One of the very most important things to know if you want to provide great Snake plant care is to know how to water a Snake plant.
Thankfully it’s quite simple to water correctly as Snake plants are very resilient and easy to grow houseplants which are perfect for beginners.
Snake plants also known as Sansevieria or mother-in-laws-tongue are drought tolerant plants which means they can go quite some time without water before issues arise.
It’s mainly overwatering you have to watch out for when watering a Snake plant which is a common issue among beginner plant care enthusiasts.
So if you are wondering how to correctly water your Snake plant, how often and so on, here is the main stuff you will need to know.
How to water a Snake plant
Snake plants love to receive plenty of water, but they do not like to be constantly wet or have standing water as that can cause root rot in these plants.
Instead Snake plants like to be soaked when actually watering and then allowed to fully dry out before giving it another drink.
Think soak and dry.
You can use rain water, filtered water or whatever clean water you can find to provide adequate hydration to this resilient plant.
Just remember that you need to fully soak your Snake plant until water flows through the drainage holes of your container (ideally you will use drainage holes) and then wait for the soil to fully dry out before watering again.
If you’re unsure if the soil is dry enough, feel the top inch or two of the soil and if it’s dry to the touch you can water.
If the soil is still moist in the top 2 inches of the soil then you will need to hold off until it dries out.
How long does this process take?
It depends.
There are a variety of factors such as temperature, soil type and if your Snake plant is in dormancy or not.
Remember when it comes to watering Snake plants, since they are drought tolerant, it’s best to underwater the plant than it is to overwater as it’s a much easier fix and helps prevent root rot.
If you’re wondering what root rot is or how to deal with it, check out my article on Snake plant root rot and how to save it.
How often should I water my Snake plant?
Snake plant watering frequency really does depend on a number of things such as how warm or cold the temperature is, what kind of soil (drainage) you have and what the current season is.
No matter what’s going on though, remember to only water when the soil is fully dry so it won’t always be a set in stone schedule.
With that said, you can expect to be watering around once every 10 days during the spring and summer and up to only once a month during the late fall or early winter when your Snake plant is dormant (not actively growing).
If you don’t feel like digging your finger in soil every time you’re trying to decide if it’s time to water, you can always use an inexpensive water moisture meter to help you out.
What does a thirsty Snake plant look like?
Other than the soil being very dry, their are some signs you can look out for to determine if your Snake plant is in some desperate need of water.
If your Snake plant leaves are curling up, this is a major sign that the plant is in need of some water as the leaves curling indicate it’s trying to preserve as much moisture as it can.
You may also notice the leaves becoming dry or crispy or start to develop brown leaves if dehydration goes on long enough.
I know you don’t want to see your Snake plant struggling, so provide enough water right away.
Just don’t go overboard and try to over-compensate by constantly watering after a period of dehydration as this can stress the plant out.
Instead just resume the normal watering habit’s you learned above and your Snake plant will thank you by growing and looking great!
How do you tell if you’re overwatering
If you ever get concerned that you’re overwatering a Snake plant, there are some signs you can look out for so you can quickly reduce your watering frequency, or stop until it’s dry.
If your Snake plant is drooping (bending, falling over, etc.) this is an early sign that you’re overwatering and should cut back on it for the time being.
Another major sign you have been overwatering is if your Snake plant leaves are turning yellow which usually happens after the drooping as the overwatering goes on longer.
You may also notice brown leaf tips on your Sansevieria around the same time as the yellowing of the leaves.
Those are some warning signs that you have been either watering too much, or the soil isn’t draining like it should.
Sometimes it’s a combination.
In any case, if you notice yellow leaves, you should have a look at the roots to check for root rot as it’s not something you can ignore.
If the roots smell foul, easily fall apart or are dark and mushy then you will need to prune back the discolored leaves, unhealthy roots and repot your Snake plant into a new container with fresh soil.
Is it okay to bottom water a Snake plant?
It is perfectly fine to bottom water a Snake plant, in fact doing so prevents water from getting on the leaves which if not dried can develop fungal spores.
To bottom water your Sansevieria you will need either a shallow container, sink, bathtub or really anything that can hold water enough to reach your plant, and drainage holes of course.
So pick the water holding source and place your Snake plant container on top of it enough to where only the drainage holes will be exposed to the water.
Now just let it sit for 10-15 minutes and you’ll be good to go.
Wrapping up
By now you know all there really is to know about how to properly water a Snake plant so you can provide adequate hydration with the least chance for problems to occur.
As always I hope that I’ve helped you expand your knowledge on Snake plants and I thank you for reading.
So have fun and I hope you continue to grow your Snake plant for many years to come!