Can you Plant Snake Plants Outside in the Ground?

A fantastic plant called the snake plant! Some people call it Sansevieria or even mother-in-law’s tongue. It’s a tough and easy-to-care-for plant that’s perfect for inside your house.

The snake plant has long, straight leaves that look like swords. They have colors of green and yellow! Cool, right? 

But that’s not all – this plant is famous for cleaning the air and making it nice and fresh. So, if you want a cool and helpful plant friend, the snake plant is the way to go!

Can you plant snake plants outside in the ground? Yes, either in pots or right in the ground. 

But remember, snake plants like warm weather, so if you live in a place where it gets colder than 55 degrees Fahrenheit, you can give them some extra love to keep them happy and healthy.

Now, when you try growing snake plants outdoors, there are some important things to keep in mind. These things will help your snake plant grow and make your garden look amazing. Let’s find out what they are!

How To Grow A Snake Plant Outside

Now, when you want to grow a snake plant, there’s one tricky thing to remember: it doesn’t need much water. Yep, just a little bit will do!

But wait, there’s more! If you’re thinking of growing your snake plant outside, there are a few extra things to think about.

Let’s chat about the most crucial stuff you need to know. So, let’s get started!

Temperature

These cool plants come from West Africa, where it’s nice and warm.

Since they’re used to the heat, they love living outside where it’s warm, too. They’re tough and can handle temperatures from 55 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, which is a comfortable range for them.

But, here’s something interesting: when it gets colder, these plants get a bit fragile. If the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, they start to struggle and lose their energy fast. 

So, we need to keep them away from chilly conditions to keep them happy and healthy.

To make snake plants happy, we should recreate their warm and cozy home in West Africa. That means keeping them in a place that’s warm and comfy. When we do that, they’ll grow beautifully and show off their stunning leaves.

So, whether you have a tropical garden or a lovely outdoor space, adding snake plants will make it look even more charming with their elegant green leaves! Keep them warm, and they’ll be your green friends for a long time.

Light

They’re super tough and can grow in different types of light. They like bright and soft light 

best, but don’t worry, you can take them outside too!

Just be careful not to leave them in really strong sunlight for too long, or they might get thirsty. Also, avoid putting them in dark spots without any light, or their leaves might droop and fall off.

For the best growth, put your snake plant outside where it can get sunlight from the south or west. This way, it gets a mix of direct and soft light all day long, making it super happy and healthy! So, give your snake plant the right light, and it will thrive!

Water

Snake plants are pretty cool because they don’t need a lot of water to survive. Unlike many other plants, they do really well with just a little bit of water. So, the trick is to wait until the soil is completely dry before giving them a drink.

Now, how often you water them depends on how big the plant is and how humid it is outside. Sometimes, these tough plants can even go without water for two to six weeks. 

That means they can handle tough situations like champs!

If you’re planting snake plants outside, you need to think about where to put them. It’s best to keep them away from other plants that need more water. 

Or, you can plant them in a separate pot with other tropical plants that like the same amount of water. This way, the snake plant gets just the right amount of water it needs, and it won’t be bothered by other plants’ water needs.

Now, here’s a cool tip: You can tell if your snake plant needs water by looking at its leaves. If the leaves turn yellow or look droopy at the ends, that’s a sign it’s thirsty. 

So, water it right away to make it happy and healthy again.

Remember, snake plants are awesome because they’re super resilient, and they don’t need much water to stay green and thriving. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll be a pro at taking care of your snake plant!

Soil

When you plant them outside, you need to use soil that drains water well. See, snake plants don’t like sitting in soil that’s too wet. 

So, it’s important to use special pots like terracotta, porcelain, or ceramic ones. These pots help the roots breathe and stop the plant from getting too much water.

Remember to check if the pots have holes at the bottom for water to escape. This way, the plant won’t get sick from too much water, and its roots will stay healthy.

For an even healthier snake plant outside, you can use soil that’s made just for them and their succulent friends. This special soil has the right stuff to help the plants grow strong and happy.

So, with good soil, the right pots, and enough drainage, your snake plant will be superb in your garden or yard! Keep it happy, and it’ll keep making your space look amazing!

Re-potting

These plants grow slowly and don’t need new pots much.

