What To Do When Your Snake Plant Gets Too Much Water

The snake plant, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue or Sansevieria, is one of the most popular and hardy houseplants While these succulents are pretty forgiving when it comes to care and maintenance, they do have one major weakness – overwatering.

It’s easy to accidentally give your snake plant too much water After all, we’re conditioned to think that plants need frequent watering. However, for a drought-resistant plant like the snake plant, too much moisture can be downright deadly

If you suspect that your snake plant has been overwatered, don’t panic. With some attentive care, you can help it recover and prevent future issues. In this article, we’ll go over the signs of overwatering in snake plants, how to fix an overwatered plant, and tips to stop excess watering in the future.

Recognizing the Signs of Overwatering

The first step is identifying whether your snake plant is actually getting too much water. Here are some of the most common symptoms:

• Wilting or drooping leaves – If perfectly healthy leaves start sagging, it’s a sign the plant is waterlogged.

• Soft, mushy leaves – Excess water causes the leaves to get overly plump and mushy. Healthy leaves are more firm.

• Brown leaf tips – The cells start dying back from the leaf tips if they’re taking in too much water.

• Rotting roots – One of the surest signs is if you find mushy, rotten roots when you take the plant out of the pot.

• Foul odor – Excess moisture causes the roots to rot, giving off a foul stench.

• Mold growth – You may see fuzzy gray mold on the soil surface or on the leaves themselves.

• Insects like fungus gnats – These pests thrive in wet conditions.

If you notice several of these symptoms together, there’s a good chance overwatering is responsible.

Dangers of Too Much Water for Snake Plants

What exactly happens when a snake plant gets too much hydration? Here are some of the biggest risks:

• Root rot – One of the most common and lethal issues caused by overwatering. Fungi infect the roots, causing them to turn brown, slimy, and mushy. This prevents them from taking up water and nutrients.

• Pests and diseases – Excess moisture allows fungal infections and bugs like fungus gnats or mosquito larvae to take hold. These can damage or kill the plant.

• Leaf drop – With damaged roots unable to supply moisture, the leaves start dying off. The plant drops lower leaves first before declining entirely.

• Death – If overwatering persists, the snake plant simply cannot survive. The roots and leaves will rot away until there’s nothing left. Acting quickly gives you the best chance of recovery.

How To Fix an Overwatered Snake Plant

If you catch the overwatering early enough, it’s possible to nurse your snake plant back to health. Here are some tips:

• Stop watering – Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. This may take 1-2 weeks.

• Remove from pot – Carefully take the plant out of the pot and inspect the roots. Cut away any mushy roots.

• Repot in fresh soil – Replant in a potting mix made for cacti and succulents that drains quickly.

• Give bright, indirect light – Good air circulation and light help dry out the plant. Avoid direct sun which can burn it.

• Treat root rot – Use a fungicide on healthy roots to kill root rot pathogens. Let sit for a day before replanting.

• Wait to water again – Don’t water until the soil is completely dry. Then give infrequent, deep watering.

• Monitor for new growth – Signs of recovery include new leaves and roots. Adjust care as needed.

With quick action, you can help your overwatered snake plant recover and thrive again. Just be sure to identify and amend the overwatering issue.

Preventing Future Overwatering

Once you’ve fixed an overwatered plant, it’s crucial to modify your care regimen to stop excess water issues in the future. Here are some handy tips:

• Water only when the top inch of soil is dry. Use your finger to check moisture.

• Choose pots with drainage holes and use well-draining cactus/succulent soil mixes.

• Add pebbles or gravel to the bottom of pots to improve drainage.

• Use terra cotta pots that dry out faster than plastic containers.

• Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom, then don’t water again until dry.

• Pour out any water that collects in saucers after watering.

• Reduce watering frequency in winter when growth slows.

• Repot in fresh soil every 2-3 years as older mixes retain more moisture.

Getting moisture management just right for your snake plant takes some trial and error. But with a few simple adjustments, you can easily prevent overwatering and help your plant thrive.

FAQs About Overwatered Snake Plants

How do I revive an overwatered snake plant?

Stop watering, remove from soil, trim dead roots, repot in fast-draining mix, treat root rot, give bright indirect light, wait for soil to dry out completely before watering again.

What causes droopy snake plant leaves?

Excess moisture is the most common cause of snake plant leaves drooping and wilting. Allow soil to dry out completely before watering again.

Should I remove yellow leaves on my snake plant?

Remove fully yellow or damaged leaves. But leaves starting to yellow can recover if you fix underlying issues like overwatering.

What is the best soil for snake plants?

Snake plants do best in a very fast-draining cactus or succulent soil mix. You can also add extra perlite or gravel to improve drainage.

How often should you water a snake plant?

Water a snake plant only when the top inch of soil is completely dry. This may mean watering every 2-6 weeks depending on conditions.

How do I know if my snake plant is overwatered?

Signs include drooping leaves, mushy stems, foul odor, mold growth, insects, and rotting at the base or roots. Act promptly if you notice these issues.

With the right adjustments to your care routine, you can easily get an overwatered snake plant back to full health. Just be sure to thoroughly fix any moisture issues and reduce future overwatering through attentive watering habits and very well-draining soil.