Where to Put Snake Plant Indoor or Outdoor

You may just have bought a snake plant for your house, but you are confused whether to put it indoors or outdoors. Well, since the snake plant is tolerant to low light, so you can put it indoors or outdoors. But here, we have some explanation where you have to put it if you decide to put it indoor or outdoor.

Placing Snake Plants Indoor

If you decide to put your snake plant indoors, it is okay because snake plant is a houseplant and it is tolerant to low light if you put it in the corner of your house which has no enough light. If you put your snake plant indoors, it is better for you to put it in a window which faces to the north or another low light area. However, when you have a chance, you can give it sunlight. Well, even though it can grow in a low light area, but it will grow faster if it is put in a light location. By getting enough light, snake plants can grow faster and also it can have a nice green color of leaves.

Read also: Snake plant light requirements

There are a number of options for snake plants indoors. However, here are the most popular snake plants.

• Common snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata)

This snake plant has erect, and green leaves which are like swords with horizontal grey green stripes. The tips of the leaf are also sharp.

• Bird’s nest snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata ‘Hahnii’)

This snake plant is a dwarf form which stays less than 6 inches tall. The leaves which are short and spiky form a rosette which is like a nest.

• Cylindrical snake plant (Dracaena cylindrica)

This snake plant has rounded leaves which are like cylinders.

• Variegated snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata ‘Laurentii’)

This snake plant has leaves which are thick, narrow, and mottled green. Besides, there are also bright yellow leaf margins.

• Moonshine snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata ‘Moonshine’)

This snake plant is also known as silver snake plant. This snake plant has leaves which are ethereal and pale silver-green.

It is important for you to know that snake plants are toxic to cats and dogs if the leaves are ingested. So, if you have these animals at your house, it is better for you to put the snake plant outdoors. However, if you insist on placing them indoors, you have to put them in an area which cannot be reached by your pets. Or, you are able to train your pets to avoid the plants and never chew or eat foliage from any plant indoors or outdoors. If you find that your pet eats snake plant leaf, you can save it by visiting your veterinarian immediately.

Placing Snake Plants Outdoor

If you prefer to put your snake plant outdoors, it is also okay. However, make sure that you do not put it under the direct hot sunlight for a long time because it can make your snake plant leaves burnt. You can try to put it in an area with a lot of light but once again not under direct sunlight. But, if winter comes and you have  an extreme cold or frost, you have to bring it inside. It is because snake plants like warm climates and they are susceptible to cold.

As explained above, if you put a snake plant under direct hot sunlight for a long time, it can make the leaves of your snake plant burnt. One of the signs that your snake plants are burnt is brown tips, even though brown tips are not only indicated to be burnt. If your snake plant is used to lower light conditions, and then you move it into direct sunlight, the plant will show signs of stress which is brown tips. So, if you want to move your snake plant from a lower light area to a higher light area, make sure that you do it gradually. It is done to give the snake plant time to acclimatize.

The Things to Do to Take Care of Snake Plants Indoors or Outdoors

Whether you put your snake plants indoors or outdoors, there are several things to do to take care of your snake plants so that they can grow well.

• Water

You do not have to water your snake plants often because these plants are drought tolerant.  In the summer, you can water them when the soil feels dry about 3 inches deep. If you put your finger or a long utensil to check the soil and you feel that it is dry about 3 inches deep, then you can water thoroughly. In winter, you just have to water them  as needed to keep the leaves looking firm. If you water them often, it can make them overwatering which leads to root rot.

• Soil

It is better for you to use a commercial potting soil mixed 50:50 with a cactus and succulent mix. With it, the soil will be loose and fast draining with a lot of air pockets which can help prevent overwatering.

• Light

This plant can grow in any levels of light. However, they will grow faster in a brighter location. However, a strong direct sunlight is not good for them because it can burn their leaves. You can put them around 10 feet away from a west or south window if you put them indoors.

• Fertilizer

Taking care of snake plants is easy. You do not only have to water them often, but also you do not need to feed them often. You are able to feed them a dose of any houseplant food twice a year where you can do it once in spring and once again in summer. So, that’s why this houseplant is called a low maintenance plant.

• Temperature

Snake plants can tolerate a wide range of temperatures at your homes. However, you need to keep them away from cold drafts and heating or air conditioning vents. It is better if you put them in a warm area with temperatures above 50° F or 10°C.

• Repotting

Since snake plants are slow growers, you will not need to repot them often. If you put the plants in low light, it may need to be repotted every 5 to 10 years. However, if you put them in a brighter light, you may repot them every 3 to 5 years.