This luxurious plant grows in the subtropics and tropics. There are about 70 species, but only three are taken for indoor cultivation. Snake plants look very attractive; their long leaves with a sharp tip have a double color (darker inside and paler along the edge). Try growing this plant at home and it will make the atmosphere in your home more cozy and warm. This plant has become the choice of thousands of people because it is easy to care for. Of course, it has its own preferences for temperature, watering, humidity, and so on. But if you forget to water it for a couple of days, it will not die. Many gardeners advise purchasing this plant if you are just starting your acquaintance with growing house plants. Choose a suitable flower pot and grow your snake plant indoors. It can grow quite tall; it all depends on the growing conditions. Even if you choose a planter on legs it will look very stylish in any interior.
Choosing a location and lighting
This plant will be comfortable on a window facing southeast and southwest. You can even place the pot in direct sunlight or choose a place in a darkened room. But it will not bloom in a dark room. If there is enough lighting, the plant will show a long thin arrow that will be covered with small white flowers. You will be captivated by the delicate aroma of these small flowers. It is important to remember that green-leaved types can develop in a darkened room, but in order for the snake plant to produce new leaves, it is better to place it in the sun for at least 2-3 months a year.
Temperature
This is a tropical plant so it likes warm temperatures but not too hot. The optimal choice is a room with a temperature of +16 ‒ +25℃. A distinctive feature of this plant is that it does not have a dormant period; it develops all year round. If you want it to bloom, it is best to let it “rest”. To do this, you need to put it in a cool place for about a month. Don't keep it there for long because it may cause root rot. Return the pot to a warm place and it will be comfortable to begin flowering.
Watering
Snake plant thrives in dry soil or dry air. With irregular watering, it feels better than with excess watering. Experienced gardeners say that excessive watering is even harmful for this plant because it can lead to rotting of the root. In winter, you may water it once a month, which will be enough. In summer, it is better to water once a week. Better watch the soil in the planter, it should dry completely before the next watering. An important point is to point the watering can towards the edge of the flower pot.
Hygiene
This magnificent plant has tall leaves, so dust often accumulates on their surface. This is normal for houseplants, so do not forget to clean the leaves from dust. To do this, you need to take a soft cloth and moisten it with water. Gently wipe the leaves once every two or three weeks.
Transplanting into another pot
There is no need to replant this plant every year; it is enough to do it once every 2-4 years. The signal for replanting will be the roots that have begun to crawl out of the pot. There are 2 types of soil that are suitable for snake plants.
- First: loose soil structure, which consists of 4 parts of turf soil, 2 parts of leaf soil and 1 part of humus and river sand.
- Second: 1 part each of leaf and turf soil, 2 parts of river sand.
But the simplest solution is to go to a flower shop and buy ready-made soil. This could be cactus soil or succulent soil, but you can also choose geranium soil. But if you choose soil for geraniums, then add 30% river sand to improve drainage properties. When replanting a plant into another pot, you first need to put a fairly large layer of drainage on the bottom of the planter, at least 1/3 of the total volume of the pot.
This plant has creeping roots, so a wide and shallow flower pot is suitable for it. The plant is not picky about the material of the pot; it is better to choose ceramics. A plastic pot can be unreliable, and the plant may tear the material as its roots grow. If your snake plant is tall and large, then it is better to tie it to a support. In a new pot it will continue to grow and may topple the pot.
Feeding
You can choose fertilizer for decorative deciduous plants or for cacti. It is better to do this no more than 1-2 times a month. Also remember that you can feed the plant only during the active growing season, which lasts from May to September. But if you choose the right soil, the plant does not need additional feeding.
Reproduction
If you grow such a plant at home and want to propagate it, it is better to do it in the spring. The method is quite simple, it is dividing roots or leaf cuttings. If you use propagation by leaf cuttings, it is better to cut the old leaf into pieces of 5-10 cm.
Diseases and pests
We have already said that the snake plant is very unpretentious in care and gets sick more rarely. But even he sometimes has problems that are important to eliminate in time. For example, if the leaves begin to become covered with dark spots or become pale and stripes disappear, then your plant does not have enough light. If the edges of the leaves turn yellow and dry, it means you have overwatered the plant and its root system is beginning to rot. If the leaves have withered, then you kept it in cold conditions; if they also turn black, then the plant has frostbite. This happens if it was standing under an open window on cold winter days. Interesting Facts
This plant will be an excellent choice not only for the home but also for the office because it is
an excellent air purifier. It actively absorbs toxic substances and releases oxygen. Substances
such as formaldehyde, benzene and trichlorethylene are not a challenge to the snake plant. To
keep the indoor air perfectly clean, you need to place about 6 waist-high plants. Some
gardeners are sure that this plant clears the room of negative atmosphere. It will become your
friend and assistant so that you can be successful, achieve your goals and develop your
entrepreneurship. Try growing this plant at home and you will see many advantages; we have
already said that it is not picky and capricious.
