The best soil for snake plants is a well-draining, loamy soil mix that has a pH level of 5.5 to 7. The soil should also have good aeration and mimic the plant’s natural arid habitat.
To get a more in-depth understanding of the ideal soil for snake plants, we’ve listed the things you must consider when choosing snake plant soil and its components.
We’ll also recommend soil mix recipes that you can use for your own snake plant!
Things to Consider When Choosing Soil for Snake Plants
Drainage
Snake plants thrive best in soil that drains well and does not hold excess moisture. This will help them prevent the risk of root rot and lower the chances of overwatering.
Moreover, well-draining soil also prevents fungal diseases. When the soil doesn’t drain well and is constantly moist, fungi may start growing and cause significant damage to the plant.
Hence, it’s important that you choose materials that improve drainage when making your soil mix.
Water Retention
While snake plants prefer dry and arid conditions, they still need moisture to grow.
Proper water retention abilities help soil maintain moisture balance by holding onto enough water to keep the roots hydrated while also allowing excess water to drain away.
Soil retaining some moisture can also help the plant endure brief periods of drought, which can be particularly helpful if you have a busy schedule or forget to keep track of your snake plants’ watering sessions.
Porosity
A porous soil gives the roots more access to oxygen, which is crucial for their respiration and the plant’s overall health. It helps maintain proper aeration within the root zone, preventing the roots from getting suffocated.
Additionally, porous soil helps water to flow better and prevents excess moisture in the soil. Since snake plants are prone to overwatering, this is a great soil feature that can help prevent excessive watering and eventual root rot.
Nutrient Content
Snake plants are relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate nutrient-poor conditions, but the best environment for them is still nutrient-rich soil. Adequate nutrients in the soil promote optimal growth and development for snake plants.
When there are not enough nutrients in the plant, it doesn’t just affect their health but also their appearance. Nutrient deficiency can cause discoloration like yellowing leaves, so ensure that they receive enough nutrients if you want vibrant and healthy leaves.
pH level
The pH level affects the availability and uptake of nutrients by the plant’s roots, so it’s important that you can keep the soil within the plant’s required level.
For snake plants, a pH level of 5.5 to 7.0 is preferred if you want to provide them with the best growing conditions.
If the pH level is too high or too low, your plant may experience nutrient deficiency or receive too much toxic nutrients like aluminum and manganese.
If your soil mix is too acidic, it’s best to add lime or crushed oyster shells to raise the pH level. Adding elemental sulfur, composted pine needles or other acidifiers can help lower the pH level if it’s too alkaline.
Components of a Snake Plant Soil
Perlite
Perlite is composed of popped volcanic glass but can look and feel like polystyrene. It’s a lightweight, sterile material with excellent insulation properties often used in gardening.
Its porous nature allows it to retain air and moisture, promoting healthy root growth and preventing the soil from compacting. A potting mix with perlite also helps prevent overwatering, so it’s an essential component of every mix.
Coco Coir
Coco coir, or coconut fiber, is a natural fiber derived from the husk of coconuts. As it’s a byproduct of coconut, it’s more environmentally friendly compared to peat moss.
One reason it’s popular among gardeners is its excellent water retention capabilities. They hold moisture well and release it slowly to plant roots, promoting healthy growth and preventing waterlogging.
Additionally, coco coir is relatively pH neutral compared to peat moss, making it suitable for almost all kinds of plants. Unlike peat moss, which is acidic, you won’t need to make additional adjustments with coco coir, as it has a pH level of 5.5 to 6.8.
Succulent Soil
Succulent soil, also known as cactus soil or desert soil, is a specialized type of soil made specifically for the unique needs of cacti and other succulents like snake plants.
It mimics the natural desert-like and well-draining soil succulents naturally grow in, so it’s perfect when you want to grow a snake plant at home. It also helps prevent excess moisture and root rot.
Coarse Sand
Coarse sand is a type of sand that has larger particles compared to fine sand. Coarse sand particles are visible to the naked eye and can be felt when touched.
