Watering snake plants can be a difficult task for many people. We know that you want the best for your snake plant, but it can be hard to find out how often they need water.
Luckily, we have some tips on finding the answer! Keep reading to learn about the different watering schedules and what will happen if you overwater or underwater your snake plant!
How Often To Water Snake Plant?
Generally, it’s best to water a snake plant every 2 weeks in the summer and every 4 weeks in the winter. Snake plants have fleshy leaves that are great at holding onto water, so they don’t need to be watered as frequently as other plants.
Generally, you should only water when the top 50% of the soil is dry. You can test this by sticking your finger into the soil. Don’t water if it’s even slightly moist. Alternatively, you can use a moisture meter to test the soil.
This makes the plant perfect for those who often forget to water their plants. However, if you’re notorious for overwatering, please be careful about owning a snake plant.
What Type of Water Should I Give My Snake Plant?
Filtered water is the best type of water to give a snake plant. It will help keep the pH level in your soil healthy, doesn’t contain any chemicals, and isn’t devoid of minerals. If you’re going to use tap water, make sure it has been left out for a few hours. This will allow any chlorine in the water to evaporate before your snake plant drinks it up!
Can I Give Tap Water to My Snake Plant?
No, you should never give your snake plant tap water. The chlorine and fluoride in the water can damage your plant’s leaves, which may cause brown tips or yellowing of the leaf margins. You should always use distilled or filtered tap water for this reason.
If you do insist on using unfiltered tap water, let it sit out overnight so that the chemicals can evaporate.
Can I Use Cold Water on My Snake Plant?
No, cold water will damage your snake plant. You should always let cold water run for a minute before giving it to the snake plant so that it comes out at room temperature and doesn’t shock the roots.
Can I Use Warm Water on My Snake Plant?
Using warm water is a bit risky, as the water may be too hot and shock your plant. It’s best to use water that is room temperature, as this will be a comfortable temperature for the roots.
Can I Use Distilled Water on My Snake Plant?
You can use distilled water on your snake plant. But while distilled water is better than tap water, it’s best to use filtered water. This is because distilled water doesn’t contain any minerals that are helpful for your snake plant.
What Happens if I Overwater My Snake Plant?
If you water your snake plant too much, it will cause root rot and may even kill your plant. The leaves may turn yellow or brown and begin falling off. As you can see, overwatering is a serious issue that should be avoided!
To avoid overwatering, only give more water when the top half of the soil is dry. You can use a moisture meter to check the soil of your snake plant (fingers may not be long enough to reach deep into the soil).
Root rot should be tackled by pruning any dead roots and then repotting the snake plant into the fresh potting mix that drains well. Snake plants hate wet feet!
Signs That Your Snake Plant Is Overwatered
- Droopy leaves
- Mold on top of your soil
- Rotten roots that are black and smell
- Water standing in the bottom of the saucer
- Brown or yellow leaves
What Happens if I Underwater My Snake Plant?
If you underwater your snake plant, the leaves will begin to shrivel up. The leaves may even start to die! Water the plant immediately if this happens.
To avoid underwatered plants, only give more water when the top half of the soil is dry. You can use a moisture meter or stick your finger into the soil to determine if it needs more water.
Signs That Your Snake Plant Is Underwatered
- Dry leaves
- Leaf drop
- Leaf color change at the edges
- Wilting
Should I Water My Snake Plant Less in the Winter?
Yes, you should water your snake plant less in the winter. This is because you want to make sure that the soil doesn’t stay too wet, as this can cause root rot and kill off your plant.
Give about half of what you would normally give during summertime watering. For example, if it’s typically once a week or every two weeks in summer, then water about once a month during the winter. But make sure to water again when your soil is half dry.
How Long Can A Snake Plant Go Without Water?
Snake plants have been known to survive for 6 weeks without being given any water. The exact amount of time a snake plant will last depends on many factors, such as the temperature, humidity, sunlight, and type of snake plant.
This shows the hardiness of the snake plant, which is why they are so popular around the world. They are simply a dream for any lazy gardener (me)!
Conclusion
In conclusion, snake plants are hardy and great for those who often forget to water their plants. Their leaves hold onto moisture, which means they can go long periods without being watered.
Giving too much water only causes problems. In fact, this is why so many owners have problems with snake plant yellow leaves and root rot. Another issue you may want to learn more about is holes in snake plant leaves.
Another helpful tip is to make sure you only water the plant when necessary (when topsoil is half dry) and give it filtered water that is room temperature. Do this if you want your snake plant to thrive and live a long life!
Tim is an avid gardener from the UK. He was the founder of PlantCarer.com from 2021 to Sep 2023. He sold PlantCarer.com to Aaron. He has since started his own business called Seed To Supper, which provides new gardeners all the materials you need in a box (pots, seeds, compost and instructions) to grow your own delicious and nutritious vegetables and herbs from start to finish – no garden required.
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