Snake Plants (Sansevieria) are one of the most – if not the most – popular houseplants on the market. Commonly referred to as mother-in-law’s tongue, their structural shape is highly sought after, but they are chosen most often for their ease of growth.
Due to its incredibly carefree nature, many plant parents are shocked when they discover problems with their snake plant. They are known to tolerate a wide range of lighting conditions and can handle plenty of neglect. It’s hard to imagine anything ever going wrong.
Unfortunately, there are quite a few things that can go wrong with your snake plants, from drooping leaves to brown spots or lack of growth. However, most are easy to fix, and your snake plant should return to normal in no time.
Snake plants, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue or Sansevieria, are one of the most popular and hardy houseplants. Their sword-like upright leaves add great architectural shape to any indoor space
While they have a reputation for being nearly indestructible, snake plants can develop issues like any other houseplant. The key is noticing the symptoms and quickly identifying the problem so you can get your snake plant back to health.
In this complete troubleshooting guide, we will cover:
- The most common snake plant problems
- Diagnosing issues based on visible symptoms
- Solutions and care tips to treat and prevent future problems
The Most Common Snake Plant Problems
Here are some of the most common issues that affect snake plants with their visible symptoms
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Yellow leaves – This is usually caused by overwatering or underwatering. It can also be a sign of overfertilization or pest problems.
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Brown leaf tips – This is typically due to too much sunlight, changes in temperature or humidity, water stress, or pests.
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Drooping or falling leaves – This happens when the roots are damaged from overwatering or the plant is stressed by changes in lighting or temperatures.
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Wrinkled, mushy, or curled leaves – These symptoms are commonly caused by underwatering, diseases, being rootbound, or too much fertilizer.
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** Twisted or deformed leaves** – This is generally a sign of dehydration or pest damage.
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Stunted growth – This can be caused by an oversized pot, insufficient lighting, irregular watering, lack of nutrients, or disease.
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Smelly, brown, mushy roots – These are clear indicators of root rot disease.
Now let’s go over these common problems in more detail and how to fix them.
How to Diagnose and Treat Common Snake Plant Problems
Yellow Leaves
If the leaves on your snake plant are turning yellow, it usually means there is an improper balance of water and nutrients.
Overwatering is the most common cause of yellow leaves. Too much moisture in the soil leads to root rot. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Underwatering can also cause yellowing when the leaves become dehydrated. Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry.
Overfertilization builds up salts in the soil, causing fertilizer burn. Flush the soil with clean water to wash out excess salts.
Pests like spider mites and mealybugs drink the plant juices, causing yellowing. Wipe leaves down with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Brown Leaf Tips
If the tips or edges of your snake plant’s leaves are turning brown, it’s usually due to cultural or environmental issues.
Direct sunlight burns the cells, causing brown sunburned spots. Move to bright, indirect light without direct sun shining on the leaves.
Temperature or humidity changes, like cold drafts or dry heat, will stress the plant. Keep the plant away from air vents and maintain 40-60% humidity.
Underwatering and overwatering both cause water stress. Stick to watering only when the top few inches of soil are dry.
Pests can also cause brown crispy tips as they feed on the leaves. Check for bugs and use horticultural oils or insecticidal soap sprays.
Drooping or Falling Leaves
If the upright leaves of your snake plant start drooping or falling over, it means the plant is becoming weak and unable to support itself.
Overwatering leads to root rot, damaging the plant’s ability to take up moisture. Allow the soil to thoroughly dry out before watering again.
Repotting shock can cause temporary stress after repotting. Give the plant time to recover and establish new roots before disturbing it again.
Insufficient light prevents the plant from generating energy to grow strong. Slowly increase light levels to bright indirect light.
Low temperatures can make the leaves limp and unable to stay upright. Keep the plant above 60°F for optimal growth.
Wrinkled, Mushy, or Curled Leaves
Wrinkled, curled, or mushy leaves are caused by dehydration or excess moisture in the plant.
Underwatering causes the leaves to wrinkle and curl inward to conserve moisture. Water more frequently when the soil is partly dry.
Rootbound plants cannot take up enough water and nutrients. Repot in a container one size larger if potbound.
Overfertilization damages roots and prevents water uptake. Flush the soil and avoid overfeeding.
Diseases like root rot cause mushy, discolored leaves. Improve drainage and treat with fungicides if necessary.
Twisted or Deformed Leaves
If your snake plant has oddly twisted or deformed leaves, the usual cause is dehydration or pest infestation.
Dehydration makes the leaves twist to conserve moisture. This also causes wrinkled and curled leaves. Increase watering frequency.
Pests like spider mites cause deformed growth as they feed. Wipe leaves with insecticidal soap and keep the plant isolated until pests are gone.
Stunted Growth
When your snake plant stops actively growing or produces smaller leaves, it is usually an environmental issue.
An oversized pot focuses energy on root growth rather than leaves. Repot in a snugly fitting small pot.
Insufficient light prevents normal photosynthesis and growth. Place in bright, indirect light without direct sun.
Irregular watering causes stress. Water only when the top few inches of soil are dry.
Lack of nutrients causes poor growth. Fertilize in the spring and summer with a balanced houseplant fertilizer.
Smelly, Mushy, Brown Roots
Rotten, smelly roots are the sure sign of root rot. The soil stays wet for too long, encouraging fungal growth. Improve drainage and allow the soil to fully dry out between waterings. Remove dead roots and repot in fresh soil. Use a fungicide drench if necessary.
How to Prevent Future Snake Plant Problems
Here are some care tips to keep your snake plant healthy and prevent disease issues:
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Water only when the top few inches of soil are dry to avoid overwatering.
