About Snake Plant Soil & Care

Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata — formerly Sansevieria trifasciata) is a popular houseplant that improves air quality. This succulent is also called mother-in-law’s tongue.

The plant requires low maintenance and indirect sunlight. It’s also drought tolerant, storing water in its rhizomes and leaves.  

Wondering how to nurture your snake plant?

Here are four important factors to consider:

1. Using the Right Soil for Your Snake Plant

Snake plants need well draining soil since they’re susceptible to root rot. 

Ideally, good soil for your snake plant should:

• Be light and loose.
• Have adequate aeration and good drainage.
• Have moderate water retention.
• Contain essential nutrients or organic material.
• Have a slightly alkaline or acidic soil pH.

That means you need high-quality indoor potting soil (like Rosy) rather than garden soil.

And since it’s a succulent plant, your snake plant will grow in cactus soil or succulent soil containing coarse sand or biochar.

It’s also best to choose good soil with sustainable ingredients and organic material that provide long-term benefits, unlike peat moss which compacts with time.

2. Identifying Issues in Snake Plant Care

Unfavorable conditions or the wrong kind of soil mix can harm your indoor plant.

Here are some signs to look out for:

• Green leaves turn yellow or brown (excessive sunlight and overwatering).
• Leaves become brittle or mushy (excessive or slow drainage).
• Leaves start to droop or fall (insufficient nutrients).
• Root system develops root rot (excessive water retention).

Remember, snake plants wouldn’t thrive in fast-draining dry soil. 

The best soil for snake plants (Dracaena trifasciata) is a houseplant soil mixture, like Rosy.

Note: Yellowing leaves are natural in aging plants. You can cut them off without worrying if it’s just a yellow leaf or two among healthy green leaves.

3. Repotting Snake Plant

Your house plant may face growth issues in old soil. 

So, you may need to repot a snake plant into fresh potting soil or succulent soil mix.

Follow these no-nonsense pointers when repotting snake plant into fresh soil:

• Gently remove the root ball of the plant from the soil.
• Prune away diseased leaves or roots (take a healthy leaf cutting to propagate snake plant) before repotting the plant.
• Repot snake plant (either an old or new plant) into a new pot with fresh soil.
• Choose a container that facilitates good drainage, like a terracotta pot instead of a plastic pot. The best pot should be wider than the snake plant’s root ball.
• Ensure the root ball is at least an inch below the rim.
• Repot snake plant during the growing season in spring and summer.

4. Maintaining an Ideal Environment

Use these tips to provide your snake plant with a thriving environment:

• We recommend keeping this house plant in areas with indirect sunlight (low light conditions). 
• You should also water snake plant only when the top 2-3 inches of soil is dry.
• Repot snake plant every three to four years in fresh potting mix for optimal growth.