---
title: "Hello, the soil in my snake plant is super stiff and feels almost…"
description: "Hello, the soil in my snake plant is super stiff and feels almost like styrofoam. I can’t even stick my finger in it to check the moisture level it’s so stiff.…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w/PdkYhkWUTMGAX0D7RZ6VRg"
community: "The Cactus & Succulent Circle"
author: "Sarah"
published: "2024-05-16T23:53:44.132239Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/N2p4HsV8h6jcDTJQmpYI1u4wxODVPQ42NujLw6NVSh8/kyQsxdMpQqiSKMAb5-jpzQ.webp?size=large"
---

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# Hello, the soil in my snake plant is super stiff and feels almost…

_Posted by Sarah on 2024-05-16_

Hello, the soil in my snake plant is super stiff and feels almost like styrofoam. I can’t even stick my finger in it to check the moisture level it’s so stiff. Does anyone know why this is? It’s in the original pot and soil from the nursery.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/N2p4HsV8h6jcDTJQmpYI1u4wxODVPQ42NujLw6NVSh8/kyQsxdMpQqiSKMAb5-jpzQ.webp?size=large)

## 9 comments

### Louis commented on 2024-05-16

You should repot it with new soil

### Kades commented on 2024-05-16

Agreed time for a repot!

### Sarah commented on 2024-05-17

Any tips on how to loosen the soil to repot it? And how many inches bigger than the current pot should the new pot be? Lastly, just a succulent soil or what type? This is the most challenging of all my plants to grow! lol

#### Anna replied on 2024-05-17

I’ve seen people use a chopstick or crotchet needle to loosen up the soil. You can just dump the pot over, but protect the plant, onto a dump tray or something like that! Check the root ball and measure about 1-2 inches bigger than the root ball for the pot size. As for the soil type I always do a mixture of orchid bark, perlite, and either miracle grow or pro mix potting soil!

#### Sarah replied on 2024-05-17

Thank you for the help!!

### Sunny commented on 2024-05-17

You should address how the plant and soil got that dehydrated to avoid it happening again. Dehydration is shown in the compacted soil and papery, wrinkled snake plant. I recommend bottom water to allow both the pot and soil to pick up as much moisture as they need. Remove from the water when the top of the soil is moist. 🍀🪴

#### Sarah replied on 2024-05-17

That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out. Someone else said on another of my posts that it was overwatered. But due to the soil being like that I’ve been thinking underwatered. Yesterday I bottom watered it for about 4 hours but the top of the soil never got moist. So I’m planning to repot it then bottom water it. It was all like this from the nursery so I’ve been months trying to figure out what it needs. It’s been to a new home/environment 3 times since I bought it too plus I live in a humid part of the US. Lots of stresses on it for sure. Thank you for the input!!

#### Sunny replied on 2024-05-17

I feel your pain. It’s hard to revive a plant that was not in good shape on arrival.

#### Sarah replied on 2024-05-19

It took about 20 hours for the top soil to get moist from bottom watering but it worked and now the soil has loosened up a bit! Guess it was super dry after all lol.

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