Snake plant care in Melbourne

Which window suits a snake plant

In Melbourne the sun sits to the north, so north windows are the brightest and south the softest. Where it does well, by window and distance from the glass:

• N

  North-facing window

  2.5 h of sun in summer · 9 h in winter
  On the sillGood

  1-2 m backGood

  Far sideGood
• E

  East-facing window

  5.5 h of sun in summer · 3.5 h in winter
  On the sillGood

  1-2 m backGood

  Far sideGood
• S

  South-facing window

  1.5 h of sun in summer · 0 h in winter
  On the sillGood

  1-2 m backGood

  Far sideGood
• W

  West-facing window

  5.5 h of sun in summer · 3.5 h in winter
  On the sillGood

  1-2 m backGood

  Far sideGood

A Melbourne year with a snake plant

If something looks wrong

• Soft, mushy base or leaves

  Too much water: the usual way these are lost. Let the soil dry right out, and in winter water only every 30 days or so.

• Long, stretched stems

  Not enough light. Give it the brightest window you have, right on the sill.

• No new growth for months

  Normal in a dim spot, and in winter anywhere. It grows faster with more light, but it will not die without it.

• Fine webbing or white fluff under the leaves

  Spider mite or mealybug, most often as the weather warms. Wipe it off and check again in a week.

Plants that like the same light

• ZZ plant
• Rubber plant
• Umbrella tree
• Fiddle leaf fig
• Bird of paradise
• Dracaena