Plant Comparisons – Page 2 – Ask the plantician

Plants are a great way of giving your home a fresh and lively outlook. Two of the most common plants people choose when decorating their homes are the spider and snake plants. Now, both of these are excellent houseplants. But, you're probably here to learn which would be better. Spider plants and Snake plants are both air-purifying plants that grow well indoors. Both of these plants are easy to take care of and do not require too much watering or sunlight. They come in pots and are the perfect size for rooms that do not get much fresh air. Though these plants are similar in many ways, some structural differences set them apart. In this article, I will be providing a brief comparative breakdown of a spider plant vs snake plant. It is important to properly research things before adding them to your house. So, if you are looking to buy a spider or snake plant and would like to know more about the differences, similarities, pros, and cons of each, then keep on reading. Similarities Between Spider and Snake Plants Before jumping into the differences, let us briefly talk about the similarities. Both spider plants and snake plants are air-purifying. This means that these plants help clean out the air of whatever place they are in. They are also potted plants that are easy to take care of and grow well indoors. They share many traits and properties since they are of the same category as air-purifying plants. For instance, they are both susceptible to root rot. Because of this, they both require soil with good drainage properties and long intervals between watering. However, these properties make these plants easy to take care of and great for growing indoors. Spider vs Snake Plants: A Detailed Comparison Now that the similarities are out of the way let us talk about the real comparisons that will help you decide which of these two plants to get - the differences. Structure You may have already guessed the names, that spider plants and snake plants have different structures or shapes. The outline of a spider plant is similar to that of a spider. The base stalk is low rising, and the leaves droop and spill over the pot in a way that resembles a spider. On the other hand, snake plants have a tall structure. The thick leaves grow erect from within the pot. As suggested by the name, the shape of the leaves in a snake plant resembles the shape of a snake. Leaves Aside from the overall silhouette of the plant, spider plants and snake plants have very different leaves. The leaves of a spider plant are long and thin. Their texture is light and paper-like, similar to that of most regular plants. The leaves of a snake plant are similar to that of a succulent. Snake plant leaves can store significant amounts of water. This gives them a texture that is plump and spongy. The leaves of snake plants are also a lot thicker than regular plants. Size Since the structure of a spider plant has a low rising stalk and leaves that droop downwards, they do not have much height. At full maturity, spider plants grow up to 1 to 2 feet in terms of height and width. Contrastingly, snake plants are known for growing quite tall. They have erect leaves which gives them a significant amount of height even when they are young. The height of snake inches varies depending on the species. They can range anywhere between 1 to 8 feet tall. Soil Spider plants and snake plants are both susceptible to root rot. This usually happens when there is too much water located near the roots of the plant causing them to rot. Because of this, both plants require soil that offers good drainage. How they differ is in the texture of their well-drained soil. Snake plant leaves are capable of storing water. Because of this, they grow better in drier soils with a sandy texture. Alternatively, spider plants cannot store water in their leaves, thus requiring more nourishing soil. Spider plants grow better in soils that are moist and loamy. Blooming Season Another difference between these two plants is their blooming season. Both of these plants grow white flowers. However, this is much more common in one of these plants than in the other. Spider plants bloom flowers all year round regardless of what season it is. On the other hand, snake plants only bloom during spring. Even then it is important to note that there is no guarantee of blooming. Though snake plants can bloom in spring, it is quite rare and random. Pet Friendliness This is perhaps one of the most important differences between snake plants and spider plants. The leaves of snake plants are extremely toxic to cats and dogs. Although spider plants are by no means digestible, they will not cause any major harm if eaten by a pet. If you have cats, dogs, or any other sort of pet at home, you shouldn't buy a snake plant. If you do decide to get one despite having pets, make sure that it is in an area where cats and dogs cannot reach them. Spider Plant vs Snake Plants - Which is Better? Now that you know the differences between spider plants and snake plants, you may be wondering which is better. There are advantages and disadvantages for both. Here is a small list of pros and cons to help you decide which is better for you. Spider Plant Here are some pros and cons to consider before getting spider plants: Pros Safe for cats and dogsPurifies airDoes not take up too much spaceBlossoms at all times of the year Cons Droopy leaves can look messyRequires a more specialized soil Snake Plant Here are some pros and cons to consider before getting snake plants: Pros Makes the air in a room cleanerLooks elegant and majesticRequires less watering and care compared to spider plantsHas various subspecies to choose from Cons Is harmful to cats, dogs, and other household petsOnly blossoms at springtime Should You Get a Spider Plant or a Snake Plant? Now that we have re-evaluated the pros and cons of spider plants and snake plants, you should be much closer to making your decision. Both of these plants provide similar health benefits in terms of air purification. Thus, if confused, you may consider picking a plant based on how they look and match your room's aesthetic. However, some security measures should be taken into consideration. Snake plants, despite being elegant-looking, are very harmful if ingested. Therefore, if your house has any pets or children, it is best to get a spider plant rather than a snake plant. If you are insistent on getting a snake plant, it is suggested that you keep it in a space where it cannot be reached by pets or children. Conclusion Spider and snake plants are both good health-enhancing indoor plants. Regardless of which you choose, you are likely to benefit from either decision. Now that you know the core differences between a spider plant vs. snake plant, I'm sure you will have no problem picking the plant that is the best choice for your home.