Benefits, Care, Type, and Propagation of Snake Plants: The Ultimate Guide

Snake plants, commonly known as "Mother-in- Law's Tongue" and Sansevieria, are one of the most low-maintenance houseplants. This succulent plant is very tolerant and easy to grow, making it a perfect choice for those who are just starting their plant parenthood journey.

Snake plant (Sansevieria) has rigid, sword-like leaves that grow between 6 and 8 feet tall. Snake plants come in a variety of colours, but most have green banded leaves with a yellow border.

A report from NASA proves that Snake plants help keep the air inside your home clean by eliminating contaminants like formaldehyde and benzene.

In this blog we will read about snake plant benefits, how you can take care of snake plants, and how you can propagate the sanke plant.

The Benefits of having Snake plant in your houseplant collection. Snake plants have a lot of health benefits in addition to giving some ambiance in your house décor. Here are a few.

1.Snake Plant Remove Pollutants From The air !

One of the well known snake plant health advantage is that it helps to eliminate harmful air pullutants in your indoor air. It absorbs cancer causing chemicals such benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene and also CO2.

The snake plant is one of the plants that proved in a renowned NASA experiment on indoor plants in 1989 that plants with higher leaf surface area (leafier and bigger plants) do better air filtration.

2. Snake plant Produces Oxygen and Absorbs Co2

According to a study published in Harvard University Extension, the snake plant produces most amount of oxygen when compared to other houseplants. This plant is special in the sense that it is one of the few plants that can transform CO2 (carbon dioxide) into oxygen at night.

This feature allows snake plant to become an excellent choice for bedroom décor, as it can aid in the regulation of healthy airflow.

3. Snake Plant For Feng Shui and Energy Protection

Snake plant or Sanseveria, if placed in the correct area, it provides a protective and cleaning energy to the home or company.

In feng shui, spiky plants are thought to be effective against negative Chi. You should keep them in less visited areas of your because to their aggressive nature. Some of the best spots to keep snake plant are the Southeastern, Southern, and Eastern corners.

How to Care for Snake Plant ?

If you've never cared for a plant before and want to get started quickly, the snake plant is the plant for you. To actually kill one, you'd have to put forth a lot of effort. However, there are a few things to bear in mind when caring for your snake plant.

Light

Snake plants like light that is indirect yet consistent, with some direct sunlight. They can adapt to full daylight and will also thrive in dimly lit environments.

Soil

A loose, well-drained potting mix is ideal for soil snake plants. In sandier soils, this plant thrives. Choose a peat-free potting medium. Peat is useful in a variety of conditions, however it can become compacted and have issues rehydrating or draining. A great option is an all-purpose potting soil.

Water

Between waterings, allow the soil to dry out. Reduce watering to once a month or whenever the soil feels dry to the touch during the winter. Over-watering might kill the plant, so err on the side of under-watering.

How to Grow / Propagate Snake Plant ?

Snake plants can be grown from seeds, but alternative techniques of propagation are easier, faster, and more dependable. Snake plant seeds have a poor rate of germination.

If you want to save yourself the hassle of growing a snake plant on your own, you can buy it from here. But if you wish to put your blood and sweat in raising one, here is the way.

Here’s how you can propagate snake plant by by leaf-cutting:
 

• Slice a long, healthy leaf from your snake plant with sterilised scissors, a sharp knife, or pruning shears.
• You can root it in water by soaking the cut end in a clean jar of water. Check for root growth in a partially sunny location. Top off the water every few days to maintain it level. To prevent bacterial or algae growth, completely change the water every two weeks.
• Plant the root end in a well-draining cactus potting mix once the roots have grown to be at least an inch long. It should be watered and placed in a partially sunny location.

Type of Snake Plants You Can Bring Home!

• Dracaena trifasciata 'Hahnii', popularly known as the bird's nest snake plant, is a little snake plant that grows to approximately 6 inches tall. Its leaf clusters form a clump that looks like a bird's nest.
• The cylindrical snake plant Dracaena angolensi (previously Sansevieria cylindrical) has spherical, rigid leaves that can grow to be several feet long.
• Dracaena trifasciata 'Laurentii' has creamy yellow leaf borders and is a variegated snake plant. Dracaena trifasciata 'Twist' has twisted leaves with yellow variegated edges that are striped horizontally. It reaches a height of 14 inches.

So now since you are armored with all the knowledge you require to proudly own a snake plant, when are you bringing one home ?

Do send us pictures of your thriving snake plant on social media. Till then, happy plant parenting.