Snake plants, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue or Sansevieria, are popular houseplants renowned for their ability to thrive in a wide range of light conditions. Their hardy nature and sculptural, upright foliage make them ideal for beginner gardeners. But when it comes to lighting, many wonder – do snake plants like direct sunlight?
The simple answer is no. Even though snake plants are very flexible, they don’t do well in direct sunlight. However, their lighting preferences are a bit more nuanced. If you know how these plants use light, you can give them the right amount of sun or shade.
How Snake Plants Use Sunlight
Snake plants have a special adaptation called crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). This means they take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen at night rather than during the day. Keeping their pores closed when the sun is out helps snake plants conserve water in their native, arid environments.
Although snake plants don’t use sunlight conventionally for photosynthesis, adequate light is still essential. It fuels the process that allows the plants to grow and maintain colorful variegated foliage.
Direct vs. Indirect Sunlight
There are two main types of natural light for houseplants
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Direct sunlight – Unfiltered rays shining directly from the sun’s path in the sky.
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Indirect sunlight – Light that is diffused, scattered, or reflected by clouds, curtains, or other objects
Direct sun is too intense for most houseplant varieties, including snake plants. The focused rays can overheat and dehydrate tender leaves. Indirect light is gentler and better for indoor growing.
Signs of Too Much Direct Sun
If your snake plant gets too much harsh light, you may notice:
- Sunburn or bleaching on the leaves
- Brown, shriveled leaf tips and margins
- Fading of variegated colors
- Curling or rolling leaf blades
These symptoms indicate it’s time to move the plant farther from the window or install sheer curtains to filter the intense rays.
Do Snake Plants Tolerate Any Direct Sun?
Most of the time, you want to keep plants away from too much direct light, but a little bit won’t hurt them. Some experts say that snake plants should get two to three hours of direct sun in the early morning or late evening.
Just make sure to slowly get the plant used to the brighter light. A sudden change can hurt the plant and burn the leaves.
Finding the Sweet Spot
Here are some tips on providing the perfect amount of sun versus shade for robust snake plant growth:
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East facing windows – Perfect, with gentle morning light.
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West facing windows – Place 5-10 feet back to avoid hot afternoon sun.
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South facing windows – Filter with sheer curtains and keep 5-10 feet away.
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North facing windows – Usually too dark, provide supplemental lighting.
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10-15 feet from any window – Often adequate ambient brightness.
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Outdoor placement – Give shade from harshest midday light.
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Artificial lighting – Use broad spectrum or grow lights for 12-14 hours daily.
Other Lighting Considerations
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Rotate the plant every so often so that all of its sides get the same amount of light. This prevents leaning toward the source.
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Dust leaves now and then to maximize light absorption.
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Provide slightly higher light in spring/summer when growth is most active.
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Decrease light levels in fall/winter when the plant goes dormant.
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Monitor for signs of excessive light like scorching and adjust placement accordingly.
How Much Shade Can Snake Plants Handle?
One of the snake plant’s claims to fame is tolerating very low light conditions. However, too little light will slow growth considerably. The minimum light level for a snake plant is 50-100 foot-candles. A dim living room may only provide 10-30 foot-candles.
While snake plants can survive in shade, they will be healthier and more vibrant with brighter, indirect light. Use supplemental lighting if needed.
Signs of Insufficient Light
Clues that your snake plant needs more sun:
- Slow growth and small new leaves
- Leggy, stretched out foliage
- Loss of leaf variegation
- Soft, drooping leaves
Lack of adequate sunlight saps the plant’s energy. Try moving the snake plant to a sunnier spot if possible.
Using Grow Lights
LED or fluorescent grow lights can provide extra illumination for a snake plant in low natural light. Position the bulb 6-12 inches above the leaves and set the timer for 12-14 hours per day.
Outdoor Lighting Considerations
When placing snake plants outside for the summer, make sure they get mostly bright indirect light with just a few hours of early/late direct sun. Shelter from rain and provide midday shade.
Bring snake plants back inside before temperatures drop below 50°F in fall.
The Takeaway
While adaptable to various conditions, snake plants thrive best with bright, indirect light. Direct sun should be limited, especially hot afternoon rays. Seek out an east facing window or location approximately 10 feet from a window to give your snake plant the perfect balance of sun and shade for lush, healthy growth.
Snake Plants: Symptoms of Low Light Exposure
Here are some signs that your snake plant isn’t getting enough light:
- The leaves look drooping and lifeless
- Variegated snake plants, like the beautiful La Rubia Snake Plant, may lose their pattern and bright colors over time.
- In low light, it won’t grow any new leaves and definitely won’t flower.
You could move the plant to a room that gets more sunlight, like the living room, leave the curtains open during the day to let in more light, or add artificial lighting to a dark corner to make it brighter.
How Much Sun Is Too Much for a Snake Plant?
Keeping your snake plant in direct sunlight, especially outdoors, can result in browning leaves and crumbly soil. It’s best to find a spot in indirect sunlight so that your snake plant stays out of the sun’s scorching rays.
Is It Possible For Snake Plants To Survive Direct Sunlight?
FAQ
Can snake plants get too much sun?
This plant, also known as snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue, is great for beginners as a houseplant, but there’s one catch: it doesn’t like the sun! Sansevierias do best in part shade or full shade, and if they get too much direct sunlight, they can turn yellow and unhappy, like the ones in these planters.
Where is the best place to put a snake plant?
Optimal Location According to Feng Shui, the best location for snake plants is at the entrance of a house, to protect it from bad energy, improve the environment generally, and attract wealth.
How often should you water a snake plant?
Remove any excess water that collects in the saucer or cache pot. Frequency of watering: During the growing season (spring and summer), water your Snake plant approximately every two to three weeks.
Do snake plants need direct sunlight?
Snake plants can do fairly well, even in low-medium lighting conditions. Direct bright sunlight can burn the foliage of your snake plant. Thus, they don’t need any direct sunlight to survive. However, snake plants do need light for photosynthesis. So, you need to provide them with bright indirect sunlight to thrive.
Can snake plants withstand full sun?
While they can withstand full sun as well as low light, indirect sunlight is ideal for a snake plant. Of course the weather conditions are not perfect year-around. So depending on the climate, you can keep the snake plants in the window during summers. In this way, the plants can get a few hours of direct sun.
Can snake plants grow without light?
Snake plants are very hardy and will survive in low-light conditions. However, without enough light, they will grow very slowly. No plants can grow completely devoid of light because they need light to create their food. In general, opt to give your snake plants more sunlight than they need.
Can snake plants grow outside?
A. If you’re growing your snake plant outdoors, you can keep it outside and it will grow quite well. But if you’re growing your snake plant indoor, then avoid showing it full, direct sunlight as this can burn the leaves, making your plant droopy. Q. What kind of light is best for snake plants? A.
Is your snake plant getting too much sunlight?
Indirect sunlight filtered by a curtain is best for snake plants. Just ensure to move it away to slightly darker places when the sunlight isn’t extremely harsh. Not just too little, but even too much light can affect the health of your snake plant. Below mentioned are some signs your snake plant is receiving too much light.
How much light does a snake plant need?
Just 8 to 10 hours of indirect natural light would be more than enough for your snake plant. Not only do you need to make sure the plant gets enough light, but it also needs the right soil mix and the right amount of water.