How Often To Water Snake Plant: A Guide For New Plant Parents

how often to water snake plant

It’s the most common question that new snake plant parents ask: How often should I water a snake plant?

Most people who have a snake plant or other houseplant don’t know how to properly care for it.

That’s why it’s important to know what you’re doing when it comes to caring for your new plant.

As a general rule of thumb, you should water a snake plant at least once every 3 to 4 weeks. However, the frequency of watering can vary depending on a lot of factors.

We’ll go over watering your snake plant in greater detail later in this article.

This article will teach you how to water your snake plant and how to tell if it needs water.

Let’s dive right in!

How Often Should You Water Your Snake Plant?

how often should give your snake plant some water?

You need to water your snake plant every 3-4 weeks.

Watering snake plants too much can cause root rot and the plant will die.

You can water your snake plant by using a spray bottle or a watering can.

You can also add some water to the potting mix but only a few drops of water at a time.

In general, snake plants need to be watered every 3 to 8 weeks, depending on the season.

During the winter, they only need to be watered every 6 to 8 weeks.

However, during the summer months, they may need to be watered every two weeks.

When fall and winter come around, snake plants will start to go into hibernation.

During this time, they will grow slower and watering them less often during these months is recommended.

In general, snake plants need to be watered when the first inch of soil becomes dry.

Watering a snake plant is easy once you know when to do it.

Snake plants are drought tolerant, so they don’t need water often.

You can also tell when your snake plant needs water by its physical appearance; if the leaves are wilting, then it’s time to give your snake plant some water.

Although snake plants can live without water for a certain amount of time, it is best to water them when needed.

If the soil feels dry to the touch or if the leaves are wilting, then it is time to water your snake plant.

It is important to water your snake plant correctly so that it will thrive.

Check the soil before watering to see if it is dry. If it is, water until the soil is wet but not soaking wet.

How to tell if snake plant needs water?

Snake plants require little water. If you have a snake plant, check the soil. The soil should be damp, but not soggy.

If the soil is dry to the touch, then you need to water it. If the soil is moist, then you do not need to water it.

You can also determine if a snake plant needs water by checking its leaves.

If the leaves are wilted, it means that the snake plant needs water.

On the other hand, you cannot overwater a snake plant as it can kill the plant.

Snake plants can go without water for more than a month; however, if you are unsure if the snake plant needs water or not, wait until the top inch of soil is dry before watering it again.

In general, if the leaves of a snake plant start wilting and the branches droop, it is a sign that the plant needs water.

However, overwatering can also lead to these symptoms, so it is important to monitor the plant’s watering schedule to ensure that it does not get too much or too little water.

Dry soil

The color of the soil can give you a good indication of whether or not it needs water.

If the soil is light brown or tan, it is generally dry; if it is darker, it may be moist.

use moisture meter before watering your snake plant

However, if you are unsure, you can use a moisture meter to measure the water levels in the soil.

If the moisture meter shows 3 or 4, it is signaling that the soil is dry.

Therefore, you should check the soil before watering your plants.

Brown crisp foliage

The leaves of your plants may be turning brown because you are not watering them enough.

This is an impact of underwatering and it can cause the leaves to lose moisture, turn brown, and eventually die.

The leaves of a snake plant usually turn brown when they lack water. This is because the leaves need water to stay green and firm.

When the leaves are crispy, it means that they are not getting the water that they need.

Droopy, curling leaves

Often times, when a plant is thirsty, the leaves will droop as the plant tries to conserve moisture.

This is due to the fact that the leaves are one of the main ways that plants absorb water and if they are not absorbing water properly, then the plant will start to show symptoms like drooping leaves.

When a plant’s leaves start to droop and curl, it is usually a sign that the plant needs more water.

However, this sign can also indicate overwatering, so it is important to check as soon as you notice this problem.

If you are watering your plant regularly, then the issue is most likely overwatering.

To test whether watering is the problem, reverse your routine and see if the plant starts to perk up.

Keep in mind that every plant has different needs, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution!

If you’re not sure how to tell if your snake plant needs water, it’s best to feel the soil and take out some time to check what suits your individual plant.

If the leaves of your snake plant start to wrinkle, this is a sure-fire sign that the plant is short of water.

In this situation, the plant itself is telling you that there is something wrong – so don’t wait for it to get worse!

Factors That Impact Watering Snake Plant Frequency

factors affecting snake plant's watering frequency

There are a few factors that can impact watering snake plant frequency.

