Snake plants thrive in hot, sunny conditions, although they prefer to be in the shade, frequently under tree canopies.
In some situations, snake plants can adapt to full sun, although they prefer brilliant indirect light and can even thrive in deep shade.
(Shade can help snake plants develop more slowly.) (For more information on why a snake plant isn’t growing and how to fix it, see my article.)
If the snake plant is relocated from a shady location to bright sunshine, it will burn and develop brown spots on the leaves.
The sunburned areas of the leaf do not recover in appearance, but they do not harm the snake plant, which can live for a long period even if its leaves are sunburned.
However, cutting the damaged leaf blade back to the earth to encourage additional healthy leaf growth is a good idea.
Because the snake plant can become quite top heavy, larger pots with a larger base prevent it from tumbling over. If a snake plant topples over, it might cause bruising.
Key Takeaways:
- Overwatering and moist soils cause the leaves to become yellow or brown and droop, resulting in a dying snake plant. Cold stress can be caused by temperatures below 50°F, resulting in a dying snake plant.
- If the leaves curl, it could be a sign of cold stress if they’ve been exposed to freezing temperatures, or it could be a sign of drought stress because the leaves store water.
- Sunburn is often indicated by brown dots on the leaves. Snake plants prefer bright indirect light, while direct sunlight can cause brown patches.
- To resurrect a dying snake plant, emulate the conditions of its native habitat by watering it seldom, using indirect light, and keeping it warm to avoid cold stress. Take leaf cuttings from healthy tissue to propagate the snake plant if it is dying.
Can a snake plant recover?
If you treat and save a snake plant early enough, it can recover from overwatering. Plants that are kept in damp soil for an extended period of time can develop severe root rot, a fungal disease that can quickly destroy the plant. You can begin rescuing the plant by ceasing to water it and relocating it to a sunny location.
How do I save my snake plant leaves?
Leaves that are yellow or drooping Remove your plant from the pot if it displays signs of root rot and start over with a new soilless mixture. Remove any discolored, mushy roots or leaves before repotting healthy rhizomes in the new mix. If the rhizomes cannot be salvaged, they should be discarded.
What does a dying snake plant look like?
Root rot, which is caused by overwatering, is the most common problem with Snake Plants, especially during the winter months. The roots then die back due to a lack of oxygen or a soil fungus overgrowth. Soggy soils promote the growth and reproduction of Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium fungi, which attack plants by spreading into the roots. As healthy roots die, they turn dark and mushy, unable to absorb the nutrients required for growth.
Root rot is difficult to detect since it develops beneath the soil surface and out of sight. Root rot can kill an entire plant in 10 days if the conditions are ideal, such as in pots without drainage holes.
While snake plants will struggle to live in pots without drainage holes, there are a few creative solutions to this problem that you might not consider. To learn how to grow plants in pots without holes, read my post.
Although it is necessary to pot your snake plant in a well-draining pot, you also want your plant to look good and add to the attractiveness of your home. You may have some ornamental pots with adequate drainage in which to plant your snake plant, but I prefer to place it on a drip tray or within a more elegant planter. Here are some of my favorite indoor planter designs.
Symptoms
The rot is first visible on the roots, causing them to turn dark and mushy, which are classic indicators of rot. Root rot causes leaves to turn yellow, wilt, or droop, and eventually become mushy. Once symptoms appear in the leaves, the condition may be beyond repair, putting the entire plant in jeopardy.
Treatment
If you catch the problem early enough, you can repot the plant. Remove as much diseased soil as possible before replacing it with new, clean potting soil. To assist avoid reinfection, apply a root treatment with helpful mycorrhizal species or sprinkle the healthy roots with sulfur powder. Sulfur acidifies the soil, making some nutrients less available and limiting the food source for pathogens that cause root rot. Beneficial mycorrhizae create a hostile environment for unwanted bacteria and fungi; sulfur acidifies the soil, making some nutrients less available and limiting the food source for pathogens that cause root rot.
If the root rot has progressed far enough, dissect the plant and keep just the healthy parts. Take cuttings from healthy foliage and root them to propagate a new plant if the entire base is compromised.
Prevention
When the top 2-4″ of the soil has completely dried up, water the plants. During the cooler, winter months, when the plant is dormant, this could mean just watering it every 1-2 months.
Snake plants are perfect for the less-than-careful gardener. For weeks at a time, you can go without watering them. Your snake plant will easily endure 3 weeks or more without water, even in hot, arid conditions, so you won’t have to bother about all the methods to water houseplants while on vacation.
Why is my snake plant shriveling?
Underwatering, excessive temperatures, or too much sunlight can cause a wrinkled snake plant. To mend the wrinkled leaves, move the plant to a location where it will receive brilliant indirect light and only water the soil. To keep sansevieria healthy, keep the temperature between 55 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Although most snake plant wrinkling is caused by either overwatering or a lack of water, the use of the incorrect soil type and fertilizers can also cause your snake plant leaves to wrinkle.
