Snake plants, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, are popular houseplants for their ability to thrive in low light conditions. However, they still require some light to grow properly. Too much light can cause snake plants to lose color and dry out, while too little light can lead to slow growth and brown leaf edges.
So, how much light do you need to grow snake plants? Mother-in-law’s tongue require medium to bright filtered light. They can tolerate low light indoors but will grow best in a well-lit room with plenty of natural lighting.
It’s recommended to place them in a spot with access to natural sunlight for at least 4-6 hours a day. If the natural lighting isn’t sufficient, artificial lights like LED grow lights can provide the light spectrum for their growth. Direct sunlight should be avoided, as it can damage the plant’s leaves. Brown tips and yellowing leaves can show too much light, while slow growth and very dark green leaves can show too little light.
In our guide, you can learn about the importance light plays in your green plant’s growth. By the end, you’ll see how you can maintain a green plant using light bulbs if Snake plants sit in areas with more or less light than desired. (Learn How Many Tomato Seeds Per Hole)
How Many Hours of Light Do Snake Plants Need?
Do Snake plants need light?
Yes, Snake plants require light to grow and thrive. Snake plant live in tropical West Africa, so the same plant in your home needs the same type of living conditions.
How much light do Snake plants need?
Snake plants can tolerate various lighting conditions and intensities. They can grow in low light conditions, but they will grow slowly. However, they can also grow in bright, direct sunlight, but too much sun exposure can cause the leaves to burn. The ideal light condition for Snake plants is medium to bright dappled light.
Snake plants can withstand up to eight hours of bright light and a few hours of low light. Locating a Snake Plant near a south-facing window, in a well-lit space, or in a hallway with low lighting are all good choices. Direct sunlight should be avoided because it can burn the foliage of snake plants.
According to experts, snake plants need at least 8 to 10 hours of bright light each day. More is better for your snake plant, so bring it on. You can put these plants in locations with less light, and they will still produce new growth because they can adapt to different lighting situations and intensities.
Indirect sunlight is good for growing snake plants because they thrive in natural light and prefer it. A place near an east-facing window would be ideal because it receives a lot of the morning sun. The optimum place for a snake plant is also in the middle or corner of a room away from direct light. (Read Lights That Don’t Attract Bugs Guide)
The Best Lighting for Snake Plants
Mother-in-law’s tongue are hardy and thrive in different light intensities, from low to high. However, the ideal light for these plants is medium bright light. This means they require bright, shaded light and a few hours per day of direct sun.
Regarding indoor lighting, mother-in-law’s tongue prefer natural, but they can also survive in low indoor light conditions. If your snake plant isn’t getting enough light, you may notice signs like slow growth, dry soil, or brown edges on the leaves. However, too much light exposure can cause problems like root rot or dry soil.
One way to ensure your snake plant gets enough light is to place it near a window that faces east or west. This will provide it with bright, indirect sunlight for most of the day and a few hours of direct sunlight in the morning or afternoon.
If you don’t have a window facing east or west, you can use artificial lighting like fluorescent lights or LED grow lights to provide your snake plant with the right amount of light. When choosing a light source for your snake plant, it’s essential to consider the light spectrum.
Snake plants prefer light in the blue wavelengths, similar to the natural light they would receive outdoors. LED lights are a good choice because they are energy-efficient and can give your snake plant the right light without overheating or drying out the potting soil.
Are Snake Plants Good in Low Light?
Snake Plants are known for their hardiness and adaptability to various light conditions. They can survive in low light conditions, making them an excellent choice for indoor spaces with less natural light. However, the amount of light a Snake Plant needs can affect its growth and overall health.
Snake Plants can grow in various light intensities, from low indoor light to bright, filtered light. They can even survive in completely dark room or rooms, but their growth will be stunted. Snake Plants prefer natural lights, but they can also thrive under artificial lights, like fluorescent or LED’s.
For Snake Plant lighting, finding the right balance is essential. Too much light or sun exposure can cause brown leaf edges, while too little light can make the snake plant dry itself out and lose its leaves. Signs your Snake Plant isn’t getting enough light include slow growth, smaller leaves, and a lack of variegation.
Snake Plants require light for photosynthesis, the process by which they make their food. The plant’s growth and overall health depend on the amount and quality of light it receives.
Mother-in-law’s tongue need enough light to produce energy, but too much light and snake plants lose water through transpiration and become stressed.
Snake Plants grow best in medium to bright, indirect light. They can tolerate low light conditions, but their growth will be slower. Snake Plants also prefer the red-light spectrum in sunlight and artificial lighting. (Learn How To Get Rid Of Snakes Under Concrete Slab)
The Best Snake Plants for Dim Light
Mother-in-law’s tongue are known to be some of the most low-maintenance houseplants out there. They can survive in various lighting conditions, including dim light.
