How often to water a snake plant
Dracaena trifasciata (formerly Sansevieria)
Every 2 to 3 weeks, only when the soil is dry all the way through.
Snake plants store water in their thick leaves, and too much water is the most common way to lose one. When in doubt, wait another week.
Snake plant schedule
Water
- Spring and summer
- About every 2 to 3 weeks
- Fall and winter
- About once a month, sometimes less
Feed
- Spring and summer
- Once or twice in the season, at half strength
- Fall and winter
- None
Check the soil first. Water only when it is as dry as this guide says.
How to tell it is time to water
The soil should be dry from top to bottom. A wooden skewer pushed to the bottom of the pot should come out clean and dry.
Signs of overwatering
- Soft, mushy or yellowing leaves at the base
- Leaves that lean or fall over
- A sour smell from the soil, a sign of root rot
Signs of underwatering
- Wrinkled or curling leaves
- Leaves that look thin or deflated
- Dry, brown leaf tips
Light and pot
- Light
- Does best in bright, indirect light and copes with low light. The less light it gets, the less often it needs water.
- Pot and soil
- A gritty cactus or succulent mix and a pot with a drainage hole. Terracotta helps the soil dry out between waterings. Water the soil, not the center of the leaves.
- Pets
- Listed by the ASPCA as toxic to cats and dogs. Keep it out of reach.
This schedule is general guidance for a healthy indoor plant. Light, temperature, humidity, pot size and soil all change how fast it dries out, so check the soil before you water and adjust.