Do snake plants need sunlight?
- Plants can grow in a wide range of light conditions, from low to high. They grow faster in brighter light, but direct sunshine, especially when plants are outside, burns leaves. A 10 foot distance from a west or south window is excellent.
- Use a commercial potting soil mixed 50:50 with a cactus and succulent mix when potting snake plants. This results in a loose, quick-draining soil with many air spaces, which should help minimize overwatering.
- Fertilizer: These slow-growing plants don’t require much in the way of fertilizer. Snake plants should be fed any houseplant food twice a year, once in the spring and once in the summer. These plants are low-maintenance.
- Snake plants do well in hot, dry environments. For the summer, consider placing potted ones in bright shade outside. They will flourish in the landscape where there is no frost or snow. Just make sure these plants aren’t invasive in your area by checking with local nurseries.
- Snake plants are slow-growing and rarely require repotting (they actually grow better when pot-bound). Low-light plants may need to be repotted every 5 to 10 years. Expect to transfer snake plants in stronger light every 3 to 5 years.
Can you save Underwatered snake plant?
An underwatered snake plant can almost always be salvaged if the damage is minor. It is impossible to totally heal the leaves. The scars are permanent once they have been injured. However, you can absolutely avoid more harm. New pups will sprout out of the roots as long as they are healthy. The first step in rescuing an underwatered plant is to identify and correct the problem. Here are some suggestions for keeping your snake plant looking healthy.
Why is my snake plant leathery?
Overwatering is the most common problem with snake plants, but if your plant has wrinkled leaves, it’s much more likely that you’re underwatering it. Brown crispy tips and the leaves of your snake plant falling over are some symptoms that your snake plant is dehydrated.
Although it’s critical not to overwater your snake plant, many individuals go too far and neglect their plants to the point where they become dehydrated. I’ve heard folks wonder, “Why is my snake plant dying when I only water it once a month?” If this sounds like you, you’ve uncovered the source of your problem. Snake plants dislike being overwatered, although they, like all plants, require regular watering.
A good rule of thumb is to water your plant thoroughly once the soil has dried out, using well-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole to get rid of excess water. Using your fingers or a moisture probe, you can tell if your soil has dried out completely. If you’re going to sense the dampness with your fingertips, put them two inches into the soil. If you’re using a moisture meter, simply insert the two probes into the soil and the device should provide you with a readout. If they say dry or the number is between 1 and 2, it’s time to water your plant. You don’t want your plant to dry out.
Other Causes of Snake Plant Wrinkled Leaves
There could be other reasons why this is happening if you are adequately watering your plant. Overwatering is another possibility, however it is less likely to result in wrinkled leaves. The leaves are spongy and wrinkled, which could indicate that this is your plant. In addition, instead of being brown and crispy, they may turn yellow or black. Check your soil to check whether it’s wet to the touch; if it is, and the soil feels this way frequently, it’s possible you’re overwatering your plant, which is the most prevalent problem among snake plant owners, as we’ve already explained.
Hopefully, we’ve helped you figure out what’s causing your snake plant’s wrinkled leaves. If you don’t think you’ve discovered the answer, please leave a comment below and we’ll do our best to assist you.
Should I mist my snake plant?
If you have indoor houseplants, you are probably aware of the habit of spraying the leaves to keep them from drying out. Snake plants are one of the simplest plants to grow and care for. But, given snake plants’ minimal water requirements, do their leaves require the extra water? We checked with horticultural professionals to see what they had to say.
Snake plants are desert plants that thrive in hot, humid environments. Having said that, misting the leaves of a snake plant is generally not suggested. Misting the leaves of the snake plant can cause them to get overwatered, which can lead to a variety of health problems. Because they acquire their moisture from the humidity in their environment, their leaves are used to keeping dry.
Overwatering is the most typical reason for a snake plant’s failure to thrive, especially in the hands of inexperienced growers. Continue reading to learn more about how to water snake plants properly.
Where should I place a snake plant in my house?
- Select a container with a drainage hole in the bottom. Snake plants thrive in terra cotta pots, which allow the soil to dry out more quickly than plastic pots.
- Use a potting mix that drains effectively. It’s best to use a potting mix made for “cacti and succulents,” as it’ll be less likely to become waterlogged.
- Don’t bury snake plants too deeply while repotting them. The plant should be placed at the same depth as it was in its previous container.
Choosing a Location in the Home
- Snake plants love bright, indirect light, but they may handle some direct sunshine as well. They do, however, grow nicely in shady corners and other low-light regions of the house (albeit more slowly).
- Avoid transferring your plant from a low-light area to direct sunshine too rapidly, since this may cause it to shock. When moving plants from a darker to a lighter place, do so gradually over a week or so, gradually exposing them to brighter and brighter light. Also, alter your watering practices accordingly; plants in warmer, brighter places will require more water.
- Maintain a warm environment for the plant, with temperatures over 50°F (10°C). In the winter, make sure the windows aren’t drafty.