The snake plant houseplant makes a great addition to your home because of its easy care and great looks.
Native to southern Africa, snake plants are well adapted to conditions similar to those found in the southern regions of the United States.
The snake plant is a wonderful houseplant for beginners because it’s incredibly hardy and easy to care for, making it difficult for even the homeowner to kill less dedicated plants.
But there are more benefits, as snake plants are also great for improving indoor air quality.
This drought-tolerant succulent has a much longer shelf life than most other houseplants, making it a good choice for those who don’t want to buy new houseplants every year or two.
Learn more in our article below. We’ve covered everything on when to repot your snake plant.
Signs To Repot A Snake Plant
Snake plants will grow, depending on the variety.
Climate and location vary rapidly, but eventually, all snake plants will need to be transplanted into larger pots.
There are several ways your snake plant can let you know it needs repotting.
These are some of the more obvious signs to look out for:
1. The Roots Grows Through Drainage Holes
Perhaps the most certain sign that your snake plant has outgrown its pot is the presence of roots growing through drainage holes.
If visible roots are reaching through the drainage holes, you should repot your plant as soon as possible.
This is a sign that the roots are taking up most of the pot, leaving little room for soil and no room for the plant to grow.
Failure to activate this could result in the pot breaking from the pressure.
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2. It Doesn’t Absorb Water
It is normal for a small amount of water to leak through the pot drain.
It is not normal for all or most of the water to drain from the bottom of the pot.
If this happens, it means your soil has eroded over time and is no longer capturing nutrients.
If overwatering does occur, it’s time to repot your plant into a larger pot with new, well-drained nutrients.
3. The Plant Keeps Tipping Over
If your snake plant keeps tipping over, it’s a sign that your sansevieria has outgrown its pot.
Snake plants grow upwards and form a top-heavy plant.
If the pot is too small or the bottom is too narrow, the plant will regularly tip over on its side.
If the plant seems to stand on its side more often than upright, it’s time to choose a pot that can support your plant’s continued active growth and expansion.
4. They Keep Producing Immature Plants
As a snake plant matures, it can sometimes produce suckers or baby plants called “pups.”
Seeing a snake plant pup or two emerging from the ground should not be a cause for alarm.
However, if your plant starts to produce a lot of young, it may be a sign that it has nowhere else to expand.
When a plant feels restricted, diseased, or unable to grow, it can produce offspring to ensure it continues even if the main plant dies.
In this case, you can transplant the main plant into a larger pot and propagate each juvenile in its own smaller containers.
What Kind Of Soil Should You Transplant Your Snake Plant Into?
When the roots of a snake plant are constantly wet, the plant tends to develop root rot.
The best way to avoid this is to choose snake plant soil that drains easily.
Using a mix of potting soil and soil for succulents and cacti will give your potted plant everything it needs to grow.
Snake plants are succulents, so they like it when their roots are a bit dry.
Choose soil that drains easily.
Mix houseplant soil with succulent and cacti soil to give your houseplant what it needs to grow.
Buy soil that contains bark compost or coir.
These create space and air circulation in the soil, allowing the plant to thrive.
Use a houseplant fertilizer to add missing nutrients to the soil mix.
Look for ingredients like bark compost or coir.
These two fibrous materials create space in the soil, allowing air to circulate and roots to dry out.
Most houseplant soil contains a balanced nutrient ratio, but you can always add an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer to supplement the soil and encourage growth. \
Read Also: 7 Snake Plant Problems And Disadvantages
Watering After Transplanting A Snake Plant?
After repotting your snake plant, be sure to water it thoroughly.
This not only nourishes the plant and helps it settle into its new pot, but is also a great test to make sure the plant is in the right pot.
You should water your snake plant well after transplanting.
If water isn’t coming out of the drainage holes, the soil may be too dense.
If all the water flows out of the drainage holes at once, the soil may be too loose or you may need to add more.
A properly transplanted plant should seep through the drainage holes minimally and slowly.
Watch out for drainage holes when watering.
If no water comes out, the soil may be too dense.
If all the water comes out right away, the soil may be too loose or you didn’t use enough.
If your plant has been properly transplanted, a minimal amount of water should slowly seep through the drainage holes.
Tips To Care For Snake Plants
Snake plants are easy to grow and require little more than sun and a good watering schedule.
Here are some tips to help you take care of your snake plants:
– Select a Good pot
Select a pot with a drainage hole in the bottom.
Terracotta pots function well for snake plants because they permit the soil to dry out more readily than plastic pots.
Use potting soil that drains well.
A potting mix designed for “cacti and succulents” is ideal as it is more resistant to over-water saturation.
When transplanting snake plants, don’t bury them too deep.
– Select a Good Site
Snake plants prefer bright, indirect light and can even tolerate some direct light. Sunlight.
Avoid moving your plant from a dimly lit area into direct sunlight too quickly as this can startle the plant.
Whenever you move plants from a darker to a lighter location, do so gradually and slowly expose them to progressively brighter light over a week.
– Water Properly
QqPlants use more water in warmer, lighter areas.
Keep the plant in a warm place with temperatures above 10°C.
In winter, be sure to protect it from drafty windows.
These plants do not tolerate moist soil well; they are prone to root rot.
To avoid this, follow these watering practices: Don’t water too often.
Allow the soil to dry out, especially between waterings.
To know when it’s time to water, don’t rely solely on the appearance of the soil surface.
Instead, gently poke a finger or wooden stick about two inches into the soil.
If you notice some moisture or if you see the soil sticking to the stick, don’t water.
If possible, pour from the bottom of the pot.
This encourages the roots to grow down and deep, which helps stabilize tall, thick leaves.
In winter, when the plant is not actively growing, water is less often than in spring and summer.
– Keep Them Clean
Large, flat leaves tend to collect dust; If necessary, clean them with a damp cloth.
In good conditions, snake plants grow quickly and may need annual divisions.
Cut out a section with leaves and roots and plant in any well-drained potting soil.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still, need more answers? Explore the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) here.
How Often Should You Repot Snake Plants?
Snake plants are slow growers and seldom require repotting.
Plants with low light may need to be repotted every 5 to 10 years.
How Do I Know If My Snake Plant Needs Transplanting?
You’ll know it’s time to transplant when the tops of the roots curl up or protrude from the bottom of the pot.
Another sure sign your plant needs repotting is if the water drains straight through the drain holes when you water it.
This means your snake plant has attached roots.
When Should A Snake Plant Be Transplanted?
Snake plants can usually be repotted every 3 to 5 years.
These popular houseplants prefer their pots a bit. Snake plants don’t produce flowers unless they feel the stress of being rooted.
Do Snake Plants Like Deep Or Shallow Pots?
The pot you choose should be shallow enough for the root system to be a bit crowded.
A good rule of thumb is a pot that is 1/3 the size of the roots in length and width.
Final Thoughts
The best time of year to repot a snake plant is late winter or early spring.
Snake plants are dormant in winter, which is the perfect time to transplant your plant into a larger pot.
Although it’s best to repot your snake plant in spring ahead of the growing season, these hardy plants can be repotted any time of the year.
Snake Plants are adaptable and hardy and may not need to be repotted every year.
Instead, keep an eye out for signs that it’s time for your Sansevieria to move to a larger pot.
If you notice that your plant is no longer holding water in the soil, is growing roots through drainage holes, can’t stand up, or has spawned many baby plants, it’s time to repot.
