Growing plants isn’t always easy. Occasionally, things like root rot can cause problems.
The purpose of this article is to explain how you can fix snake plant root rot and how you can avoid it in the first place.
Although prevention is better than treatment, if you’re reading this you’ve probably already experienced problems with your snake plant.
Snake plant root rot can be treated by repotting the plant in a new container with fresh soil.
It is important to make sure your soil and pot have the ability to drain so that stagnant water does not accumulate.
Remove the infected soft and rotten root system with a sterilized garden shear before repotting.
Read on for more information on how to get rid of snake plant root rot. We’ll cover how you can prevent root rot and how to treat it once it has developed.
Snake Plant Root Rot Symptoms
There are multiple signs of snake plant root rot that you should watch for to keep your snake plant alive and healthy.
One of the reasons root rot is so dangerous to plants is that its symptoms often go undetected underneath the soil.
Since root rot can occur where you won’t be able to see it, it’s important to keep an eye on your snake plant if you want to keep an eye on it.
Water is typically found in the roots of plants and in the soil surrounding them.
Later, I will discuss ways to prevent root rot. There is a key space under the soil where root rot occurs.
If roots reach the surface of the soil, you may see root rot. By removing the plant from the pot periodically, you can check its roots.
Wilting
The roots of your snake plant should be checked if your plant begins to wilt for unknown reasons. Another symptom of snake plant disease is the curling of the leaves.
Snake plants can wilt for many reasons including lack of water.
This means that you need to make sure that you are providing your snake plant with the correct amount of water in all circumstances.
Overwatering can be just as dangerous as forgetting to water.
Yellowing and Softening of Snake Plants
If the leaves of your snake plants begin to turn yellow, then this may also be a sign that there is root rot within the plant. Lack of water can also result in yellow leaves.
Once the option has been eliminated, it is time to examine the roots. It is time to check for the third sign of root rot below the soil if your snake plants both wilt and have yellow leaves.
Snake plant roots rot due to fungal infection. It becomes ineffective to supply nutrients due to the rotten root system. Snake plants turn yellow and mushy when overwatered or have root rot.
Mushy Black Roots
Snake plants with root rot will have black, mushy roots. Normal roots may be black, but they will be strong and will not feel mushy in the hands.
Roots that have rotted can separate from the plant immediately when they come into contact with your hands, which is another indication that there is root rot at work. There may be some rotten roots but not all. There may be damage only to certain roots.
Snake Root Rot Causes
Your wait is over! Here is the information you need to prevent root rot by understanding its causes.
Even though root rot can be fatal to snake plants, there are many steps you can take to prevent it from occurring in the first place. You can do this to keep your snake plant healthy and lush.
It’s Overwatering
When it comes to root rot, this is one of the biggest culprits. All good plant owners will instinctively want to water their plants, after all, it’s what keeps them alive, isn’t it?
However, too much water can be fatal for a plant and its owners should use caution when watering them.
In snake plants, overwatering can cause root rot when water builds up in the soil around the roots. Water will accumulate and saturate the outside layer of the roots.
Plants will experience problems as a result of this constant pressure.
The roots of the plant cannot take in oxygen from the air if there is so much water pressing against them. As a result, the plant will have to depend on only the stomata on its leaves to transfer oxygen.
Black roots are caused by a lack of oxygen. It will only lead to root rot as the roots are the part of the plant that cannot reach oxygen as a result of the water blocking it.
Drainage problems
Snake plants need adequate drainage in order to survive. So, you should choose pots where your snake plant has sufficient depth and width to grow properly.
There must be enough room for your plant’s roots under the soil as well as on the surface.
When a plant is in a pot with a solid base, it may not be possible for water to drain properly.
In other words, the water will accumulate inside the pot and begin to starve the plant of oxygen.
Ensure that the pot has drain holes at the bottom to drain out the excess water. You may have to give up your favorite pot, but it is worth it to ensure that your snake plant stays alive and healthy!
Soil with Poor Drainage Capacity
Snake plants have a difficult time growing in poor quality soil. Water may still struggle to reach the soil even with adequate drainage at the bottom of the plant.
Compost and hummus are important components of good soil, and sometimes sand is used to increase drainage.
Infections Pathogenic
Besides water, fungi are also a major cause of root rot. Pathogenic infections may spread from the surrounding area to the plant.
This could happen if you use a pot that contains pathogens from other plants. It can also occur if you use soil that is infected.
