Time to Water Your Snake Plants

The principle for both indoor and outdoor snake plants, they should be watered once their soil has completely dried out. In warmer temperature, you can expect to be watering your snake plant more often due to increased heat and light. For example, you may only need to water your snake plant once every two-three weeks if they’re grown in cool indoor settings and once a week if they’re grown outdoor under partial sun area. In an area with warm temperature year round, you may maintain a consistent watering schedule for your snake plant.

If you are wondering whether it is time to water your plant, remember that it is generally better to underwater a snake plant than to overwater it. The easiest most effective way to find out when it’s time to water is to poke your fingers couple inches into the soil to ensure that it is fully dry before watering.

Watering Schedule for Different Growing Conditions

While snake plants are known to be able to tolerate drought, the amount of water each plant needs will vary depending on its growing conditions. Whether they are grown indoors or outdoors in warm and dry climates will affect the quality of light, temperature and humidity. Furthermore, soil type and the type of potting container it’s planted in should all be taken into consideration when figuring out snake plant’s water requirements.

Light

The amount of light a snake plant receives is the most common factor determining how often it will need to be watered. Snake plants can withstand a wide range of lighting conditions, from bright light to low light, but their watering schedule will need to be adjusted based on how much light they are receiving. Plants grown with lots of light and air flow will need to be watered more often as soil can dry out more quickly, while plants growing in low light won’t need as much water as soil dries out slower in such condition. If you are growing more than one snake plants in different places in your home, you may need to water one more or less often than the other based on their different growing conditions.

Temperature and Humidity

Snake plants grow well in a wide range of temperature and humidity conditions, but growers should be aware of the impact different temperatures and humidity levels will have on their plants’ watering requirements. Generally, a plant grown in warmer temperatures will require more water than a plant grown in colder temperatures, while a plant grown in high humidity will require less water than a plant grown in dry conditions.

A client once told us that she hasn’t watered her snake plant for six months and it’s still thriving with new growths, it really depends on each plant and its growing conditions, for this particular case the snake plant is grown indoor with AC and humidifier on throughout the day. A snake plant in hot and dry conditions will generally require more water than a plant in cooler and moist conditions. 

Soil Type

Snake plants should be planted in well-draining soil for their ability to drain off excess water after each watering which prevents root rot. However, because of their ability to thrive in various growing conditions, they can also be planted in loam soil that is not as well-draining and they will not need to be watered as often.

Potting Container

Different types of pot that a snake plant grows in can also affect how often it needs to be watered. For example, terracotta and cement pots absorb moisture from the soil which dries out the soil faster than a plastic pot. Generally, a pot with drainage holes is recommended as it drains away excess water preventing soggy soil which causes root rot. The most important thing to keep in mind when watering your snake plant is to always water thoroughly to saturate all part of soil and let water drain out completely each time you water to avoid root rot.

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Light and Air

Fiddle-leaf figs are generally not difficult plants as long as you can get their growing conditions right. Well-circulated air is crucial for your indoor fiddle-leaf fig, however, avoid AC blowing directly on the plant. When grown as a houseplant indoor, fiddle-leaf fig requires bright, filtered sunlight of 4-6 hours a day preferably morning sun as hot afternoon sun will scorch the leaves on your beloved fiddle-leaf fig in no time.

Water and Soil

In general, fiddle-leaf figs like moist soil that are well drained; aerated potting mix. If the plant doesn’t get enough water, its leaves will wilt and lose their bright green color. And if it’s overwatered, the plant will drop its leaves and suffer from root rot. Water your fiddle-leaf fig when the top couple inches of soil feel dry, simply poke your fingers into the soil. Always water thoroughly to fully saturate the soil and let drain completely to avoid root rot and excessive salt build-up.

Temperature and Humidity

Fiddle-leaf figs suffer from extreme temperature fluctuations. A room that’s between 16 and 30 degrees Celsius is typically fine, though you must place the plant away from direct air-conditioning and heating vents as these can cause extreme temperature fluctuations. Humidity level between 30 and 65 percent is ideal. If you need to increase humidity, lightly mist your plant with clean water daily or every couple of days. You can also place it on a tray of pebbles or lava rocks filled with water, as long as the bottom of the pot isn’t soaking in water. Lastly, fiddle-leaf figs can greatly benefit from being in a room with a humidifier.

Tips

Another useful tip to achieve even foliage growth and avoiding the plant leaning towards the light source is to rotate your fiddle-leaf fig every few weeks so that all parts are facing the light source. Also, wipe your fiddle-leaf fig with damp cloth every two weeks. Not only does this shine your leaves and appear more attractive, but it also allows the leaves to absorb more sunlight for effective photosynthesis which encourage growth. Apply couple tablespoons of balanced pellet fertilizer on topsoil every two months or whenever new growths appear. Furthermore, you can trim off any damaged or dead leaves as they arise, not only because they no longer benefit the plant but it will also encourage new growths.

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