The snake plant, or sansevieria , is a popular ornamental plant for many plant lovers. But before you get one of these plants, do you know snake plant disadvantages? Is it a good plant to keep in the house?
A snake plant features stiff and sword-like leaves. It can vary in colour though many have a green band with a yellow border. Knowing it beforehand will help you decide if the plant is right for you.
If you’re considering buying a sansevieria for your space, you’re already on the right track. Here’s a look at the top 10 snake plant disadvantages:
The snake plant is a tall-growing plant which can reach up to 12 feet high when fully mature. However, it has a prolonged growth rate, only about four to 12 inches annually.
The growth rate can even be slower when grown indoors – where sunlight and growing space (for the roots) are restricted. Therefore, if you are looking for a fast-growing plant that will grow tall in no time, you might be up for some disappointment.
You can propagate the snake plant by cutting off its leaves and producing new plants. However, the technique is tricky if you have limited gardening experience.
New plants are likely to develop root rot problems during propagation, for example, when propagated in water. It’s also easy to damage the original plant if you don’t cut the leaves correctly.
Another huge drawback of the snake plant is that it is vulnerable to pests and fungi, which can damage the leaves and roots of the plant. Pests are especially attracted to the leaves, where they s*ck the sap from the plant, causing unsightly wounds. When blooming, pests can also be attracted to the plant by the scent of the flowers.
Snake plants are known for their low maintenance, especially when it comes to watering. However, one major drawback of the plant is that it can easily overwater.
Too much water, even at infrequent intervals, can result in soggy soil, causing root rot, yellow leaves, and drooping leaves. Unfortunately, overwatering problems such as root rot can cause permanent damage to the plant.
Another major disadvantage of the snake plant is it has susceptible leaves. While they are its main decorative feature, they can easily sustain damage, start yellowing, and fall off due to several issues.
These include overwatering, pests and fungal attacks, and insufficient light. However, even something as simple as spraying the plant with mist when watering can affect the leaves, causing them to start falling off.
Another top negative effect of snake plant is that it is toxic. The plant contains chemicals known as saponins, found in the sap of the leaves, stems, and roots. The chemical substance can cause several side effects if ingested.
Some of the effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, tongue numbness, and throat swelling. These symptoms are mostly mild but can be pretty distressing, so the plant might be a bad idea if you live with kids or pets.
Snake plant is hardy and can survive some harsh conditions. However, when it comes to temperature, the plant is not suitable for growth in cold regions. Instead, it prefers warmer temperatures above 500F.
Anything below that can cause frost damage to the leaves or encourage several diseases, such as southern blight, which can permanently damage the plant.
Light exposure is another aspect of the snake plant you must be careful with. Ideally, the plant is hardy and can handle low sunlight, especially indoors
However, if the light is too low, it can affect the leaves, causing them to thin (as they stretch to reach more light) or even start dropping.
Likewise, too much sun, especially direct sunlight, can cause the leaves to wilt and dry out. Therefore, you need to carefully control the sunlight exposure of your snake plant to ensure its continued growth.
The snake plant is a stunning ornamental plant. However, you might be disappointed if you buy it for its flowers. The plant has rare and erratic flowering patterns, with some plants blooming once annually while others take several years before they produce flowers.
Flowering can also occur if the plant is stressed or neglected, for example, lack of water. Therefore, waking up one morning and seeing beautiful blooms on your plant – regardless of their beauty – could be a sign that something is wrong.
Is the snake plant unlucky? There are different spiritual meanings of the snake plant, and the plant can bring you either good or bad luck, depending on what you believe.
According to Feng Shui, the snake plant symbolises protection, wealth, good luck, and positive energy, among other things. However, there is a widespread belief that placing it in the wrong location in the house can lead to bad luck. Otherspiritual interpretations of the snake plant could signify good or bad luck.
A blooming snake plant symbolises good luck and new positive changes in your life. However, some people also believe that a dead snake plant signifies a difficult period that awaits you. For other people, especially profoundly religious ones, a snake symbolises danger, temptation, seduction, and a personification of the Devil.
So, the above are some of the top disadvantages of the snake plant. But what about the benefits? What can you gain by growing the plant in your garden or indoors?
Below is a look at the top advantages:
Do snake plants clean the air? Yes, it can have a positive impact on your indoor air quality. First, the plant converts CO2 into oxygen, making the air in your home fresh and more breathable. It also removes several toxic pollutants from the air, such as benzene, xylene, toluene, and others.
Snake plant is a very low-maintenance plants. It can survive with very little water and limited exposure to sunlight, making it an ideal plant to grow indoors. You only need to be careful not to overwater or give it too much or too little sunlight.
Caring for a snake plant, especially in your home, can bring several positive mental health benefits like any other plant. These include stress reduction, a social connection to the plant, fascination, and increased relaxation. And if you are superstitious, the plant can also bring you good luck.
Lastly, the snake plant is beautiful and can decorate your home. It can help add more colour to your home or office, especially in dark spots that are usually unsuitable for other houseplants.
Snake plants have several benefits that make them ideal in your home, office, or outdoors. However, it also comes with several cons.
The above are some of the top snake plant disadvantages that you should be aware of if you are planning on getting the plant. While most of these are minor drawbacks, they can still inconvenience you or lead to the death of your plant. Therefore, knowing about them can help you better care for your plant.
The fastest-growing trees in Kenya take five or fewer years to mature. Also, the growth rate varies from one region and one climatic condition to another. Therefore, a tree that grows faster in one area might grow slowly in another.