If outside, with low light, they’re fine for five to ten years without new pots. But in bright light, they might need new pots in two to five years.

They like being crowded but are cool with room for roots to roam. Don’t worry if they get cozier in colder months – it’s normal and won’t stop their growth. So, give love to your snake plant and watch it thrive!

Outdoor Pests

Snake plants are tough and can handle pests pretty well outside. That’s good news! It means they’re a great choice for your outdoor garden.

But even tough plants need some care. To keep the pests away, you have to take care of the surrounding area. Keep it clean and tidy! This will stop those pesky bugs from making a home near your snake plants.

The two main pests that bother snake plants are mealybugs and spider mites. They can damage the plant and make it sick.

But don’t worry! If you spot these bugs, it’s time for action. You can use neem oil or rubbing alcohol on the leaves of the plant. This will fight off the pests and keep your snake plants healthy and happy.

So remember, if you want your snake plants to thrive outside, keep the area clean, and if pests show up, use some natural helpers to keep them away.

Preventing Evasive Snake Plant Roots

When you plant snake plants outside, you need to be careful because they can spread a lot. But don’t worry, we have some cool tricks to stop them!

First, you can use strong barriers around the snake plant. These barriers should go at least ten to twelve inches deep into the ground. They will keep the plant’s roots from spreading too far.

Another way is to use pots. Instead of putting the snake plant directly in the ground, we put it in a pot and then bury the pot in the ground. Remember, the pots should have holes at the bottom for water to go out. This way, we can control the plant’s growth and stop it from spreading too much.

Once in a while, it’s good to do a little maintenance task. Every two to three years, dig up the plant and divide it. It helps the plant stay a good size and only takes up a little space.

By doing these things, you can enjoy your snake plants in the garden without worrying about them taking over everything.

Steps To Divide Your Snake Plants

There are the following steps to divide your plant.

1. Remove The Plant From The Pot

First, put down some newspaper or a tarp to keep things tidy. 

Now, hold the plant’s leaves gently with one hand, and with the other hand, lift the pot. If it’s stuck, try squeezing the pot’s base or use a pencil to trace around the soil. Be careful not to hurt the roots.

Now, once the pot is off, you can put your plant in a bigger pot or plant it outside. Just make sure it gets enough sunlight and has good soil that drains well.

Remember, moving plants needs a gentle touch. Follow these steps, and your snake plant will be happy and healthy in its new home, growing strong and tall.

2. Slice The Pups

First, take the plant out of its pot and gently remove loose dirt. Look at the bottom of the plant, and you’ll see small pups with a white rhizome. These are the ones we’ll use to grow new snake plants!

Now, get a clean, sharp knife or some gardening scissors. Carefully cut the small pups from the leaves at the bottom. Make sure the cut is nice and neat to help them root better.

By doing this, you can make three to four pieces from one plant! Each piece should have some leaves and a bit of the rhizome. That’s like making new baby snake plants!

This “Slice The Pups” method is not only a great way to grow more snake plants, but it’s also super exciting. You get to see these pups grow and become healthy plants! It’s like watching your snake plant family grow bigger and more beautiful.

So, have fun trying out this technique, and soon you’ll have a bunch of lovely snake plants to decorate your home or garden. 

3. Prepare The New Pots

pick the right soil! Choose snake plant or cactus soil that has the good stuff for your plants and lets water flow well. Fill up the pots, but leave a little space at the top for watering later.

Now, time to move your snake plants to their new pots. Gently put each plant in its new home, making sure they feel comfy in there. Cover them up with a bit more soil to keep them safe and strong as they grow.

Press down the soil gently around the base of each plant. This helps their roots grow nice and strong and keeps them steady.

Remember to put the pots where your snake plants can soak up the right amount of sunlight. Sunlight helps them grow big and healthy.

The last thing, water your newly potted snake plants just enough but don’t go overboard. Let the soil dry slightly between watering to keep them happy and healthy.

Follow these steps, and your snake plants will be super happy in their new pots.

4. Add Water

Taking care of your plants is super important if you want them to be healthy and happy. One of the most crucial things you need to do is give them water. Yep, that’s right, water is like magic fuel for plants.

