If you have recently picked up a new snake plant, you may be wondering how fast does a snake plant grow? This post shares what to expect from the growth of your snake plant and some of the most common reasons why your house plants may be slow growers.
Keep in mind that snake plants can be poisonous so it is best to place them in an area where pets or young children can not reach them.
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How Fast Does a Snake Plant Grow?
A general rule about these popular indoor plants is that they are slow-growing plants. Each variety will offer a different mature size, some reaching heights of over 7 feet while other sansevieria plants will only reach a few inches in height.
These common houseplants are known by the botanical name of Sansevieria, this popular plant boasts over 70 varieties. They can be broken down into three different types, tall, upright, and bird nest types.
In order to answer the question, of how fast does a snake plant grow you will have to learn about the different varieties. This is because the different varieties of snake plants will grow to different sizes.
Make sure that you are choosing the best plants for your space by learning about each variety and what it takes to reach a snake plant’s full growth potential.
Why Are Snake Plants the Some of the Most Popular House Plants?
Sansevieria Trifaciata Laurentii or Dracaena Trifasciata is a succulent plant characterized by the appearance of its leaves. Among the most popular of the Tall, upright growers and bird nest types are the following plants. Some are better known by their scientific name while others have a more common name that they are often referred to at garden centers.
Sansevieria Trifasciata also known as mother-in-law’s tongue is one of the most common house plants that can be found in many homes across the world. If you are new to snake plants, this may be a great place to start. This is a good choice for beginners as it has gained a reputation for being impossible to kill.
Many home gardeners choose these hardy plants because they are among the easiest houseplants to care for. Their sword-like leaves make this plant an ideal choice for dressing up a dull area. Many find that these low-maintenance plants offer a tropical plant vibe without a lot of work.
How Fast A Snake Plant Will Grow Depends on the Variety
The general rule for how fast a snake plant will grow is up to 12 inches per year. The growth rate of snake plants varies depending on the type of snake plant and if they are cared for properly.
Poor conditions can lead to a slower-growing plant. Even the largest of snake plant varieties will not reach their maximum height if they are not in optimal conditions.
The best way to reach the maximum growth rate of a snake plant is to learn about each variety’s maximum growth rate and how to properly care for them.
Varieties of Snake Plants
While there are over 70 varieties I will talk about some of the most common found in your local plant stores. Some of these plants can go by many names so I will do my best to list them in a way that makes sense.
Black Gold
Black Gold is a common D. Trifasciata hybrid in the family Asparagaceae that reaches about 2-3 feet in height at maturity. The leaves are edged in gold and offer sword-shaped foliage.
Moonshine
Moonshine is a cultivar that can reach heights of two feet in the proper conditions. This is a common household plant because it offers a beautiful pale green leaf with a hint of gray.
Whale Fin
Another common snake plant variety is the Whale Fin also commonly called shark fin. This eye-catching plant can grow up to 4 feet high and although it is widely available at many plant shops and online, this variety of snake plants is considered rare.
Superba Robusta
Superba Robusta can reach up to 12 inches in height and has been said by NASA to be one of the best indoor plants for improving air quality. It has been credited with removing formaldehyde and benzene from the air.
Braided Snake Plant
The braided snake plant also known as the cylindrical or African Spear Plant offers a uniquely shaped leaf that reaches heights of over 7 feet tall.
Twisted Sister
Twisted Sister also known as Gold Twist Sansevieria can grow up to 15 inches tall. These bright green and gold leaves twist as they emerge from the base of the pot.
African Bowstring
African bowstring hemp is an especially attractive variety of this slow-growing plant that can get to 12 inches tall.
Bird’s Nest
Bird’s Nest Snake Plant reaches heights of about 12 inches in optimum growing conditions but this plant more commonly grows to about 6 inches in most homes. The reason for the name is the tight rosettes with oval green-golden leaves that form this plant’s cacti-like appearance.
Watering Your Snake Plant
The most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to watering snake plants is that they are drought resistant which means they won’t die from lack of water.
Snake plants are actually more likely to be overwatered. This can lead to confusion for new plant owners so be sure to keep the following snake plant watering tips in mind when caring for your new plant.
How Often Should You Water Snake Plants?
Snake plants require less water than a lot of other common household plants. During the Winter months, they can go several months without needing water.
Be sure to allow the soil to dry out completely before watering your snake plant.