Due to its larger particle size, coarse sand has excellent drainage capabilities. It allows water to flow through the gaps between the sands, preventing waterlogging and facilitating the movement of excess water away from the area.
The gaps between coarse sand particles also allow for improved airflow within the soil, enhancing oxygen supply in the soil and promoting healthy root growth. It’s also less prone to compacting compared to fine sand.
Bark Compost
Bark compost is a type of organic material made from the bark of trees. It contains nutrients and beneficial microorganisms that improve soil health and promote plant growth.
It also helps moderate soil temperatures by keeping it cooler in hot weather and warmer in cold weather. This is especially important, as snake plants may struggle if there’s an extreme temperature change in their environment.
Soil Mix Recipes for Snake Plants
There are a lot of commercially produced soil mixes that can do wonders for your snake plant, like the FoxFarm Ocean Forest Organic Potting Soil, Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix, and Espoma Organic Potting Mix.
However, you may also make your own soil mixes at home. Here are the two best soil mix recipes that you can follow to have a healthy snake plant:
Recipe #1
- ¾ part succulent soil
- ½ part perlite or coarse sand
- ¼ part coco coir
- A handful of bark compost
This nutrient-rich, well-draining soil mix helps young snake plants grow healthier. It’s similar to the native growing conditions of snake plants due to the use of succulent soil.
Perlite and coarse sand provide extra drainage and prevent the soil from becoming compacted, while the coco coir and bark compost help provide nutrients and improve moisture retention.
Recipe #2
- 2 parts succulent soil
- 1 part coarse sand
- 1 part perlite
- 1 part coco coir
This is a well-draining and porous mix that helps oxygen and water to flow through the soil better.
The succulent soil helps retain moisture while maintaining a somewhat dry condition. The addition of coarse sand, perlite, and coco coir gives the mix a better draining and aeration system.
Signs That The Snake Plant Is in the Wrong Soil
Slow Growth
Wrong soil composition may lack essential nutrients or cause poor drainage, which can have significant effects on the snake plant’s growth.
Nutrient deficiencies can hinder the snake plant’s ability to carry out essential metabolic processes, leading to slow or stunted growth. Soil compaction brought by poor soil mix can also hinder the roots from growing and expanding.
Snake plants are naturally slow growers, though, so this sign may be hard to notice for people who haven’t owned snake plants before. If you think your plant is growing slowly, it’s best to check other signs before making a conclusion.
Yellowing Leaves
Yellowing leaves are one indicator that there’s something wrong with the plant, and most often than not, it’s caused by poor soil mix.
When the plant doesn’t receive enough nutrients from the soil, some of its leaves will turn yellow and eventually die. This is to prioritize the younger leaves, which will need more nutrients to grow.
Additionally, when there’s too much moisture in the soil, fungi and bacteria may start growing, causing infection to the plant. The infection can cause the leaves to turn yellow before dying.
Wilting or Drooping Leaves
Another possible effect of poor soil mix is wilting or drooping leaves. If your snake plant’s leaves appear wilted or droopy, it may be a sign of poor soil drainage.
If the soil doesn’t drain well and retains excessive moisture, the roots cannot get enough oxygen, causing suffocation and wilting leaves.
If you notice wilting or drooping leaves in your plant, check the soil moisture levels and evaluate the plant’s watering schedule to make sure it’s caused by poor soil quality. Sometimes, this is caused by weather changes and underwatering, not poor soil mix.
Brown and Mushy Roots
Brown and mushy roots can be an indicator that the snake plant is suffering from root rot. One common cause of root rot is excessive moisture due to a lack of proper drainage in the soil.
When the roots are consistently exposed to overly wet soil, they’ll end up rotting, which will cause them to appear brown and mushy. If you notice this on your plant, it’s advisable to check if the soil drains properly.
You should also check how often you water your plants, as this may also be caused by overwatering. When you overwater your plant, no matter how well-draining the soil is, it will still lead to root rot.
