How Often Do You Water Snake Plants? Watering Guide (2023)

Last Updated on February 24, 2023 by Mattias

This article answers the question, “How often do you water snake plants?”.

It is not news that plants need to be watered to flourish. However, when dealing with a succulent plant like a snake plant (dracaena trifasciata) which is built with thick leaves and can withstand drought and dry conditions for a long time. You need to be cautious about how frequently you water it.

This is because if you use as much water on it or follow the same watering schedule you use on other non-succulent plants, then there is a high probability that it will be affected by root rot and other negative effects that come with overwatering. 

Also, infrequent watering of the plant, or using less water than you should, can lead to underwatering and negatively affect it.

So, it is a good idea to know how much water your snake plants need and how often you should water them. 

To help you with that, we have written this article to show you the required watering frequency for snake plants and answer other questions related to watering your snake plant.

Grab your watering can, and let’s get started!

How Often Do You Water Snake Plants? 

You should water your snake plant once every 1 to 2 weeks. However, various factors can make you water it more often or less often than this. 

These factors include:

• The type of soil it is planted on.

• The size of the plant.

• The size and type of pot it is planted in.

• The weather condition.

• Where it is planted.

• Temperature and humidity

Let’s discuss each of these factors properly. 

Read also: How Often To Water Lavender? Guide (2023)

The Type Of Soil It Is Planted On 

The soil snake plants flourish on is a well-draining soil that can hold nutrients but swiftly expel moisture.

However, if you opt for this potting mix, you will need to water your plant more often than when you plant it on soil that holds moisture for a longer period. 

However, even though planting your snake plant on soil that doesn’t drain water properly can reduce how frequently you water it, it puts it at a higher risk of being overwatered and affected by root rot, amongst others.

The Size Of The Plant

When a snake plant is large, it has large and thick leaves that undergo transpiration faster than smaller snake plants. Hence, it is going to need watering more frequently.

The Size And Type Of Pot It Is Planted In 

When you fix the root ball of a snake plant in a pot that isn’t the same size as it, it could influence how frequently you water it. 

For example, if you plant a small snake in a large pot, it will take a long time to get dry and will need less watering. 

This is because the water poured into the large pot is more than the small snake plant needs, which could put the plant at risk of being affected by overwatering.  

The best way to avoid this is to use a small-sized pot for small snake plants and a larger pot for larger snake plants.

The type of pot is another factor that could influence how often you water your snake plant. 

If you use porous pots like terracotta pots to plant your snake plants, you will need to water your plant more frequently. This is because this pot allows proper water loss, evaporates, and reduces the risk of the plant being overwatered.

However, if you grow your snake plant in a plastic pot, you will need to water it less frequently because it holds water for a longer time.

The bad news is that growing your plant in this pot puts it at a high risk of being affected by overwatering.

The Weather Condition

You should water your snake plant more frequently during the summer months than during the winter months. 

There are two reasons for this. 

First, winter months are months when the soil stays moist for a long time, and the soil doesn’t get dry fast; hence frequent watering won’t be needed. 

However, summer months are warmer months with warmer temperatures, and during these months, the moisture in the soil gets dry faster, so you would need to water it more frequently.

Secondly, the summer period is an active growing season, while the winter period isn’t. And a snake plant needs water more frequently when it is actively growing. 

Read also: How Often Do You Water Succulent Plants? Complete Guide 2023

Where It Is Planted 

A snake plant is a plant that can be grown either indoors or outdoors. However, the light it receives while planted in these areas isn’t the same, so where you plant, will also determine how often you should water it. 

Outdoor snake plants need watering more frequently than indoor snake plants. This is because they are exposed to direct and bright light from the sun, while indoor plants are only exposed to bright indirect light from the sun. 

Note: A snake plant is a tough plant that can flourish under different light conditions, whether it’s low light, indirect sunlight, or a high amount of light.

Temperature And Humidity

The temperature and humidity levels where snake plants are grown are other environmental factors that can determine how frequently they should be watered. 

If you grow your snake plant indoors, the temperature and humidity levels of that room will be the defining factor. 

When the indoor temperature is cold, or the air’s humidity level is high, you should water it less frequently than when there is dry air and high heat.

Read also: How Often Do You Water A Bonsai Tree? Water Guide 2023

How Do You Know When It’s Time To Water Your Snake Plant?

There are three main ways to know when it’s time to water your snake plant: a soil moisture meter and a touch test.

A touch test involves the insertion of a finger, preferably the index finger, into the plant’s soil to check its moisture. 

If it feels dry, then it’s time to water it, but if it feels wet, then you will have to wait for some more days before rechecking it. 

The use of a soil moisture meter involves sticking it into the soil and checking the meter. When the meter is low, then the moisture level of the soil is low, and you should water the plant, but if the meter shows a high number, then the soil is still wet, and you shouldn’t water the soil. 

Read also: How Often Do You Water Aloe Plants? Watering Guide (2023)

How Much Water Do Your Snake Plants Need?

The amount of water your snake plants need is enough water to soak up its root ball. 

Pour a lot of water into the soil’s surface until it drains out through the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.

How Do You Know That Your Snake Plant Is Being Underwatered?

An underwatered snake plant has the following characteristics: 

• Brown Spots And Leaves. 

• Curly Leaves. 

• Dying and Withered Leaves. 

If you notice these signs, you should use more water on your snake plant and increase how often you water it. 

Read also: How Often to Water New Vegetable Plants? Ultimate Guide 2023

How Do You Know That Your Snake Plant Is Being Overwatered?

An overwatered snake plant has the following characteristics: 

• Root Rot. 

• Brown or Yellow Leaves. 

• Waterlogged Soil. 

• Brown Roots inside of White. 

• Mold On The Soil Surface.

If you notice these signs, you should use little water on your snake plant and reduce how often you water it. 

How Often To Water Snake Plants Summary

Snake plants are one of the easiest houseplants to grow if only you can give them the right amount of water and expose them to as much light as required.

In this snake plant watering guide, we have highlighted its watering requirements and the different factors that could extend or retard them. 

We have also highlighted the signs alerting you that your snake plant needs water, is being underwatered or overwatered, and how to go about it. 

Hopefully, after reading this article, you have all the knowledge you need to properly water and care for your snake plant.