Why is My Snake Plant Wilting? 7 Common Causes and How to Fix Them

Snake plants, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue or Sansevieria, are some of the most popular and hardy houseplants. Their stiff upright leaves add a tropical vibe to any indoor space while being able to tolerate low light and infrequent watering. However even hardy snake plants can start to wilt and look poorly from time to time.

If you notice your snake plant’s leaves drooping, curling, or turning yellow, it’s likely suffering from one of these common problems. Read on to learn the top 7 reasons why snake plants wilt and how to revive your plant.

Overwatering

The number one cause of a wilting snake plant is overwatering. Snake plants are succulents, meaning they store water in their thick, waxy leaves. They don’t need frequent watering. Too much moisture around the roots will cause them to rot, leading to wilting.

Signs of Overwatering

• Leaves becoming limp, droopy and bending over
• Yellowing or transparent leaves
• Mushy or rotten roots
• Foul odor from the soil

How to Fix Overwatering

• Remove the plant from its pot and inspect the roots. Trim off any that are black, mushy or foul-smelling.
• Repot in fresh, well-draining soil. Add perlite or gravel to improve drainage.
• Water only when the top 50% of soil is dry.
• Pour out any water that collects in the saucer beneath the pot.

Underwatering

While overwatering is more common, allowing your snake plant to dry out too much can also cause it to wilt. Snake plants still need occasional watering to thrive.

Signs of Underwatering

• Leaves feeling thin, wrinkled or curled
• Leaf tips turning brown
• Soil is bone dry
• Plant becoming droopy or wilted

How to Fix Underwatering

• Water the plant thoroughly, until water drains from the bottom of the pot.
• Check the soil before watering again. Water when the top 1-2 inches become dry.
• Increase watering frequency slightly in warmer months or drier air.

Root Rot

If overwatering persists, it can lead to deadly root rot This fungal disease causes the roots to turn brown, slimy and die. Plants rely on healthy roots to take in moisture, so root rot quickly causes wilting.

Signs of Root Rot

• Soft, mushy roots
• Foul odor coming from the soil or roots
• Severe leaf wilting, drooping, yellowing

How to Fix Root Rot

• Remove the plant from its pot and wash off the roots. Trim away all rotten roots.
• Repot in fresh, sterile soil mixed with sand or perlite.
• Allow the plant to dry out between waterings going forward.

Too Much Direct Sun

While snake plants tolerate low light, too much direct sun can scorch their leaves If placed in a sunny window, the leaves may start to yellow, burn or wilt

Signs of Too Much Sun

• Leaves yellowing or browning at the tips or edges
• White spots or burn marks on leaves
• Leaves feeling dry or crispy

How to Fix Too Much Sun

• Move the plant to a spot with bright, indirect light. An east or west-facing window is ideal.
• Keep it shaded from hot afternoon sun rays.
• Mist the leaves to boost moisture if dry air is worsening the problem.

Drafts or Cold Temperatures

Snake plants prefer warm conditions between 60-80°F. Exposure to cold drafts from windows, vents or doors can shock the plant, resulting in wilting leaves.

Signs of Cold Stress

• Leaves becoming droopy or shriveled
• Slow, stunted growth
• Leaf tips turning brown

How to Fix Cold Stress

• Move the snake plant away from drafty windows, doors, and vents.
• Keep indoor temperatures above 55°F.
• Mist the leaves to boost moisture.
• Place the pot on a pebble tray with water to increase humidity.

Pests

Spider mites, mealybugs and scale are common pests of indoor plants. An infestation can weaken and damage the leaves, causing them to wilt. Check along the leaf undersides for small bugs or webs if you suspect pests.

How to Fix Pests

• Isolate the affected plant to prevent spreading.
• Wipe leaves with neem oil, insecticidal soap or diluted rubbing alcohol to kill bugs.
• Apply every 5-7 days until no more pests are seen.
• Cut off severely infested leaves.

Repotting Stress

Repotting into a larger container is necessary when the roots fill the pot. However, it can stress the plant. Leaves may droop or wilt temporarily as the roots recover and adapt.

How to Minimize Repotting Stress

• Water the plant 1-2 days before repotting to moisten the root ball.
• Loosen tangled roots before placing in new pot.
• Keep the plant shaded 2-3 days after repotting.
• Mist leaves and maintain even moisture in the soil.

How to Perk Up a Wilting Snake Plant

• For overwatering, repot in fresh, dry soil after inspecting the roots.
• Underwatered plants should be soaked thoroughly until water drains from the pot.
• Increase light if sun stress is causing wilting.
• Apply a balanced fertilizer at half-strength to nourish the plant.
• Mist leaves and raise humidity for cold or dry air issues.

With some tweaks to its care, a wilting snake plant can make a full recovery. Be sure to identify and address the underlying cause for the best results reviving your plant. With proper conditions, your snake plant will soon return to its upright, lush appearance.

Snake plant leaves falling over can be due to several factors, including overwatering, inadequate light, or the plant being too top-heavy.

An overwatered snake plant will exhibit several key signs, most notably soft, mushy, and yellowing leaves, which can also turn brown or develop dark patches. The leaves may also droop or fall off easily, and the soil may feel consistently moist or wet.

To strengthen a snake plant, focus on proper watering, light, and soil conditions. Avoid overwatering, provide bright, indirect light, and use well-draining soil.