Here is how you can use lemon juice on your snake plant so that it can thrive with good health and grow crazily!
The next solution to grow a beautiful Snake plant is probably in your kitchen. Yes! Lemon juice, with its natural acidity and antibacterial properties, can be a powerful (and cheap!) way to improve your snake plant’s health. Here’s how!
Why Use Lemon Juice On Snake Plants
Snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata) prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil, with an ideal pH range of 5.5 to 7.0.
Now, when the soil becomes too alkaline, often due to hard tap water, salt buildup, or poor-quality potting mixes, the roots struggle to absorb essential nutrients like nitrogen and iron.
This can reduce growth, cause yellowness in leaves, and make the plant appear dull. And where does lemon juice come into play here?
Lemon juice helps by slightly lowering the soil pH, improving nutrient uptake, and reviving underperforming plants. It also works for Christmas cacti and even peace lilies.
You can easily test your soil’s pH with a readily available soil test kit from most garden centers to determine if it falls within this range. Otherwise, here’s what to do at home to figure out.
If your potting soil comes out to be alkaline, don’t squeeze lemon juice directly into the pot; follow the instructions in the next section.
Using Lemon Juice For Your Snake Plant
1. Lemon Water Soil Drench
This will help your snake plant grow greener leaves, stronger roots, and faster shoots. Simply stir 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice into 1 gallon (4 liters) of water. If your tap water is very hard, it’s best to use filtered or rainwater, as this can counteract the lemon juice’s effect over time.
Then water your snake plant with this solution, just like you would during a regular watering session. Just remember that you only have to do this once every 4–6 weeks, and make sure the soil is well-draining. Also, why don’t you try these snake soil mixes for the best growth?
2. Lemon Juice Leaf Wipe
If you notice your snake plant’s leaves looking a little dusty and tired, it’s best to give them a spa day with a lemon juice leaf wipe. Thanks to the gentle acidity, lemon juice naturally breaks down grime, hard water spots, and even sneaky pest residues.
There is no rocket science involved! Just dip a soft microfiber cloth into the solution and gently wipe each leaf. Always test the diluted lemon juice on a small, inconspicuous area of a leaf first to ensure no adverse reactions occur within 24 hours.
If you’re good to go, repeat this every 2 months or whenever your plant appears to need a refresh. You will have fresher, cleaner foliage.
Pro Tip: Always wipe the leaves dry after cleaning to prevent acid spots or sunburns.
3. Lemon Juice Pest Mist
Pests like aphids and thrips may love your snake plant, but they absolutely hate anything acidic, and that’s where lemon juice comes to the rescue.
A lightly misted lemon water spray makes the foliage of your snake plant less inviting. This simple hack keeps your snake plant pest-free without reaching for chemical sprays. Just mix one tablespoon of lemon juice with one liter of water and pour it into a spray bottle.
Lightly mist the top, bottom, and undersides of the leaves, focusing on spots where bugs usually hide, but don’t drench them. If you’re facing active pests or want to take preventive measures, use this mist every few weeks.
Pro Tip: Timing matters! Never mist during the hottest part of the day or when the plant is in direct sunlight, as lemon juice can make the leaves sensitive and cause mild sunburn.
Important Things to Remember
- Don’t use lemon juice undiluted. It is acidic enough to harm even hardy snake plant roots or burn leaves.
- Skip this hack if your soil is already acidic (pH below 5.5), as adding lemon will actually harm, not help.
- Check for drainage. If your pot retains water, lemon juice can increase the likelihood of root rot.
- Watch for leaf discoloration after application. If you see fading or yellowing, reduce frequency or dilute more.
- This is a temporary hack not a permanent solution, if your soil is alkaline.
Alright, it’s time to try this hack for yourself. Do share your thoughts in the comments below and bury a penny in the pot! Why? Read about it here!
