering. which results in an even thicker root.
Even the leaves themselves are incredibly water-rich. Therefore, despite what you might think, the plant doesn’t need more water.
In turn, it requires less watering. The additional water means the plant is using more water than is necessary.
Additionally, the leaves cells tire when they take in too much water. It then starts to turn yellow as a result. In light of this, overwatering is the cause of yellow leaves. The same cause of the curling in your Alocasia leaves can be found here.
The water is gathered on the root area of snake plants, as opposed to Alocasia. Furthermore, root growth is harmed by the ongoing moisture. It rots after that.
This illustrates how detrimental overwatering is to snake plants. Additionally, it’s the only method that will completely destroy the plant.
You now realize that overwatering is not an option. If you’ve already overwatered your plants, what then?
In this instance, the leaves may have begun to turn yellow. Additionally, it will be mushy and delicate. The leaves are going to wither and fall eventually. It is therefore necessary to get rid of the plants that are already harmed.
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Remove the plant next. Additional fluffy roots will be visible. Look for decayed root strings. If you do, simply use a pair of clean scissors to carefully cut them off. By chopping it, you can prevent the entire root from becoming rotten.
Just repot the plant right now. Repotting is necessary because the plant is already drowning in water. Additionally, the soil from before is wet and damp. Long-term exposure to that environment will result in the plant’s death.
Therefore, it must be placed in a pot with dry soil. Don’t water the plant for the following 15 days after moving it there.
then continue to water them according to the mentioned schedule.
FAQs
How can I tell if I’ve overwatered my snake plants?
You’ll need to watch for indications if you want to know that. Verify to see if the leaves are becoming mushy. Alternatively, the leaves may have brown or yellowish splotches. knowing that overwatering is the cause.
How should water that splits into the leaves be handled?
Don’t freak out the moment this happens. Simply move quickly and bring a paper towel. Place the paper towel now on top of the water drop. Soak it in water, then. Never smear the leaves. Instead, dab and let it soak.
Can I spray the snake plant with a mist?
No, the mist is for plants in warm climates. keep them hydrated and make them feel comfortable. The snake plant, however, is a desert plant. It will suffer harm if misted.
Is tap water suitable for watering the snake plant?
Although they should be checked for a few days, snake plants can be watered with tap water. Tap water is not appropriate for your plant if salt deposits are present on the soil’s surface.
When watering your snake plant, opt for rainwater or distilled water. Filling a tub with tap water and letting it sit overnight are both options.
This will allow the fluoride and chlorine in the water to dissolve, making it suitable for the snake plant.