How Often Should You Water a Snake Plant?

The short answer: water your Snake Plant once the potting mix has dried out well, not on a set day. Snake Plants store water in their leaves and generally prefer drier conditions. How quickly the mix dries depends on pot size, soil, light, temperature, humidity and the season.

How often should you water a Snake Plant?

There's no exact number of days that suits every Snake Plant. They generally need water less often than many indoor plants, but the right timing still depends on their conditions.

Your Snake Plant may need water more often with:

• More light
• Warmer temperatures
• A smaller pot
• A faster-draining potting mix
• A larger plant

It may need water less often in:

• Winter or cooler conditions
• Lower light

Why there isn't one fixed watering schedule

Snake Plants use water slowly, and that pace changes with light and season. A routine that seems fine in summer can leave the roots sitting in wet soil over winter. Checking the moisture in the potting mix helps you water only when it's needed.

Why Snake Plants prefer to dry out between watering

Snake Plants hold water in their thick leaves, so they're well suited to drying out between drinks. Letting the mix dry allows air to reach the roots, while soil that stays wet for long periods can increase the risk of root problems.

Signs your Snake Plant needs water

• Potting mix that feels dry well below the surface
• A pot that feels noticeably lighter
• Leaves that look slightly wrinkled or less firm than usual

Leaf changes can have more than one cause, so check the soil before reaching for the watering can.

How to check the potting mix

The top of the soil can look dry while moisture remains deeper in the pot. Check down near the roots, or feel the weight of the pot, rather than relying on how the surface looks.

Common Snake Plant overwatering mistakes

• Watering on a fixed schedule
• Watering again while the potting mix is still moist
• Letting the pot sit in water
• Using a pot without drainage holes
• Watering as often in winter as in summer
• Only checking the surface of the soil

Soft, mushy or yellowing leaves and soil that stays wet can be associated with overwatering, though these symptoms can have other causes too.

Can Sustee help with Snake Plant watering?

Sustee is a simple moisture indicator that sits in your plant's potting mix. It changes colour according to the moisture level around the indicator:

For a plant that's easy to overwater, it's a simple reminder to hold off while there's still moisture in the pot.

SHOP SUSTEE

The simple way to water your Snake Plant

Your Snake Plant doesn't need a strict watering schedule. Let the potting mix dry out, check the moisture before watering, and let excess water drain away.

SHOP SUSTEE