How to Repot a Snake Plant and Keep It Thriving for Decades

Snake plants are very resilient, but they're not invulnerable. These vibrant succulents are easy to care for and can thrive in low light, but they do require a bit of maintenance—namely repotting.

Moving your snake plant to a larger container at the right time guarantees that it will thrive not just for a few years but for decades. Of course, knowing exactly how to do it and how to nail the timing is key to a successful outcome. Here, we spoke to gardening experts about how to properly repot your snake plant and how to care for it in the days afterward.

Benefits of Repotting

Snake plants actually prefer to be slightly root bound. However, there comes a point when even these sturdy houseplants need a bit more real estate. Leaving them in a container that's too small for too long causes them to become stressed. "This can make them more susceptible to attack by pests or disease and can stunt their growth," says Justin Hancock, horticulturist at Costa Farms.

Leaving a snake plant in a small pot can be bad for the container, too. Hancock recalls one scenario when he put off repotting for too long: "One day I discovered [the snake plant] had cracked open the pot from the outward pressure of the root system," he says.

When to Repot

If your snake plant needs to be repotted, you'll notice a few telltale signs, such as "slowed growth, or roots coming out of the bottom of its container," says gardening coach and author Lee Miller. Your plant will also dry up faster than it used to, and you may even notice leaves popping up out of the potting mix.

"It's optimal to repot your plant when the roots fill about 75 percent of the rootball," says Hancock. "If you slip it out of its pot, you should see less than 75 percent roots and more than 25 percent potting mix. If you see more, then your plant will definitely appreciate a bigger pot."

There's no exact timing for this—Hancock notes that in good growing conditions, you may repot every year or every other year. But it varies depending on the size of your current pot and how fast the snake plant is growing.

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How to Repot

When you're ready, gather your materials—namely a new pot that's 2 inches larger in diameter than the previous one. "Gently tap the sides of the container and lift the entire root ball," says Miller. "Loosen the roots, and place the plant in its new pot."

She recommends an aroid, well-draining soil blend for succulents. "Fill in around the roots with more potting mix, so it's snugly in place," adds Hancock. "Water well."

Aftercare

"I like to give my snake plant a good soaking after I repot—but I know not everyone does," says Hancock.

Light is a very important factor. Provide your snake plant with as much light as you can inside—the more it gets, the more energy it will have to grow. "My general guideline is there should be enough light for your snake plant so you can comfortably read a book most of the day in the room, without having to turn on a supplemental light source to read," he says.