Flopping snake plant is a problem. Your wonderful collection of houseplants is starting to seem a little run down, and you’re ready to freshen things up.
You’ve obviously considered giving them a drink, but it hasn’t fixed the problem.
So now it’s up to you to figure out what you’re going to do next. There are a lot of potential remedies for drooping plants, but you must first determine what is causing them to droop.
Fix Flopping Snake Plant
Improve the Water Situation
As I previously stated, you’ve already watered the plants to no avail, indicating that the problem isn’t simply dry soil. However, this does not rule out the possibility of a water shortage.
Too much water can cause the same drooping plants as are caused by insufficient water.
The roots are suffocated and unable to draw in water correctly when there is too much water or simply heavy soil that does not drain.
Even if the pot isn’t completely dry, the plant begins to wilt without water inside its tissues.
Repotting a plant into looser soil and even trying a larger container while you’re at it might be quite beneficial.
Because there isn’t enough area in the root system, plants that have become root-bound can droop.
Take a closer look at the plants to check if there are any signs of insects if the water and soil problems does not appear to be the source of the problem.
Even for indoor houseplants, any of the various sap-sucking insects could be at blame.
When too many pests suck your plant’s fluids, it loses internal water pressure in the same way that too-dry soil does.
Aphids, scale, and mealybugs should all be looked for. These are the most common indoor plant pests that, if there are enough of them, can cause drooping. Don’t be fooled by their diminutive size.
Aphids are little, pale translucent green insects about the size of a grain of rice. They can be found on the undersides of leaves quite frequently.
It only takes a few sprays of insecticidal soap or pyrethrin-based repellant to get rid of them.
You can use the spray on exterior plants or establish a population of ladybugs, which are natural aphid predators.
Scale can be more difficult to deal with, provided you understand you’re dealing with an insect rather than a scab on the stem.
They appear to be smooth bumps with unclear stripes running across the back.
Scale insects aren’t that fast, and you can pick them off fairly easily. Because their shell shields them, soap sprays aren’t very useful in this situation.
With a cotton swab, apply a stronger substance such as neem oil or rubbing alcohol.
Finally, mealybugs resemble scale insects, although they are usually white and have a ridged, fuzzy appearance.
Mealybugs can be dealt with in the same way that aphids are dealt with: with a strong spray of pesticide soap.
However, because they are stronger than aphids, increase the frequency of spraying to two or three times a day to ensure that they are consistently exposed to it.
You can also take a more direct method and clip the stem or leaf off and dispose of it if you have a localized cluster of insects.
Your plants should recover from any of these pest infestations after the bugs are gone. They’ll perk up again if you give them some more sun and regular water.
Keep a sticky strip or two around your houseplant area to catch any flying insects before they lay eggs on your plants to prevent further pest outbreaks.
Provide Support
Sometimes all your plant needs is a little assistance to keep upright. When your plant begins to sag but the leaves and stems remain solid, it’s most likely becoming too heavy for it.
A stick or rod securely embedded in the soil can be a straightforward option, but you risk stabbing through the roots.
Another method that may be preferable for your plants is to attach a support outside the pot. To carefully raise the plant and secure it to the stake, use a soft string or gardening ties.
Examine the stem to check whether it has been damaged if you notice that only one area of the plant is withering. It also doesn’t have to be snapped over completely to be a concern.
When a stem bends, it can still break on the interior, preventing proper water circulation farther up the plant.
The presence of drooping in only one region of the plant is a strong indication that the stem is the source of the problem.
When there is a clear kink in the stem, straighten it out and use cheesecloth to bind up the damaged area.
With luck, the water will continue to circulate within the plant, allowing it to heal. Otherwise, clip the broken stem cleanly off and let the rest of the plant continue to develop.