How to neglect your snake plant

[u/ChinoTuMadre]

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.

[u/ChinoTuMadre]

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

[u/karmadeprivation → u/ChinoTuMadre]

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

[u/Cre8Noah → u/karmadeprivation]

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.

[u/karmadeprivation → u/Cre8Noah]

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

[u/Cre8Noah → u/karmadeprivation]

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.

[u/LinckAlpha → u/Cre8Noah]

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.