Have you heard about the white owl snake plant? This sansevieria variation will blow your mind! Unlike many other snake plants, the white owl brings something unique to the table.
Snake plants are popular for indoor and outdoor growth. They’re low-maintenance, multiply in no time, and make excellent decorative pieces. If you want to impress your guests with an out-of-this-world plant that will leave them wondering, the white owl snake plant is a good choice.
In this article, I explain what it is and share some info about a close relative: the night owl snake plant. You’ll also read the reasons why your green snake plant might appear white.
What Is A White Owl Snake Plant?
White owl snake plants are also known as moonshine sansevieria. Unlike typical snake plants, the white owl variety has mint-green to white leaves and is a rare plant to get your hands on! You might see some silvery green hues in it too.
How Do You Take Care Of A White Owl Snake Plant?
Caring for a white owl snake plant is easy. If you keep its leaves dry and ensure you don’t overwater them, your plant will do well. You can fertilize it twice a year and expose it to about 6 hours of indirect daily sunlight for optimal health.
What is a Night Owl Snake Plant?
The night owl snake plant has dark green leaves with a creamy-yellow border. It’s shorter and broader than other snake plants, making it perfect for bedrooms. This plant adapts well to light and dark rooms and will purify the air while you sleep.
How Do You Take Care Of A Night Owl Snake Plant?
You should ensure your night owl snake plant is in well-draining soil. Water it only once a week and check that the top 2 inches of soil are dry before doing so again. You can add fertilizer to this plant’s pot monthly to ensure it thrives.
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Why Is My Snake Plant Turning White?
If you have a green snake plant and suddenly notice white spots, there could be several reasons for this. Let’s look at each!
Too Much Sunlight Exposure
Green snake plants exposed to too much direct sunlight can turn white. The sun can literally bleach your plant leaves, causing them to lose color. This washed-out appearance can be permanent.
If you think this is the cause, move your plant to an area with less direct sunlight exposure.
Potassium Deficiency
Snake plants with a potassium deficiency can turn white. While it’s difficult to pinpoint this cause, you can start by running soil tests. If this isn’t an option, use a potassium-rich fertilizer to see if your plant improves.
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Too Much Water
Another reason snake plants turn white is overwatering. Poor soil drainage can cause root rot and, in return, turn your snake plant leaves yellow and white. If this continues, your plant could damage to the extent that it can’t recover.
Infections And Pests
Snake plants that appear white with no common cause, like watering or sunlight issues, could be a disease carrier or infested by bugs.
A common fungal infection affecting snake plants is powdery mildew. While this won’t kill your plant, it will weaken the plant leaves and turn them white. A powdery mildew infection can start as small white dots but eventually cover your whole plant in patches.
Insects that like to feed on snake plants include mealybugs and spider mites. Mealybugs suck sap from plump leaves. They’re small, cotton-like critters that can make your plant look white. Another bug that can infest your snake plant is the spider mite. These brownish insects will weave webs under your plant leaves that prevent photosynthesis. When this process doesn’t occur, snake plant leaves can turn white.
Should I Repot My Snake Plant After Buying It?
There’s no need to repot your snake plant directly after buying it. You’ll know it’s time when the roots start peaking out or are bound – water draining straight through is a sign of this. Before you repot your snake plant, do this:
- Place your plant in the spot it’ll be standing in after repotting. This will help it get used to its new conditions and minimize the chance of transplantation shock.
- Prepare your new potting soil by adding the appropriate fertilizer and watering it thoroughly.
You can then carefully remove your snake plant from its current pot and gently place its roots in the new soil after making a hole. Fill the gaps around the roots and water them. Put your pot and plant in its sunny spot and keep a close eye on it over the next few days. Ensure the soil stays moist for healthy root establishment.
Interesting Facts About The White Owl Snake Plan
- The white owl snake plant is more commonly known as the moonshine snake plant.
- This sansevieria can grow up to 2 feet tall!
- When exposed to direct sunlight, the leaves can turn darker.
- The white owl snake plant is mildly toxic to animals but non-toxic to humans.
- It’s easy to propagate white owl snake plants from cuttings.
- This snake plant can tolerate drought and won’t die if you forget to water it for a few weeks.
- The white owl snake plant can tolerate warm and cold temperatures.
- If you’re big on aesthetics, the white owl snake plant will fit right in! It’s a popular plant used for indoor decor.
In Ending – White Owl Snake Plant
The white owl snake plant isn’t well known by this name. Most people refer to it as the moonshine snake plant, which is also what it’s known by in West Africa, where it’s native. You might have trouble getting your hands on one of these rare plants, but once you do, you can propagate hundreds!
I hope you enjoyed this article and found the facts about the white owl snake plant interesting. If you have more questions about snake plants or something to add to the discussion, pop them in the comments!
Natasha is an avid gardener and lover of nature. She grew up in a rural area surrounded by flowers, trees, and birds. She was inspired by this environment to grow her own garden. Natasha spends her weekends tending to her garden and taking care of her plants. She also enjoys hiking and exploring different areas to find new and interesting plants to add to her collection. Natasha‘s love of gardening has also inspired her to take classes and study horticulture. Her knowledge of plants, flowers, and trees is extensive and her garden is a testament to her hard work. Natasha loves to share her passion of gardening with others and often hosts gardening events in her community. Her enthusiasm for the outdoors and gardening is infectious and she is always eager to help others learn about gardening.