How to Trim a Snake Plant: Step-By-Step Guide 

Hey folks! Welcome back!

I hope you are doing wonders in your gardening field. So, today I am here with another informative guide for you. You might have heard of the snake plant before as I have described about them in my previous articles. Snake plants are also called Mother-in-law’s tongue and are one of the famous plants that are grown by every farmer in their home garden. 

It is one of the low-maintenance plants that tend to provide you with air-purifying benefits. it tends to produce upright leaves in the plant in the green shade with variegated edges. So if you’re looking to grow this plant in your home garden then you are doing great but with the growing of this plant, you need to know how to maintain the growth of the plant. For that, you should know how to trim a snake plant. 

Trimming a snake plant is very important as it helps in various fields. So let’s get started to know how to trim a snake plant in detail.

Common Name	Snake plant, mother-in-law plant, mother-in-law’s tongue
Botanical Name	Dracaena trifasciata
Family	Asparagaceae
Plant Type	Evergreen perennial is typically grown as a houseplant
Mature Size	6 inches to 12 feet tall, typically 2 feet tall when grown as a houseplant
Sun Exposure	Sun to part shade
Soil Type	Sandy, well-drained
Soil pH	Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline
Bloom Time	Spring
Flower Color	White
Hardiness Zones	9–11 (USDA)
Native Area	West Africa
Toxicity	Toxic to cats and dogs

Why do you need to trim a snake plant? 

Snake plants are considered hardy plants that are notorious and grow slowly with time. This variety requires to be pruned at any time of the year. It does not demand much pruning. 

You can prune the plant so that new growth emerges in the plant after pruning. It is best suggested to trim off the plant when the plant is growing actively in its season, especially at the time of spring or early summer.

You should know that trimming will put the plant under some stress so take care of your snake plant by increasing its maintenance. For the plant’s recovery, trim off its dead and damaged leaves.

How Often Do I Need To Prune My Snake Plant? 

You don’t have to prune off the plant more than 1/3rd of the plant. So, it suggested to prune off the snake plant after every 2 to 3 years. This plant will not grow quickly in your home garden, it will rely on the conditions you are providing to your plant. 

Some gardeners will grow the snake plants in low sunlight when they plant them indoors, which will not stimulate growth in the plant. There is no general thumb rule to know how often to prune the snake plant. So, to increase the potential of the plant, you can repot the plant in the larger pot. 

2 Reasons Why You Should Prune a Snake Plant

As I mentioned above, this plant does not require much pruning. But there are several reasons why you should prone your snake plant. 

Some of them may be beneficial for you and some may not so below are the main two reasons to know why you should grow your snake plant. They are as follows:

For Aesthetic Purposes

• It is one of the reasons that your plant requires to be pruned.
• It will help in maintaining the appearance and overall look of your snake plant.
• As you know with time, the leaves in the plant become leggy so trimming is suggested to maintain a uniform size and shape in the plant.
• Occasional pruning of your plant will help encourage more growth to the plant by developing new foliage in the plant. 

Removal of Dead and Decayed Leaves 

Another main reason behind the pruning of the snake plant is the removal of dead and decayed leaves from the plant. Poor practices in the plant lead to the cause of damned and decayed leaves in the plant. Some of those reasons are: 

Overwatering

It is one of the reasons behind the damaged leaves. This plant needs less water as compared to other plants. This plant is sensitive to the oversupply of water. 

It will cause yellow-colored leaves in the plant if you overwater the plant. So, you have to Repot the plant in such a condition so that the plant overcomes the root rot. 

Underwatering

Underwatering is another reason why your plant develops damaged leaves your plant is draw tolerant but also it requires less water to grow. You will observe the yellow and brown edges in the leaves if the plant is not receiving sufficient water.

Physical damage

Physical damage is another cause behind the damaged leaves in the plant. If you do not handle the plant with care, then the leaves will be bruised especially at the time of repotting the plant.  

Intense sunlight

Snake plants will grow best in the bright indirect sunlight. But if you provide them with too much sunlight, then it will cause damage to the leaves by causing sunburn.

So it is suggested to remove all the damaged leaves from the plant so that your plant looks best. You have to provide proper watering to the plant. Also, ensure that the plant is receiving sufficient sunlight which will help in improving the health and appearance of your plant. 

How To Trim a Snake Plant Leaves? 

The leaves of the snake plant need to be cut from the base of the plant. It will help in encouraging more growth in the plant by stimulating healthy and new leaves in the plant.

So, it is suggested to cut off the leaves of the plant with the help of sterilized and sharp tools. Wounds can be caused in the plant if you use rough cuts which causes infection in the plant. 

But the clean cuts will help in promoting healing as it will help in forming a callus. Before are the points to follow: 

• First, choose the leaf you have to remove. 
• Hold the leaf from its tip, then you have to pull it upwards slowly.
• Use sharp and sterilized scissors or a knife. 
• Then you have to cut off the leaf from the soil line in a single cut. 
• Then, dispose of all the dead and decayed leaves from the plant. 
• Last but not least, you have to sanitize the cutting tools. 

What Are the Essential Tools for Pruning Snake Plants?

Do you know about the essential tools for pruning snake plants? You should know that the snake plant does not require many tools to trim off. All you need is the right sharp knife or scissors for pruning your snake plants. 

If the blade is sharp, then it will help in cleaning the cuts and make your work easier. So, it is suggested that you have to sharpen the tools. 

Also, keep in mind that you are sanitizing the tools before using them. You have to wash off the tool in soapy and lukewarm water as it is the best one for your tools. Otherwise, you can wipe off those tools or blades with rubbing alcohol.  

Wrapping up the context 

In this guide, you come to know that Snake plants are also called Mother-in-law’s tongues and are one of the famous plants that are grown by every farmer in their home garden. It is one of the low-maintenance plants that tend to provide you with air purifying benefits. It tends to produce upright leaves in the plant in the green shade with variegated edges. 

So if you’re looking to grow this plant in your home garden then you are doing great but with the growing of this plant, you need to know how to maintain the growth of the plant. For that, you should know how to trim a snake plant. I hope you are clear with the guide. 

Thanks for reading! Happy Gardening! 

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