There are many reasons to grow snake plants! They are easy to care for, drought-tolerant, and air-purifying. This plant also helps to reduce stress and promote relaxation. But sometimes, things get a little complicated with this plant.
When you grow snake plants, they may get too tall and start to stretch out of control.
Many plants grow taller fast, including bamboo, eucalyptus, and teak. People stop them from growing taller by trimming them or using chemicals to stunt their growth. But for a snake plant, the process is a little bit different. That’s why we dedicated this article to telling you exactly why snake plant gets too tall and what you can do about this.
Why Is My Snake Plant Too Tall?
There are a few reasons why snake plants can get too tall. One reason is that they receive light from the top. Snake plants need bright, indirect light to grow properly. But when the light is placed on the top, the leaves will stretch towards the light source to get more. Another reason is that the plant is getting excess nutrients. This happens when the plant is overfertilized.
Other factors may cause your snake plant to become too tall. Here is a complete list of these factors and how each contributes to making your snake plant get too tall.
You Are Giving the Plant Excess Light
Giving a snake plant excess light will make it grow too tall because it will grow faster than usual. The leaves will get longer, and the stem will get taller as the light is available in abundance. This will cause the plant to become lopsided and top-heavy, which can eventually cause it to fall over.
Also, succulents like snake plants tend to grow taller in warm conditions. In fact, the warm weather causes this kind of plant to put out longer leaves, making them taller.
If you want your snake plant to be a certain height, you should grow it in cooler conditions.
You Are Fertilizing Your Snake Plant Too Much
Over-fertilizing your snake plant will make it grow too tall because the extra nutrients in the soil will encourage the plant to put on more growth. The plant will become leggy and top-heavy, and it may even start to fall over.
If you want your snake plant to stay compact and bushy, don’t over-fertilize it.
Generally, the snake plant does not need any fertilizer to grow. But if you decide to use one, respect the recommended dose to avoid overfertilizing.
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The Plant Receives Light only From the Top.
A snake plant that receives light only from the top will grow too tall because it is not receiving any glare from the sides. The plant will grow towards the morning, coming from the top, and cannot branch out. This will cause the plant to grow tall and skinny instead of short and stocky.
You Are Using a Pot that Is Bigger than Your Snake Plant
A snake plant grown in a big pot will grow too tall because it has more room to grow. The plant’s roots will spread out, and the plant will grow taller.
If you don’t want your snake plant to become too tall, you must ensure that the pot you use is the right size.
You Are Not Pruning Your Plant
If you don’t prune your snake plant, it will continue to grow taller and taller. Eventually, the plant will become too tall and be top-heavy and could topple over. Additionally, the plant will be more challenging to care for because all the leaves and flowers will be out of reach.
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How to Fix a Snake Plant That Is Too Tall?
If your snake plant is too tall, you can fix it by cutting it back using a sharp knife or shears and then reducing the amount of light and fertilizers you usually give.
To cut a tall snake plant:
- Make clean cuts to avoid damaging the plant.
- Start by cutting off any dead or dying leaves or stems.
- Cut back the plant by 1/3 to 1/2 its height.
- Make your cuts at a 45-degree angle, about 1/2 inch above a leaf node. This will encourage new growth.
Finally, water the plant well to avoid the stress that may occur after the cutting process.
Reduce Sunlight
Reducing the amount of light for snake plants will prevent them from growing taller because they will not be able to produce much food. The plant will also not be able to make a lot of energy.
If you choose to reduce the amount of light you provide for your snake plant to prevent it from becoming tall, make sure you don’t deprive your plant entirely of light. This can cause your plant to become weak and create more complex problems than the excessive height issue.
Read our article about Why Your Snake Plant May be Lacking Roots and How to Fix It
Reduce Your Fertilizing Frequency
Fertilizers are full of nutrients that plants need to grow. However, too much fertilizer can cause snake plants to grow too tall. This is because the extra nutrients in the fertilizer cause the plants to grow faster than usual.
When plants grow too tall, they can become top-heavy and fall over. This can damage the plant and prevent it from growing properly.
Snake plants are incredibly low-maintenance and do not require a lot of fertilizing. They are native to Africa and can thrive with fewer nutrients and low light.
Snake plants are drought-tolerant, so they do not need to be watered frequently.
Change the Light Direction
You can change the light’s direction if you want to prevent your snake plant from becoming too tall. This will work best when a light source is placed above your plant. By doing so, you will be able to control how much light your plants are getting, which will help keep them from growing too tall.
A few things can be done to ensure that your snake plant is not only getting light from the top. One is to provide the plant is not placed too close to the window. Another is to rotate the plant every week to let all sides get equal light.
To change the light direction for a plant:
- Determine which side of the plant receives the most light.
- Slowly turn the plant so that the side receiving the most light faces the new direction.
- Turn the plant gradually, so the leaves have time to adjust to the new light exposure.
Click Here to Read our Comprehensive Guide about The Right Pot Size for Your Snake Plant
How to Slow Down the Growth of A Snake Plant and Prevent It from Becoming Too Tall?
To slow down the growth of a snake plant, you can reduce the amount of water and fertilizer you give it. This will force the plant to grow at a slow rate. You can also put it in a cooler location. The cool area can help the plant stop growing and even start shrinking.
When the temperature is lowered, plants’ metabolism rate slows down. This means that the plant will grow more slowly. But be careful not to reduce the temperature too much, as this can damage the plant cells.
The best temperature range for growing snake plants is between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. This plant prefers a warm and humid environment, so keeping the temperature within this range is essential. If the temperature gets too cold, the plant will become dormant and may die.
Reducing light can also help to slow down the growth of snake plants. This is because plants need light to photosynthesize and produce food for themselves. If they are not receiving enough light, they will not be able to grow as quickly.
Snake plants prefer bright, indirect light but can also tolerate low light. So, you can reduce the light for this plant without worrying too much.
You can also restrict the growth of a snake plant by limiting the amount of water a plant receives. Without water, a plant cannot absorb the nutrients it needs to grow. This will result in a smaller plant that is more manageable.
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Why Should I Prevent My Snake Plant from Getting Too Tall?
One of the positive things about slowing down snake plant growth is that it can help conserve water. When plants grow more slowly, they don’t need as much water. This can be helpful in areas where water is scarce.
Additionally, slowing plant growth can help prevent them from outgrowing their space. This can benefit indoor plants or plants growing in a confined area.
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