When you water your plants, you should do it gently, just a little bit. This makes the soil just a little damp, which is perfect for helping the plants grow big and strong. You see, plants have roots that soak up nutrients from the soil, and the water helps them do that.

Now, after you’ve watered your plants, it’s time to find a good spot for them to hang out. You should put them in a place with some light but not too much. If you have a window facing north, you can keep them about four feet away from it. 

That way, they’ll get just the right amount of sunlight without feeling stressed.

Remember, it’s all about finding the right balance for your plant buddies. 

Now, let’s talk about watering routines. You need to give your plants the perfect amount of water, not too much and not too little. Too much water can hurt the roots, and too little water can make the plants sad and weak.

So, how do you know when to water? Well, keep an eye on the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. If it’s still a bit damp, you can wait a little longer. 

By being a good plant parent and watering just right, you’ll help your plants thrive and be the happiest plants around.

Things To Avoid When Growing Snake Plants Outdoors

There are the following things that you should avoid while growing plants outside.

Misting The Leaves On Hot Days

Let me tell you about snake plants and why you don’t need to mist their leaves. Snake plants are cool because they already have enough water in their leaves, even on hot days. 

Mistreating means spraying water on the leaves, but it’s not a good idea for snake plants. Too much misting can cause problems with fungus on their leaves, and we don’t want that! We want our snake plants to be healthy and happy.

Do you know what’s awesome? Snake plants are from places that don’t get a lot of water, so they’re used to it. They’re like experts in dealing with droughts! So, they can take care of themselves when it comes to water.

If you see your snake plant looking a bit dry, don’t worry! Instead of misting, just give it some water at the roots, where the soil is. That’s the best way to help it stay strong and thriving.

Remember, my little green thumbs, your snake plant is a tough cookie, and it knows how to handle water all by itself. So, let it be and watch it grow big and healthy.

Cold Temperatures

If you live in places where it gets cold, taking care of snake plants outside needs a bit of caution. If you don’t protect them from the cold, they might not grow well. So, let’s make a plan to keep them happy.

If you love having snake plants outdoors, but the temperature goes below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, here’s a cool idea for you: use a small greenhouse! 

It’s like a magical shield that keeps your plants safe from the chilly weather. Inside the greenhouse, it stays warm and cozy, just what the snake plants need to grow healthy and strong.

Remember, snake plants like it warm, and they don’t like sudden blasts of cold. So, in cold regions, it’s super important to keep the temperature just right. We want them to adapt and thrive, right?

Here’s another secret: keep an eye on the moisture levels! Cold weather can bring frost, which can hurt the delicate leaves of the plant.

But if we’re careful and keep the moisture under control, and give them good insulation, the risk of damage is way less. And that means our snake plants will be happy campers in the chilly regions!

So, my young plant enthusiasts, if you want your snake plants to be the happiest ever, make sure they have a nice warm place, and don’t forget to check the moisture levels. 

Ignoring Pests

Snake plants are tough and don’t easily let pests bother them. But, things can change if they live outside close to other plants. If those nearby plants have pests, they might pass them to the snake plant too.

To keep your snake plant healthy and happy, you need to be on the lookout. As soon as you see any pests, it’s time to act fast! Get rid of those pests quickly before they cause trouble for your beloved plant.

Watching over your snake plant is essential. If pests come along, you can save your plant from harm if you act fast. Regularly check your plant and take care of any pests you find. This way, your snake plant will stay beautiful and thrive outside. 

Remember, catching the problem early and acting swiftly is the secret to keeping your plant pest-resistant.

Conclusion

In short, snake plants prove to be excellent choices for low-maintenance gardening enthusiasts. Their ease of care makes them an ideal option for both indoor and outdoor cultivation. Speaking of which, you can certainly grow snake plants outdoors with great success. 

However, there’s a vital factor to consider: temperature. To ensure optimal growth, keep the temperature in the range of 55 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit on average. 

FAQs

Can you plant snake plants outside in the ground?

Yes, you can! Snake plants can grow outdoors in the ground.

Do snake plants do well outside in the ground?

Yes, they do! Snake plants thrive when planted in the ground outdoors.

Should I protect snake plants from extreme weather when planted outside?

Yes, it’s a good idea to shield them from harsh weather conditions for their best growth.