Last Updated on September 9, 2023 by a Friendly Gardener
If you’ve always wanted to start your own garden but had no confidence in your green thumb, the snow white waffle plant is an excellent cornerstone! This beautiful indoor succulent, with its interesting foliage, can instantly liven up the space, and, to top it off, is super easy to care for.
Here’s everything you need to know about the snow white waffle plant and caring for your own waffle plant.
About the Plant
The Hemigraphis alternata “Snow White”, as the snow white waffle plant is scientifically known, is beloved for its cascading pink-and-white variegated light green leaves that sport a rich purple-magenta underside.
Native to Indonesia and India, waffle plants come in plenty of varieties with different variegation, from purple and white to metallic green and deep red. In the summer, these plants treat the household to gorgeous, bell-shaped blooms, leading to a favored position as an accent, at the center of many tables!
Many folks also pair the plant with taller indoor plants, as snow white waffle plants are quite short. In addition to adding aesthetic value, these plants are believed to purify indoor air, too.
Some popular waffle plant varieties include Colarata exotica, the purple waffle plant, dragon’s tongue, Belgian waffle, and the silver waffle plant.
At a Glance
- Botanical Name: Hemigraphis alternata
- Common Name: Snow white waffle plant
- Type of Plant: Perennial, flowering succulent
- Native Countries: Indonesia and India
- Maximum Size: Maximum height of 8 inches and maximum width of 24 inches
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets and humans
- Rate of Growth: Fast-growing plant
Snow White Waffle Plant Care
As is the case with most other succulents, snow white waffle plant care is pretty straightforward and minimal; these plants don’t require too much attention to thrive. However, some amount of minimal care will help your plant bloom its best!
Planting
Early spring to early summer, which are the months between March and June, are the ideal time to plant snow white waffle plants. This coincides with the plant’s active growing season, during which time they respond to and synthesize fertilizers well and blooms beautifully.
In this growing period, expose the plant to direct sunlight early in the morning and late in the afternoon, for a couple of hours in both instances, to stimulate growth and help the coloration develop.
It’s highly essential that you bring the plant indoors during the hot afternoon hours in between, as such intense sunlight can burn the plant.
Light
Mature snow white waffle plants love indirect sunlight, as intense, direct sunlight can bleach or burn the plant’s delicate leaves. That said, they love the occasional direct exposure to the sun, so a balanced spot, such as a windowsill where they don’t get burned by the light but can still enjoy some moderate, direct sunshine, is necessary.
Snow white waffle plants don’t like the dark either, as insufficient light causes them to lose their gorgeous colors.
If you’d like to grow your snow white waffle plant outdoors (though this doesn’t come recommended), find a spot with partial shade.
Temperature and Humidity
Snow white waffle plants detest the cold and don’t fare well when exposed to low temperatures or frost. These succulents need temperatures between 60℉ and 80℉ to thrive, which means that you’ll need to move them indoors during the winter and provide the aforementioned temperatures to keep the plant from dying.
Heaters and artificial lights are some options that you can consider to meet the plant’s temperature requirements.
When it comes to humidity, snow white waffle plants enjoy high levels of humidity (50% and above), like most succulents. If the air indoors is too dry, you can mist the leaves or install a humidifier to maintain the required humidity levels.
Water
Snow white waffle plants love staying hydrated, so you might find that these succulents need more water than their family members.
Regular watering is a must in the plant’s growing season. During this time, water the plant at least once a week or more often, depending on the heat.
However, be very careful that you don’t overwater your waffle plant, as this can lead to root rot. The soil must be moist, and not soggy or soaked through.
Pro tip—yellow, dry leaves are a sign of underwatering, whereas yellow leaves accompanied by fungal growth, a mushy stem base, and excessively moist soil are signs of overwatering.
Soil and Fertilizer
The ideal potting mix for waffle plants is well-draining, neutral soil that perfectly balances water retention and drainage. You want to avoid waterlogging, but at the same time, you want the soil to retain enough moisture for the plant’s well-being.
Cactus potting mix is a great idea for succulents, or you could just make your own mix by combining a scoop of drainage-enhancing materials, such as perlite, sand, or gravel, and store-bought general potting mix.
When it comes to fertilizers, any all-purpose fertilizer can work well. Stick to applying fertilizer only in the growing seasons and only once every month.
Repotting
Since the plant doesn’t grow too large, it doesn’t require frequent repotting. Repot only if you see that the plant is getting root bound (when the roots grow out of the pot’s drainage holes).
Propagation
Propagating waffle plants is quite simple and best done in the growing period. Stem cuttings work the best—take a cutting, about three or four inches in size, from a healthy, soft stem, remove any leaves, and plant it in rich, well-draining soil in a different pot.
The roots should develop within a few weeks, after which you can transplant your waffle plant to a new pot.
Diseases and Pests
With the snow white waffle plant, you’ll have to worry about common household and garden pests, such as scale insects and whiteflies. Fortunately, these are easy to battle with a few simple measures, such as horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.
Additionally, make sure you cut off any bitten or infected leaves.
In Conclusion
Snow white waffle plants are no-fuss indoor plants that are superb options for those freshly sprouted green thumbs! A little water, ample light, and regular check-ins will help your snow white waffle plant reach its maximum growth potential, rewarding you with beautiful foliage and flowers for a long time to come.