Benefits of Owning a Snake Plant

Snake plants are low-maintenance plants that have mental and physical health benefits

By / March 18, 2023

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Benefits of Owning a Snake Plant

Humans naturally have an affinity towards nature. It’s instinctual. Tending plants is a way to get closer to nature. However, a lot of us today do not have the time to dedicate the appropriate care that a lot of plants need to thrive either in our gardens or in our homes.

Low-Maintenance plants

Luckily enough, there are quite a few plants that can grow exceptionally well with little to no care. These types of plants are commonly referred to as low-maintenance plants. From aloe to money plants, there are many different varieties of low-maintenance plants available in nurseries today. The most common, and arguably most successful, of all these varieties is the snake plant, or the Sansevieria.

Don’t mistake the upright wavy green parts of the snake plant for shoots; these are leaves!
Don’t mistake the upright wavy green parts of the snake plant for shoots; these are leaves, Credit: Wikimedia/Marisankar Mk

Snake plants are a native Asian group of species that are named for their wavy, snake-like leaves. These leaves are, in fact, often mistaken for stems, as they emerge directly from the ground and grow upright like shoots. There are quite a few benefits to keeping snake plants at home or in a garden.

The Benefits of Owning a Snake Plant

1. The snake plant is adored by millions for its oxygen-producing properties. This NASA-certified plant ranks amongst the highest in terms of oxygen production, and that makes them ideal houseplants for the bedroom.

 

2. Snake plants don’t just produce oxygen, they can also remove toxic substances from the air! It’s well known that snake plants can remove carbon dioxide from the air, but did you know they can also remove toxic chemicals, like benzene and formaldehyde , as well? In fact, the list doesn’t just end here. These plants are also sometimes used as a deterrent against airborne  allergens like dust.

Benzene is usually liquid at room temperature and is stored in glass bottles like these.
Benzene is usually liquid at room temperature and is stored in glass bottles like these, Credit: Wikimedia/Robin Müller

3. Exposure to nature has been proven to have great impacts on an individual’s health, both mental and physical. However, not everyone has the luxury to pack their bags and head into the wild for weeks on end. Alternatively, it takes a considerable amount of work to set up, as well as to maintain, a home garden. Snake plants make great alternatives for individuals who do not have a lot of time. In fact, don’t worry if you forget to water your snake plant for more than a week. These incredible plants don’t actually need water until the top soil in their pot is completely dry. A good rule of thumb to follow is to water your snake plant once a month. They’re also remarkably hardy plants and rarely succumb to pests or fungal infection .

Did you know there’s over 70 species of snake plants in the world to choose from, Credit:pexels.com/cottonbro

4. Don’t despair if you live in an apartment or flat that doesn’t get a lot of sunshine; snake plants don’t need sunshine! Not too much of it, anyway. These plants do better in areas that receive indirect light. In fact, you can even keep them in windowless rooms.

 

5. Snake plants also have proven mental health benefits. Not only are they one of the easiest plants to take care of, but you can also propagate multiple more baby plants from just one adult plant! Propagating snake plants has been tied with positive mental health benefits. It’s been associated with reducing anxiety and depression as well as with increasing productivity.

Glossary

1. Benzene: A slightly yellow or colorless chemical. It is highly dangerous and can halt red blood cell production as well as cause cancers.

 

2. Formaldehyde: A highly dangerous chemical substance that can cause cancers or lead to rashes, irritation of the nose and throat, and wheezing.

 

3. Allergens: Substances that can cause allergic reactions, such as pollen or dust.

 

4. Pests: Harmful organisms that can negatively impact the growth of plants or animals.

 

5. Infection: An attack on an individual’s immune system caused by germs like viruses or bacteria.

 

6. Propagate: Breeding baby plants or new plants from vegetative or non-reproductive portions (i.e., root, shoot, or leaves) of a parent plant

Readability: 61.3


Flesch Kincaid Grade Level: 7.9

1. Wilson, Debra. 7 Benefits of Keeping Snake Plants in Your Home. January 24, 2022. https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-snake-plant#types


2. Hubbard, Ashley. 11 Low Maintenance Plants for The Forgetful Type. June 23, 2020.
https://www.healthline.com/health/forget-you-have-plants-11-types-that-will-forgive-you#Needy-plants-to-avoid


3. Weatherspoon, Deborah. A Hobby for All Seasons: 7 Science-Backed Benefits of Indoor Plants. September 18, 2020.
https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-home-guide/benefits-of-indoor-plants

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