How to Care for a Sansevieria or Snake Plant
Pot your sansevieria plant correctly., Place the sansevieria plant in the right light., Use the sheer drapes to filter intense sunlight during the day. , Turn the pot quarter turns weekly for even light exposure. , Keep plants in temperatures...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Pot your sansevieria plant correctly.
Use a good houseplant potting medium, not garden soil.
Repot only when the plant starts breaking the pot with its roots. -
Step 2: Place the sansevieria plant in the right light.
Put the sansevieria plant in an east, west or north windowsill any time of the year.
If it's a south-facing window, place the plant about one foot from the window, to the side, year round. (This advice is directed at the northern hemisphere.) Provide bright fluorescent or other lighting.
This will provide enough light so that the sansevieria plants grow well. ,,,, Water when reading almost zero or when dry to prevent root rot By hand:
Let the pot surface feel dry to the touch before watering in spring and summer. , Wait until the pot is quite dry before watering.
Water if you notice the leaves are drooping and the pot feels dry. , Use room temperature water.
Use distilled or rainwater if possible.
If using tap water-- allow it to stand for at least 48 hours to dissipate chlorine, fluorides etc.
If possible, one week is better. , Try to keep water out of the center of the leaf clump.
Water until water drains from the bottom and empty drained water from trays promptly. , Fertilize in spring with a 20-20-20 fertilizer mixed in a watering container. ,, Other signs that it needs transplanting include:
When the roots start to come out of drain holes or if the pot breaks (clay pot).
Water thoroughly when transplanted.
Add soil to pot when it settles after transplanting. -
Step 3: Use the sheer drapes to filter intense sunlight during the day.
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Step 4: Turn the pot quarter turns weekly for even light exposure.
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Step 5: Keep plants in temperatures between 40º and 85ºF (4.4 to 29.4 C).
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Step 6: Use a probe hydrometer to check the soil moisture weekly.
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Step 7: Water very little in winter or in a cool air-conditioned room.
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Step 8: Water the sansevieria plant correctly.
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Step 9: Water along the sides of the plant.
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Step 10: Fertilize sansevieria plants once in the spring with houseplant fertilizer mixed according to label directions.
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Step 11: Wipe the leaves of sansevieria with a damp cloth if they get dusty.
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Step 12: Transplant when the plant is getting too big for pot.
Detailed Guide
Use a good houseplant potting medium, not garden soil.
Repot only when the plant starts breaking the pot with its roots.
Put the sansevieria plant in an east, west or north windowsill any time of the year.
If it's a south-facing window, place the plant about one foot from the window, to the side, year round. (This advice is directed at the northern hemisphere.) Provide bright fluorescent or other lighting.
This will provide enough light so that the sansevieria plants grow well. ,,,, Water when reading almost zero or when dry to prevent root rot By hand:
Let the pot surface feel dry to the touch before watering in spring and summer. , Wait until the pot is quite dry before watering.
Water if you notice the leaves are drooping and the pot feels dry. , Use room temperature water.
Use distilled or rainwater if possible.
If using tap water-- allow it to stand for at least 48 hours to dissipate chlorine, fluorides etc.
If possible, one week is better. , Try to keep water out of the center of the leaf clump.
Water until water drains from the bottom and empty drained water from trays promptly. , Fertilize in spring with a 20-20-20 fertilizer mixed in a watering container. ,, Other signs that it needs transplanting include:
When the roots start to come out of drain holes or if the pot breaks (clay pot).
Water thoroughly when transplanted.
Add soil to pot when it settles after transplanting.
About the Author
Eric Harvey
Committed to making creative arts accessible and understandable for everyone.
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