Snake Plant Height Secrets and Why the Leaves Turn Yellow and Soft
As a type of desert plant, the snake plant has a very high adaptability to the environment and also has a certain air-purifying effect, especially as it can absorb the vast majority of harmful gases very well, which is why the snake plant is also one of the common household plants.What are the secrets to making a snake plant grow tall? What causes the leaves to turn yellow and soft?
1. How to grow a snake plant so it grows tall? Master these key secrets
1. Soil
The snake plant needs loose soil with good air permeability, otherwise water will have difficulty evaporating, which leads to rot of the roots and rhizomes. Therefore, when we prepare the potting soil for the snake plant, we can use 2/3 leaf mold plus 1/3 garden soil; the potting soil mixed this way will be loose and breathable, laying the groundwork for the snake plant to fill its pot and grow further in height.
2. Temperature
The snake plant also has high requirements for temperature. The temperature most suitable for the snake plant's growth is 20-30°C. In winter, the lowest temperature must not be below 10°C. Therefore, flower lovers in the north should pay attention to controlling the temperature for the snake plant.
3. Sunlight
As a light-loving plant, the snake plant needs long exposure to sunlight. Therefore, we had best place the snake plant somewhere it can be exposed to sunlight for a long time. If the balcony faces north or conditions are limited, then place the snake plant as close to the sunlight as possible, because leaving the snake plant in a dark environment for a long time will cause its leaves to turn yellow.
4. Fertilizing
During the snake plant's growing period, it very much needs fertilizing to supplement nutrients, but apart from the growing period, there is no need to concern yourself with fertilizing the snake plant at other times. In addition, the snake plant does not have very high requirements for fertilizer; during the growing period, watering it once every 10-15 days with dilute thin cake fertilizer water is enough.
5. Watering
When watering the snake plant, grasp the principle of preferring dryness over moisture; usually use clean water to wipe dust from its leaf surfaces and keep the snake plant's leaves clean. In spring, when new plants sprout from the snake plant's rhizomes, we should water it a bit more to keep the potting soil moist, and the same goes for summer. But after late autumn, we should control the amount of watering and let the potting soil stay relatively dry, thereby enhancing the snake plant's cold resistance.
6. Repotting
As a perennial plant, the snake plant needs us to repot it once every two years. Because when repotting, we also add new soil and nutrients to the pot, thereby providing the snake plant with the nutrition needed for growth and laying the groundwork for it to grow further in height.
2. What causes the snake plant's leaves to turn yellow and soft?
1. Overwatering
If you water too much, the snake plant's leaves will also become soft, and their color will look very dull. In winter, friends should stop watering the snake plant; frequently replenishing moisture will only increase the burden on the plant and, in serious cases, cause some problems with the root system. In addition, incorrect watering methods will cause some spots to appear on the leaves and, in serious cases, make the leaves soft. Friends should not water the plant at noon, and water must not splash onto the leaves.
2. Excessive light
If the color at the tips of the snake plant's leaves becomes lighter and they gradually bend down, it means the light is too strong. In summer, the light is relatively strong, and the leaves become soft because they lose more water through evaporation. Friends should appropriately shade the snake plant; as long as the snake plant is placed in a semi-shaded environment, the plant will soon recover its health.
3. Disease attack
When the snake plant is infected with soft rot, some spots will also appear from the base of the leaves, and if not treated in time, the entire leaf will become limp and soft. Friends need to promptly place the plant in a ventilated environment; this can reduce the chance of illness, thereby allowing the snake plant's growth to return to normal.