Among the easiest house plants to grow, the snake plant has a unique look. As a result, it is very popular with both experienced and new gardeners. The hardy perennial succulent, also known as Viper’s bowstring hemp, is nearly indestructible and has a reputation for being edible. Nevertheless, as with any other houseplant, it is prone to some problems. Learn about some common problems and remedies that will help you prevent your snake plant from dying if your plant is showing some symptoms of illness.
What Are the Signs the Plant is Dying?
The snake plant looks like it’s dying so what causes that? Snake plants are most often afflicted by root rot caused by waterlogged soil, pest infestations, and exposure to extreme temperatures.
Snake plants are more susceptible to overwatering because it affects their roots first. Roots become mushy and brown when they become overly wet. The yellow leaves turn droopy, mushy, and droopy as the root rot progresses. As soon as the symptoms are visible in the leaves, you must take immediate action. It might be impossible to rectify the issue otherwise.
Typically, leaves show discoloration and deformation when they are ill. Leaves may appear yellow, brown, or darkened. A leaf can have yellow patches, red spots, brown tips, or the whole leaf can change color. Curled leaves, stunted plant growth, and mold or sticky liquid on the leaves all indicate pest infestation. Plants may also be covered with fine, spider-like webbing between the leaves or near the soil. Leaves can appear wilted and mushy when plant tissues are dying.
It is important to remember that seeing these symptoms in your plant does not necessarily mean it will die. A plant’s health can be greatly improved by identifying the symptoms as early as possible and addressing them right away. Despite their toughness, snake plants recover quite quickly. The problem can be resolved relatively easily once you start appropriate treatment.
The Most Common Problems with Snake Plants
Let’s take a closer look at some common causes of snake plant disease now that you know what symptoms snake plants display when they are sick. No matter how good you are at gardening, the following can still affect your plants.
The following post explains 4 of the most common problems that can kill a snake plant. Check out my other posts for more symptoms and solutions if you didn’t find your answer here.
Rotting Roots
Overwatering is one of the most common problems snake plants have. Winter months are more likely to cause this. The problem of overwatering isn’t always caused by pouring too much water. The plant is getting too much water or the soil is staying wet for way too long. Plant roots can be suffocated by wet soil and have trouble absorbing oxygen. Nutrients cannot be taken in by the roots. In the end, this leads to an overgrowth of soil fungus, rotting roots, and a decline in plant health.
The Symptoms
When it comes to root rot, its first signs often go unnoticed since they occur beneath the surface of the soil. Dark brown roots are a sign of healthy roots. Root disease can begin in one part of the root system and progress to the entire system. The root becomes soft and mushy as the texture changes. Foliage starts turning yellow, mushy and drooping as rotting advances. It is common to find rotten roots and leaves that smell bad. When root rot is severe, the entire plant can die within a week.
The Treatment
If you notice any of these symptoms, follow these steps to save your snake plant.
- Clean off as much of the infected soil as possible by removing the plant from its pot.
- Check the roots to see how much damage has been done. The plant cannot be saved if most of the roots have turned into brown mush. Throw it away safely away from your other healthy plants. The leaves can also be propagated by taking cuttings.
- In most cases, the plant will need to be replanted if it has not been affected by severe rot. Take only the healthy parts of the root, and cut off the dark, mushy parts with sterilized pruning shears. If any yellow leaves are damaged, remove them.
- Let the remaining roots soak in hydrogen peroxide diluted in water (1 teaspoon in 1 litre). Cinnamon can also be sprinkled on them.
- Use a clean, dry and well-draining potting mix when repotting the plant into a new pot (with drainage holes).
- Allow the plant to sit in the dry soil for two to three days. Start watering gradually after that.
Damaged by Cold
Snake plants are native to tropical Africa and thrive in warmer climates. The mother in law’s tongue is not a cold-hardy plant, even though they can withstand temperatures of 50-55°F (10-12°C). Winter increases the chance of snake plants getting damaged by cold weather if they are left outside or on a balcony.
Water is stored in the leaves of snake plants. Frosting, on the other hand, is capable of freezing a plant’s water. When leaves are exposed to freezing temperatures, their cell walls are damaged. By preventing water and nutrients from flowing through the leaf, the leaves become dehydrated and die. If the soil is dry, the roots will remain safe. Plants that freeze while their soil is still wet can die in a few days.
The Symptoms
Snake plant leaves can be scarred by cold damage. Frosting can result in soft, limp and mushy leaves. Bruises or light brown marks might appear, and they might droop. Additionally, roots that are affected become mushy and begin to rot away.
The Treatment
There is no way to restore the leaves to normal after they have been injured by low temperatures. Affected leaves can only be removed if they cause the plant to look unappealing. With sterile and sharp tools, remove heavily damaged leaves from the plant. Healthy foliage should not be over-pruned since this causes further stress to the plant. If no roots are present, discard the plant.
