The Benefits of Keeping Snake Plants around the House
Are you a looking to become a new plant parent and are in need of the easiest possible plant to get started? PLANTZ has the perfect plant for you. The Sansevieria, or Snake Plant, is a low maintenance plant that is perfect for people testing the waters of the indoor plant world.
What is a snake plant?
Also popularly known as the Mother-in-Law Tongue due to their sharp look. The Snake Plant is a native of the drier regions of Africa and Southeast Asia. They are renowned for their long, upright, pointed leaves that can grow several feet tall. The leaves are typically green. However they do come in a few varieties that exhibit yellow variegation like the Sansevieria laurentii, and others that exhibit variegation patterns of light and dark green like the Sansevieria zeylanica. The thick, fleshy leaves are perfect for storing water which help it survive drought conditions. It gets its name as the Snake Plant due to the shape and sharp margins of the leaves, that resemble snakes.
These plants make the perfect addition to any décor style when placed in an appropriate planter. Their leaves are stiff and tall making them a great choice for slender spaces. Their sleek shape and green color makes them a popular option for modern styles as it pairs well with clean lines and neutral colors. The light-toned wood and natural textures of Scandinavian décor styles also pairs well with the Snake Plant. It also fits right in with the bright colors and bold patterns of tropical décor. This really is a plant that can adapt to just about any condition and décor.
Tips for caring for your Snake Plant
Water
The Sansevieria is a truly mellow plant when it comes to maintenance. This plant has only one enemy: over-watering. Because its native landscape is arid regions, this plant thrives in dry conditions and can be left without watering for up to a month. Let the soil dry out almost completely before giving your plant a good soak. In order to better gauge the moisture levels in the soil, we recommend our Soil Sleuth to eliminate any guesswork. This is a much better indicator of moisture than your finger. Make sure the planter you choose for your Snake Plant has drainage holes to provide an escape for excessive water. Overwatering can result in root rot, fungus growth, oxygen deprivation and nutrient depletion for your plant and may ultimately kill it.
Light
One of the great things about the Snake Plant is its ability o thrive in almost any condition. It stands strong in bright light, maintains its integrity in low light, spruces up just about any indoor décor style, and is a long lasting addition to any outdoor garden. Even better, if your plant is unhappy with the lighting conditions, it will tell you. Droopy leaves are a strong indicator that your low light location is too dark for your Snake Plant. Should you decide to move your plant to a brighter location, be gentle and go slow. A sudden shift from a dark space to bright light can shock your plant.
Temperature
For the best results, keep your Snake Plant in a space with consistent temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees. Snake Plants are not a fan of the cold. If temperatures drop below 50 degrees, your snake plant will let you know it is unhappy. If you receive a weather alert that the temperatures are going to drop and your Snake Plant is outside, consider making space for it indoors to ensure it remains healthy and happy. They do prefer stable conditions so once inside, keeping it away from AC vents or heaters is a good idea. Because of the Florida climate, plant lovers in Florida will be happy to know that a Snake Plant will do fine without being moved almost year-round.
Nutrition
When you purchase your Snake Plant from PLANTZ, the soil that comes with the plant will already be chock full of nutrients that will last for the first six months you have it. Once those initial six months are over, feed it once every quarter with a complete fertilizer that contains the combination of nutrients for indoor plants.
Cleaning
Snake Plants accumulate dust at a slower rate than most other plants due to the shape of their leaves. If you notice dust on the leaves that may interfere with the plants ability to absorb light, take a towel and wet it with light soapy water and wipe down both sides of the leaves.
Pruning
The only time it is really necessary to prune a Snake Plant is when an old leaf turns yellow or brown. If this happens, the leaf needs to be pruned all the way down to or below soil level. It is crucial to remove the entire leaf.
Bugs
Pests are not usually an issue with these plants. You might see a rogue squadron of mealybugs. If so, just use that same solution you use to clean your Snake Plant’s leaves and wipe the bugs off the plant.
How to pick a Snake Plant?
There are a few things to consider when picking your Snake Plant. First, check the leaves of the plant. Are they firm and upright? Do you see any brown or yellowing leaves? Yellowing leaves does not mean the natural variegation in certain Snake Plants. It means is the whole leaf yellowing due to damage or illness. Avoid any plants that have damaged or wilting leaves. As this may be an indicator that there are issues with the plant and its root system.
