Keep Your Snake Plant Flourishing Year-Round With An Easy Care Tip Everyone Forgets

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Almost everybody who gardens indoors loves snake plants (Dracaena trifasciata). They are low-maintenance, attractive houseplants that add a stunning splash of green to your living space year-round. Because these indoor plants are so easygoing, it's understandable that you might forget about their care for long periods. Luckily, overall, a lack of care doesn't tend to be an issue with these hardy, drought-tolerant plants. While the biggest mistake you've been making with your snake plant is probably depriving it of light, not dusting it is a definite runner-up.

Snake plants boast gorgeous green and yellow, strap-like leaves. However, without regular dusting, you won't get to see them in their full glory. Without a doubt, dust buildup affects the health of your houseplants. It can clog the snake plants' stomata, tiny pores on the leaves that assist with gas exchange. What's more, even a fine layer of dust can hinder photosynthesis, preventing your houseplant from flourishing. There are two approaches you can take to remove that powdery mix of dead skin cells, dirt, fibers, molds, pollens, and more from your houseplant's foliage: wiping and showering.

There's a very simple way to approach this task. Use a moist, soft cloth to wipe the dust from the leaves of your snake plant. Be sure to wipe both sides of the leaves. You can also easily clean your dusty houseplants with another genius hack: wearing a pair of cotton gloves and running your hands over the foliage.

The other option is to use a shower of water to freshen up your snake plant's leaves. When the weather is warm, you can do this outside with a hose. Or, whatever the season, place your snake plant in your shower stall, bathtub, or kitchen sink and wash it with lukewarm water. If you opt for the showering method, you can give your houseplant a good soak at the same time as washing the dust from its leaves.

It doesn't hurt to dust the foliage of your indoor plant each time you water it. Alternatively, add the task to your indoor gardening to-do list once every two to three months. If you struggle to remember to do this easy maintenance chore, set a reminder on a paper calendar or smartphone calendar app, or in your Houseplant Journal and Log Book. Your snake plant will thank you by producing spiky foliage in abundance.