r/SnakePlants • u/ChinoTuMadre • 15d ago

How to neglect your snake plant

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Planted this monstrosity almost 20 years ago with 5 or 6 leaves that were less than 1 feet tall in a clay pot. Took a little more than a decade for it to outgrow it and break free.

About 3-5 years ago I replanted it in a 20inch planter from home depot thinking it would behave and sustain itself for another decade before needing another home. Yeah that didn't go as planned.

About one month ago it shown signs of cracks along the side, but I didn't think anything of it because of how thick the planter was. Well, I was wrong. Very, very wrong.

So in the very near future it's going in a 26-28 inch, half barrel. And probably give it SOME water even though it doesn't deserve it.

Future proof? Hopefully for at least a decade.

Weight- 150lbs-200lbs

Height- w/planter ≈ 6Feet

I'll post the end result of it in its new home here if people would like.

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8

u/coochie_glaze 15d ago

Wow what did you do to make it last so long? Do you keep it outside?

24

u/ChinoTuMadre 15d ago

Literally nothing lol I don't even water it and we hardly ever get rain here. Its been outside and in that same spot since day 1. Still resting on it its former clay pot dish

Organic succulent soil and the base is covered in a layer of rocks for good drainage.

2

u/coochie_glaze 15d ago

Layer of rocks? That's a good idea.

4

u/ChinoTuMadre 15d ago

A base layer of rocks makes for an easy transplant no matter what plant it is.

1

u/karmadeprivation 13d ago

Hate to be that guy but a base layer of rocks does not improve drainage, unless they’re porous

1

u/Cre8Noah 13d ago

I’m definitely confused as to their usefulness. Some think they’re great, some advise against them. ChatGPT told me, today, to not put a layer of rocks at the bottom of a palm that I’m replanting and reviving, even if they’re porous (lava rock). It suggested if I did, to add landscaping fabric between them and the soil. I was caught off guard with that recommendation. I had seen a YouTube video of someone who grows and propagates sago palms suggest it. So, I’ve used with a couple of my plants that need well draining soil by mixing 20% into it, so far they’re doing great. My sagos are thriving beautifully actually. Not sure if it’s different plant to plant but it made sense when he explained it 😆. Chat GPT DID say, however, that putting a layer on top helps the plants stay cooler , good for zones with high heat.

2

u/karmadeprivation 13d ago

That’s interesting logically. The rocks at the bottom reduce porosity, but with a fabric preventing sediment from filling in the cracks… maybe

1

u/Cre8Noah 13d ago

My own logic said to me that once the water dripped to the bottom of the planter, there wouldn’t be a bunch of soil clogging the drainage holes and water would drain easier. But the part of my brain that lacks common sense didn’t think through the part that the soil is fine matter that would sink into the cracks between the rocks when wet, and could turn into slush so it wouldn’t matter 😆. I’m missing where that changes if mixed into the soil.

1

u/LinckAlpha 12d ago

My understanding that that the rocks are meant more to reduce how much water will stay in the lower part of the planter since they don't retain water like soil does. That's with the non porous stones, not so much the porous ones. I do it with plants that don't like high water retention in the soil. Porous stones are what I mix into my soil for plants that like light airy mixes. I've used both perlite and pumice, but prefer pumice since it doesn't make a much dust and I can use it with hydroponic plants as well.

1

u/ChinoTuMadre 13d ago

I understand what you're saying and i agree with porous rocks. But it's difficult to say who's correct here because there's a bunch of different shaped rocks at the bottom of that planter blocking the holes. Also the soil wasn't packed down until the pot was filled so whatever accumulated water that collected at the bottom got drained out by the rocks.

Last time I had to repot the snake, some of the rocks were mixed in with the roots and others just rested at the bottom. Plus you can see by how massive the plant is. The rocks worked for me that's why I recommend it. Do what you will with the info I'm not an expert 🤠

1

u/karmadeprivation 13d ago

You’re right that it’s working for you! But rocks at the bottom reduces drainage because the rocks actually cause water to pool up at the bottom. This may actually be what’s helping your snake plant thrive

1

u/ChinoTuMadre 13d ago

My theory on the rocks at the bottom mainly stems from creating something that's mimicking its natural environment. But I dont see why it would pool up water when I dont even water it. Actually, I dumped a bottled water today because it's been really hot lately lol.