Snake plants and mother-in-law’s tongues are other names for the Sansevieria.
Known for their extreme hardiness, they are rarely affected by diseases or insect pests. If the leaves turn yellow, there is a problem with your plant, so you need to figure it out before it dies.
The Snake Plant
Tropical West Africa is the native habitat of the plant, which is becoming a popular houseplant. Despite its near indestructible qualities, it can have its problems. The fact that this plant is becoming a popular house plant is due to its upright, erect leaf habit, which blends with most décor. Multicolored spear-like leaves cover the plant. The plant requires little water and grows well in indirect light.
From the soil, the long stiff leaves grow vertically up to 28 to 35 inches long. There are mostly dark green leaves with a bright yellow edge and a grayish pattern. Nitrogen oxide, formaldehyde, xylene, and benzene will be filtered from the air by this plant. It can grow in low light conditions, making it a good plant for your bedroom. Plants can live from five to ten years under suitable light and water conditions.
Why Snake Plants Have Yellow Leaves
The leaves of the plant can yellow and curl due to several conditions.
Moisture
It is crucial that you provide your plants with adequate soil moisture. Yellow leaves are most commonly caused by overwatering. You will only need to water your plant when 50% of the soil is dry in order for it to survive. A plant’s roots don’t like to be soaked because this can cause root rot. When you alternate wet and bone dry soil, this can stress your plant and cause yellow leaves.
Pests
Stressed or weakened plants are more susceptible to insect infestations. Insects called spider miles are sap-sucking insects that cause plants to lose moisture. Additionally, you may notice scale and mealy bugs. They move along the blades and leaves.
Damage Caused by Cold
It is a must to bring it inside if the temperature drops below 50 degrees F during the day, even if it is an indoor plant you have outside. Yellow leaves can occur if the temperature is too high.
An Intense Amount of Sunlight
Direct sunlight can cause the leaves to turn yellow and become crispy, so this plant needs to be protected.
Treatment
Moisture
- Ensure that the water flows freely from the drainage hole at the bottom when you water your Sansevieria. When this occurs, it has had enough water. Remove any water from the saucer.
- Consistently water your plants. Make sure the soil is moist.
- As soon as yellow leaves appear, stop watering the plant. Let it completely dry before rewatering.
- Repotting it in a soil with better drainage is also an option. Alternatively, you can use a soil mix for cacti that includes coarse sand or perlite.
- Water the plant regularly during the growing season, and in the fall to late winter, only water it occasionally.
- If the plant’s leaves are bright green, they’re getting enough water, but if they’re dull, they may need more.
Pests
- You should discard heavily infested plants so you don’t risk infecting other plants and it would be a lengthy process to remove them.
- Pick the mealy bugs off the plant by hand
- Use a cotton ball to dab them with alcohol
- Wash spider mites off the plant and increase the humidity around it to get rid of them
- Insecticidal and biological control.
Damage Caused by Cold
- Bring the plant inside if it is going to cool
- During the day, keep the houseplant between 60 and 80 degrees F.
- A temperature of 55 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal at night.
Intense Amount of Sunlight
- Move it away from the window to adjust the amount of light it receives.
- Alternatively, you can cover the window with a sheer curtain so that the plant does not receive direct sunlight.
Taking Care of Yellow Leaves
After you have done all of the above to take care of yellow leaves but they have not returned to their green color, you will have to cut the leaf just below the yellow area. The leaf will continue to grow, but its pointed tip will not return. If you don’t want stunted leaves, you can cut them back to the soil. Alternatively, you could make an angled cut to make it blend into the others. When the yellow leaves become brown, you should also cut the dead foliage back to the ground.