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Make sure the pot has drainage holes and well-draining soil.
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Give bright, indirect light without direct sun shining on leaves.
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Keep temps between 60-80°F and humidity around 40-60%.
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Repot when rootbound into a pot only slightly larger.
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Fertilize lightly in the growing season if needed.
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Inspect regularly for pests and treat immediately if found.
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Allow the plant time to recover after repotting or environmental changes.
Snake plants are adapted to thrive with minimal care. But they can still run into problems if their basic needs aren’t met.
Pay close attention to any changes in your plant’s appearance and take quick action to diagnose and treat issues. With proper troubleshooting and care, you can get your snake plant back in top shape!
Why Do Snake Plant Leaves Curl?
A snake plant with curled leaves is a sign there’s something wrong and needs fixing quickly if you want to save your plant. The problem can be anything from water problems, pest diseases, and too much sunlight to root disease, or something else.
Yes, too much direct sunlight can cause the leaves of your snake plant to curl. Snake plants that regularly receive too much sunlight can experience an increase in the speed of photosynthesis and transpiration, which can deplete and dehydrate the plant. This dehydration can result in curling leaves.
Finding the right solution depends on you pinpointing the underlying reason for the curling. Once you know the cause, there are several solutions:
- Water your snake plant every 2-4 weeks
- Provide bright indirect light for your plant
- Utilize fertilizer sparingly
- Keep the temperature at 55 to 85°F
- Replant the snake plant using fresh potting soil
- Adjust the pH of the soil to 5.5 to 7.5
- Eliminate pests
Leaves are narrow and stretched
Too much sun can cause the leaves to droop, but too little can also have adverse effects.
Plants need sunlight for photosynthesis to keep themselves alive. They will do whatever they can to ensure they get enough of it. This is especially true for succulent-like plants that require more sunlight than other thin-leaved plants.
When snake plants don’t get enough light, they will begin to grow and stretch toward the nearest light source. This stretching is known as etiolation – the cause of extra-long, narrow and thin leaves that don’t look particularly attractive and aren’t good for the plant either.
The solution here is simple – give your plant more light. Bright indirect light near a window should be sufficient, but these plants do prefer some direct sunlight for a few hours of the day.
Unfortunately, once the leaves have grown this way, it will be difficult to get the plant to its pre-etiolation growth and appearance. If your plant is too far gone, wait for it to grow shoots and repot them, or propagate the plant by taking cuttings from the healthiest looking leaves.
Here’s a great tutorial to propagating snake plants in four different ways.
10 Common Snake Plant Problems & How To Fix Them
FAQ
What does an overwatered snake plant look like?
- Drooping Leaves: Instead of standing upright, the leaves will become limp and droopy.
- Yellowing or Browning: The leaves will turn yellow or brown, indicating a problem with the plant’s ability to absorb water and nutrients.
- Mushy or Squishy Leaves: The leaves will feel soft and mushy when touched, indicating the plant’s cells are breaking down.
- Black Spots: Black, squishy spots may appear on the leaves, which can be a sign of fungal infection or root rot.
- Moldy Soil: The soil in the pot might develop a white, fuzzy covering, which is a sign of fungal growth.
- Rotting Roots: If the roots are dark, brown, or black and smell foul, this indicates root rot.
- General Weakness: The plant may appear weak and unhealthy overall.
How do I tell what’s wrong with my snake plant?
Wilted or flopping foliage, yellowing leaves, and slow or stunted growth are all signs that something is not right with your Snake Plant.May 23, 2023
How to fix a sick snake plant?
- Symptoms: Soft, mushy leaves, rotting roots, and smelly soil.
- Action: Remove the plant from its pot, trim back damaged leaves, and replace the soil with new, dry potting mix. Allow the roots to dry out completely before repotting.
- Note: Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it’s crucial to address it promptly.
What does a stressed snake plant look like?
Brown tips and edges on a snake plant are common responses to stress. The trick is to find out what is causing the stress and fix it. This means that you should step up your snake plant care efforts, whether you need to adjust the plant’s watering schedule or light exposure levels.
Do snake plants have problems?
Snake plants don’t experience many problems, however when they do the initial symptoms begin to show in those beautiful long sword-shaped leaves. Some common symptoms are curling, discoloration, falling over or even becoming wrinkled and mushy.
What can cause snake plant leaves to rot?
If watering is not your issue, humidity may be the culprit causing the snake plant leaves to rot. Alternatively, you can make your own potting mix using a combination of potting soil and coarse sand to improve drainage. Trim rotten roots and cut back the damaged leaves to promote new, healthy growth.
Why are my Snake Plant leaves mushy?
Soft, mushy leaves on a Snake Plant are most often a sign of overwatering. Overwatering can cause the roots to rot, the leaves to fall over, and the leaves themselves to become mushy and disintegrate.
How do I know if my snake plant is bad?
I understand how crucial it is to keep an eye out for warning signs that indicate my snake plant isn’t at its best. Symptoms of distress include discolored, drooping, or deformed leaves, stunted growth, and damaged roots. Specifically, yellowing leaves might signal overwatering, while brown tips could indicate under-watering or dry air conditions.
What happens if you water a snake plant too much?
On the other hand, too much water can also produce yellow leaves on a snake plant. When there is an abundance of water present in the soil, the leaves will become over saturated. Finding the right balance of water for your snake plant can be challenging.
What happens if a snake plant is exposed to sunlight?
When a snake plant is exposed to direct sunlight, it can suffer leaf burn (a plants’ version of sunburn). The direct light is too intense and often dehydrates the leaves from the heat. This leaves the leaves weak and susceptible to burning, which shows as brown tips and edges.