Snake plant care in 30 seconds
Snake plants are hard to kill, but they're easy to drown. Most snake plants that die were loved to death with too much water.
- Water: only when the soil is completely dry. That's about every 2 to 3 weeks in spring and summer, and every 4 to 8 weeks in winter.
- Feed: once a month from April through September, then pause for fall and winter.
- Light: bright, indirect light is best. Low light is fine, but growth will be slower.
- Temperature: 60 to 85°F. Keep it away from drafts and anything below 50°F.
- Repot: every 2 to 3 years in spring, or when roots start pushing out of the pot. Snake plants like a snug pot.
Have a plant. We got you. Here's the whole year, month by month.
The month-by-month calendar
Feed once a month while the plant is growing (April to September). Water only when the soil is dry. That's the whole routine.
|
Month |
Water |
Feed |
Also this month |
|---|---|---|---|
|
January |
Every 4–8 weeks |
Rest |
Keep it away from cold windows and heater vents. |
|
February |
Every 4–8 weeks |
Rest |
Wipe dust off the leaves with a damp cloth so they can soak up light. |
|
March |
Every 3–4 weeks |
Rest |
Check for roots poking out of the drainage holes. If you see them, plan to repot next month. |
|
April |
Every 2–3 weeks |
1 SCRIPT |
Growing season starts, so begin monthly feeding. If you repot, wait 3–4 weeks before the first SCRIPT. |
|
May |
Every 2–3 weeks |
1 SCRIPT |
Move it closer to a bright window, but keep it out of harsh direct sun. |
|
June |
Every 2–3 weeks |
1 SCRIPT |
Peak growth. New leaves may come up from the soil as pups. |
|
July |
Every 2 weeks |
1 SCRIPT |
Heat dries soil faster. Check with your finger before watering. |
|
August |
Every 2 weeks |
1 SCRIPT |
Good time to split off pups into their own pots. |
|
September |
Every 2–3 weeks |
1 SCRIPT |
Last feeding of the year. |
|
October |
Every 3–4 weeks |
Rest |
Bring patio snake plants inside before nights drop below 50°F. |
|
November |
Every 4–6 weeks |
Rest |
Growth slows way down. That's normal, not a problem. |
|
December |
Every 4–8 weeks |
Rest |
Less light plus less water. When in doubt, wait another week. |
Watering times are a starting point. Pot size, light, and how warm your home is all change how fast soil dries, so always check the soil first.
How to water a snake plant
Use the soak-and-dry method: water deeply, then let the soil dry out completely before the next watering.
- Push a finger 2 inches into the soil. If it feels damp, skip watering and check again in a week.
- If it's dry all the way down, water slowly until water runs out of the drainage holes.
- Empty the saucer after 15 minutes. Roots sitting in water are the fastest way to rot.
- Water the soil, not the center of the plant. Water trapped where the leaves meet can cause rot.
A pot without drainage holes is the most common reason snake plants die. If yours doesn't have one, repot it into a pot that does.
How to feed a snake plant
Snake plants are light eaters, so feeding them once a month during the growing season is plenty. Too much fertilizer does more harm than too little.
Potting soil runs out of nutrients within a few months, so a snake plant that never gets fed will slowly stall. You'll see pale leaves, no new growth, and no pups. A light monthly feeding from April to September keeps it growing strong without overdoing it.
SCRIPTS makes this a no-brainer:
- Rip it. Open one pre-measured SCRIPT.
- Pour it. Pour the whole packet into 32 oz of water.
-
Water. Use it for one regular watering that month, on a day the soil is already dry.
One SCRIPT covers about 2 to 3 snake plants in 6-inch pots, or one large plant in a 10-inch pot. From October to March, skip the SCRIPT and just water. The plant is resting and doesn't need the extra food.
No measuring cups, no guessing at doses, and no half-used bottle under the sink.
Why skip winter even indoors? Indoor snake plants still slow down in fall and winter because days are shorter and light is weaker, so they can't use the extra food. Sources: Iowa State University Extension, Costa Farms.
What's wrong with my snake plant?
Most snake plant problems come back to water. Find your symptom, then check the likely cause first.
|
What you see |
Likely cause |
What to do |
|---|---|---|
|
Soft, mushy leaves or a mushy base |
Overwatering, which leads to root rot |
Stop watering. Unpot it, cut off black or mushy roots, and repot in fresh, dry soil. |
|
Yellow leaves |
Usually overwatering; sometimes hungry soil |
Let the soil dry out fully. If the soil is dry and the plant hasn't been fed in months, start monthly SCRIPTS in spring. |
|
Leaves drooping or falling over |
Overwatering or too little light |
Check the roots, then move it somewhere brighter. |
|
Wrinkled or curling leaves |
Underwatering |
Give it a deep soak and let it drain. The leaves should firm up within a week. |
|
Brown, crispy tips |
Uneven watering or salt buildup in the soil |
Water deeply on a steady schedule. Flush the soil with plain water every few months. |
|
Pale, stretched leaves |
Not enough light |
Move it closer to a bright window. |
|
No new growth |
Winter rest, low light, or hungry soil |
In winter, that's normal. In spring and summer, add light and start monthly SCRIPTS. |
|
Tiny flies around the soil |
Fungus gnats from soil that stays wet |
Let the soil dry out completely between waterings. |
Snake plant FAQ
How often should I water a snake plant? Every 2 to 3 weeks in spring and summer, and every 4 to 8 weeks in winter. Always check that the soil is dry all the way down first.
Do snake plants need fertilizer? Yes, just not much. Feed once a month from April to September and skip it in fall and winter. One SCRIPT in 32 oz of water per feeding is enough.
Can a snake plant live in low light? Yes, it will survive in low light, but it grows slowly and needs even less water there. Bright, indirect light gets you the most growth.
When should I repot my snake plant? Every 2 to 3 years in spring, or when roots are coming out of the drainage holes or cracking the pot. Go up only 1 to 2 inches in pot size.
Are snake plants safe for pets? No. Snake plants are mildly toxic to cats and dogs if chewed, so keep them out of reach of pets that nibble on plants.
Why is my snake plant not growing? In fall and winter, slow or no growth is normal. In spring and summer, the usual causes are low light or soil that's run out of nutrients.