Fungal Problems
A moist soil/leaf environment leads to fungal diseases, such as southern blight and red leaf spot. In particular, the leaves can help you identify the plants. An extensive parasitic fungus is responsible for the serious health problems of many houseplants, including southern blight. The disease seems to thrive in warm, humid conditions. Plants exposed to southern blight are rapidly infected. External symptoms of infection usually appear within seven to ten days.
Red leaf spot is another fungal disease that can attack snake plants. A spring or summer infection is also common during warmer months; however, this disease can affect houseplants throughout the year. Usually, red leaf spot appears on young leaves that grow centrally in the rosette.
The Symptoms
A symptom of southern blight is a leaf that is soaked with water. Towards the end of development, white cottony web-like growth appears at the soil line. As the wood ages, it turns dark brown and hard. Additionally, the leaves of the plant may wilt, and areas of softened, dying tissue can be seen. Leaf spots with a tan center are red or brown on the leaves that can be identified as red leaf spot. Eventually, the spots become large, sunken lesions as they expand and coalesce over time.
The Treatment
Fungicides and sulfur sprays can be used to treat infestations at an early stage. Unlike antibiotics, chemical treatments do not eliminate an infection, but prevent spores from germination. Plants must be kept dry to prevent the growth of foliar fungus. To prevent the spread of the infection, remove the affected parts completely.
Infestation of Pests
Despite being generally pest-free, snake plants may succumb to certain types of pests that can harm indoor plants. It is possible for snake plants to get attacked by insects such as mealybugs, thrips, and spider mites. Because some of them are so tiny, they are difficult to spot early. All of these pests feed on the sap of the plant, cause small wounds, and weaken it.
They are white, oval-shaped, soft-bodied insects covered in waxy, cotton-like materials. A single female can lay anywhere from 50-100 microscopic eggs at once. On succulent plants like snake plants, the citrus mealybug is the most common species.
Sap-sucking spider mites are small (around 1mm in size) pests found on the undersides of leaves. To feed on the internal fluids of leaves, they pierce the waxy coating. Spider mites are notoriously prolific, and this is one of their biggest challenges. Symptoms of a heavy infestation may not be evident for some time.
A thrip is a tiny, thin insect that attacks every part of the plant, similar to spider mites. Additionally, they can transmit viral infections such as tomato spotted wilt virus.
The Symptoms
Snake plant leaves are marked with visible wounds caused by these insects. Besides excreting sticky liquid, mealybugs also produce mold that causes sooty mould to grow. Leaves can become scarred or scaly from trips, leaving silver-gray scars. The disease causes stunted leaf growth, yellowing, or curling of the leaves. Leaf wilting and falling off may occur at advanced stages. The leaves or base of some plants can also show fine, spider-like webs.
The Treatment
- The most effective treatment for mealybugs found on a small localized scale is to remove the adults and egg masses by hand. Rub alcohol can also be used to clean them. A water spray can also be used to chase them away.
- The best way to eliminate spider mites is to wash them off with water and increase the humidity around the plant.
- Leaves that are yellowed and curled by thorns should be removed first. To clean all the leaf crevices and both sides of each leaf, use alcohol and wipe off each leaf with it.
- Controlling the infestation with insecticidal soaps and biological methods is another option.
- You should discard heavily infested plants because pest control would be difficult and you risk infecting nearby plants.
How Can You Prevent Your Snake Plant from Dying?
In the long run, it is better to prevent diseases than to treat them after the plant has already been damaged. The following tips will help you keep your snake plant healthy and disease-free.
Maintain a Regular Watering Schedule.
During the growing season, water the plant regularly. Testing the soil moisture is the best way to determine if your plant needs water. After the top 1.5-2 inches of soil have completely dried out, water the snake plant thoroughly until it drips from the drainage holes. Remove the drained water so the plant does not stand in water. In the fall and winter, when temperatures drop, water only occasionally to keep the soil dry. You’re doing a good job when the leaves are bright and green.
Plant Your Snake Plant in a Well-Draining Soil
The snake plant should be planted in soil that drains well. Don’t forget to put drainage holes in the pot. Make sure your potting mix is gritty for succulents and cacti. You can also add some additives to your regular soil to make it more loose and breathable. Here are some DIY soil mix recipes.
Keep Your Plant at Room Temperature
If the temperature drops below 55°F, move your snake plants indoors. Do not water the plants at night and keep watering to a minimum during the winter. Do not combine wet soil with frost.
Keep an Eye Out for Signs of Pest Infestation.
Keep standing water away from the leaves and the roots of the plant. If you bring home a new plant, look for signs of infection. It is best to avoid using potting soil that has been contaminated in the past. Be careful not to spread any infectious diseases by not isolating infected plants.