Snake plants are slow growers. Make sure the plant you purchase is the right size for the space you are looking to fill. For instance, a small tabletop Snake Plant is not the focal point you’re looking for in an empty corner, and vice versa. You definitely don’t want a large floor plant sitting on the corner of your office desk.
Keep in mind that these plants have a wide array of variegation options. Some Sansevieria have thicker yellow margins on the leaves than others. Some are a bright green while others are a dimmer green but with light green variegation. Yet others have no variegation at all, just tall sword-like green leaves. Choose the right colors for your current design scheme. If you are looking for a more muted color, choosing a darker green or non-variegated plant may be your best option. If you are working with a tropical vibe, a Snake Plant with wide yellow margins should work perfectly.
When you get a chance, check out the root system. Do the roots look healthy? Are they light colored and not dark brown? Dark brown can be an indicator that the plant is not healthy or has root rot. While snake plants are happy living in tight quarters, they do still need some space. If the plant’s roots are coming through the bottom of the pot and are tangled, the plant may be root bound and could be lacking in nutrients, making it a less healthy option.
Snake Plant Benefits?
Snake Plants have been revered for their many health benefits for ages. In West Africa, this plant has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. It was believed to have wondrous healing properties and was used to treat respiratory problems, sore throats, and even fevers. In more recent years, Snake Plants were studied by NASA to see how effective they were at removing toxins in the air. The NASA study showed that the Snake Plant not only was able to remove toxins, it was one of the best indoor plants at doing so. The toxins best absorbed by the leaves of the Snake Plant are formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene. Formaldehyde is a common indoor pollutant and is found in carpet, furniture, and cleaning products.
It can cause a wide range of health problems from throat irritation and allergic reactions to increased risk of certain types of cancer. Benzene is also commonly found indoors in gasoline and paint. Prolonged exposure to benzene can cause a whole host of ailments in humans as well. Including headaches, nausea, anemia, and leukemia. Trichloroethylene is a solvent found in dry cleaning products and has been known to cause kidney and liver damage as well as confusion.
Snake Plants are also excellent air purifiers. Much like other plants, they use carbon dioxide in the air in photosynthesis, which then causes the plant to release oxygen. An increase in oxygen in the air helps purify the air and create a healthier living environment. Snake Plants even take it one step further. While most plants remain dormant at night, reducing the amount of oxygen released into the surrounding air, Snake Plants are one of the few plants that continue to provide health benefits at night through the release of oxygen. For a better night’s rest, place a Snake Plant in the bedroom and breathe in that freshly purified Snake Plant air!
Snake Plants are also known to promote a sense of relaxation, helping to reduce stress and calm the mind and body. All of these health benefits combined, help to boost the immune system and reduce the risk of infections. Beyond health benefits, Snake Plants also produces Saponin, a chemical that is effective at repelling mosquitos. Which is yet another reason Snake Plants are the perfect plant for homes.
Adding a Snake Plant to your home, be in on a patio or in a bedroom, will only make your life happier!
Bottom of Form
If you’re ready to commit to a low maintenance plant with extraordinary health benefits that will fit into just about any design scheme, then the Snake Plant is for you! PLANTZ offers a variety of types (the Laurentii and the Zeylanica) and sizes (10” growpots and 14” growpots) of Snake Plants that will fit into your unused space. Go to PLANTZ.com today and start the process of growing your green thumb!
F.A.Q.s – add that it is toxic to animals
- I’ve never owned a plant before. Is the Snake Plant right for me? 100%. The Snake Plant is the best starter plant for any hopeful plant parent. They are low maintenance, fit into any existing décor, and offer a multitude of health benefits.
- Snake Plants are low maintenance, but are they really un-killable? The only real way to kill this plant is by overwatering it. Give it a good soak, and it should not need to be watered again for about a month. Check the soil with the PLANTZ Soil Sleuth and find out the easy way if your plant needs a drink
- Are Snake Plants toxic? Yes! Snake Plants are toxic to humans if ingested and may cause nausea and/or vomiting. They are also toxic to dogs and cats. It is best to keep these plants out of reach of your pets.
- Do Snake Plants help you sleep better? Snake Plants are one of the only plants that continue releasing oxygen at night. Buy a Snake Plant and set it up in your bedroom. You’ll notice it’s easier to fall asleep at night with fresher air.
- Where can I find a Snake Plant? The easiest way to add this delightful plant to your home is by ordering it from PLANTZ. Shopping online at PLANTZ.com is easy. They not only have several offerings, they also provide in depth care instructions and video details to help you take better care of your plant. They have representatives standing by to answer any questions you may have.