Do snake plants need drainage holes? [No, But You Should] –ISBUZZLE

Snake plants, also known as Sansevieria or Tongue, are one of the easiest houseplants to care for, as they are hardy, beginner-friendly plants.

However, one of the main weaknesses they have is that they cannot tolerate overwatering, as it is a drought tolerant plant that is very susceptible to root rot.

Do snake plants need drainage holes?

The short answer is that snake plants don’t need drainage holes, but they do need good drainage to not only survive, but also to thrive.

Not using drainage holes in your container can lead to standing water which snake plants are not a fan of, as they can easily become soggy and rot.

Having drainage holes makes drainage much easier to achieve, so it is recommended to always have them in a pot or container.

You don’t want anything but the best for your plants, do you?

Here too.

Problems due to lack of drainage holes

If you decide to grow your snake plant without using drainage holes, you may encounter several problems that stem from poor drainage in general.

Here are some things that can happen if not used.

Backwater

By not using drainage holes in a container, every time you water your snake plant, the water will have nowhere to go but either evaporates or is consumed by the roots.

This is a problem because snake plants can only store a limited amount of water in the leaves and if there is water all the time, the roots will be oxygen starved and ineffective.

hanging leaves

One of the first things you’ll notice if there isn’t good drainage is that your snake plant will droop, aka sag or bend.

This is not only a sign that your snake plant is getting too much water, but it also ruins the aesthetic that snake plants are known to provide when properly cared for.

Keep in mind that poor drainage isn’t the only cause of droopy snake plant, but it’s one of the most common and something you can definitely expect your Sansevieria to do if it does not have good drainage.

Check out my article on droopy snake plants for other common causes.

brown leaf tips

Brown leaf tips on a snake plant are often caused by too much water and a lack of drainage holes – just ask.

Even if you don’t feel like you’re watering that much, if your snake plant doesn’t have proper drainage, it can easily overwater and develop brown leaf tips.

Usually, with overwatering, the leaves will also be limp and brown versus crunchy and brown, which is a sign of being under water.

Read about other causes in my article on brown tips of snake plants.

yellow leaves

If overwatering or poor drainage persists long enough, you can expect yellow leaves on a snake plant.

This is because the roots become ineffective in supplying water and nutrients to the entire plant, as the constant standing water robs them of oxygen.

When the leaves of a snake plant begin to turn yellow due to poor drainage and overwatering, it’s a sign that you need to rectify the cause as soon as possible before things get worse.

Find out other reasons why your snake plant is turning yellow.

rotten root

Root rot is actually game over for snake plants that haven’t been properly drained for a while.

You really don’t want this to happen because root rot is not only annoying, but it can and will kill your snake plant if left untreated.

Some of the signs to look out for if you suspect root rot may include the following.

• soft leaves
• water that does not flow
• understory growth
• Bad smell emanating from the base of the plant (rotten roots)
• If you check the roots, they are dark, mushy or crumble easily

If you want to know how to treat root rot for future reference, read my article on root rot in snakes to learn what to do to save your plant from snakes.

How to grow without drainage holes

As you can see, not using drainage holes in your Snake plant container can be a recipe for disaster.

That being said, it is entirely possible to grow your Sansevieria in a container without drainage holes, you just need to add a few things to make it work properly.

Although I recommend using weep holes when growing snake plants, here are some steps to ensure good drainage without using weep holes.

1. Use well-drained soil

The most important thing to remember when picking up soil for snake plants is that it should naturally drain well.

You can use succulent soil, cactus soil, or even a combination of these to provide the best drainage possible.

All it takes to give good drainage is what it takes.

2. Add a layer of pebbles

If you find that your soil doesn’t drain very well without drainage holes, you can add a layer of pebbles or gravel to the bottom of the container under the soil.

This allows the water to go somewhere instead of always staying in the ground and hitting the roots.

You can almost think of this layer as weep holes without having to use weep holes because it will work just as well as the first because the soil won’t be constantly wet.

Very important

3. Water well

Because snake plants are drought tolerant, they can go a while without water compared to some plants.

This can be once a week or just once a month, depending on various factors such as soil type, current season, temperature, drainage, etc.

The most important thing to remember is to water only when the soil is dry.

It is certainly safer to lean more towards the water than to overwater, as it is an easier solution.

For a more detailed guide to watering, check out my article on how to water a snake plant.

to block

So, regarding the question, do snake plants need drainage holes?

The answer is no, but they could certainly benefit from it unless other measures are taken to ensure adequate drainage.

As always, I hope I’ve helped you learn something today, and thank you for taking the time to read this.

So have fun and continue to provide excellent snake plant care so they can thrive for many years to come.