5 Simple Fixes That Could Save Your Snake Plant Before It’s Too Late

2. Upgrade Your Drainage Game

I used to think that gorgeous ceramic pot without drainage holes was totally fine for my snake plant. After all, it matched my living room decor perfectly, and isn’t that what matters most?

Well, that beautiful pot became a plant graveyard faster than I could say “root rot.”

The Pot That Nearly Ended My Plant Journey

Picture this: I had this stunning white ceramic planter that I absolutely loved. No drainage holes, but hey, I’d just be careful with watering, right? Wrong. So incredibly wrong.

Within a month, my snake plant was sitting in what basically became a swamp. The water had nowhere to go, and those poor roots were drowning in their own little ceramic prison.

Drainage holes aren’t just a suggestion – they’re literally a matter of life and death for your plants.

Signs Your Current Pot is a Plant Killer

Your pot might be sabotaging your snake plant care if:

• There are zero drainage holes (obviously)
• Water sits on top of the soil for hours after watering
• The pot is way too big for your plant size
• You can’t hear water draining out the bottom when you water

I learned that oversized pots are just as dangerous as ones without drainage. Too much soil holds too much water, creating the perfect environment for root rot.

Choosing the Perfect Pot Size and Material

Here’s what I wish I’d known from day one: your snake plant pot should only be about 1-2 inches wider than the root ball. These plants actually prefer being slightly root-bound.

Terra cotta pots became my absolute favorite after years of trial and error. They’re porous, so they help wick away excess moisture. Plus they’re cheap enough that I don’t cry when I accidentally drop one.

Plastic pots work too, but you need to be extra careful with watering since they don’t breathe like clay does.

DIY Drainage Solutions That Actually Work

Don’t have a pot with holes? I’ve been there, and I’ve got solutions.

For pots without drainage, I create a “false bottom” using small stones or broken pottery pieces. Layer about 1-2 inches at the bottom, then add a piece of landscape fabric before adding soil.

Activated charcoal mixed into this drainage layer helps prevent that swampy smell. I buy it from the aquarium section at pet stores – way cheaper than the fancy plant store stuff.

The Drill Method That Changed Everything

This might sound crazy, but I started drilling drainage holes in pots I loved. A masonry bit works great for ceramic pots – just go slow and use water to keep the bit cool.

Start with a small pilot hole, then gradually increase the size. Three to five holes about 1/4 inch wide work perfectly for most snake plant pots.

Soil Amendments That Prevent Root Rot

Regular potting soil is usually too dense for snake plants. I learned to create my own well-draining soil mix using:

• 50% regular potting soil
• 25% perlite (those white chunky bits)
• 25% coarse sand or pumice

This mixture drains fast but still holds some moisture. The perlite creates air pockets that roots absolutely love.

Bark chips or coconut coir can also improve drainage, but perlite is my go-to because it’s cheap and available everywhere.

Why Drainage Beats Expensive Fertilizers Every Time

I used to think the solution to struggling plants was more fertilizer. Spent probably$200 on various plant foods before realizing the real problem was water sitting around the roots.

Good drainage prevents more plant problems than any fertilizer ever could. Healthy roots can actually absorb nutrients, while waterlogged roots just rot away.

Think you’ve got the watering and drainage figured out? Hit that next button to discover how the lighting in your home might be slowly killing your snake plant – and the simple positioning trick that can double your plant’s growth rate!