The best type of soil for snake plants is a light, loamy, and well-draining mixture. I don't recommend using a general purpose potting mix on its own because many commercial brands retain too much moisture.
In their native environment snake plants are drought resistant plants that grow in very well-draining soil. When grown indoors, they also need a potting soil that drains well as they're prone to root rot.
Plant your snake plant in a container with Miracle-Gro® Cactus, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix. Water when the top 2 to 3 inches of soil are dry. Feed with Miracle-Gro® Succulent Plant Food. Divide when your snake plant's roots have completely outgrown the plant's container.
Are Cactus or Orchid Soil Mixes Good for Snake Plants? Yes, a cactus soil is an excellent choice for snake plants. Orchid bark can also work well to improve drainage in this plant's soil.
Yes, they do. As the taller species & varieties grow bigger, they need larger pots. The lower growing varieties do fine in smaller pots.
No, snake plants do not need deep pots. In fact, they prefer wide, shallow containers to help promote proper drainage and discourage root rot. Make sure you choose a pot that is at least two inches wider in diameter than its current size to give the roots adequate space to develop and expand.
Repotting Snake Plants
A general rule of thumb is to repot every 2-5 years but it can be left even longer depending on your plant. Snake plants send out roots known as rhizomes which, in the wild, allows the plant to spread over the land.
When re-potting your mother-in-law's tongue, cut off any roots that have small shoots close to the plant. Pot these in pots containing free-draining potting mix—cactus and succulent mix with a handful of regular potting mix is ideal. Make sure any plant waste is disposed of properly.
Unless the snake plant was extremely dry and brittle during repotting, it's generally best to wait for a few days (or even up to a week) before watering it. If your Snake Plant is extremely dry, water it prior to repotting (instead of after).
As long as you keep track of their watering, Snake Plants planted in water will require less care than those planted in soil. You will no longer need to check your soil for dampness! In hydroponic snake plants, water is readily available and they can water themselves.
Snake plants can be easily grown in water through leaf cuttings from an existing plant. The process takes 2-3 months until the roots become healthy and strong. After roots are formed, you can continue to grow the snake plants in water.
The soil mix I use
This mix is light but rich and yields good drainage, and the water will flow right through and out the drain holes preventing root rot. Because the pot is so large, I added this clay pebble to the mix at the bottom of the pot for even more aeration.
Water. Your Snake Plant only needs to be watered fortnightly, allowing its soil to completely dry out between waterings to prevent overwatering and root rot. During the winter months feel free to only water your snake plant once a month if the soil is still moist after 2 weeks.
Snake Plant Light Requirements
These tough plants thrive in any light level, from low to high. Typically they grow more quickly in brighter light, but strong direct sunlight burns leaves, especially when plants are outdoors. An ideal spot indoors is about 10 feet away from a west or south window.
It should be just slightly damp. Select a planter for the snake plant that is a little bit bigger than the plant you are purchasing. Look for a wide planter that will balance this top-heavy plant. You can choose a self-watering container, or a planter and saucer.
The right direction of the snake plant as per vastu principles is south, east and south eastern corners of the house. Avoid keeping a snake plant on any table surface and also do not border it with any other indoor plant. However, one should avoid placing snake plants in bathrooms, this plant prefers dry conditions.
The most common causes of a dying snake plant include overwatering, slow-draining soils, and cold temperatures. If the soil is too moist, it can cause the leaves to turn yellow or brown and droop, giving them a dying appearance. You'd be surprised just how often plants are overwatered, causing a lot of issues.
As the container gets more crowded, your Snake Plant will lose access to water and nutrients, and you'll see more alarming signs like wilting, yellowing, or browning. Since these plants don't grow very fast, you can usually avoid this problem by repotting yours every 3-4 years.
Instead, water the soil directly, allowing it to drain out of the bottom of the pot. Alternatively, you can sit your snake plant's pot in a tray of water for ten minutes or so to allow the moisture to work its way up through the holes and into the soil.
Place the Snake Plant in Its New Pot
Keep the plant at the same soil level as in its original pot, patting down the potting material around the rootball to keep the plant upright.
It's generally recommended to wait a few weeks to a month after repotting before fertilizing a snake plant. This allows the plant to settle into its new pot and adjust to its new environment before adding any additional stress from fertilization.