The Sansevieria trifasciata, or as we commonly refer to it as the snake plant, is a hardy and durable plant.
This plant can survive in varying temperatures and conditions.
You have probably noticed this plant quickly becoming a favorite among plant owners.
The reason behind this is its sleek, upright leaves and firm nature.
Temperature tolerance is a common issue with plants, and this guide will tell you the kind of temperature Snake plants prefer!
Are Snake Plants Temperature Tolerant?
Sansevieria’s tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but they cannot withstand certain conditions.
The hardiness of the plant allows it to survive in different atmospheric temperatures, but the plant can be sensitive to extreme cold weather.
These plants do need much to grow well, so it is up to the plant parents to create optimal conditions for the growth of the plant.
Plants that evolved in certain conditions can only thrive in the same natural environments.
For example, plants like cactus that usually grow in sunny, arid regions will not grow in cold weather.
Depending on the plant, they will be able to tolerate a range of weather conditions.
Fortunately for the owners of the mother-in-law’s tongue, this species is quite durable.
Native to Africa’s dry regions, Snake plants can survive with less water, low light, mediocre soil, and without fertilizers.
The range of conditions a Snake plant can thrive in is broad, but extreme conditions will kill the plant.
What Temperature Do Snake Plant Like?
Optimal temperatures are necessary for any plant to grow.
Less than ideal temperatures can stunt plant growth or, in some cases, can ruin the plant completely.
Optimum conditions can facilitate chemical processes in the plant that sustain life.
During winters, snake plants can survive temperatures of 45°F.
The soil has to be dry, too.
If the soil is damp during winters, you should stop watering the plant until it is dry again.
Damp soil can cause root rot, which can destroy the plant entirely.
In summer, temperatures as high as 104°F are tolerable for some plants.
Ideally, temperatures between 70 to 90°F are excellent for the growth of the plant.
You can replicate this temperature in your home or greenhouses.
During winters, heating will be required to maintain this temperature indoors.
5 Tips To Save Snake Plant From Extreme Weather Conditions
Plants indoors are generally safe from extreme weather conditions unless they are placed next to doors where they can get exposed to cold drafts.
If you keep your Sansevieria outdoors, here are a few ways to protect the plant from extreme temperatures:
- Keeping the plant in shady patios or using a sunshade to cover it during summers can shield the plant from being exposed to direct, strong sunlight.
- Floating row covers can protect the plant without touching it directly.
- On cold nights, bring the plant indoors or cover the plants using a sheet to protect them from frost.
- During winter, avoid overwatering and fertilizing the plant. Avoid placing it near doorways or open windows. It is also important to maintain humidity levels for the snake plant.
- Dry air can be irritating for the Snake plant, especially during winters. To counter dry air, use a humidifier to maintain humidity in the room. Temperatures below 50°F can be detrimental to its health. Remember to move the plant away from any radiators in the house during winter.
3 Ways To Fix Temperature Damage In Snake Plant
Temperature damage can be deadly for a snake plant.
While it can stand a certain amount of neglect, there is little you can do to revive the plant once it is frozen or burnt fully.
Damage can be caused by cold weather, too much light, or low humidity.
1. Fixing Cold Damage
Succulents, including snake plants, store water in their fleshy leaves.
When the plant gets exposed to frost, the water in the plant cells is frozen.
Freezing weather can damage cell walls, too.
This damage causes nutrients and water flow to reduce, leading to dehydration.
Wet soil can cause the plant to deteriorate rapidly.
Frost and damp surroundings are not favorable conditions for a snake plant.
The symptoms of cold damage are scars on the leaves.
Frost can cause the plant to go limp and turn mushy.
The leaves can also develop brown spots and bruises that are soft to touch.
If not treated immediately, the damage can spread to roots also.
Affected roots turn soft, and root rot will set in.
You can bring outdoor plants indoors during wintertime.
Indoors, you should maintain temperatures ideal for the plant so that it does not get exposed to the cold.
Well-drained soil and humid conditions during winter are all a snake plant needs to grow well.
When you notice signs of damage, do not water the plant for a while to completely dry the soil.
Also, give the plant plenty of bright but indirect sunlight during the day.
2. Sun Damage
Heat and sun can cause scarring similar to the scarring caused by cold stress in Snake plants.
Most Snake plants don't do well in extreme heat and direct sunlight.
The leaves of the plant may scar and turn yellow and brown.
If the plant is more acclimated to low light conditions, bright light can stress it out.
In this case, place the plant in a shady area.
Brown tips are the first sign that the plant is unable to tolerate bright light conditions.
If you are unsure whether your Snake plant is used to a certain condition, try moving it around the house regularly to see where it is the least stressed.
It is best to acclimatize the plant to hotter conditions slowly as it will need plenty of sunlight to grow.
You can prune the damaged leaves to help the plant regain its health.
To create an optimal environment, ensure the temperatures are between 60 and 80℉ during the day.
3. Low Humidity
Dry air can cause water loss in a plant.
Dry air conditions mostly cause brown tips on the leaves.
Checking humidity levels in your home can help you understand how humid the room is.
40% humidity is ideal for this plant.
You can use certain devices like a hygrometer to routinely check the levels of humidity in the air.
Brown leaves are more or less permanent on the plant leaves, which is why it is better to prevent low humidity conditions.
However, it is not always possible to predict what condition is optimal for the plant, and brown tips may start forming even if you are vigilant.
Don’t worry about the brown tips as the plant will eventually grow healthier; lush leaves and the brown tipped ones will be less noticeable.
You can also prune those if it is an aesthetic issue.
If the brown tips are minimal, cutting only the tips of the leaves is an option.
But keep in mind, the cut part will not grow back.
Leaves also grow quite quickly on Snake plants.
You can cut the entire leaf at the base, and a new one will form within a couple of weeks.
FAQs
No, snake plants do not do well in cold weather.
Their leaves begin to scar, curl or turn soft.
This is due to the fact that the cold freezes the water in its leaves and destroys cell walls.
Unless your plant is outdoors, you do not have to worry about the plant being exposed to cold weather.
The temperature inside our houses is most likely neutral and ideal for snake plants.
Below 55℉ temperature is not good for the plant.
Snake plants and other succulents are sensitive to cold weather, and when temperatures dip, they should be protected from the cold.
Frost and freeze damage can be irreversible in Snake plants, so it is better to prevent the plant from these conditions.
No.
Being exposed to cold weather once in a while will not harm the plant but constant exposure to the point of freezing means that the plant is possibly dead.
When exposed to freeze, it turns soft, mushy, and brown.
If the plant was exposed for a long time, it even turns black.
If you want to check if the plant can be saved, examine its roots first.
Once the root system freezes, the plant dies.
Misting causes the plant to remain moist for longer periods.
Snake plants do not enjoy dampness.
Misting frequently will cause the leaves to turn brown and soft.
It can also affect the roots if the soil is regularly moist, as well.
Avoid misting the plant.
If you want to clean the dust of its leaves, wipe the leaf surface with a damp cloth and then again with a dry one.
One of the best things about the Snake plant is that it will tell you exactly what it is lacking.
When the plant is thirsty, it will look dry and dull.
Extreme dehydration shows in the form of yellowing and discoloration.
Whenever the plant seems less lively than usual, water it, but do not overdo this!
Overwatering kills the plant.
Over To You
I hope this guide helps in understanding the temperature requirements of the Snake plant.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments below.
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