The snake plant is one of the most popular plants in homes and offices. It’s easy to care for, stays small, and is tough enough to survive neglectful owners.
If you’ve been wondering how to tell if a snake plant needs water, here are some tips:
Look at the leaves
When you see that the leaves of your snake plant start turning yellowish-brown or develop spots on them, it’s time for some water.
Don’t wait for the plant to wilt completely before giving it some water.
You should also check the soil before watering your snake plant because if there are any air pockets in between the soil and the roots, they might not be able to get enough water from that source alone.
Check underneath leaves
If there is a large amount of water present under a leaf when you lift it, then that means that your snake plant needs more moisture in its environment.
The best way to provide this is by watering only once every two weeks during wintertime and once every week during springtime through fall.
Check the soil
Another way to see if your snake plant needs water is by checking the soil around its roots and base.
If there is no moisture left in this area, then it is time for a watering session immediately!
The signs that you need to water your snake plant are the same pretty much as any other plant.
The best way to tell if your snake plant needs water is to check the soil. If it feels dry, run your finger along the top 2-3 inches of dirt.
If it’s moist, you can probably wait another week or so before water again. If your soil seems very dry, go ahead and give it some water.
Ideally, you’ll check your snake plant weekly, but not all of us are that diligent!
If you notice that the foliage is starting to wilt or look droopy, suspect that it’s time for a drink (sometimes this can be a sign of too much sun instead).
The leaves may also start to turn yellow if you’ve been under-watering for a while.
If you’re worried about overwatering (and possibly rotting) your snake plant and want to stick an extra finger in there: feel free to un-pot it and inspect the roots.
Brown roots = bad news; white roots = fine!
Just make sure when you re-pot them after inspection that they’re well-drained!
Watch out for pests as well – sometimes insects like mealy bugs get into plants and cause them damage.
Snake Plant Root Rot (Causes and Fix)
The leaves will start to curl downwards, and turn brown or even yellow
One way you can tell if your snake plant needs more water is by taking a look at the leaves.
They should be stiff, upright, and firm. If they start to feel limp or soft, drooping downwards or curling at the edges, this is a sign that your plant needs water.
The color of the leaves may also change if the snake plant isn’t getting enough water.
The leaves may start to turn brown or even yellow.
If you’re not sure whether your snake plant needs more water, stick your finger into the soil about 1 inch down.
If it feels dry, it’s time for watering!
The Leaves Have Sunken Spots on Them
You may see spots on the leaves as well as they’ll lose their crisp and shiny look.
If you notice sunken spots on the leaves of your snake plant, it may be time to give it some water.
These spots indicate that there is no longer any moisture present in these areas of the leaf and they need more water to regain their natural shape and size.
A bit of stretching
A bit of stretching is also a sign that your plant needs more water—but it’s a sign that’s easy to miss.
The leaves will start to curl downwards, and turn brown or even yellow.
If you do miss this signal, the plant will keep growing and eventually lose its compact look, becoming leggy.
Luckily, all you have to do is give the snake plant more water and make sure it’s getting some direct sun.
Leaves are Droopy and Don’t Bounce Back When Picked Up
If the leaves of your snake plant hang down and don’t spring back when you pick them up, it’s time for a drink!
The drooping leaves are telling you that they don’t have enough moisture in them.
Why Is My Snake Plant Turning Yellow from Bottom?
Other Signs That Your Snake Plant Needs Water
The leaves look droopy and limp. This is the most obvious sign that your snake plant needs water.
Drooping leaves are usually due to a lack of moisture in the soil, and this can lead to leaf damage and eventual death of the plant if not remedied quickly.
The soil feels dry down to the bottom of the pot. This can mean several things: You haven’t watered your snake plant in weeks; you overwatered last time, or there’s an issue with drainage holes in your pot (see below for more).
The soil feels moist at first but then quickly dries out. This is usually due to too much evaporation from too-hot conditions indoors or outside on a windy day.
If any of these signs sound familiar, give your snake plant water.
One thing many people do wrong is overwater their snake plants.
One of the biggest mistakes people make with snake plants is overwatering.
Snake plants can handle a lot of neglect and abuse, but overwatering will quickly kill them.
The general rule of thumb is only water when the soil is dry. You can’t water too little, but you can water too much.
Snake plants are awesome, but you need to water them properly for them to truly thrive
Plants brighten up a home, but it’s not always easy to keep them alive.
A snake plant is a great option for beginners as well as seasoned plant owners—they’re extremely low maintenance, and they even improve indoor air quality by filtering out pollutants like benzene, xylene, and formaldehyde.
Snake plants are also very forgiving of under-watering, so it’s best to err on the side of caution by letting them dry out before watering them again.
Overwatering is one of the most common reasons that snake plants die, so you don’t want to be too quick with your sprinkling can.
If you suspect that your snake plant has been overwatered, take it outside and let it sit in bright light for a few days.
If the soil stays moist for more than a day or two after being watered (and doesn’t drain well), this could be an indication that the roots are starting to rot from soggy soil conditions.
Your snake plant will benefit from being watered only when its soil is completely dried up to its first set of leaves down from the top layer (even if its leaves start curling or turning brown).
Conclusion
Snake plants look great in both indoor and outdoor spaces, but they do need regular care to keep them healthy and happy.
One of the most important things you can do for your snake plant is to make sure it gets enough water.
Snake plants are succulents and have thick, stiff leaves. They can survive for long periods without watering because the leaves store water.
But if you notice that your snake plant is not looking its best, you may want to check the soil for dryness.