The Extra-large Pot
When trying to grow a snake plant, an extra-large pot can be detrimental.
A large pot on your first attempt may seem like a good idea, but too much space will result in root rot on your plants. Typically, snake plants do best in pots that are 1-2 inches (3-6 cm) larger than necessary.
Extra-large pots cause root rot because excess water sits in the soil.
Eventually, the water across the pot will start to build up and cause the plant to die. Snake plants do not have enough roots to reach the corners of their containers.
This can be deadly for the snake plant, showing again how important it is to choose a pot that is the right size.
The temperature is Low
Upon reading that subheading, freezing cold temperatures may be the first thing that comes to mind, but it is important to realize that some plants are more sensitive to temperature changes than others.
It’s important that your snake plant is located somewhere with the proper temperature for it to grow.
The roots of a plant may rot if the surrounding temperature is too low.
During this time, the roots may begin to freeze and may struggle to take in more oxygen through their roots.
Watering During Dormancy
It is possible to cause root rot if you water your snake plant during a period when it does not need to grow. Plants experiencing this problem do not require much water as they are sluggish and do not require lots of extra water to stay alive or grow.
The additional water begins to build up within the pot since it is not used by the plant. Plants need more water only when they are receiving enough sunlight, nutrients, and other conditions to grow.
Excessive Fertilizer Use
A snake plant will strain itself to extract water if it receives too much fertilizer.
As a result of the fertilizer, the plant will extend its roots and seek out the extra nutrients, but too much fertilizer will cause the roots to shrivel and die.
What To Do If Snake Plant Root Rots
In this section, I will show you how to save your snake plant from root rot by repotting it in more detail. This should help you decide how to treat your plant.
Plant Repotting
- The pot should be large enough to accommodate the plant’s growth. Root and shoot space should be at least 1-2 inches (3-6 cm) larger than the pot. Snake plants can reach a height of up to 12 feet (20-360cm) depending on their species. Typically, their leaves are about two feet (60cm) long.
- A porous material can be used to cover drainage holes. The water in the pot can be successfully drained with things like coffee filter paper.
- Within the pot, layer your soil. In the next section, I will explain which soil to use.
- To make it easier to move, water the plant and the soil around it.
- Carefully remove your snake plant from its old pot. Some of the roots may become detached due to root rot.
- As much soil as possible should be removed from the roots that have been infected with root rot.
- Get rid of roots that are entangled.
- Put the plant in its new pot.
Mixing Soils Appropriately
It is recommended that about a third of the soil mix is fertilizer and one third is ordinary soil. To increase drainage capacity, you can use landscaping sand with the final third.
Adding perlite to your soil could increase the soil’s drainage capacity if you were having drainage issues before. There is also the option of using a readymade soil mix.
After Repotting, Water the Plants
A snake plant should be heavily watered after repotting. The soil at the bottom won’t have enough water for the plant to survive. Water the plant moderately so that it can settle into the new soil.
If the soil structure allows for proper drainage, a lot of water at the top of the layer should evaporate and the rest should sink down through the soil.
Snake plants need this step in order to survive in their new environment otherwise they will not be able to absorb enough water.
You can save your snake plant from root rot by following this article.
After Repotting Care
After repotting, you should place the Snake plant in a slightly cooler environment. This allows the roots of the plant to heal most effectively. Make sure there is enough fertilizer for the plant as well.
Propagation
If your snake plant is severely damaged by root rot, you should try propagating a new plant from the old one.
It can be done by taking a cutting from the old plant and replanting it in an environment where it can grow. It is easy to propagate snake plants by dividing them.
Chemical Treatment
When snake plants have root rot, you may be able to treat them chemically. You should disinfect the roots with a fungicide killing powder before repotting.
Without this step, the root rot will simply spread alongside the plants into the new pot and continue to cause problems.
Snake Plant Root Rot Prevention and Control
- Sterilize the cuttings with one of the chemical solutions outlined above.
- Put new plants in old pots after disinfecting them. You should also disinfect the roots of the plant.
- Using the chemicals above, sterilized the soil.
- Make sure your tools are clean.
- It is easy to maintain humidity and temperature if your snake plant is indoors.
- Waterlogging should be avoided.
- Allow excess water to drain from the soil by loosening it.
- Overfertilization (You should apply fertilizer in doses as an excess of minerals can increase the growth of pathogenic microflora)
- Consistently providing enough water and fertilizer to the plant.