These include the type of soil, amount of light, and the size of the pot and more.

If you’re wondering how often to water snake plants, the best practice is to water the plant when the soil feels dry.

Since snake plants are succulents, watering frequency and water consumption are important considerations when caring for them.

This is because overwatering your snake plant can easily lead to root rot, which will ultimately kill your plant.

As a result, here are some factors that may influence your watering frequency.

Seasons

Plants that are grown indoors often respond to the weather and season.

For example, plants will grow more or less quickly depending on how bright it is outside.

This is because they are still responding to the natural light cycle.

As the seasons change, so does a plants’ watering needs.

In the spring and summer, as plants come out of their dormant period and put on growth, the gardener needs to water more often than in other seasons.

During autumn, there will be less growth but watering will still be necessary at certain times; in winter, when there is no growth, watering is unnecessary.

Temperature

The higher the temperature, the faster the water molecules will escape into the air.

This is because high temperatures cause more kinetic energy, which makes the atoms move faster and break away from the liquid more easily.

This is why you will want to water the snake plant more frequently in summer, when it is hotter outside.

Temperature also affects evaporation rates because warmer temperatures increase the rate of evaporation.

The reverse is also true. Colder temperatures slow down the evaporation rate of water from plants, which is why you will want to water your snake plant less frequently in winter.

Humidity Levels

The level of humidity in the air is often determined by the temperature.

When it’s hot, the air can hold more water vapor and so the humidity will be higher.

Conversely, when it’s cold outside, there isn’t as much water vapor in the air, so the humidity will be lower.

Humidity levels also affect how often you should water your snake plant.

Dry air will quickly remove the moisture from the leaves, so your plant might need to be watered more often.

On the other hand, if there’s a lot of moisture in the air, your plant might not need to be watered as often.

Also read: Do Snake Plants Like Humidity?

Location of Your Plant

The location of your plant also determine your watering frequency.

If you have a plant that is exposed to sunlight all day, then watering once every two or four weeks would be enough.

However, if your snake plant is in the dark most of the time, then you should water it less often.

This is because plants that are exposed to sunlight need more water than dark ones.

Sunlight will cause water to evaporate faster. So, you should water your plant more often if it is in the sunny spot most of the time.

Also read: Can a Snake Plant Live Outside?

Type of Potting Mix

When it comes to watering your snake plant, you should take into account the type of potting mix you are using.

There are many types of potting mix out there. If you choose a potting mix that drains quickly, you will have to water your snake plant more often.

Snake Plants (Sansevieria trifasciata) are a hardy species that can tolerate low light and infrequent watering.

In fact, they do not prefer water-retentive soil and instead need a potting mix that drains quickly.

Also, if you use a potting mix that holds too much moisture, the roots of the snake plant may rot.

Size of the Plant

The size of a plant is a major factor in determining how much water it will require. The larger the plant, the more water it will need.

As a general rule, the larger the snake plant, the more water it will require.

That’s because the bigger leaves transpire more moisture and as a result, watering will need to be slightly more frequent than it would have when the plant was small.

As a plant grows, its leaves get bigger and as a result, transpire more.

This means that the soil will become drier faster and so watering the plant will need to be done more frequently.

Type of Pot

There are many different types of pots that can be used to house plants.

The three most common types are terracotta, wooden, and concrete.

All of these pots have their own benefits and drawbacks.

Terracotta pots are porous, meaning they absorb water from the soil at a fast rate.

Wooden pots are non-porous, meaning they do not absorb water quickly; however, they can rot if exposed to moisture for too long.

Concrete pots are durable and non-porous; however, they can be quite heavy.

Due to the characteristic of these pots, you must know how to water your snake plant in each one.

The snake plant likes to be dry more than staying soggy, so it is important that you take into account the type of pot you are using when watering it.

If your pot has a drainage hole at the bottom, make sure to allow the water to drain completely after each watering.

You may also want to consider using a pot with a drainage tray.

Size of The Pot

If the pot is considerably larger than the root ball, there will be more space for soil and this will then hold more moisture when wet.

This is beneficial because it means that you won’t have to water your snake plant as often.

However, when the container is very large then a significant part of the potting soil is not covered with roots.

So there might be a risk of overwatering. In this case, your tendency will be to water your snake plant according to the size of the container–potentially leading to overwatering if you’re not careful.

The size of the pot is one of the most important factors that determine how often you need to water your Snake Plant.

