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Snake Plant Care: Location, Watering & Care Tips

The snake plant (Sansevieria), also called mother-in-law's tongue, belongs to the asparagus family and originally comes from the dry regions of West and Central Africa. With its striking, upright growing leaves, it is not only an architectural eye-catcher but also one of the most effective air-purifying houseplants. The NASA Clean Air Study crowned it as the top performer: it filters formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene from indoor air.

The special feature: the snake plant produces oxygen at night, making it the ideal bedroom plant. Unlike most plants, it carries out CAM photosynthesis – it takes in CO₂ at night and releases oxygen.

The air purification is especially effective in the AIRY system, which through active root ventilation greatly enhances the natural filtering effect. The snake plant is extremely easy to care for and forgives beginner mistakes – the perfect starter plant.

Quick Facts: Snake Plant Care at a Glance

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Air purification

Very high (NASA Top 3)

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Water requirement

Very little (every 2-4 weeks)

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Light requirement

Flexible: Shade to full sun

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Toxicity

Toxic to cats & dogs if ingested (Saponins)

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Difficulty level

Very beginner-friendly

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Growth height

30-150 cm depending on the variety

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Temperature

15-30°C (very tolerant)

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Repotting

Only every 3–5 years

1. The ideal location for snake plant

Snake plant is extremely adaptable and grows almost everywhere – from shady to fully sunny spots. This flexibility makes it the ideal plant for challenging locations.

Ideal location:

  • Bright, indirect light (optimal growth)
  • North-facing window or shady corners (grows slower but healthy)
  • South-facing window with direct sun (ideal for variegated varieties)

To avoid:

  • Sudden change from shade to full sun (leaves can burn)
  • Permanently wet roots
  • Temperatures below 10°C
Time Optimal Minimum
During the day21-27°C15°C
At night18-24°C10°C
AIRY tip:
Place the plant in the AIRY system in the bedroom for maximum air cleansing during sleep. The active root ventilation noticeably enhances pollutant filtering.

2. Watering snake plant correctly – Less is more

The golden rule: Better to water too little than too much! Snake plant stores water in its thick leaves and can go for weeks without water. Overwatering is the most common mistake and leads to root rot.

Spring/Summer (Growth phase):

  • Water every 2-3 weeks
  • The soil should dry out completely

Autumn/Winter:

  • Every 4-6 weeks (or less often)
  • Very little water at low temperatures

✋ Finger test: Stick your finger 5-7 cm deep into the soil. Completely dry? → Wait another 2-3 days, then water. Still moist? → Do not water under any circumstances!

Proper watering:

  • Directly into the soil, not into the leaf heart
  • Remove excess water after 15 minutes
  • Standing water is deadly

Air humidity: Snake plant prefers dry air (30-50%). Spraying is not necessary and can be harmful.

In the AIRY System:
The built-in water tank supplies the plant for 3-6 weeks. The root aeration completely prevents waterlogging – perfect for frequent travelers!

3. Repotting snake plant – Timing & Soil

Snake plant grows slowly and rarely needs repotting.
Time: Spring (March-May)

Frequency:

  • Young plants: Every 2-3 years
  • Mature plants: Every 3-5 years

Signs:

  • Rhizomes push the plant out of the pot
  • Roots burst the pot
  • Growth completely stalls

Ideal base:

  • Very permeable and loose
  • Low to moderate in nutrients
  • pH 6.0-7.0

Mixture (Do It Yourself):

  • 40% cactus soil or succulent soil
  • 30% sand or perlite
  • 20% potting soil
  • 10% lava granules

Important when repotting:

  • Choose a pot only 2-3 cm larger (prefers it snug!)
  • Drainage layer at the bottom (2-3 cm expanded clay)
  • Remove rotten roots
  • Do NOT water for 7-10 days after repotting

In the AIRY System:
The AIRY mineral substrate is ideal – extremely permeable, structurally stable, prevents compaction. The root ventilation excludes waterlogging.

4. Fertilizing snake plant – Fertilizing & Nutrients

Snake plant has a very low nutrient requirement. Over-fertilizing harms more than too little fertilizer.

Recommendation:

  • Liquid fertilizer for cacti/succulents
  • AIRY Booster (especially for AIRY systems)

Fertilizing schedule:

  • April-August: At most once a month, Dosage: 25-50% of the manufacturer's recommendation September-March: DO NOT fertilize

Recognizing overfertilization: Brown leaf tips, soft leaves, unnaturally rapid growth. Solution: Rinse the soil or repot.

