How to Grow a Snake Plant Outside for Landscaping

Suyash is a Master Gardener and the Editorial and Strategy Director at BalconyGardenWeb.com. With a focus on houseplant care, he combines over a decade of hands-on horticultural experience with editorial expertise to guide and educate plant enthusiasts.
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Can a Snake Plant Live Outside or would it be a good idea to keep it indoors? If you are confused, we have the answers!

Can a Snake Plant Live Outside

So, can a snake plant live outside like a balcony, or a patio or in the garden? If you aren’t sure whether to put yours there or not, we will make it clear for you.


Can a Snake Plant Live Outside?

The simple answer is yes, you can keep snake plants (Sansevieria) outside. However, you need to keep in mind some factors:

1. The Right Temperature Range

Snake plants are quite resilient and they won’t mind the temperature range on the higher side, even if it touches 36-38 C or 96-101 F. The only thing you need to be careful is the lower range or the colder temperatures. Anything below 50°F is not something these succulents appreciate, as it could lead to root rot or other damage.

Do note that while the plant would not mind a full day sun exposure, it might develop yellow borders on the leaves, something that would not be aesthetically pleasing. So, a bit of shade in the afternoon will keep the foliage green and bright. 

2. Sunlight

Direct sunlight is no problem. The more they get it, the better. Even if you place them under the afternoon sun, they wouldn’t complain that much but it would be a good call to keep them safe from the harsh light. Make sure they get a minimum of 5-6 hours of direct sunlight every day.

3. Watering

Thought the plant is quite drought tolerant, keeping it outside will expose it to more light and air, which will make the growing medium dry out faster as comapred to a plant that’s kept indoors.

So, be a little vigilant, and keep an eye on the topsoil—water when it feels a little dry to the touch.


Can a Snake Plant Live Outside – Different USDA Zones

  • USDA Zones 8-11: Absolutely! You don’t have to worry much about the cold in these regions, and the snake plant will thrive outside easily.
  • Anything Below Zone 7: The nighttime temperature in these zones can dip below 0, and this is the range that can kill snake plants. In these regions, it will be best to keep the plants indoors.

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