Q&A for How to Care for a Sansevieria or Snake Plant

Brown, wilted leaves are a good sign you're overwatering. Make sure your snake plant is in a pot that has drainage holes, and only water it when the soil dries out.

The snake plant is a hardy plant and doesn’t need a lot of attention; it’s an ideal plant for people who aren’t around much and who tend to forget plant care! Use quality potting soil to plant it in, keep it in medium light (it’ll tolerate most light but not direct sunlight because this burns them) and water every 2 to 6 weeks (only when the soil is dry). Keep an eye out for pests ( mealybugs and aphids ), which will usually be rare. It’s an easy-care plant that is generally very forgiving; the article above contains more details to guide you.

A snake plant is one of various plants considered ideal to clean indoor air, perhaps even the "best" indoor plant for removing air impurities because it is such a hardy plant indoors. Various studies, including one from NASA (Wolverton, Johnson and Bounds 1989), showed this plant’s ability to remove toxins such as benzene and formaldehyde from the air of a small room or indoor space. However, later studies (e.g. Kays 2009) are less optimistic about the ability of a plant alone to fix indoor air toxins, due to the many constant ebbs and flows of air from outside. Also, potting soil microorganisms play a part, not just the plant. Beyond a small room, you'd need more than 1 plant to cover the whole house and a standard home might require 10 to 20 plants to achieve real benefits––a bit of a forest!

While the natural yellow outline on the edges of the snake plant is normal, yellowing across the entire leaves is a sign the plant is either being overwatered or has been transitioned too quickly to an area with bright sunlight. To rescue the plant before it's fatal, reduce the watering immediately and let the soil dry out; always allow the soil to dry out before watering in future. If you did place the plant in full sun without a gradual transition, remove it to a shadier place and slowly transition it back to the sunnier area over a period of time.

Curling of leaves can indicate dehydration (less likely) or an infestation of thrips (more likely). If you've watered the plant sufficiently, you can probably discount the first reason although you might consider repotting with fresh soil. However, first investigate the plant for signs of thrip infestation––rough patches as well as curling leaves will reveal their presence. To treat thrips, remove and dispose of all infected leaves (essential to get rid of thrips and the viruses they carry); then wipe down the remaining healthy leaves with a clean cloth. If the plant has no healthy leaves left, dispose of it to prevent an infestation spreading to other plants.

A snake plant should never be overwatered or there is a risk of root rot. Check that the soil is either mostly or completely dry before watering––this will ensure that the plant is ready for water again. Depending on how warm your home is and the humidity levels, it’s normal for watering to be spaced anywhere between 2 to 6 weeks apart.

This plant is considered to be "mildly toxic" to cats and can cause diarrhea, nausea and vomiting if eaten. If a lot of the plant is ingested, it could possibly kill a cat. However, it is highly unlikely your cat would chew this plant as is tough and undesirable to most felines. If you had the odd cat that did chew it because, well it chews everything, then it’s also quite unlikely that the cat would both chew and digest enough of this plant to kill itself. After all, kitty is not a herbivore. If you have concerns, keep the plant out of the cat’s way, such as popping it on a plant stand that lacks space for kitty to jump onto.

Absolutely; you can cut the leaves at the base, then propagate them by cutting each leaf into 3–4 inch sections, letting them scab overnight then planting them directly into new pots.

Yes. The snake plants tend to grow slowly, but the plant stalks are usually the same height when fully grown.

These types of little plants can usually be planted separately. Just make sure they have their own root systems before planting.

You're drowning the plant. Stop watering immediately, and rub a small amount of vegetable oil on the leaves. The vegetable oil will force water out of the mushy spot and turn it green again.

Bright light will make the plant grow faster, but it can handle low light conditions, it will just grow more slowly.

Be patient but don't get your hopes up, as snake plants rarely bloom.

It has been over-watered. Unless they are really sick-looking leaves, just leave them. Don't water so much, and they should perk up again.

Yes, this is a common problem among snake plant owners.

Dry weather causes this. A humidifier will help add moisture to the plant's environment.

Don't use leaf spray. Wipe leaves with a cotton ball dipped in milk (any fat content will do). Leaf sprays prevent CO2 and O2 exchanges, and suffocate the plant.

Clay pots dry out faster than plastic. Try putting a cheap clear plant saucer under the pot, add water to it, and let the plant absorb what it needs. Or you can repot it in a plastic pot to see if that'll help.

Use enough soil to cover the roots and provide stability for plant.

Either you are watering too much and rotting the roots, or you have it in too dark a location and it isn't producing enough roots to hold it up. Place in a warm, bright area with no direct sun (or brief morning sun) and very little water, especially in fall and winter. Fertilize (half-strength balanced) only during warm, bright weather in spring and summer. At this time you can water a little more, but always allow to dry between watering. Repot when stems fill the pot.

You could be overwatering.

Yes, but acclimate it to the brighter light gradually or you may burn the leaves.

No, you don't, unless you have allergies to the pollen. When it is flowering, the plant is giving off more oxygen, so this is beneficial.

Yes. Women's pantyhose work great for this. Some people loosely tie a few leaves together to help the others stay upright as well.

Sure, as long as it's out of midday sun, it can tolerate a very small amount in the morning. I have three on my patio which faces east and they love it!

No, but you can replant it using cuttings. Cut off a single leaf at the base, then cut it into 3 or 4 sections, each at least two fingers wide. Stick the cuttings upright into succulent-friendly potting medium in a small or medium sized pot. New plants will grow from these cuttings.

Yes. I put mine on a covered deck; it gets morning sun all summer. It withstands high temps quite well.

The plant might've been in shock from over-watering or placement change, it's regenerating. Be sure to water very little (about once a week), and give indirect sunlight/little sunlight.

When the soil looks too dry, it needs water.

Yes, but not with extreme winds. No plant should be subject to winds, even trees get blown over.