Snake Plant Fernwood Mikado Care Instructions

Thank you for choosing Joey’s Houseplants! Your support is greatly appreciated. Enjoy your new 10" Snake Plant Fernwood Mikado!

About your plant: Fernwood Mikado has slender cylindrical leaves that grow in dense, upright clusters. This product comes in a 10-inch grow pot.

There is a chance your plant may show signs of stress after shipping. This is completely normal. Unbox it promptly, check the soil before watering, and place it in a spot with indirect light. Avoid repotting or moving it repeatedly while it adjusts. A few cosmetic marks from travel do not necessarily mean the plant is unhealthy.

How to Find the Right Spot for Your Plant

A simple way to determine a good spot for your plant is to turn off all the lights in the room and place your plant where you'd like to keep it.

If the area receives plenty of natural light, it's likely a good spot. If the area is dark or receives very little natural light, you'll want to find a brighter location.

Light

Snake Plant Fernwood Mikado prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate low light. Low light does not mean no light. Not all windows provide the same amount of sunlight. Here's a simple guide to help you find the right spot for your houseplant, ranked from most to least sunlight.

1. South-Facing Windows — Most Sunlight

South-facing windows typically receive the most sunlight throughout the day.

If your window is unobstructed by trees, porches, or nearby buildings, direct sunlight can be intense. For plants that prefer indirect light, position them just outside the direct sun's path or use a sheer curtain to soften the light.

If trees, a covered porch, or nearby buildings reduce the amount of direct sunlight coming through your window, thus creating a more shaded spot, your plant may be perfectly happy right in front of it.

2. West-Facing Windows — Strong Afternoon Sun

West-facing windows receive afternoon and evening sunlight, which can be particularly intense.

If direct sunlight enters your window, place plants that prefer indirect light off to the side or use a sheer curtain.

If trees, a covered porch, or nearby buildings reduce the amount of direct sunlight coming through your window, thus creating a more shaded spot, your plant may be perfectly happy right in front of it.

3. East-Facing Windows — Gentle Morning Sun

East-facing windows receive morning sunlight, which is generally gentler than afternoon sun.

Many houseplants do well directly in front of an east-facing window, even with some morning sun.

For plants sensitive to direct sunlight, position them slightly off to the side or use a sheer curtain.

If trees, a covered porch, or nearby buildings reduce the amount of direct sunlight coming through your window, thus creating a more shaded spot, your plant may be perfectly happy right in front of it.

4. North-Facing Windows — Least Sunlight

North-facing windows generally receive the least direct sunlight and provide softer, indirect light throughout the day.

Most houseplants can be placed directly in front of a north-facing window without worrying about intense sunlight burning their leaves.

A north-facing window can work for Snake Plant Fernwood Mikado if the spot still receives natural light. If the space stays dark, add a grow light.

Remember

Window direction is only part of the equation! Trees, porches, buildings, curtains, and even the time of year can affect how much sunlight reaches your plant.

The goal is to match your plant's light requirements to the actual amount of light entering your home.

Grow Lights

If your home does not get enough natural light, a grow light can make a big difference for your Snake Plant Fernwood Mikado. LED grow lights are easy to use: affordable options come in stylish designs that fit your home, and one can cost about $5 a month to run, depending on its wattage, hours of use, and your electricity rate. Choose a grow light rather than relying on a regular room lamp. Grow lights are designed to deliver enough plant-usable light to support healthy growth. Position it according to the manufacturer’s directions, and use a timer for about 12 hours a day for best results. Eight to ten hours may be enough if the light is strong or your plant also gets some natural light.

Water

Let the soil dry completely throughout the pot before watering. Check several places deep in the pot with a moisture meter or wooden skewer. If any area is moist, wait. Snake Plants store water in their thick leaves and can go months between waterings. The surface may feel dry while the soil deeper down is still moist, so always check the soil first, even if it has been months since the last watering. Once the soil is dry throughout, water thoroughly until excess water runs from the drainage holes. When in doubt, wait and check again; Snake Plants are more likely to suffer from too much water than too little.

Do not follow a fixed schedule. Light, season, temperature, pot size, and soil affect how quickly the pot dries.

Soil

Use a fast-draining cactus, succulent, or houseplant mix. Extra perlite or pumice can improve drainage. Choose a pot with drainage holes so excess water can escape. Heavy soil that stays wet increases the risk of root rot, even when the plant looks dry at the surface.

Fertilizer

Fertilizer is optional. A Snake Plant Fernwood Mikado can remain healthy with suitable light and careful watering.

If desired, use a balanced houseplant fertilizer sparingly during spring and summer while the plant is actively growing. Wait until it has settled after shipping, and introduce fertilizer gradually:

• First application: Half the label-recommended amount
• Second application: Three-quarters of the label-recommended amount
• Later applications: Do not exceed the amount on the label

Avoid fertilizing in fall and winter or when the plant is stressed. Fertilizer cannot compensate for low light or soil that stays too wet.

Repotting

Snake Plants prefer to be slightly snug in their pots. Repot when the rhizomes crowd or distort the container, or roots grow heavily from drainage holes. Choose a pot with drainage that is only 1–2 inches wider than the root ball. An oversized pot holds extra moisture and increases the risk of root rot.

It is usually best to leave the plant in its grow pot after shipping. You can drop the grow pot into a decorative pot and remove it whenever you need to water and drain it.

Humidity & Temperature

Average household humidity is usually sufficient. Keep Snake Plant Fernwood Mikado above 60°F and away from cold drafts, air-conditioning vents, and heating vents. If moving it outdoors in warm weather, introduce brighter light gradually.

Pet Safety

Snake Plants are not pet safe if chewed or ingested. Their leaves contain compounds that can cause stomach upset. Keep the plant away from pets and children, and contact a veterinarian or poison-control service if any part is eaten.

Accessories

The following instructions apply if your order included a plant stand or water meter.

Plant Stand

Assemble the stand by connecting the two pieces at their center points, then place it on a stable, level surface. Pull the ends apart to open the stand as wide as possible. Carefully place the plant in the center, holding it securely so it does not fall while the stand is still open. Gently push the ends inward until they fit snugly around the pot and hold it securely in place.

Water Meter

Insert the probe until its tip is about two inches above the bottom of the pot. Check several areas without forcing it through roots or rhizomes. When the soil reads dry throughout, follow the timing in the Water section. Wipe the probe clean after use, and do not leave it in the soil permanently.

Questions?

If you have any questions or concerns about your plant, please reach out to support@joeyshouseplants.com. Thank you for supporting Joey’s Houseplants. Enjoy your new Snake Plant Fernwood Mikado!