Introduction
Snake plants, otherwise known as Sansevieria, are a genus of perennial plants that are native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Madagascar. Although many think of the plant as a succulent, it is actually a member of the Asparagaceae family. In their natural habitat, these plants grow in dry, rocky conditions. In these conditions, the plants have adapted to thrive with minimal water. In addition to being drought-tolerant, the plants have a high resistance to various environmental stressors including low light, air pollution, and extreme temperatures. Let’s take a look at the ideal humidity for a snake plant.
What is humidity?
Humidity is the measure of water vapor in the air. It is usually expressed as a percentage, meaning the number of grams of water vapor per kilogram of air. Other percentage humidity can be expressed as absolute humidity, specific humidity, or relative humidity.
Low humidity, meaning less than 30% humidity, can cause adverse effects such as respiratory problems, dry skin, and cracked lips. On the other hand, high humidity, meaning more than 60% humidity, can cause problems such as mold, fungus, and bacteria. The ideal humidity for a snake plant is 50-70%. This range will provide your snake plant with the necessary amount of water to stay healthy, without causing it to suffer from the adverse effects of high or low humidity.
Ideal humidity for snake plant
The optimal humidity for keeping a snake plant healthy and thriving is between 50-70%. Anything outside of that range can cause the plant to show signs of distress.This means that you should aim to keep the humidity level in your home within that range. If the humidity levels are too low, the leaves will start to droop and the plant will not be able to photosynthesize as effectively. On the other hand, if the humidity levels are too high, the leaves will start to yellow and the plant will be susceptible to mold and rot. If you live in a dry climate, you may need to invest in a humidifier to keep your snake plant happy and healthy. On the other hand, if you live in a humid climate, you may need to mist your snake plant a few times a week to keep the humidity levels in the ideal range.
How to tell if humidity is right for snake plant
So, how do you know if your snake plant is receiving the right amount of humidity? One way to check is to look at the leaves. If they’re starting to turn pale or yellow, that means the humidity is too low.
As with most plants, the humidity requirements for snake plants vary depending on the environment. In general, though, a humidity level between 50 and 70 percent is ideal.To test if your humidity levels are correct, place a hygrometer in your plant’s vicinity. If the humidity is too low, you can use a humidifier to increase the moisture in the air. If the humidity is too high, you can use a dehumidifier to reduce it.
One easy way to increase humidity is to place the pot on a tray of wet pebbles. You can also run a humidifier in the room or mist the plant regularly. If you live in a dry climate, make sure to give your snake plant plenty of water to compensate.
Effects of too much humidity on snake plant
Too much humidity can be just as bad for your snake plant as too little humidity. When the air is too moist, your plant is more susceptible to fungal diseases and rot. You might start to see signs of moisture damage such as brown spots or soft, mushy areas. To avoid these problems, try to keep the humidity level in your home between 50 and 70 percent. You can use a hygrometer to measure the humidity or check the weather forecast to get a general idea of what the humidity is like outside.
Effects of too little humidity on snake plant
If the humidity level falls below 30%, the leaves of your snake plant will start to turn yellow and brown. The plant will also stop growing and its leaves will start to shrivel. In extreme cases, the leaves may drop off the plant altogether. You might even start to see spider mites, which are tiny pests that can suck the sap from your plant’s leaves. So, it’s important to aim for a humidity level of between 50% and 60% if you want your snake plant to look its best. You can increase the humidity level in your home by using a humidifier, or you can place your plant in a location where it’s likely to be exposed to more moisture in the air, such as near a kitchen or bathroom.
Conclusion
Your snake plant is very hardy, but it does need to be in the right humidity. The best humidity for your snake plant falls between 30-40%. If you notice that your leaves are falling off or there are brown spots on the leaves of your snake plant, then the humidity might be too low. On the other hand, if you notice black spots on some areas of the soil where it’s wet all over and this condition persists for a long time, chances are high that there is excess moisture around which can cause root rot.
You might not think that your home’s humidity level has a huge impact on your plants, but it can actually make a big difference. If you’re noticing that your snake plant is starting to look a bit worse for wear, take a look at your humidity levels and see if you can make some adjustments.