Best Fertilizer for Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

Tips for selecting the best fertilizer for snake plants, including how often to fertilize a sansevieria and other snake plant care tips.

The Snake plant, also known as Sansevieria, is a popular houseplant that is easy to care for and can thrive in a variety of light conditions. These low-maintenance plants thrive with the proper dose of fertilizer so it is important to use the best fertilizer for snake plants.

This post sharing tips for snake plant care and the best fertilizer for snake plant contains affiliate links which means that if you make a purchase after clicking a link, I will receive a small portion of the sale at no additional cost to you.

Snake Plant Varieties

While there are quite a few varieties of snake plants, I am going to talk about the most common varieties of these low maintenance plants.

Here are some common snake plant varieties:

Sansevieria trifasciata or dracaena trifasciata (commonly known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue or Snake Plant): This is the most common variety of snake plant and has long, upright, sword-like leaves that are green with yellow or white striping.

Sansevieria cylindrica (also known as African Spear Plant or Cylindrical Snake Plant): This variety has round, cylindrical leaves that grow upright, and they are often shorter than those of other snake plant varieties. The leaves are green with gray-green or silver-green banding.

Sansevieria masoniana (commonly known as Whale Fin Snake Plant): This variety has large, wide leaves that resemble the shape of a whale fin. The leaves are dark green with brighter light green variegation and can grow up to 4 feet tall.

Sansevieria zeylanica (also known as Bowstring Hemp or Ceylon Bowstring Hemp): This variety has long, narrow leaves that are dark green with light green banding. The leaves grow upright and can reach up to 3 feet tall.

Sansevieria laurentii (also known as Variegated Snake Plant or Striped Snake Plant): This variety has long, upright leaves that are green with yellow variegation. The edges of the leaves are lined with a bright yellow border.

These are just a few of the many snake plant varieties available, but they are some of the most popular and widely recognized.

What Makes Snake Plants Easy-Care Houseplants?

Snake plants are known for their ability to tolerate neglect and thrive in low-light conditions, making them an excellent choice for indoor gardening.

When it comes to fertilizing snake plants, the best approach is to use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer.

A balanced fertilizer contains equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are the three primary nutrients that plants need to grow.

Slow-release fertilizers are ideal for snake plants because they release nutrients slowly over time, which prevents over-fertilization and reduces the risk of burning the plant’s root system.

You can use a general-purpose fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10, or a similar balanced ratio. Alternatively, you can use a specific fertilizer formulated for indoor plants or tropical plants, as these are often designed to provide the nutrients that snake plants need.

It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying fertilizer to snake plants, as over-fertilization can cause a tough plant to become leggy or damage the root ball.

How Often Should A Snake Plant Be Fertilized?

The best time to fertilize your snake plant is during the warmer months rather than the winter months but the best way to tell how much fertilizer your plant needs is to take the growing conditions into consideration.

The most important thing to keep in mind is the amount of bright indirect light your plant receives.

A plant that lives in a dark corner and doesn’t receive as much light will not need to be fertilized as often because it is not using up nutrients very fast.

On the other hand, a plant that is getting too much sunlight will need to be fertilized more often. If your plant is living in a brighter location and receiving full sun it will need to be fertilized every 3 months.

A plant that gets medium light only needs to be fertilized a couple of times a year, the best time of year to do this is in early Spring and then again in late Summer.

How to Tell if A Snake Plant Needs to Be Fertilized

Even with the best care of a snake plant, these houseplants are known as slow growers. So if your plant is only growing small amounts or not producing new leaves during the growing season, this doesn’t necessarily mean that it needs a dose of houseplant fertilizer.

There are many other issues that could prevent new growth. Some of the most common are infrequent watering, excess water, low light conditions, and problems with the snake plant’s soil.

Some of these issues may need to be cleared up with insecticidal soap or even repotting, depending on which issues your plant is experiencing.

These issues can also lead to yellow leaves, issues with the snake plant’s roots, fungal infections, spider mites, and root rot. For more information on common issues with snake plant growth read this comprehensive guide.

Another great way to tell if a snake plant needs to be fertilized is by using an at-home soil test kit with results for soil pH, nitrogen, and phosphorus.

How to Choose the Best Snake Plant Fertilizers

When choosing the best fertilizer for your snake plant, there are a few factors to consider such as granular, liquid, or fertilizer spikes. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Nutrient Ratio: The first thing to consider is the nutrient ratio of the fertilizer. As I mentioned earlier, a balanced fertilizer with an equal amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium is ideal for snake plants.

Slow-release vs. liquid fertilizers: Another factor to consider is whether you prefer a slow-release fertilizer or a liquid fertilizer. Slow-release fertilizers are generally easier to use because you only need to apply them once every few months to most plants, while liquid fertilizers need to be applied more frequently.

Liquid fertilizers can be more customizable, however, allowing you to adjust the amount and frequency of fertilizer based on the needs of your plant for optimum root growth.

