Snake Plants also known as Sansevierias & Dracaena Trifasciata. Wow! That just rolls of the mother in laws tongue doesn't it!? These plants are native to Africa, Madagascar and Southern Asia. There are 19 different types of snake plants. Fun fact, snake plants are a type of succulent species; which means don't over water it!
Snake plants are known to survive off of neglect so its okay if you forget to water them for a week or month or year (just kidding don't do that). If you do choose to water your snake plant more regularly; make sure that the soil is well drained and completely dry. You can water snake plants every 2-8 weeks with a really good soak allowing the water to flow through the drainage holes of your pot. They love to be placed in a smaller pots and benefit from being root bound. These plants will let you know when it is time for a new pot and may even breakthrough their current one.
Snake plants thrive indoors and do just fine at a normal home temperature, but just make sure to keep them away from any drafts that may come through the house. You can keep snake plants in a bright indirect light for best results and brighter leaves, but they do adapt and tolerate dark conditions. Please note that if you keep them indoors that they are poisonous and to keep them away from both children and pets.
These plants have some really great benefits. They are able to clear the toxins out of the air and absorb cancer-causing pollutants,. These toxins and pollutants include CO2, Benzene, Formaldehyde, Xylene and Toluene. On top of that, they are a great defense against airborne allergies. Plants are truly amazing, but wait till you hear this! Snake plants emit oxygen at night during the process that is called crassulalean acid metabolism (CAM) which helps promote a great nights sleep for us humans. Do we even deserve this type of love? They only open their stomata (any of the minute pores in the epidermis of the leaf or stem of a plant, forming a slit of variable width which allows movement of gases in and out of the intercellular spaces) at night to avoid dehydration.
On top of health benefits, they have spiritual properties of course! The snake plant is known to be good luck. Snake plants exude a strong protective energy and protects its plant parent from any negative chi (life force). A snake plant represents nature, the environment and positive energy. You pretty much can have mother nature right by your bed side! If you plan on going to a housewarming party anytime soon; a snake plant is a really great gift as it can send the message of persistence and happiness.
Does anyone like to rearrange their home based on Feng Shui? If you do guess what? Snake plants are kind of a big deal when doing this practice. A great place to put your snake plant is in your home office/working area. They help improve your ability to concentrate and stay productive. The Feng Shui name for this is known as the Wen Chang area.
Last but not least, snake plants can flower, but be warned. Snake plants bloom really gorgeous flowers that represent a white/cream colored lilly when fully open but only do so when the plant is stressed. I personally have heard that sometimes they die shortly after these blooms occur. But to end on a more positive note just make sure to give your snake plant the same amount of love as it gives to you and you both will thrive together!
With all that being said, for the month of August buy/treat yourself to a new snake plant and really learn about your new friend. Maybe even do some Feng Shui practices! I will be posting on instagram @happyplantmamashop as well if you want to follow along. Make sure to follow me, sign up, and check back in September for our next plant takeover!
I also invite you to join the plant parent group and become a green thumb with me. It will be a place to ask each other questions on all your plants, share images of you with all your new snake plants and more. Hope to see you there!
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