Do snake plants do well in low light? [Yes, But It’s Not Ideal] –ISBUZZLE

While you’ve probably heard that snake plants do well in low light conditions and that’s true, it’s definitely not ideal for the plant to grow in low light conditions.

Snake plants thrive in bright, indirect light, as discussed in my article on light requirements for snake plants to grow consistently and look their best.

So if you’re considering growing your Sansevieria in a low-light environment, consider some of the disadvantages of low-light conditions and decide if it’s worth it for you.

Snake Plant Growth Problems in Low Light Conditions

Since snake plants need lots of bright light to really thrive, you may cause problems with the plant if they are grown in low or very low light conditions.

While it’s not the end of the world if your mother-in-law’s tongue doesn’t get enough light each day, as it can survive low-light conditions, here are some issues that can arise.

loss of color

When a snake plant does not receive enough light, chlorosis, a loss of essential chlorophyll needed for photosynthesis, can occur.

This can lead to yellowing of the leaves or general paleness of the foliage if there is chlorosis, preventing your Sansevieria from taking on its natural, luscious color.

If you’re ever concerned about yellowing leaves now or in the future, read my article on yellowing snake plant to learn more about other causes and what to do about it.

hanging leaves

Another problem that can be caused by growing in low light conditions is that your snake plant can topple, which means it topples over, tips over, or bends.

Although droopy leaves are often a sign of improper watering, such as overwatering or excessive drought, it can certainly happen if there isn’t enough light to sustain it.

long-legged growth

If there isn’t enough light, you can often find leggy growth, which means your snake plant will stretch out or have long, skinny growth.

It will also extend to the nearest light source it can find or the direction in which it last received light.

Pro tip: If this happens, rotate a quarter turn once a week so that your Sansevieria gets even light from all sides instead of overlooking whole parts of the plant.

understory growth

Although low light on snake plants can cause poor leg growth, it can also cause stunted growth or loss of new growth in general.

Basically snake plants need lots of light to keep growing optimally and little light is not enough if you want the best plant possible.

slower emptying

The less light a snake plant receives, the slower the soil will drain, which can make it much easier to end up with an overwatered Sansevieria.

Light and heat go hand in hand and if there is not enough of both, the soil will simply drain more slowly than it would under optimal lighting conditions.

This can become a big problem later, as snake plants are drought tolerant and need quick drainage to prevent overwatering and root rot.

Even less chance of flowering

While some snake species will never flower, low light conditions will further reduce the already low chance of flowering.

If you don’t want your snake plant to flower, a lower light level may be beneficial in this case.

That said, you will still need to worry about the other potential issues listed above.

Can a snake plant live in a dark room?

If you were wondering if a snake plant can live in a dark room, the answer is yes, but now you know it won’t be the ideal living space.

If you plan to do this, it is recommended to do it temporarily to reduce the number of problems and then bring more light.

Can a snake plant live in a windowless room?

It’s certainly possible for a snake plant to live in a windowless room, but will it really thrive without that light source?

Your snake plant will survive in a windowless room, but it won’t grow optimally unless you supplement the non-existent light with an indoor grow light.

Do whatever it takes to give your Sansevieria much-needed light so it can reach its full potential!