AIRY advantage:
Through improved nutrient absorption in the aerated root zone, the amount of fertilizer can be reduced by 25% or omitted entirely.

5. Snake Plant as Air Purifier – NASA's Top Performer

The NASA study on air purification identified snake plant as one of the most effective air-purifying plants overall.

Filtered pollutants (Top 5):

  • Formaldehyde (from furniture, paints, chipboards)
  • Benzene (from plastics, cleaning agents, smoke)
  • Trichloroethylene (from paints, varnishes, adhesives)
  • Xylene (from varnishes, rubber, leather)
  • Toluene (from paints, adhesives)

Room size recommendation:

  • 1 large bow hemp (80-120 cm) for 10-15 m²

Oxygen at night: Through CAM photosynthesis, snake plant absorbs CO₂ at night and releases oxygen. This means:

  • Better sleep (more oxygen, less CO₂)
  • Air purification during the night
  • Bedroom without worries

AIRY System – Enhanced Air Purification

Natural Air Purification: Standard pot uses about 10% of the air purification potential
With AIRY System: Active air flow through the root zone = up to 8 times higher filtering power

Additional Health Benefits:

  • Removal of VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
  • Better focus through cleaner air
  • Reduced headaches and tiredness
  • Natural alternative to mechanical air purifiers

Scientific basis:
The NASA study showed that 90% of air cleansing takes place in the root zone. The AIRY system actively channels room air through this area – without electricity, filters, or chemicals.

6. Common Problems with Snake Plant – Causes & Solutions

1. Overwatering (most common cause)
  • Symptoms: Soft, mushy leaves, yellowing from bottom to top, foul smell
  • Solution: Stop watering immediately, remove the plant from the pot, cut away rotten roots, place in fresh, dry soil, do not water for 2 weeks
2. Root rot
  • Symptoms: Yellow, soggy leaves, brown, foul-smelling roots
  • Solution: Cut off all rotten parts, replant healthy parts
3. Natural aging process
  • Symptoms: Individual lower leaves yellow, rest healthy
  • Solution: Normal – cut off old leaves

Brown spots – Causes:

  • Cold damage: Large brown, mushy spots → Plant was exposed to below 10°C
  • Sunburn: Dry, light brown spots → Gradually acclimate to the sun
  • Overfertilization: Brown leaf tips → Fertilize less

Soft, drooping leaves:

  • Main cause: Overwatering + root rot
  • Often the plant must be cut back drastically

Slow growth: This is normal! Snake plant naturally grows slowly (1-3 new leaves per year).


Care tips:
Clean leaves: Wipe every 4-6 weeks with a damp cloth
Pruning: Cut only damaged leaves directly at the base
Do not just trim the tips – it looks untidy

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Snake Plant

In summer every 2-3 weeks, in winter every 4-6 weeks or less often. The soil should dry out completely between waterings. Finger test: feel 5-7 cm deep – completely dry? Wait another 2-3 days. Overwatering is deadly!

Very permeable, sandy substrate: cactus/succulent soil mixed with sand, perlite, or lava granules (60:40). Regular potting soil is too rich in nutrients. In the AIRY system: special mineral substrate – optimally permeable.

Yes, snake plant is poisonous to cats and dogs. It contains saponins that cause stomach and bowel irritation. Symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, drooling. Usually not life-threatening, but unpleasant. Place the plant out of reach.

The blossom is no more poisonous than the rest of the plant. All parts contain saponins. Snake plant rarely blooms indoors – usually under optimal conditions and slight stress. The flowers are white-greenish and have a strong scent at night (vanilla-like).

Bloom is a sign of perfect conditions, mild stress (e.g. dryness, full pot), and a mature plant (at least 3-5 years). The bloom is harmless and shows good care!

Slow: 1-3 new leaves per year on fully grown plants. With little light or in winter, almost no growth – this is normal.

Depending on the variety 30-150 cm:

  • Dwarf forms: 15-30 cm
  • Medium-sized varieties: 40-90 cm
  • Large varieties: 60-150 cm

In summer: Yes, from 15°C on balcony/terrace. Slowly get used to the sun!

In winter: NO – not hardy in winter! Does not tolerate frost, dies below 5-10°C. Bring inside by September at the latest.

💚 Buy snake plant with AIRY system

Maximize the air-purifying effect with the AIRY system. Active root ventilation = up to 8 times higher filtering power – perfect for bedrooms and offices. Completely without electricity, maintenance-free.

Discover AIRY system with snake plant now   →