The amount of indirect sunlight your plant receives will also impact the watering schedule. Plants that are placed in a bright spot will tend to dry out faster than those living in a darker space.
How to tell When a Snake Plant Needs Water
You can pick up one of these helpful watering gauges and dip it into your soil to check for moisture. You could, of course, use a toothpick if it reaches the bottom of your pot.
If the stick comes out with a wet brown spot, your plant doesn’t need to be watered. If the stick comes out clean, your plant is ready for watering. Water the plant by soaking it all the way through and then wait for it to dry out again.
Best Pots for Snake Plants
Choosing the right pot for your succulent is important to your watering schedule. Pots can play an important role in moisture and certain pots will tend to retain water while others will absorb it. A terra-cotta pot will absorb the water from the plant while a plastic pot will take longer to dry out.
Choosing Soil for Snake Plants
The type of soil you use for your snake plant will also impact the watering schedule. If you are mixing your own soil and find that you are needing help with drainage you can add perlite to your soil mix. This growing additive also speeds up the rooting process and can be an effective addition to clay soils for aeration and draining purposes.
If you find that your soil is draining too fast do not add this to your mix. Adding organic matter like compost can help retain moisture but keep in mind that it’s not a good idea to let snake plants sit in water for long periods of time.
Common Issues with Snake Plant Growth
While snake plants are known for being the perfect plant for beginners due to their low maintenance requirements, they are susceptible to a few common issues that can impact the growth rate.
If you find that your snake plant is experiencing slow growth it may be due to a few different factors. Common problems with snake plant care are excess water, potting soil issues, room temperature, lack of light, not enough water, and low humidity levels.
While not as common spider mites can also be a problem and if your plant is plagued by this issue, you may be too late to help because these tiny pests can be hard to spot.
The best way to encourage new growth and healthy new leaves is to learn a little bit about how to best care for them.
Tips for Caring for Snake Plants
While snake plants can do well in a broad range of light levels from low light to bright light, this plant does best with bright indirect light. You can usually tell if your plant has enough light by the appearance of the leaves. This is also the way to tell if your plant needs less sunlight.
If your plant begins to fade in color while living in a space with a lot of indoor light or full sun, it is best to move it to a more shady spot. Trial and error for your space is the best way to find out where to place your plants inside of your home.
Snake plants don’t have extensive root systems so they often experience a lack of nutrients. Feed during the growing season rather than in the Winter months. Many snake plants do well with a cactus fertilizer.
Overwatering snake plants can cause drooping leaves so it’s best to keep in mind that these plants do not need much water for healthy growth. A pot with drainage holes may be best and be sure to judge the pot size when watering new plants.
Yellow leaves are a common problem that can be due to overwatering and this is usually the case when the leaves also begin to feel soft. Be sure to check the moisture levels before watering. Yellow leaves can also be the result of a lack of nutrients or even too much fertilizer.
When purchasing a soil mix for a new pot, be sure to use well-draining soil that encourages rapid growth for a happy root system. Dense potting soil or compost can squeeze the oxygen out of your plant.
Brown spots on the leaves or roots could indicate a fungus or root rot. The easiest way to avoid this happening to your snake plant is to not overwater. Healthy roots should be a pale yellow or brown color.
If you find that your roots are rotted it is best to cut them out to avoid it spreading to the rest of the roots.
Spider Mites can also cause the leaf tips to yellow. Usually, by the time you find spider mites in your snake plant, it is too late. These mites are heavy feeders that will suck on the leaves, sometimes changing the leaf shape but it can be hard to spot them before they have done too much damage.
The only way to know for sure is to give your plant a shower of water and do your best to remove them. You can then use neem oil to prevent this problem in the future, check with the manufacturer for recommended strength.
Repotting Snake Plants
Usually, these plants are purchased in a small pot and transplanted into a larger pot. It may seem like an obvious tip but keep in mind that a larger snake plant benefits from a larger pot while smaller pots are better for new shoots.
You can usually tell if a snake plant needs to be transplanted into a new, bigger pot when it becomes crowded. You can also propagate snake plants from leaf cuttings when your plant begins to overcrowd the pot.
The best time to do this is during the warmer months and is not recommended to do it during the dormancy period.
I hope you enjoyed this post that answers the question, how fast does a snake plant grow? If you liked what you read, be sure to sign up for the free newsletter and follow along on social media so that you never miss a post again.
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