Snake plants (Dracaena trifasciata) have long been a staple for many houseplant collectors. They're easy to maintain, add impressive structure to plant displays, and have even been known to have air-cleaning qualities.
When caring for your snake plant, it's imperative to grow it in the right potting mix. Likewise, it's key to use the right mix when repotting a snake plant. This consists of a growing medium that is well-draining and will prevent your plant suffering fungal diseases and rot.
While there are plenty of commercial houseplant mixes available, it's easy to make your own snake plant potting mix. Not only is it a fun DIY, but it allows you to include all the good ingredients that will help your snake plant thrive. Here, houseplant experts share an easy nutrient-rich snake plant potting mix recipe to try at home.
Snake plant potting mix recipe
Aside from planting up and repotting, you may also want to make your own snake plant potting mix if you notice your snake plant turning yellow. It's often a sign of improper moisture conditions, largely impacted by the soil type your plant is growing in. Try our easy and effective DIY snake plant potting mix recipe to improve your plant's growing conditions.
For this recipe, you will need:
- Coco coir - like this coco coir from Amazon.
- Perlite - like this perlite from Walmart.
- Orchid bark - like this orchid bark from Amazon.
- Nutrient-rich compost - like these worm castings from Amazon.
Start by using coco coir to make up a third of your mix. 'This is a water-retaining ingredient,' says Julie Bawden Davis, indoor plant expert at Healthy Houseplants. It will help provide your snake plant with sufficient moisture.
Next, you will want to add in perlite to make up another third of the mix. 'This is a draining agent,' Julie explains, and will provide the drainage your snake plant needs to maintain healthy roots and prevent issues of houseplant root rot.
The final third of your snake plant potting mix should be made up of a well-draining growing medium, like orchid bark.
Of course, a snake plant is a type of succulent, so Julie notes you can also use a succulent mix (from Amazon). 'Just ensure that the succulent mix is more than bark,' she says.
To boost the essential plant nutrients available when you make your own snake plant potting mix, experts advise including some compost. 'We recommend adding a few tablespoons of worm castings to the mix,' says Lotte Berendsen, a botanist from the PlantIn app.
Combine these ingredients well before potting up your snake plant.
Why these are the best ingredients for snake plant potting mix
There are a few variations of ingredients you can use when you make your own snake plant potting mix, but the ones in our recipe are recommended by experts for a reason:
'Snake plants have large water reservoirs in their thick, succulent-like leaves. Due to this water storage, they don’t need soil that holds onto excessive amounts of moisture,' explains Lotte.
This is where perlite and orchid bark are beneficial, making the mix porous as they also do when making your own orchid potting mix. 'Well-draining soil means it drains excess water fast, so the roots are not exposed to wet soil for long amounts of time,' Lotte explains.
However, you also don't want to allow your snake plant to dry out entirely. This may cause your snake plant to droop or cause your snake plant to die. That's why coco coir - a peat moss alternative - is a valuable ingredient to include.
'It helps retain moisture, so your snake plant’s roots have the chance to absorb the water they need,' Lotte explains.
Finally, compost or worm castings are good to include in your DIY snake plant potting mix to ensure it receives plenty of nutrients. 'The most important nutrients are nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. These nutrients can be found in worm castings,' says Lotte.
Although snake plants are houseplants you don't need to fertilize often, you can boost nutrient levels as they deplete in your mix. Julie recommends fertilizing your snake plant 'every two to three months spring through fall with a well-balanced, organic fertilizer.'
This balanced 2-2-2 snake plant fertilizer has all the essential nutrients to keep your snake growing.
FAQs
How often should you repot a snake plant?
It's important to repot a snake plant as it grows bigger to prevent it becoming badly pot-bound. Severely pot-bound snake plants may droop, turn yellow, or stop growing. Look for these signs before repotting.
Otherwise, these are slow-growers and houseplants that don't mind being slightly root-bound. As a result, you can get away with only repotting a snake plant every three to five years.
'When repotting, ensure that you just cover the roots of the snake plant and don’t cover any stem, as this can lead to stem rot,' advises Julie Bawden Davis, indoor plant expert at Healthy Houseplants.
This recipe isn't limited to indoor plants, as you can also make your own snake plant potting mix when growing snake plants outdoors, too. You can also use alternative ingredients to customize your snake plant potting mix as you wish. As Lotte notes: 'When it comes to choosing the right soil for your snake plant, it’s important to think of this plant as a succulent, rather than a tropical indoor plant,' so focus on well-draining materials.
