How Fast Does Snake Plant Grow

You are probably here because of being a brown thumb when growing snake plants, right? Well, you are lucky because this guide looks at an important question you should ask when you have a snake plant or Sansevieria. While it’s a plant that checks many boxes in the hardiness category, you also must consider various aspects of its growth.

This guide takes a look at how fast do snake plants grow?

The rate at which a snake plant grows is slow to moderate. The snake plant’s growth rate also relates to the availability of good soil, nutrients and treatment resources.

The Growth Rate of Snake Plants?

The average growth rate of snake plants depends on various factors. For the most part, the growth rate is slow to moderate. While this plant is popular among beginners for the small amount of care it requires, you still have to be cautious. The guide below provides insight into a few factors to consider regarding the growth rate of snake plants:

  1. Adaptability

Source: Unsplash

Like any other houseplant, snake plants require time to adjust to a specific environment. Plants are similar to any other life form and require time to adapt to specific conditions. Usually, the reason is that the plant might have become accustomed to specific growing conditions, which might no longer be there.

A good example would be if you stay in the mountain regions, getting a plant to adapt to the tropical region might require lots of time. Therefore, the same concept applies to when you first acquire a snake plant – give it some time to develop and adapt.

Check the plant regularly to ensure that it has the right conditions for growing. Some users don’t realise the importance of adding the right fertiliser, and we recommend that you be cautious during this process. A good suggestion is to avoid adding fertiliser to the plant for upto one week.

  1. Type of Potting Soil

Soil is a crucial factor in plant development because it has a major role in absorbing minerals and nutrients. Therefore, the type of soil you use for snake plants has a major impact on their growth. If you use potting soil which doesn’t have excellent drainage, your plants won’t have sufficient access to nutrients and treatment products such as fungicides.

A few suggestions for creating a suitable potting soil mix include:

  • Use well-drained potting soil for your plants.
  • Get cactus soil and use them in the correct ratio.
  • Add some compost product to the mixture.

Remember that the potting and cactus soil ratio should be 1:1, and the compost should take upto 25% of the soil structure. The use of cactus soil will also benefit the plant’s ability to absorb minerals and nutrients. Such a unique mixture also helps improve the drainage levels of your plants.

  1. Fertilisation

Source: Unsplash

Using the right fertilisation method is also crucial for developing your snake plants. The reason is that fertilisation ensures your plants have access to the right nutrients for development. One key aspect to consider is that you have to avoid over-fertilisation and overwatering issues.

The reason is that most snake plant owners don’t often realize the importance of using consistent fertilizer products. Houseplant owners come across these issuers due to negligence. Some also forget to fertilize their snake plants completely, which is also a significant issue.

During the growing season, consider fertilising your snake plants upto three times. However, the amount of fertilizer required in fall will decrease by half. Snake plants also tend to be dormant during the winter season, and you have to avoid fertilizing them at these points of the year. Overwatering during such periods of the year can lead to whithering and compromised plant growth.

Expect the issue to lead to drooping leaves and the breakdown of your snake plant’s leaves. You have to be careful with how you apply fertilizer to your plants. Any compromise to this process may easily harm the plant’s development. You should also consider using a small amount of fertilizer during the plant’s growing season.

Get the plant, and place it in running water to remove the excessive compost. Repeat this process for upto three times to remove a large amount of fertilizer on the plant. On the off chance that the compost has damaged the soil consider re-potting the plant. You might have to avoid fertilizing the plant for upto 30 days.

  1. Growth Season

Like any other plant, snake plants also have a specific growing season, which you should consider. The growing season for these plants is usually during the spring and summer months. During these times, using the correct watering and fertilizing process will positively impact the plant’s overall development.

Expect a well-developed snake plant to grow upto 3 feet high. However, the height of the plant might also depend on its species. Snake plants are dormant during the winter season, so be cautious in regulating their growth.

Avoid overfertilizing plants during the summer season because it can harm their development. If the plant doesn’t show any development signs during this period.

  1. Watering Method

Your preferred method also has a crucial impact on the development of snake plants. Before we proceed, you have to realize that snake plants have many complications in watering.

The goal of the watering process is to ensure you evaluate the soil, especially to determine if it’s dry. Only then should you consider watering the snake plants? Any overwatering issues might cause your plants to suffer significantly. Neglecting the process can eventually lead to the plant’s death. Below are some of the steps involved in watering your plant the right way:

  • Get well-draining pot soil for your snake plant.
  • Ensure you check the soil for dryness levels before watering.
  • The ideal level should be when the soil is dry and not moist.
  • If the soil is moist, let the plant sit for a few days.
  • Avoid checking the topsoil only, and get in deep.
  • Develop a watering regime that suits your plants.
  • Make the task manageable by placing a note on the pot for your plants.
  • Avoid leaving your plants sitting in still water.

Snake plants can live for long durations without access to water, even during the winter season. The plant might not require water for upto 40 days. This is great, especially if you travel or move around a lot. Snake plants absorb large amounts of water and fall in the succulent category. Hence, excess water will only negatively impact the plant because it will have to absorb more minerals and salts.

  1. Pruning

Source: Unsplash

Pruning is crucial for ensuring your snake plants don’t develop a large amount of foliage. It helps the plant lose unnecessary leaves and achieve optimal growth results. In some instances, snake plants tend to turn yellow or brown, which necessitates pruning. If you have never done this process, we recommend this video on how to prune a plant. 

While it may be difficult to cut down all the leaves on your plant, be patient because it’s important for your plants’ welfare. Below are a few tips you should consider for the pruning process:

  • You should only prune the plant during the growing season alone.
  • Watering during winter can lead to plant shock, which can eventually make it dormant.
  • Ensure you disinfect all the tools you use before cutting the plant.
  • Ensure you disinfect the plant as well to kill any pests and diseases.
  • Remove any leaves on the plant that have
  • Once you complete the pruning, ensure you set it away from indirect light.
  1. Temperature and Humidity

Snake plants might be indoor plants, but they also grow well in bright light and heated conditions. However, there are various side effects of using this approach to snake plant development and growth. If the snake plant experiences bright light, it will absorb water fast and lead to negative developmental outcomes.

The snake plant leaf might also experience burn and lead to yellowing issues. Similarly, setting the snake plant in a lowly lit area can harm its foliage. The best setting for snake plants would be in environments with low light. You should also avoid setting in places such as the window during the winter seasons.

There are various factors involved in the growth rate of a snake plant, which you should consider. Factors such as the temperature, adaptability, fertilization and the growing season are crucial. There is a delicate balance involved in maintaining all the conditions required for the plant’s development.

Leave a Comment