Sansevieria, also known as the snake plant, is one of the easiest indoor plants from home. According to NASA research, sansevieria plants remove toxins from the air and continue to produce oxygen.
Best of all, snake plant care is easy. They come in a variety of species and cultivars. Different leaf colors and shapes have led to nicknames – mother-in-law’s tongue and bowstring hemp.
These succulents thrive in a range of light conditions. All with equal ease, from full sun, bright indirect light, or low light.
Their beauty and effect on air quality aside.
Is there anything you can give these wonderful low-maintenance indoor houseplants in return for their hard work?
The good news is – Yes! The best soil will help keep your snake plant healthy. It may help plants recover from accidental overwatering or damage.
What Kind of Soil Does the Snake Plant Need For Best Plant Growth?
As a succulent plant, the snake plant is vulnerable to root rot. This means having a well-draining soil mix is best for snake plants.
If you notice your snake plant leaves turning pale or yellow, it’s a sign that the soil is too dense and not draining properly.
Choose a pot with drainage holes to ensure the excess water drains out. Select one of the commercial premium potting mixes made for cacti and succulents, or make your own.
While a plastic pot is fine, a terracotta pot tends to include the perfect amount of drainage.
There are some excellent snake plant soil choices out there for great pre-made soil mixture, but three brands tend to stand out:
Miracle-Grow
Made by one of the most famous names in plant care, Miracle-Gro.
Their cactus palm and citrus potting media blend perlite and sand with various woodland-based ingredients.
This makes for a fast-draining and nutritious planting medium.
Ramsey Succulent Potting Mix
Seaweed is the key ingredient in the Ramsey succulent soil. The mix also combines part perlite and sand to create an indoor potting mix with great drainage and high nutritional values.
rePotme Cactus Soil Mix and Succulent Soil Mix
This succulent soil mix is a rich, hand-made mix. It includes tiny pieces of bark, pumice, stalite, and diatomaceous earth.
The latter provides this mix with an excellent means of natural pest control.
Can You Add to Commercial Soil To Make Snake Plant Potting Mix Better?
Plants are like children. Two similar plants have their own unique personality and preferences.
As a result, you may want to tweak the recipe for the right soil mix a little. Add a little extra to a commercial mix if you find your snake plant isn’t happy.
Drainage issues are still possible. Adding some gravel at the bottom of the pot is a great way to improve the water flow.
Consider adding pumice, coco coir, or perlite to a mix that isn’t draining well.
You can add a small amount of rich potting soil (no more than ¼ of the final mix) to add nutrients to the potting soil.
Snake Plant Soil Recipes
The great news is you don’t have to buy a special mix to create the perfect medium for your snake plant soil.
An easy mix requires:
- 2 parts of coarse sand or perlite
- 1 part peat moss or coconut coir
- 1 part garden soil or potting mix
NOTE: Do not use garden soil on plants growing indoors. Natural organic ingredients are great for plants growing outdoors.
When making your own best soil for snake plant mix, remember:
- The soil must be well-draining
- It must be loose enough that repotting snake plants requires minimal effort
If your snake plant has root rot, it can be salvaged.
- Removing the root ball
- Trim away the diseased roots and leaves
- Repot in a fresh potting medium
A granular, soil-free potting medium is ideal.
Peat moss is great at absorbing excess moisture. It is also the only soil component that can go bad over time
Consider using coconut coir or pine bark as a substitution when mixing your own snake plant mix.
Snake Plant Soil Questions and Answers
Can I use succulent soil for the snake plant?
Yes, succulent soil mixes or snake plant soil mix work great for Sansevieria (Dracaena trifasciata) plants.
Do snake plants like coffee grounds?
Coffee grounds (as a fertilizer) are good for acid-loving plants. Adding coffee grounds to your compost heap is a good idea.
But stay away from using them on your snake plants.
Gary Antosh
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