Ideally, it should be kept in a tight pot so that it does not dry out too quickly.

In fact, the flowers that we mentioned earlier, will only be produced if the plant is root-bound.

Health of the plant

If you are having trouble determining if your snake plant is getting too much or too little water, there are a few symptoms to look out for.

Brown spots on the leaves, root rots, and plants that are turning yellow and soft are all signs that the snake plant needs less water.

Disease in a plant will slow down the physiological processes, so it will use less water.

Can You Overwater A Snake Plant?

This is a question with a simple answer. Yes, you can overwater your snake plant.

Snake plants, on the other hand, do not require a lot of water and can usually thrive with a little bit of care.

However, it’s easy to overwater them, which can cause the plant to develop root rot and expose it to bacteria and soil-borne fungi.

Testing The Soil Of Your Snake Plant

use fingers to check soil before watering snake plant

To avoid overwatering your snake plant, you should test the soil of the plant before you water it.

To test whether your snake plant needs water, stick your finger in the soil. If it feels moist, then do not water just yet.

If it’s on the dry side but still has a bit of moisture to it, wait 2-3 days before watering.

And if the soil is bone dry, give your snake plant a good watering.

It is important to be mindful of how often you water your snake plant as they do not like wet feet.

The soil around the roots should dry out somewhat between bouts of watering, so typically this means watering once every 3 or 4 weeks.

Keep in mind that the rate at which the soil dries out can vary depending on a number of factors, including climate and time of year.

What Does An Overwatered Snake Plant Look Like?

An overwatered snake plant would be wilted and feel very soft, as the leaves would be drooping and limp. 

On the other hand, if you are unsure how often to water snake plant, or you are a beginner when it comes to taking care of these plants, keep an eye on the tips of the leaves.

If they start turning brown or drooping low to the ground, it may be a sign that your snake plant is receiving too much water.

Additionally, if the leaves of your snake plant start to turn mushy or have a soggy texture, this is also an indication that you are overwatering your plant.

Lastly, if the leaves of your snake plant start to droop and wilt, it is a clear sign that you are overwatering it.

The leaves may also turn yellow or brown, and the tips may die if you do not address the issue quickly.

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

There are many different types of water that can be used on snake plants.

The most popular options are rainwater, spring water, and distilled water.

Each type of water has its own benefits and drawbacks.

Water collected from the rain has the benefit of containing high quantities of oxygen and minerals, while distilled water is absolutely free of any harmful substances.

What about your regular tap water?

Well, there are a lot of factors that affect the quality of your tap water, like where you live.

Some plants don’t like the minerals or chemicals that are added to it.

Calcium, magnesium, carbonates and bicarbonates are some of the minerals found in your tap water. 

Calcium and magnesium salts can build up on the surface of the soil, inside your plant pot, or on the sides of it.

Usually, these salts aren’t dangerous, but they can change the nutrients and the pH of your soil over time, which can hurt your plant.

People living in areas with hard water can protect their plants by flushing the soil of salt with rainwater, pure water, or bottle water.

Should snake plants be misted?

misting a snake plant

Snake plants should not be misted as it will lead to water sitting on the leaves and developing mold and brown spots.

The leaves of snake plants should be kept dry at all times, so misting is not recommended.

If the leaves are misted, it will increase the likelihood of mold and root rot.

Some people choose to mist their snake plants in order to combat overwatering, but this is up to the individual.

I would rather have my plant dry out slightly than risk the chance of root rot and mold.

We talk extensively about misting a snake plant in our post: Can You Mist a Snake Plant? (Answered)

How Long Can Snake Plants Live Without Water?

Snake plants can go without water for up to 8 weeks and still remain healthy.

The plant can survive much longer during drier parts of the year, but it is important to remember to water them regularly.

Snake plants are rather resilient and can grow after long periods of drought.

Snake plants can survive for a long time without water. They have a natural ability to go dormant and start growing again.

Conclusion

It is important to know when to water a snake plant to avoid overwatering and dying of root rot.

Generally, you want to water your snake plant once every 3 to 4 weeks. Also remember that how often you should water a snake plant depends on a lot of factors.

Make sure to check the soil of the plant and feel if it is dry before pouring water on your plant.

Snake plants do not require a lot of water, so it is best to only water them when needed.

Now, I’d love to hear from you:

Have you ever accidentally overwatered a houseplant? Or what type of water do you use to water your houseplants?

Please share your experience by commenting below.

Until then, Happy gardening!

 

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