Summer Glow-Up! 10 Indoor Plants To Take Out

2. The Chic Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata / Dracaena trifasciata)

Honestly, Snake Plants are famous for being famously low-maintenance. They’re the kind of plant you can almost forget about, and they’ll still look pretty good. I’ve got a few, and one of mine, “Sly” (short for Slytherin, naturally), has been with me for ages, just chilling. But even these tough cookies can get a little something extra from a summer holiday outdoors!

Why Even a Tough Guy Deserves a Summer Glow-Up

You might be thinking, “It’s a Snake Plant, does it really need a glow-up?” And yeah, they’re not going to dramatically wilt if you don’t give them special treatment. But here’s a little secret I’ve learned: even these nearly indestructible plants can boost their growth with a change of scenery. I wasn’t expecting much when I first put Sly outside for a few months, but you know what? He actually seemed perkier, his colors got a bit more vibrant, and I even spotted a new pup emerging from the soil later that year! So, while they won’t demand it, a little summer outdoor living can definitely give your Dracaena trifasciata care routine a surprising lift. It helps them build up some reserves, I think.

Outdoor Spot Secrets: Not Just Anywhere Will Do!

Now, Snake Plants are pretty forgiving and tolerate a range of light conditions, which is one reason we love ’em. However, if you’re giving them a summer treat, it’s best to aim for bright, indirect light. They can often handle some direct morning sun, especially once they’re used to it, but that harsh midday or afternoon sun we talked about for the Fiddles? Yeah, that can still sometimes scorch their leaves or make the color look a bit washed out. I found a spot under the eaves of my porch that was perfect for Sly.

Here’s a biggie, though: protect them from heavy rain. This is super, super important. Snake Plants are succulents, essentially, and they despise sitting in waterlogged soil. Root rot is their kryptonite! I learned this the hard way one particularly stormy week. I’d left a smaller snakey out, thinking it was sheltered enough, but a freak downpour absolutely soaked it. Poor thing didn’t make it, and I felt awful. It was a soggy, sad lesson in Sansevieria care.

Transition Tips: Easy Does It, Even for the Hardy

So, these guys are very hardy, probably one of the toughest drought-tolerant outdoor plants you can find. But, and this is a gentle “but,” it’s still best to acclimatize them if they’ve been living indoors full-time. Think of it like easing into a hot bath instead of just jumping in. A sudden shift to brighter light and different temperatures can still be a bit of a shock, even for a tough mother-in-law’s tongue. A few days of gradually increasing their outdoor time should do the trick.

The absolute, most critical tip for Snake Plants outdoors is to ensure excellent drainage. I cannot stress this enough! If your pot doesn’t have good drainage holes, repot it before it goes out. You can even add extra perlite or sand to your potting mix to help the water drain through faster. This is especially true if you live somewhere, like I did for a while, where summer showers can be unpredictable. Good drainage is the secret to happy outdoor Snake Plants.

Decor Vibes: Sleek, Modern, and Oh-So-Chic!

One of the things I absolutely adore about Snake Plants is their architectural elegance. Those upright, sword-like leaves just scream modern and sophisticated. When you bring them outdoors, they can add such a cool, structural element to your modern outdoor seating areas or even flanking an entryway. They’re fantastic statement succulents that don’t need a lot of fluff around them.

Sly, my main Snake Plant, looks incredible in a tall, minimalist planter on my covered patio. He adds this vertical interest that really draws the eye and complements the clean lines of my outdoor furniture. It’s an effortless way to make your patio plants look intentionally designed and super stylish. They just have this understated confidence, you know? It’s a very easy outdoor plant to incorporate into almost any decor style if you want that touch of green without the fuss.

So, even though your Snake Plant might seem perfectly content indoors, consider giving it a little summer adventure. It might just surprise you!

Ready to hear about a plant that loves to show off with tons of babies? Our next green friend is a prolific one! Click that “Next” button to find out who’s joining the outdoor party.