Snake plants need watering every 2 to 6 weeks based on your home's conditions and the season outside. These tough plants store water in their thick leaves like a camel stores it in its hump. Most new plant owners water far too often and end up hurting their snake plants with kindness. Less is more with this species, and you should err on the dry side when in doubt.
I killed my first snake plant by watering it every week like I did with my other houseplants. The leaves turned mushy and yellow at the base before falling over one by one. It took me three months to realize that my watering was the problem causing all the damage. That dead plant taught me a lesson I never forgot about how these succulents work.
Now I use the finger test method before I water any of my snake plants at home. I stick my finger about 2 inches into the soil to check for moisture down below the surface. If the soil feels dry at that depth, I know the plant is ready for a drink of water. If I feel any dampness at all, I wait another week before checking again.
Snake plant leaves work like tiny water tanks that hold moisture for weeks at a time inside. The thick fleshy tissue stores water and releases it slowly as the plant needs it for basic functions. Research shows snake plants have one of the lowest moisture output rates among common houseplants tested. This means they lose very little water through their leaves and don't need refills as often as thinner-leafed plants.
Your snake plant watering schedule should change with the seasons throughout the year. Water every 2 to 3 weeks in summer when growth speeds up and temps run higher in your home. Cut back to once a month or less in winter when the plant rests and uses almost no water at all. Watch your plant closely during seasonal changes and adjust based on how fast the soil dries out.
Here is how to water snake plant the right way when the time comes for a drink. Pour water slowly around the base until it drains out the bottom holes of your pot. Empty the saucer under your pot after 15 to 20 minutes so roots don't sit in standing water overnight. You can also try bottom watering by setting your pot in a tray of water for 30 minutes and letting soil soak it up from below.
Learn to spot the signs of too much versus too little water before problems get serious. Overwatering shows up as yellow mushy leaves, soft stems, and a rotting smell from the soil around roots. The base of the plant may turn brown and feel squishy when you touch it with your finger. Underwatering looks like wrinkled leaves, curling edges, and dry crispy brown tips along the top. Underwatered plants bounce back fast once you give them water, but overwatered plants often die from root rot.
When in doubt, wait a few more days before you water your snake plant again. These plants evolved in dry rocky areas where rain came rarely throughout the year. They handle drought far better than wet feet and will forgive you for forgetting them for weeks at a time.
Read the full article: 10 Benefits of Snake Plant Revealed