Formulation: You can choose a general-purpose fertilizer or one formulated specifically for indoor plants. Fertilizers that are specifically designed for indoor plants or tropical plants may contain additional micronutrients that snake plants need.

Organic or Synthetic: You may also want to choose between organic materials or synthetic fertilizers. Organic fertilizers are made from natural materials like compost or manure, and they are typically slower-acting than synthetic fertilizers. Synthetic fertilizers, on the other hand, are made from chemical compounds and can provide nutrients to plants more quickly.

Brand Reputation: Finally, consider the reputation of the brand when choosing a fertilizer. A great choice is buying from reputable brands with positive reviews of fertilizer use, as these are more likely to provide high-quality fertilizers that are effective for snake plants.

Overall, the best fertilizer for your snake plant will depend on your personal preferences and your specific snake plant need.

However, by considering these factors, you should be able to choose the best type of fertilizer that will help your snake plant thrive.

Are Granular Fertilizers the Best Fertilizer for Snake Plant?

Granular fertilizers are a type of fertilizer that comes in the form of small, solid pellets or granules. They are commonly used in outdoor gardening for landscape plants, but can also be used for indoor plants.

Granular fertilizers are typically slow-release, meaning that they release nutrients slowly over time, rather than all at once.

Granular fertilizers can be made from a variety of materials, including synthetic compounds, organic matter, and minerals. They may be formulated to provide specific nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, or a combination of nutrients that plants need for healthy growth.

Granular fertilizers are generally easy to use for everyone from a beginner plant parent to an expert. They can be sprinkled around the base of plants and worked into the soil.

The good news is that this slow-release formula of granular fertilizers means that they do not need to be applied as frequently as liquid fertilizers, which can be more convenient for some gardeners.

One potential drawback of granular fertilizers is that they can take longer to show results than liquid fertilizers, as they release nutrients slowly over time.

Additionally, because they are applied to the top of the soil, rather than directly to the plant, it can be more difficult to control the exact amount of fertilizer that each plant receives.

However, with proper use, granular fertilizers can be an effective and convenient way to provide nutrients to your plants.

Are Liquid Fertilizers the Best Fertilizer for Snake Plant?

Liquid fertilizers are a type of fertilizer that comes in a liquid form, which can be mixed with room temperature water and applied to plants. They are commonly used in indoor gardening, hydroponics, and outdoor plants that need a quick boost of nutrients.

Liquid fertilizers can be made from synthetic compounds, organic matter, or a combination of both. They may be formulated to provide specific nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, or a combination of nutrients that plants need for healthy growth.

Some liquid fertilizers may also contain micronutrients, such as iron, zinc, or calcium, which are important for plant health.

Liquid fertilizers are typically fast-acting, meaning that they can provide nutrients to plants quickly. They can be applied directly to the leaves of the plant, as well as to the soil or potting mix, which makes them more versatile than granular fertilizers.

One potential drawback of liquid fertilizers is that they need to be applied more frequently than granular fertilizers, as they are quickly absorbed by the plant and washed away with even a little water.

Depending on how much water the plant receives may alter the amount your plant is actually getting. If you have large drainage holes and are giving your plant a lot of water, the fertilizer may fall out of the soil surface, leaving the plastic container or ceramic pot completely.

Although a pot with great drainage is recommended for these plants, they aren’t a great option for holding fertilizer in. Just keep this in mind when measuring a gallon of water, it may not retain the nutrients required.

Overall, liquid fertilizers can be an effective way to provide nutrients to your plants quickly and easily. They are particularly useful for indoor gardening and hydroponic systems, where granular fertilizers may not be practical.

However, for best results be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using liquid fertilizers, as over-application can damage plants.

Do Snake Plants like Worm Castings?

Yes! Worm castings are an excellent way to fertilize your snake plants because they are rich in nutrients such as protein, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Some of my best plants have exceeded my growing expectations from the benefits of worm castings.

Do Snake Plants like Coffee Grounds?

Yes! Many gardeners like to use up their coffee grounds in the garden due to their ability to aid in the addition of nitrogen, potassium, and other vital nutrients like amino acids.

Do Snake Plants like Blood Meal?

Yes! Adding blood meal to the soil can increase nitrogen levels which will encourage new growth with bright green leaves.

What is the Best Soil for Snake Plants?

Organic potting mix with 75% organic substrate, 25% perlite, and low fertilizer is a good choice for potting plants and for new plants started by leaf cuttings of a snake plant. The cut end thrives in soil that is well draining and mixed with the proper nutrients.

Keep in mind that some plants and fertilizers can pose a risk to young children and pets so be sure to keep them out of reach of kids and pets.

More Garden Tips

This aloe vera plant care guide shares how to tell if aloe needs water as well as general tips on how to care for an aloe vera plant.

Learn how to remove brown spots on cactus and find out what is causing your cactus to form them in the first place with these gardening tips.

Learn about the many health benefits of succulents and see why this plant is a popular choice for offices, hospitals, and in homes.

Don’t forget to sign up for the free newsletter and follow along on social media so you never miss another gardening post again.