Why Is My Snake Plant Drooping?
Snake plant, also known as mother-in-tongue law’s (Sansevieria trifasciata), is a hardy houseplant that can withstand neglect in terms of watering, feeding, and light. If your snake plant is drooping, this is excellent news because it’s generally a simple remedy.
What’s the deal with your snake plant drooping? Overwatering, poor soil drainage, a lack of heat, pests or disease, poor lighting, or being rootbound are the most prevalent causes. Your plant will be able to recover if the underlying problem is identified and corrected.
Continue reading to learn how to create the ideal environment for your snake plant to reverse its drooping leaves and prevent it from happening again. If you want to know how to maintain all of your houseplants healthy, read on.
Improper Watering
The succulent plant mother-in-tongue law’s has thick, moisture-retaining leaves. The plant can live in its natural environment, which is arid, rocky regions of the West African tropics, thanks to the built-in watering system. The snake plant, like many succulents, is prone to root rot in wet conditions, and droopy snake plant leaves are common when the plant is overwatered.
When the top 2 or 3 inches (5-7.5 cm) of soil is entirely dry, water the snake plant deeply until water runs through the drainage hole. Regardless of the circumstances, a plant near a heat vent or a sunny window will require more frequent watering. Many people, however, find that watering every two or three weeks is plenty.
Allow the water to drain freely around the inside border of the pot to keep the leaves dry before reinstalling it on the drainage saucer. Wait until the top of the soil is completely dry before watering again. Water carefully during the winter months, only when the leaves appear to be wilting. It’s typically adequate to do it once a month.
Also, make sure the plant is in a drainage-hole-equipped container. To improve drainage, use a fast-draining potting mix, such as one designed for cacti and succulents, or a conventional potting soil with a handful of coarse sand perlite.
Lighting
Some joke that Sansevieria is so resilient that it can thrive in a closet, although prolonged darkness over lengthy periods of time can cause droopy snake plant leaves. When the plant is exposed to light, the design on the leaves becomes more vibrant and noticeable.
Snake plants withstand bright light, but direct light from a south-facing window may be too harsh, causing the mother-in-tongue law’s to droop. During the winter, though, a southern exposure is ideal. Almost any time of year, a sunny west- or east-facing window is a good option. A north-facing window is acceptable, but prolonged exposure to the north may result in droopy snake plant..
Repotting
Whether incorrect watering or lighting isn’t the source of the drooping mother-in-tongue, check to see if the plant is rootbound. law’s Snake plants, on the other hand, only need to be repotted every three to five years. Move the plant to a container that is only one size larger since a too-large pot stores an excessive amount of potting soil, which can cause root rot.
Pests
If your snake plant suffers one of the problems listed above, it may become weak and vulnerable to pests. If your plant is overwatered and/or has poor drainage, fungus gnats (fruit fly-like insects that emerge from the soil as larvae) may attack it.
In this instance, you may need to replant the plant in new soil, cut off any decaying roots, then water and drain the plant according to the instructions above. Then a pesticide and water with 3% hydrogen peroxide. 1 tablespoon mild dish soap or Dr. Bronner’s, 1 tablespoon oil (e.g. sunflower or olive), and 15 drops neem oil in 1 cup water is a nice homemade solution. In severe, persistent infestations, pyrethrin-based pesticides may be required.
Spider mites and mealybugs are two more uncommon snake plant pests; however, these are normally visible before the leaves begin to droop, as the plants will show little brown specks and/or faded dots on their foliage before drooping or loosing their leaves altogether. Spray with an insecticide as directed above.
If you’re having trouble getting rid of pests on your houseplants, check out my article on some of the best natural ways to get rid of houseplant bugs.
Sum Up!
There are reasons your snake plants become droopy. Snake plants are able to struggle during extreme indeed, but they still need your attention!