How can I tell when my snake plant requires watering?

Being precise with the timing of water needs for your snake plant is the key to avoiding problems related to both underwatering or overwatering. These hardy plants give very pronounced signals when they are thirsty. While I usually make multiple checks, you should only need one or two. The soil is obviously dry as determined by the depth of the dryness, and the leaves look tired or droopy...... Those are two good indicators. Weight is probably an effective check as well.

The finger test is still my most reliable technique. Insert your index finger deeply into the pot of soil until it is inserted beyond the first knuckle (or two knuckles for huge pots). If it feels scorched at that point, the soil is dry enough to consider watering. If you are testing the soil in a large, heavy pot, use a wooden chopstick instead of your finger. Dry soil will not cling to the wooden chopstick.

Pay careful attention to leaf changes. The leaves of a well-hydrated snake plant will feel firm and stiff. Thirsty plants will develop slight wrinkles along the edges of the leaves. Their color may seem somewhat duller than normal. These symptoms develop before more severe dehydration occurs.

Weight evaluation is suitable primarily for small to medium pots. After watering, lift the container to "remember it feels" and use that to check each week for a significant decline in its weight. Terracotta pots will feel much lighter when they are scorched, and it should be notably lighter.

Modify the amount of water as the seasons change. The hot summer weather may slightly increase your plant's water needs. In the winter, while your plant is dormant, you will need to water less frequently and in smaller amounts. Always check the soil moisture before following a calendar-based watering schedule. Conditions such as humidity can affect how quickly the soil dries.

Read the full article: How to Care for Snake Plant: Ultimate Guide