How Fast Does Snake Plant Grow? (9 Essential Factors)

The snake plant grows rapidly during the growing season that is from spring to summer. However, during the dormancy period(Winter), the snake plant will not show any new growth. If that’s the case, please do not be surprised. The growth rate of the snake plant will vary, but here is what you can expect.

Snake plan is considered a slow-growing plant. On average, a snake plant grows 2-3 new leaves in a growing season. At the same time, the plant will remain dormant through the fall and winter. The growth rate of snake plants varies on the plant species and other factors like the intensity of light, humidity, temperature, etc.

If the perfect growing conditions are provided, the snake plants show rapid growth and gain good foliage. But we will need to give the plant a bit of care and nurture.

Though this plant is famous for beginners as it requires minimal care and the forgetful growers, if you want the mother-in-law’s tongue to grow, you will need to look out for the plant.

In this guide, we will discuss the factors that affect the snake plant’s growth and the ways to grow it bushy.

Snake plant size

The size of a snake plant varies on various factors, but the plant species is the most crucial factor that will determine the size of your plant.

Some species like S. trifaciata laurentii can grow up to 5 feet in length, while the average length being 2-3 feet. On the other hand, S.trifaciata hanhii never grows over a foot in length.

Below are some common snake plant species with their average size.

Plant Species	Average Length
S. trifaciata laurentii	2-3 feet
S. trifaciata	2-3 feet
S. cylindrica	5-7 feet
S.trifaciata hanhii	6-8 inches

9 Factors that affect the growth rate of the snake plant

To understand the cause of the snake plant not growing new leaves or not gaining any growth, we need to understand a few factors. Let us look at the factors.  

1. Adaptability
2. Type of Potting soil
3. Overfertilization of the snake plant
4. Season for growth
5. Watering regime
6. Pruning
7. Temperature and humidity  
8. Pests
9. The size of the pot

All the above factors can directly affect the growth of your snake plant. We will discuss each topic in detail.

Adaptability

The Snake plant, like any other houseplant, requires some time to adjust to the environment.

Plants are like human beings and require a certain amount of time to adapt. It may be that earlier, there was a different growing condition for the snake plants, and now it is different.

For example- If you stay in the mountains, it will be difficult for a person to adapt to the tropical region immediately.

In the same way, if you have just purchased the snake plant, then give the plant some time to adjust to the new environment.

When the plants are purchased, they might have gone through some shock because of the packaging, traveling, and repotting. Hence leaving the plant as it is suggested.

Check the soil to understand if the plant requires water. If it is dry, then water the plant.

Some users also add fertilizer right after purchase, but we suggest not to add any fertilizer instantly because the plant may have been fertilized recently.

It is best to let the plant adapt and not add any fertilizer for a week or two.

Type of Potting soil

Soil is the most crucial factor that helps a plant grow because it absorbs all the minerals and nutrients from the soil.

The type of soil we use for the snake plant’s growth plays an essential role.

If we use a potting soil that is not well-draining, then the soil might get overwatered easily, and we will face overwatering issues.

Thus, the type of potting soil plays an important role.

The best potting soil mix that is suggested for the snake plant is:

• Take a well-draining potting soil
• Take cactus soil in the same ratio
• Add some compost to the mixture

The potting soil and the cactus soil should be in the ratio of 1:1, and the compost should be around 25% of the soil.

Cactus soil will help in the snake plant’s desired minerals and nutrients along with excellent drainage because the snake plant is succulent.

Compost helps in all the micronutrient and macronutrient factors.

Also read: What kind of soil do snake plant needs?

Overfertilization of the snake plant

Fertilization of the houseplants plants is crucial for achieving healthy and bushy growth. The Snake plant also requires fertilization for proper growth.

The snake plant has two fundamental issues that are the overfertilization and overwatering.

Houseplant owners frequently face these two circumstances as a result of moment disregard. You need not stress!

A few hobbyists fertilize their snake plant just once per year and keep on doing it in the next year.

In the growing season, the snake plant can be fertilized up to two-three times. With regards to fall, we lessen the feed by 50%.

Throughout the wintertime of the year, which is the snake plant’s dormant period, we don’t fertilize the snake plant.

The snake plant is given a weak dose of a reasonable 10:10:10 or a 20:20:20 fertilization, and it should be noted that the feed is very diluted.

If the snake plant has been overfertilized, at that point, they will give indications as earthy colored tips and the plant withering.

That can likewise prompt the drooping leaves and shedding of the leaves.
Consistently be cautious with the feed.

On the off chance that the circumstance is disregarded further, the plant may likewise abandon you.

The plant should be fertilized mildly during the growing season.

How might we right the overfertilization?

Assume the plant and position it in running water and flush the abundance compost. Follow this cycle 3-4 times to eliminate the overabundance of fertilizer.

On the off chance that the circumstance has exacerbated, at that point, we can repot the plant in an alternate pot.

Once the excess fertilizer is flushed out, Avoid fertilizing the plant for a month.

Provide adequate water, and your snake plant should be healthy again.

Also read: Do snake plant need fertilizer? (What type, how much)

Season for growth

The snake plant has a growing season, and only then the snake plant experience growth.

The growing season for the snake plant is from spring to summer, wherein if we water the plant correctly and provide it with fertilizer, the plant will proliferate.

The snake plant generally grows up to 3 feet in length. However, it also depends on the type of snake plant.

During the winter, the snake plant goes through a dormancy period and will not show any growth signs.

Hence, never provide the snake plants with fertilizer during the winter.
If your snake plant is not showing any signs of new growth during the winter, then you should not worry. They are taking rest for some time.

