The snake plant, also known as Sansevieria, Saint George’s sword, and mother-in-law’s tongue, is a popular indoor houseplant famous for its hardiness and low maintenance. One crucial factor influencing its growth and health is the humidity levels within its environment. Sansevieria humidity needs to be carefully regulated, as these plants are native to arid regions of West Africa, where they have adapted to low moisture levels.
Insufficient humidity can lead to dry leaves and hinder growth, so it is very important to keep a balance by providing adequate humidity while preventing too much moisture for the plant. Snake plants can tolerate different humidity levels; they generally prefer a moderate to low humidity environment with an ideal level of 40-50% humidity. To provide this level of humidity, you can use a humidifier, pebble tray, or spray water on the plant’s leaves.
In this article provided by theHplants team, we will look into one of the most important factors in snake plant care: humidity. Monitoring and adjusting Snake plant humidity levels in accordance with the keeping environment and the temperature is fundamental for guaranteeing the thriving of your lovely plant and preventing any problems that can occur due to improper humidity levels.
What is humidity?
First thing first, let me clarify it to you. Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air of the plant’s environment; the higher the amount of water vapor in the air, the more humid the air is. Humidity plays a crucial role in the overall health and growth of plants. Humidity levels are commonly expressed as a percentage of the maximum amount of moisture the air can retain at a specific temperature. Higher percentages indicate more moisture in the air.
The amount of humidity impacts plants’ capacity to release moisture through their leaves and absorb water through their roots, commonly known as transpiration and osmosis. Certain plants are suited to high-humidity conditions, while others do well in lower-humidity conditions. For plants to grow to their full potential and be healthy, indoor and outdoor plants need certain humidity levels.
Humidity at the Natural Habitat of Snake Plants
The natural habitat of snake plants, which are found in the dry areas of Africa, has humidity levels that usually vary from 30% to 50%. These areas frequently have arid climates with little rainfall and, therefore, little atmospheric moisture, which leads to low humidity levels. As a result of this, snake plants have adapted to live in areas with low to moderate humidity.
They can live and thrive in these dry conditions because of their natural adaptations, which include storing water in their thick leaves and reducing water loss through transpiration. As a result, snake plants are common houseplant options since they grow well inside in conditions with similar humidity levels.
How much humidity does a snake plant need?
Generally, at a temperature of 65-to-75 degrees Fahrenheit, the snake plant needs 40-50% humidity. As the temperature gets higher, you should increase the humidity level, too; otherwise, leaves will wilt, and other problems, such as brown leaf tips and reduced transpiration, will happen.
On the other hand, when the humidity level is too high and the temperature is a bit low, the plant’s soil will always be moist; therefore, problems like root rot and fungal diseases will appear. So, always try to keep the temperature and humidity level in balance.
How does humidity affect snake plants?
We have discussed how resistant and diehard snake plants are and how they can adapt to different situations. But, when the light and temperature are too much, and the humidity is too low, snake plants will use interstitial water from the leaves to provide the needed water. This water evaporation will gradually weaken your plant. Besides that, if the environment’s humidity level is too high and the room’s airflow is too low, snake plants will gradually face fungal disease and eventually death. So, both too much and too low humidity can hurt your plants.
Signs of humidity deficiency in snake plants?
The following signs indicate that the Sansevieria is not getting enough humidity. Some of these signs are common to overwatering and underwatering.
- Wilting leaves
- Yellow leaves (this can happen due to improper watering and root rot as well)
- Browning of the edge of the leaves
- Drooping or curling leaves
In addition to the above-mentioned signs, If the humidity level is high, the plant will not transpire well, which will stop its growth.
Sansevieria humidity: how to measure the room’s humidity level
Before discussing how to provide humidity, let’s talk about measuring the room’s humidity level.
- Hygrometers
- use ice and glass.
The best and most basic method is to use humidity measuring devices or Hygrometers. Another way is to use ice and glass. All you have to do is put some ice in the glass and put it in the place where you keep your plants. If the outer part is covered with drops of water, the place’s humidity is relatively good, but if this does not happen, the air is dry. Also, you can recognize the humidity deficiency by examining the plants and checking the signs we mentioned. There are various methods to provide humidity for snake plants and other houseplants that you can perform at home. In the following, we will elaborate on these methods.
Can spraying provide the required snake plant humidity?
Yes, but you should note that if the spraying is not done correctly and at the right time, it will cause spots on the plant’s leaves. To spray, you should use purified water or cooled boiled water. Set the spray to its smallest setting and spray water on the plant leaves from a distance of 30 to 40 cm. Don’t forget that you should never spray during noon or when the plant is exposed to direct sunlight. Otherwise, your plant will face disease and spots on the leaves.
What devices can we use to provide snake plants’ humidity?
The best way to provide snake plant humidity is to use a cool-mist humidifier, which will provide enough humidity and will not damage the plant. We recommend not to use a warm-mist humidifier at all. In the following, we talk about some methods for making humidity for snake plant:
1-creating an island
Indeed. Creating an island can provide the humidity for snake plant. For this purpose, use a giant saucer and fill it with gravel and wood, then put the pot on it and fill the saucer with water so that the water does not touch the bottom of the pot. Over time the water will evaporate and provide the humidity that the snake plant needs.
2-Put a water bowl between the plants.
Another way to provide Sansevieria humidity is to put a water bowl near the snake plant’s pot so that the water’s evaporation will provide the needed humidity.
3-Put the snake plant in the bathroom.
This method is not highly recommended unless your bathroom and toilet have good ventilation and light; this way, the humidity required by the plant will be well supplied.
- How can we prevent the reduction of the needed humidity for the snake plant?
- Never put your snake plant in place with too much and direct light
- Do not overwater or underwater snake plant (both of them will destroy the root and low water transfer to the leaves)
- Do not keep the temperature higher than 75°F
Watering Practices and Humidity
Watering has a direct impact on plant humidity, particularly indoors. Watering your plants adds moisture to the soil, which, through a process known as transpiration, evaporates into the surrounding air. The air around the plant becomes more humid due to this evaporation, temporarily raising the humidity levels in the area. However, a number of factors, such as the room’s size, ventilation, and rate of evaporation, will affect the total humidity levels in the space.
How do you know if a snake plant is thirsty?
It is possible to tell if a snake plant is thirsty by looking for specific visual cues and measuring the degree of moisture in the soil. The way the plant’s leaves look is one clue. A snake plant’s leaves may droop or wrinkle slightly when it gets thirsty. In addition, the leaves’ characteristic bright green color may seem faded or discolored. Checking the soil moisture level is another method to determine how well-watered the plant is. Try sticking your finger an inch or two into the soil; if it feels dry, you should water it. To guarantee the health and well-being of the plant, it is imperative that you monitor the soil moisture levels on a regular basis and modify your watering schedule accordingly, rather than depending just on visual cues.
snake plant humidity in Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question “do snake plants need humidity?” and talked about snake plant humidity need and how to provide the needed humidity for snake plants. You should remember that high and low humidity can slow your plant’s growth. At a temperature of 65-to-75 degrees, the snake plant needs 40-50% humidity. To provide this humidity, you can create a pebble tray, use a cool-mist humidifier, put a water bowl near the snake plant’s pot, and spray water correctly. If you have any comments or experience about providing snake plant humidity, please share them with us.This article has been reviewed by Tibor Janda.
Is sansevieria humidity the same as snake plant?
Yes, it is the same; the Sansevieria plant and snake plant are both the same plant known by different names.