If you have a room in your house that doesn’t get much natural light, don’t worry! Here are some of the best snake plants for dim light:
- Sansevieria Trifasciata Laurentii: This snake plant has yellow edges contrasting nicely with its dark green leaves. It can survive in low to dappled indirect light and doesn’t require much watering.
- Sansevieria Zeylanica: This snake plant has long, pointed leaves that grow upright. It can tolerate low to indirect lights and is a great air purifier.
- Sansevieria Moonshine: This snake plant has silvery-green plants look great in any room. It can survive in low to indirect lights and is easy to care for.
Remember, even though these snake plants can survive in dim light, they still need some prefer natural light to thrive. To keep them healthy, keep them near a window or under a grow light for a few hours each day.
Is Your Snake Plant Getting Enough Light?
Here are some signs that your snake plant isn’t getting the correct lighting.
Strange Leaf Color
If your snake plant is not getting enough light, you may notice the leaves are a lighter green than usual. This is because the plant is not producing enough chlorophyll. However, if the leaves turn yellow, it is a sign that your snake could show too much lighting.
Browning Tips & Leaves
If the tips of your snake plant’s leaves turn brown, it could be a sign that the plant is not getting enough light. In addition, if the leaves are curling or the edges are turning brown, it could show too much direct sunlight.
Dropping or Collapsing Leaves
If your snake plant is not getting enough light, it may start to drop leaves, or the leaves may become limp and collapse. This is because the plant is not getting enough energy from the sun to keep the leaves upright and healthy.
Not Drying Out the Soil for Weeks
If your snake plant is not getting enough light, it may not use as much water as it should. This can lead to the potting soil staying wet for more extended periods, leading to root rot and other issues.
Leggy Growth
If your snake plant is not getting enough light, it may start to grow long, leggy stems to reach for more light. This can make the plant look sparse and unattractive.
No New Growth
If your snake plant is not getting enough light, it may not produce any new growth. The plant does not have enough energy to create new leaves or stems. Overall, snake plants require medium to bright light conditions to thrive. They can tolerate lower lighting conditions for short periods but will not grow or thrive in completely dark rooms.
If you notice any of the above signs, try moving your snake plant to a brighter location with indirect sunlight. You can also consider using artificial lighting, like LEDs, to supplement natural sun exposure.
Is Your Snake Plant Getting Too Much Sun?
While snake plants require light to grow, too much exposure can harm their health. Too much direct sunlight can cause the leaves to scorch, creating wilting and brown leaf edges.
Monitoring your snake plant’s light exposure is essential to ensure it’s getting just the right amount of light.
- One sign that your snake plant isn’t getting enough light is slow growth. If your snake plant isn’t growing as quickly as it should, it may be a sign that it’s not getting enough light.
- However, if your snake plant grows too quickly, it may get too much light.
- Another sign your snake plant may get an overdose of light is if the leaves are dry and brittle.
- If you notice the leaves are dry, and the soil is also dry, it’s a sign your snake plant is not getting enough sunlight or water.
- However, if the soil is moist and the leaves are still dry, it may be a sign your snake plant is getting too much light.
Can Snake Plants Grow in Artificial Lighting?
You will find a Snake plant survive under artificial lights. They can grow just as well, or even better, under artificial lights than they do under indirect natural light. This is because artificial lighting provides the right amount of light, humidity, fertilizer, heat, and precipitation the plant needs to thrive.
When it comes to artificial lighting, the intensity and spectrum of light are important factors to consider. You’ll see your Snake plant thrive under medium to high light intensity, even though it can tolerate almost any light condition.
For indoors, snake plant need at least 100-foot candles of light for optimal growth. There are different artificial lighting you can use for your snake plant.
LED grow lights are a popular choice because they are energy-efficient and provide the correct spectrum of light that the plant needs. Fluorescent lights are also a good option, but they must be placed closer to the plant for better results. (Read Can Snake Plants Live Outside)
Grow Lights for Snake Plants
Snake plants can grow well under artificial light, making them an excellent option for indoor gardening. However, to ensure your snake plant thrives, you need to provide it with the right amount and type of light.
If you’re growing snake plants solely under artificial light, you must provide spider plants with between 12 and 16 hours of daily illumination. Incandescent lights are not recommended as they produce too much heat and can damage the plant. Instead, use fluorescent lamps or LED grow lights.
When selecting grow lights for your snake plant, consider the light spectrum.
- Full-spectrum lights with more blue wavelength lighting are ideal for foliage growth on your snake plants.
- Warm lighting with more red wavelengths is suitable for flowering plants but not necessary for snake plants.
The intensity of light is also essential. Snake plants thrive in medium light to bright light but tolerate lower light conditions.
If you’re using fluorescent lights or LED grow lights, place them about six inches above the plant to provide sufficient light intensity.