Also read: How to care for snake plant in winter

Watering regime

The snake plant has one major issue with the watering.

The key to getting the watering right is by feeling the soil, and if the soil is dry, only then the snake plants should be watered.

If overwatered, these plants suffer through a lot, and if neglected in an overwatering situation, the plant might give up on us.

How can we get the watering right?

We can get the watering right by following a few steps. The steps are;

• Choose a well-draining potting soil for the snake plant.
• Always feel the soil before watering the snake plant.
• The soil should be dry and not moist.
• If the soil is found moist, then leave the plant for a few days.
• Do not check only the topsoil. Dig deep, and feel the soil.
• To achieve the right watering, make a watering regime.
• We can make our task more manageable by attaching a note to the plant.
• Keeping reminders is also suggested.
• Throw away the excess water collected in the tray.
• Never allow the snake plant to stand on still water.

The snake plant can go without water for three weeks in general, and during winter, the plant might not require for a month and a half.

Isn’t that great? You can enjoy your winter holidays without worrying about your lovely plants.

The snake plants absorb water in their leaves, and it is succulent. Hence, excess water will only harm the plant as it will take in extra salt and minerals. 

Also read: How often should I water my snake plant?

Pruning

The snake plants, like all the other houseplants, require pruning to grow bushier. Pruning helps the plant lose the unrequired leaves and allows the plant to grow as desired.

There could be some leaves on the snake plant that has turned brown or yellow. Some rhizome may be going in a hay-wired direction.

For getting the plant to the right shape and size a good pruning is required for the snake plant.

If you have never pruned your snake plant, it might be the cause behind your snake plant’s stunted growth.

We understand that it might be difficult for all to chop the plant that shows no signs of trouble. However, it is required by all the houseplants.

A little pruning will help the snake plant get bushier and grow healthy.  

Things to consider for pruning

We need to consider a few things before we start pruning. Let us take a look at those.

1. Always prune the snake plant during the growing season only.
2. Pruning during winter might shock the plant as the plant will be dormant.
3. Always disinfect the scissors/pruners before we begin the pruning.
4. Disinfecting helps in the removal of any diseases and pests.
5. Discard the unrequired leaves that are yellow or brown.
6. The yellow or brown leaves won’t help the snake plant and will only stress the plant more. So, make sure you clip them all.
7. Once completed with the pruning, water the snake plant and keep it under indirect bright light.

Temperature and humidity 

This sturdy plant is known to tolerate drought conditions and grow in low light areas as well as bright lighting conditions. However, there are consequences for both the situation.

If the snake plant is grown under bright light, then the water will be absorbed quickly, and the soil will go dry sooner.

Also, the snake plant might experience leaf burn.

Similarly, if grown in the low light area, the snake plant will thrive, but the foliage won’t be that bushy and might not be that green.

Hence, the snake plant is perfect for room temperature and loves indirect bright light.

Winter is not in the snake plants game, and the snake plant does not like the cold draft.
We should remove the snake plant from the window sill during the winter, where it does not get hit by the cold draft.

A southern window is not suggested during the winter.

The snake plant does not complain about low humidity during the winter.

Though the humidity preferred by the snake plant is moderate during the growing season, using a humidifier will help the snake plant in winter.

Keep the snake plants away from the radiators during winter, and places like the bathroom help for that extra humidity.

Also read: Should I mist my snake plant?

Pests

The snake plant is inclined to be assaulted by spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids.

If overwatered, the snake plants build up a root decay circumstance, and the root decay welcomes bugs. It could likewise be that the nuisances were moved from another contaminated plant.

Whenever we see the brown-colored tips, it is suggested to inspect the snake plant cautiously and check for bugs.

Snake plants create earthy colored tips on the off chance that they have been invaded.

We need to separate the plant from the others.

Disconnection will help keep the spread starting with one tainted plant then onto the next.

To fix the circumstance, we have two alternatives.

1. Go all-natural
2. Use of pesticides

On the off chance that we decide to go all-natural, we can utilize a neem oil arrangement and blend it with water. At that point shower, this blends on your snake plant.

Follow this cycle for around 14 days to kill the eggs if laid on the snake plant.

Blending the neem oil arrangement in tepid water will be sufficient.

We can likewise select the utilization of pesticides that are accessible on the lookout.

Nonetheless, if we pick this alternative, kindly adhere to the guidance.

Never add additional pesticides to the plant; at that point, the sum is endorsed because that can hurt the plant much more.

The plant is as of now in stress and subsequently will build up the earthy colored tips. Whenever they are soothed, the plant will develop as sound as it was previously.

The pest situation stunt the plant, and they feed on the newest leaves. Hence, the snake plant might not show any signs of new growth.

Also read: Do snake plant attract pests?

The size of the pot

The size of the pot plays a vital role in the growth of the plant.

If the pot is undersized, then the snake plant will become root-bound and halt the plant’s growth at a certain point.

The roots of the plant need space to grow. Hence we always transfer the plant to a bigger pot once the plant has developed the roots completely.

It is a general rule that if our plant is 1 foot in height, then we need a 2-gallon pot, and if the plant is 2 feet in height, then a three-gallon pot will be required, and so on.

Thus, check for the roots of the plant. The roots should be developed completely, and once developed, it is time for a repot.

Also read: What happens if you move a plant in too big of a pot

Final Words

It is not difficult to care for the snake plant. They do not complain about anything.

By following the above conditions and steps, we can get our snake plants bushier and grow fast and healthy.

If you face any issues with the above conditions and steps, please feel free to contact us at any point in time!