Do Snake Plants Need Drainage Holes?

In case you're looking for a plant that is good-looking and easy to care for, the snake plant represents a great choice. 

Part of the Dracaena family, by its scientific name Dracaena trifasciata, this plant is originally from the West of Africa and can quickly adapt as an indoor plant. But there is one question that keeps coming up when you think about the snake plants.

And that is - "Do all snake plants need drainage holes?"

In today's guide, let's try and understand the secret behind the drainage holes for snake plants. 

Do Snake Plants Need Drainage Holes? - Here's The Truth

Snake plants are among the very few plants that do not need drainage holes in the pot. Still, if possible, you should consider making at least one hole at the bottom of your pot.

Apart from potting soil mix, the snake plants can also be grown directly in water.

If you want to embrace this method, you need to be careful to change the water periodically, not allowing microorganisms and mold to develop in the growing environment of the plant. You should also fertilize the plant adequately. 

So, do snake plants need draining holes? 

Well, not necessarily! You can quickly grow snake plants in any pot. Just water the plant with caution and allow the soil in the pot to dry almost completely before watering your plant again.

As for other common houseplants, drainage holes are recommended in potted plants because they help excess water drain away from the plant's roots. Although all plants require water to grow and thrive, too much water can affect the plant and even cause it to wither. 

How Does No Drainage Hole Affect Snake Plant's Growth?

The most significant risk when having no drainage hole in a pot is overwatering. If you give plants a bit too much water, it will pool in the pot, as the plant won't be able to use it all. Too much water and moisture can lead to root rot. 

Snake plants are more resilient and don't require drainage holes to thrive. You can easily grow a snake plant indoors by simply offering it a pot with a proper potting soil mixture. 

Offering it water and fertilizer periodically will help it grow well and maintain its beautiful green color. So, no draining hole in the pot won't affect the growth of a snake plant. However, excess watering might negatively impact its development. 

If you grow a snake plant in a pot without a drainage hole, water it with caution. Also, if the pot has one or more drainage holes, it is possible to water the plant from the bottom of the pot by pouring water into the recipient under the pot. It will encourage the plant to grow strong roots, capable of supporting the weight of large, lush leaves at the top.

Tips To Grow Snake Plants In No Drainage Hole Pots

Most pots have at least one drainage hole. But if you prefer a ceramic pot, these might not have any drainage holes. 

Ceramic pots are an ideal choice if you want to grow plants in no drainage hole pots because they have microscopic pores that allow water to evaporate. If you live in a warm climate or it's warm inside your home, you'll notice that the soil in ceramic pots gets dry pretty quickly. 

However, this is not an excuse to give your snake plant more water than it needs. It is recommended to employ good practices when growing and caring for this plant if you want to have it around for years to come and enjoy its beautiful leaves. 

How to correctly water a snake plant grown in a pot with no drainage holes? 

When it comes to snake plants, it is better to give them less water than too much water. So, water the soil with care and wait for it to dry almost completely before watering the plant again. 

Don't water the plant when you notice the soil at the surface is dry, but perform an in-depth check of the soil. Either stick a finger in the soil or use a wooden stick to check the moisture level. 

If you notice moisture in the soil or if you see dirt sticking to the wooden stick, then postpone the moment of watering your snake plant. Water the plant only when there isn't any moisture below the soil's surface or when no soil is sticking to the wooden stick.

Tips To Make Drainage Hole In Your Pot

Although snake plants can grow successfully in pots without drainage holes, it is recommended to have at least one drainage hole in the pot to remove any risks. When it comes to making drainage holes in a pot, plastic pots are easier to handle, as ceramic pots could break during the process. 

Here are several tips that will help you do this easily -

1. You will need tools like a drill, half an inch of drill bits adequate for the pot, a nail, newspaper, a marker, and safety goggles.
2. Choose the good drill bit for the pot you have. Plastic pots will require standard bits, ceramic pots will require masonry bits, and glazed ceramic pots will require tile bits.
3. Take the pot and use the marker to mark the spots where you will drill the holes. Smaller pots will require only one central hole. Larger pots may need several drainage holes.
4. Make a small indentation where the holes will be created so that the drill bit won't slip as you drill. If you're looking to drill holes in a glazed ceramic pot, you will need a few layers of masking tape or painter's tape to keep the drill bit in place during the process.
5. Put the safety goggles on.
6. Put the newspaper on a flat surface and position the pot on top of it.
7. Position the drill bit on the indentation you made and begin drilling by applying a small amount of pressure. Avoid drilling at high speed as you risk damaging the pot.
8. Wash the pot at the end of the procedure to remove any residues.

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