How to Make Snake Plant Grow Faster
Want your snake plant to shoot up instead of sitting still? The secret is in the care — not luck.
Want your snake plant to shoot up instead of sitting still? The secret is in the care — not luck.
🌞 More light = more growth. Bright, indirect sunlight speeds up leaf development.
💧 Water only when dry. Overwatering slows growth and invites root rot.
🌱 Use a fast-draining soil mix. Healthy roots = healthy plant.
🪴 Repot when rootbound. Tight roots restrict new leaves.
🌼 Feed during growing months. Light fertilizing in spring/summer boosts results.
When I first brought home a snake plant, I figured it would be low-maintenance — water it now and then, and it’ll just do its thing.
But after months of barely any change, I started to wonder… why isn’t it growing?
Turns out, snake plants aren’t always slow by nature — they’re just sensitive to their environment.
Once I understood what they actually need, my plant went from static to strong in just a few months. 🌿
If you’re staring at the same stiff leaves week after week, don’t give up.
The trick isn’t overfeeding or complicated hacks — it’s about recreating the right conditions.
Think brighter light, better airflow, well-draining soil, and knowing when to repot or fertilize.
This guide will walk you through what made the biggest difference in my plant’s growth.
If you’ve got a baby pup or a tall Sansevieria that’s hit a plateau, here’s how to gently push it into action — no stress, no guesswork.
Let’s get your snake plant growing like it means it.
If your snake plant seems frozen in time, don’t worry — it doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong.
With just a few small tweaks, you can coax it into regular, healthy growth.
Here’s exactly what made a difference in my own plants:
Snake plants can tolerate low light — but that’s not the same as thriving in it.
For a long time, mine sat in a dark corner and barely moved.
Once I shifted it to a brighter spot, it perked up almost immediately.
Bright, indirect sunlight.
East- or south-facing windows are ideal, but even a well-lit room can help.
You don’t need full sun — just enough light to fuel photosynthesis, which powers new leaf growth.
Overwatering is the fastest way to stunt a snake plant.
They store water in their thick leaves, which means they prefer dry spells over soggy soil.
Here’s my rule: I wait until the soil is completely dry — not just on top, but down near the roots.
Then I water thoroughly, making sure it drains out the bottom. I check every 2–3 weeks, depending on the season.
👉 Want more help with watering? Check this complete guide
If your soil holds water like a sponge, your plant’s roots might be suffocating. A well-draining mix makes a huge difference in how fast and healthy your plant grows.
I switched to a mix with cactus soil, perlite, and orchid bark, and noticed new pups popping out faster than before. The roots stayed healthier and had better airflow.
👉 Here’s my exact recipe: Best soil for snake plants
Snake plants like tight quarters — until they don’t. When roots start circling the pot or growing out the drainage holes, growth can stall.
That’s what happened to mine. After repotting into a slightly bigger container (with a drainage hole, of course), it pushed out two new leaves in a month.
👉 Not sure how? Here’s my full step-by-step: How to repot a snake plant
Snake plants don’t need much food, but a little goes a long way. I use a balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength once every 4–6 weeks during spring and summer.
It gives the plant a nudge without overwhelming it — especially when it’s already getting good light and airflow.
💡 Snake plants are technically succulents.
That’s why they love dry, gritty soil and forgetful watering.
In perfect conditions, snake plants aren’t as slow as people think — but they’re also not quick sprinters.
Think of them more like slow, steady marathon runners.
From what I’ve seen with my own plants:
You’ll get 2 to 4 new leaves per growing season on average.
Each leaf can grow 1 to 3 inches per month during spring and summer.
In winter? Growth slows almost to a stop — and that’s normal.
The speed really depends on light, temperature, and root health.
The first time I moved one of my snake plants from a dark hallway to a brighter room, it grew a full new leaf in under five weeks.
That was a big deal for a plant that hadn’t changed in months.
If your plant hasn’t done anything in 2–3 months and it’s growing season?
Time to review your care routine — starting with light and soil.
🌒 They grow fastest in spring and summer.
Don’t expect much change in winter — it’s their rest season.
Embrace the spirit of horticulture and spread the seeds of wisdom
3 Responses
😮 you really should ask permission to use someone else’s pictures in your blog post. I don’t mind you using a picture of my beautiful arrangement, but please credit my photo and the site you grabbed it from.
Thanks,
Deb Steele
Hey Deb Steele,
all photos are from FB group https://www.facebook.com/groups/dracaena.trifasciata.sansevieria
If you tell me which one is your i will credit you for sure!
My picture is the one with the yellow and green variegated Whale Fin surrounded by the three dwarf bird’s nest Sansevierias. The pot is sitting in a round, wooden serving tray.
Thanks.