Drooping leaves make a plant appear sad, disappointing, and upsetting. Falling leaves signal that you must act.Though snake plants are among the easiest to care for, there will be times when things go wrong, and you’ll need to figure out the problem and the solution.Snake plants droop because of too much water, darkness, a pot that is too big or too small, or a lack of fertilizer.In order to prevent your snake plant from drooping, you will need to address whatever is causing the problem. A change of environment, a change in how you take care of it, and even some pruning may be necessary.
A Description of Drooping Leaves
Drooping leaves should be the first thing we discuss. I know it seems like an obvious question. By knowing what to look out for, we can better understand the probable causes and potential solutions to the issue.When you see a snake plant with drooping leaves, your first thought might be something along the lines of “my plant looks quite sad.”. If the leaves of a snake plant start to fall over and become floppy, that’s a sign that something is wrong.
Snake Plants Leaves Drooping Causes
Overwatering
Too much water causes root rot in snake plants, which is one of their most common problems. Water makes up the majority of a plant’s cells, just like it does in humans. Thus, water is necessary for plant survival.If you give your snake plant too much water, you may very well see some problems. Too much water will clog up the roots and prevent the plant from absorbing water; plants have a maximum amount of water they can absorb.As houseplants don’t share soil with other plants that can help absorb excess water, this problem is common.
Darkness
In one word, photosynthesis is what makes plants green, such as the snake plant. In this process, plants take energy from the sun and convert it into energy that will help them grow.As a result, plants that are not getting enough sunlight will begin to suffer damage to their structure. Consider the metaphor of skipping meals and feeling fatigued.Plants cannot survive in a closed room with closed curtains.
Incorrect Lighting
It’s important to ensure your plant gets enough light, but it also has to be the right kind of light.Your plant will be too strong in direct sunlight if you place it in a south-facing window. Your snake plant will become burnt, which will stunt its growth and cause leaf drooping.Plants that are kept in the same spot that caused them to become sunburned may take a long time to heal.
Pot Size Too Small
It’s essential to make sure the pot is the right size for the plant when you keep them. If you put a plant in a pot that’s too small, it may become root-bound.In root bound plants, the roots have grown so large that they have exceeded the capacity of the containers they’re in. As they have already consumed everything they can, they will start to droop without more fluids. A root-bound plant has a greater chance of catching root rot, as well.
Pot Size Too Big
The pot shouldn’t be too small, but it shouldn’t become too large either. Whenever a pot is too large, it will be surrounded by too much potting soil. It will cause your roots to sit in wet soil, and it won’t be able to absorb as much water as it should.The presence of too much soil will reduce the aeration around the roots, resulting in leaf drooping.
Deficiency of Fertilizer
The plants get their nutrients from the soil when other plants die and bleed their nutrients into it. Nevertheless, you will need to feed your plants some form of fertilizer at home.The nutrients in fertilizer will leak into the soil and soon be absorbed by the roots of your plants. The plants will use the nutrients they absorb to repair themselves.Without nutrients to absorb, your plant will lack the energy it needs to thrive. Therefore, it will begin to droop. It’s similar to how you feel tired when you don’t eat.
Taking Care of Snake Plants That Have Drooping Leaves
Watering a Snake Plant
Root rot is most often caused by overwatering, as we’ve already established. Unfortunately, your plant won’t survive if you don’t water it.Nevertheless, this raises the question, “How often should you water your snake plant?”Most people make the mistake of watering their plants on a schedule. However, they are living things, so you can’t always rely on a schedule. Do not water your plants once or twice a week, but water when needed.Check to see if the top 2 inches are dry to see if they need water. Give them a little bit of water if they are thirsty.
Lighting
Light that is bright but indirect is best for snake plants.You can either place it somewhere with this kind of light or make it yourself. You should place it in a window facing west or east as this will keep it out of direct sunlight and ensure it gets plenty of vitamin D from the sun.Try using translucent blinds or other plants on the window sill if you can only keep it in a southern facing room.
The Right Type of Soil
The right type of soil is also essential for keeping your snake plant healthy and preventing its leaves from drooping.Different types of soil will suit different kinds of plants. The drainage properties of some soils differ from those of others, and different types of nutrients can be found in different soil types.You should make sure the soil you use for your snake plant is well-draining so it can get rid of excess water quickly. Snake plant soil can either be cactus or succulent soil, or a mixture of regular potting soil and sand. Snake plants grow best in soils that are similar to those in the wild.
Perfect Pot Size
Earlier, we discussed the importance of getting the pot size right. If the pot is too small, the roots will outgrow it. Roots that are too big will sit in wet soil, leading to rot.However, this raises the question of how big is big enough? When a plant’s roots fill most of the pot, you know it’s too big for the pot. You should go up a size this way. The term “one size” refers to two inches. For example, if your plant is in a 4-inch pot, when the roots outgrow the pot, it’s time to move it into a 6-inch pot.
How to Fertilize
We also discussed the importance of fertilizing plants earlier. What is the best method of fertilizing snake plants?Don’t overdo it is the first rule. If you give your plants too many nutrients, they will be unable to absorb them. This can lead to root rot quickly, just like with water. Once a month, you will only need to fertilize your snake plant, and even then, only in the spring and summer.
Pruning
Lastly, simply cutting off drooping leaves will solve the problem. Use clean utensils when doing so.You will have to share resources among the leaves of your snake plant. Consequently, with fewer leaves, each one would receive a greater share of sunlight and nutrients. Drooping leaves are a sign that there is not enough to go around.You can save your plant by cutting off that one bad leaf since it will allow the other leaves to grow.