Snake plants are known to be tolerant plants. They can stand ignorance for a while. But you stay alert about its soil needs. Otherwise, the plant will die and that would be tragic.
So you may be trying to find the best type of soil for the plant. That is when you heard of succulent plants and their benefits.
So you’re wondering whether succulent cactus soil is good for snake plants?
Well, yes. This sort of soil that is highly acidic is loved by the snake plant. And the main reason why it’s a good choice is its drainage capability. Succulent soil’s drainage capability is suitable and beneficial for snake plants.
So it’s basic knowledge. But there’s a lot you need to know in detail. So keep reading to the end.
What Soil is Best for Snake Plants?-Briefly Explained!
Snake plants are a common type of succulents that many people don’t know. Just like any other plant, snake plants do great in the soil where it gets a feeling of its origin.
Like the other succulents, snake plants are known to be drought-resistant. They also grow up in mountains and deserts. As a result, they can hold water for longer periods. Thus, the plants love well-drained soil. That allows them to suck up only the needed amount of water.
Then the remaining water should be drained out. Due to its nature, the roots of the snake plant are delicate.
While keeping the roots in wet soil, it keeps on sucking the water. Because it can store a lot of water in its roots, stems, and leaf cells. But when it’s overwatered, the plants get stressed.
And the root is on the standing water. So it starts to rot. And you’ll see brown spots on the snake plant. It’s because the plant is slowly dying.
None of this would have happened if you used the perfect soil for snake plants. So the perfect soil will be a gritty one. That’ll combine gravels and sand or other substances that provide drainage.
Moreover, the soil needs to breathe that’s why proper aeration is needed. To put all of that together, a good snake plant soil is-
- One that provides aeration
- One that has an acidic pH level ranging from 6-6.5
- One which is less than 20 % organic materials (barks, peat moss, etc)
- One that is high in proportion of inorganic materials (gravel, pebbles, lava rock, perlite or pumice, etc)
Providing your snake plant with soil that has all of the mentioned points is good. Moreover, it will help the plant to thrive. Also, providing it with drainage soil is actually not a choice but a must.
Otherwise, you’re just pushing the plants to their death. You may have heard that snake plants, just like other succulents, can get used to mistreatment. But to be honest it won’t tolerate standing water.
So ensuring proper drainage is what you need to provide. Also, the mentioned factors will make sure that the soil holds onto nutrients. The oxygen supply on the soil will be well maintained if you consider the above factors.
So you’ve got a brief idea of what soil is best for snake plants. Now let’s tell you if succulent soil is good for snake plants or not.
Is Succulent And Cactus Soil Good for The Snake Plants?
Before moving to that, let’s tell you what is a succulent and cactus soil type. It’s a type that’s high in acidic pH, that’s about 6-6.5. The soil is a mixture of inorganic matters like perlite, coarse sand, potting mix, and sometimes particles like kanuma.
While making the succulent soil, normal garden soil is avoided. Because garden soil is not good for succulents.
It’s because garden soil holds moisture in itself. So it is one of the worst drainage soil for succulents or cactuses.
Anything or everything that holds water or moisture is not good for succulents. That is also true for snake plants as well. Not only snake plants but almost every indoor plant can benefit from succulent soil. It’s because of its drainage properties.
So yes, you can use succulent and cactus soil for snake plants. Moreover, it will be a good choice to provide the snake plant with this soil.
To know about what wonders it does to the plant, see the next section.
What Are The Benefits of Using Succulent And Cactus Soil for Snake Plants?
You might have heard a lot of praise for the succulent soil. Because indoor planters are somehow obsessed with it. And once you start using it, you’ll be one of them.
So let’s show you the benefits.
Helps to Reduce Changes of Pest Manifestation
Pests are mostly interested in soil that is wet. So when you apply succulent soil, the soil would be a drainage one. This means there’s no chance for the soil to be wet for more than 5-6 days.
And there won’t be standing water in the pot. So pests won’t be attracted to that sort of soil. Because pests stick to moist soil and lay eggs. But in dry soil, they can’t have an environment to infest.
So the pests will not be interested in your soil. So the plants will be saved from the infestation.
Reduces The Chance of Fungal Or Bacterial Infection
You may have heard that some garden soil mixes carry bacteria. So when you put that on your plant, the bacteria spread to your plant and kill it. But in the succulent soil, there’s no use of garden soil. Along with it, there’s no chance of bacterial infection.
Now coming to the fungal infection, it also spreads in damp soil. So if there’s no chance of wet soil, there won’t be a fungal disease or mold build-up.
Improves The Root Health
The soil improves root health. First of all, it’s acidic which the snake roots love. Also, the aeration lets oxygen flow in the soil properly.
That means the roots can breathe and spread. Also, the acidic soil helps to build strong fiber of the roots. So they become strong and nutritious. That is because the acidic soil lets the roots suck out and trap nutrients.
When the soil itself is good and it can lock nutrients, plants are meant to thrive. But behind it, there’s a healthy strong root. That is assured by the succulent and cactus soil.
After hearing the benefits, you might immediately order a soil mix.
If that’s what you’re considering, then we’ll suggest you make your own mix. Because there’s no alternative to making your own mix.
Because then you’ll have control over the ingredients. So check the next portion for making the soil mix.
How to Make A Soil Mix for Snake Plants?
It’s not a hard job at all to make a soil mix for your snake plant. But you’ll need some stuff before making it. So here’s a list-
- Measuring scoop or cup
- Big container for mixing
- Trowel to mix
So when you get these tools ready, look for the ingredients to make the soil mix. You’ll be needing-
- Potting soil
- Perlite/pumice/akadama/kanuma
- Coarse sand
- Gravel/ pebbles
You can just go to any garden store and look for these ingredients. All of these are readily available. But when you look for the potting soil, make sure you get the suitable one for succulents.
That is drainage-friendly soil. You can look for the following ones. These have worked well for our plants.
After purchasing the products, start with the soil mixing process.
For that, mix 25% potting soil and 30% perlite. Now add 30% coarse sand and 15% pebbles.
Give all of them a good mix. Then add that to your pot. And your DIY soil mix is ready.
And that’s all about using succulent soil on snake plants.
FAQs
Question: What sort of pot is needed for snake plants to have drainage?
Answer: Snake plants need a drainage pot. That is a pot that has several holes at the bottom of the plant. So when you water the plant, excess water will pass out of the pot.
Question: How much soil is needed for snake plants?
Answer: When you put the snake plant on your pot, fill the pot to 80%. And then you can decorate the upper part with decorative stones.
Question: How deep the pot should be where you put the snake plant?
Answer: Snake plant’s roots need space to grow and spread. So take a pot that is 2-2.5 inches deeper than the plant’s root.
EndNote
Now you know if succulent cactus soil is good for snake plants. So it’s time for you to work accordingly. And wait for your plants to thrive.
If you face difficulties doing that, comment down.
Thank you!
