Snake Plants Are the Perfect Beginner-Friendly Houseplant—Here's How to Care for One

Snake plants (Dracaena trifasciata) are one of the most popular houseplants due to their reputation for being easy to care for and adaptable to low-light conditions. This plant is recognized by its broad, elongated, leathery leaves, which double as décor. Snake plants come in an assortment of unique cultivars that all have their own interesting foliage. No matter the variety you choose, snake plants primarily have the same care requirements and can easily thrive indoors.

How to Care for a Snake Plant

Snake plants are typically purchased from a nursery as potted plants rather than grown by seed. Once you bring it home, your plant will require some basic care in order to flourish and grow to maturity.

Sunlight

While snake plants prefer indirect sunlight from a south- or east-facing window, they are extremely adaptable to a variety of light conditions inside the home. "Where too little light is generally an issue with several harder-to-grow houseplants, snake plants tend to thrive in those spots," says Daniel Cunningham, horticulturist and creator of The Texas Plant Guy. But don't place the plant too far from a window, or the foliage will stretch towards the light and lose its shape.

Water

Snake plants are susceptible to overwatering, so make sure you're not giving them too much to drink at any given time, Cunningham says. As a general rule, it's best to let the soil dry out between waterings, which you can test by sticking a finger in the soil and feeling for moisture.

The look of your plant is also an indicator of when it wants to be watered. "The leaves should be plump and firm," says Marc Hachadourian, director of glasshouse horticulture at the New York Botanical Garden. If the leaves start to look wrinkled and shriveled, give the plant a drink more frequently.

Soil

Your snake plant should be potted in a container with well-draining soil. A cacti and succulent potting mix, or a mix that includes perlite—a mineral product that improves drainage—will work.

Fertilizer

During the growing season—March through November—nourish your snake plant with organic fertilizer. Add fish emulsion to your watering can, or sprinkle worm castings on top of the soil and gently work them into the top layer before hydrating. "If you prefer liquid fertilizers, fertilize once a month with half of the recommended rate on the label, as snake plants do not require heavy fertilization," says Cunningham.

Types of Snake Plants

Hoping to bring home a snake plant in the near future? Consider one of these popular varieties.

• Dracaena angolensi:: This variety has thick, round stalks that grow from a single rosette at the base.
• Dracaena trifasciata 'Twisted Sister': A smaller species in the snake plant family, this variety's vibrant green-and-gold variegated stalks are slightly curled or twisted.
  
• Dracaena trifasciata 'Hahnii': This dwarf snake plant boasts attractive vertical stripes and multi-colored leaves. It's also referred to as the bird's nest snake plant.
• Dracaena trifasciata 'Laurentii': Another snake plant iteration bordered with yellow edges, this variety has mottled leaves and is supremely simple to care for.

How to Prune a Snake Plant

It's best to prune snake plants during the growing season. Do so by using sharp pruning shears to snip off any dead or discolored leaf material, as well as any leaves at the soil line. "For a cleaner look, be sure to cut at a point to match the same shape as the leaves nearby," Cunningham says. If, over time, longer leaves start to lean or spill outside the container, prune them all the way to the soil.

How to Repot a Snake Plant

Repotting your snake plant encourages future growth by giving the roots more room to grow. "The best time to repot your snake plant is in the spring when the plant is beginning to grow again," says Katie Dubow, president of Garden Media and QVC garden guest with Cottage Farms. Choose a container that has drainage holes and is slightly bigger than your current pot.

1. Carefully remove the snake plant from its current pot by gently turning it on its side and pulling the container away from the root ball.
2. Loosen any tangled roots and carefully trim any dead or damaged roots from the root ball.
3. Place the snake plant in the new pot and fill it with potting soil
4. Firmly press the soil around the plant and water generously.
5. Place the pot in a location with bright, indirect sunlight and water when the soil is mostly dry.

How to Propagate a Snake Plant

So long as the leaves of your snake plant are healthy, you can use them to start new plants.

1. Use clean, sharp pruners and clip 2- to 3-inch pieces from one healthy, long leaf.
2. Place the cuttings into individual containers filled with moist, well-drained soil.
3. Place the cuttings in a location with bright, indirect sun.

Common Problems With Snake Plants

Snake plants are very low maintenance so you likely won't encounter too many issues when caring for one. While mealybugs and spider mites may occasionally bother this plant, these can be treated with insecticidal soap. The most common problem you'll encounter when growing a snake plant is root rot due to overwatering. When this happens, adjust your watering schedule and only give your plant a drink when the soil dries out.