Having a snake plant means you want to keep it looking nice at all times, as you would with any other plant. That is why you will want to address the leaf curling issue as soon as you notice it.
A snake plant can have curls that are wrinkly, flat, or brown at the tips.
Overwatering, underwatering, lack of light, too much fertilizer, incorrect temperatures, incorrect pH of soil, and pest/disease infestations/responses are among the main causes of curling leaves. Curling leaves can be solved by watering enough (but not too much), having a soil pH of 5.5-7.5, and placing it in the right environment.
What Does Leaf Curling Look Like?
I would like to begin by describing what curling leaves look like. As opposed to other ailments, curling leaves are easily identified because…well, they curl. Leaf curls occur all the time, sometimes inward, sometimes outward. Usually, the curling direction will tell you nothing, and most of the time, it will be random. The tips of unhealthy leaves may also appear brown. In addition to curling, they may also be wrinkled. In most cases, this indicates a problem with the water supply.
Leaf Curling Causes
Underwatering
In order to thrive, plants must be taken care of. Watering the plants can be a problem for some plant owners. Almost every cell in a plant is made up of water, so without water, the plant cannot perform any of its functions.Water not only makes up the majority of the plant, but also transports nutrients that allow it to repair itself. Nutrients cannot exist without water. Cells cannot replace themselves if there are no nutrients.
Overwatering
Overwatering can cause problems just as much as not watering it enough. Plants are limited in how much water they can absorb. An excessive amount of water will simply sit around the roots instead of being absorbed by the plant. They will become clogged up and not be able to take in any more nutrients.Think about it like this: if you fill a balloon with water, eventually you won’t be able to fit any more water in. Plants will stop absorbing water, not pop like a balloon.
Insufficient Light
You may remember from school that light is like food for plants. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy. Insufficient sunlight, however, will leave the plant with nothing to turn into energy.As a result of a lack of energy, the cells won’t be able to repair themselves, and the leaves are more prone to curling. Consequently, dark caves are rare home to plants, but rain forests and other warm climates are extremely fertile.
Overfertilization
Fertilizer is something that most plant owners know they need. Plants get fertilized in the wild when other plants die and release their nutrients. In the meantime, give your plants a little help at home. As with water, there is a limit to how much fertilizer plants can absorb. By adding too much fertilizer, the plant will just stop absorbing any fertilizer. As a result, the leaves will curl in and not be able to take in any nutrients.
Wrong Temperature
I don’t want to get started on some cheap Gen Z joke, but plants can be fickle, and if just one thing is off, the whole thing stops wanting to live. The water will evaporate from the surface of the water very quickly when the temperature is high. The cells will simply die if there isn’t enough water to replace it. During very low temperatures, the water in the cells may freeze. An organelle encased in ice will not be able to perform its functions.
Wrong Soil pH
A plant’s growth is influenced by the pH level of the soil, as plants can be fickle creatures. Nutrient content in soil is determined by its pH .Magnesium is a nutrient that plants need to thrive. Many plants would not be able to survive without magnesium. There are, however, some soils that are too acidic, also known as “having a low pH”.Acid isn’t a good environment for magnesium. The plant won’t be able to absorb magnesium if the acid kills its magnesium.Nutrients not enough? The leaves curl when the cells cannot repair themselves.
Pests and Diseases
It is possible for pests to come from a wide range of sources. Perhaps there were some stowaways among your snake plants. Perhaps you picked some up while walking every day. Infections caused by pathogens and fungi are similar.There are two types of pests most common to snake plants: spider mites and mealybugs. A naked eye can barely make out these tiny bugs.The most common type of fungal infection is root rot, which is caused by excess water.
How to Fix Curling Leaves
How Often Should a Snake Plant be Watered?
It is important to know how frequently to water your plant so you do not over- or under-water it. Here is the answer.. Depending on the situation.In general, you should water your snake plant every 2-8 weeks. There are several factors that might influence the ideal frequency of watering including size, environment, and type of snake plant.Watering when the plants need it is better than following a schedule. Plants that are thirsty will have soil that is dry in the top 2 inches. Your snake plant might still be wet from last time if it is still damp.
Ideal Soil for a Snake Plant
In order to avoid leaf curling, it is also important to get the soil right. We have already discussed the pH levels and how they need to be adjusted. Snake plant soil should have a pH between 5.5 and 7.5.Additionally, it should not be overly acidic and drain well. When water cannot drain throughout the soil, it will stagnate around the roots and increase the risk of root rot. Don’t forget to put it in a large enough pot too!If there is not enough room in the pot for the roots, water will pool around them.Don’t let it get too wet, of course.
How to Care for a Snake Plant
The chances of your snake plant’s leaves curling drastically lower if you care for them properly. The temperature should be between 55 and 75F so that water does not freeze or evaporate.You need to feed your lawn only once a month with the fertilizer. It should only be done during the summer when the plant is able to absorb nutrients best- although some snake plants may need to be fertilized more often.If you water your plants, make sure they’re not overwatered.
How to Avoid Root Rot
Snake plants commonly suffer from root rot. You can take several steps to solve root rot if you suspect that your plant has it.The first thing you can do is try moving it to a bigger pot with better draining soil.In a room with a lot of humidity, you might want to consider moving the plant to another room where the air is less humid. Keep it between 55 and 75 degrees (which is a pretty big range). Plant parents who overwater their snake plants tend to cause root rot most often.
Insects on Snake Plants
Seeing bugs on your plant is annoying, but it can also be a good indicator as to what is causing the leaves to curl.There is no way to get rid of mealybugs since they have hard shells that protect them from pesticides. There’s not much you can do with these guys other than remove their leaves.In order to control other pests, such as spider mites, you can spray an insecticide spray on the leaves. Be sure to dilute it, as a powerful insecticide may kill the plant as well.