The snake plant, also known as a mother-in-law’s tongue, is a stylish plant that requires very little maintenance.
Overwatering can damage snake plants, which tolerate almost any temperature. There is little water loss among these plants, and they prefer being left alone over being constantly watered.
Plants do not need to be overwatered unless they receive too much water.
This simply means that the plant has been sitting in moist soil for a long time.
Snake plants can be overwatered even by the most careful owners!
Overwatering plants can result in a number of issues, such as root rot, and this article will explain what you can do in order to prevent it in the future.
How Come My Snake Plant Is Mushy?
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The most common cause of mushy snake plant leaves is overwatering.
For Sansevieria plants to survive, they require a very small amount of water.
The roots of these plants become water-logged easily if they receive more water than they need.
You should always check the soil first, even if you give the plants a precise amount of water, because water-logged roots in Snake plants are fairly common.
Consequently, the roots rot and the leaves become mushy if the plants are overwatered.
Getting Rid Of The Mushy Leaves On Your Snake Plant
Look for moisture in the soil and the roots of snake plants when they begin to turn mushy. To maintain healthy roots, wet soil needs to be removed and replaced as soon as possible. If the snake plant has soft or mushy roots, they should be cut away so it can grow strong again. There are other problems that the snake plant might be facing that can be resolved to help it recover.
Drainage
It is possible that you are wondering how your regular watering schedule is damaging the plant. Often, it’s not the amount of water you give the plant, but an inefficient drainage system inside the pot. For Snake plants, it is better to plant them in pots with drainage holes and gritter soil. Aeration and drainage in the soil can be improved by mixing perlite with the soil. Adding small rocks or pebbles to the bottom of the pot will prevent the drainage holes from becoming clogged with soil. Terracotta or clay pots are higher-end products that can be added to your garden. It is expensive and the pots won’t last long, but the pots will add to the charm of your home garden. Terracotta pots, in addition to their aesthetic purpose, allow water to evaporate from the inside.
Humidity
Humid conditions are not conducive to snake plant growth. This plant thrives in low humidity levels. Misting the leaves of plants is also not a good idea, as the leaves remain moist for longer periods of time, turning mushy. Any humidifier or misting device that you have in the room with a snake plant should be moved away. If you live in a humid area all year round, you might want to get a dehumidifier to place in the same room as the snake plant. If you plan to buy plants, ensure that the plants are not placed in humid rooms, such as the shower room or the kitchen, where they are close to hot surfaces. After the above-mentioned issues are resolved, you will need to take a few more steps to ensure that the plant returns to its normal state.
- If you have replanted the plant in new soil, do not water it. Allow the roots to recover, and in the meantime, keep the plant in a bright, sunny place.
- Trim away the infected parts of the roots so that the plant can recover.
- After trimming the roots, apply a fungicide to promote healing.
- Be aware of signs of root rot in the root system of the plant. This process should not result in the complete uprooting of the plant. If the Snake plant seems to be turning mushy, gently lift it and check the roots.
Is Your Snake Plant Overwatered?
It is possible to overwater a Snake plant even if you are extremely particular about watering it. It is important to know that snake plants are prone to overwatering before purchasing one!
Here are some signs that a plant is overwatered:
Mushy and Soggy Leaves
Overwatering causes snake plant leaves to store more water than they need, causing the leaves to become soft and mushy.
Leaves that appear wrinkled and moldy are another sign of this.
Brown Spots and Wilting Leaves
Wilted leaves and brown spots are easily recognized.
If you water the plant inconsistently, you will notice this phenomenon.
Plants can also be negatively affected by inconsistent watering, as well as overwatering.
After avoiding watering for a few weeks, you might suddenly give the plant too much water.
Snake plants are sensitive to this practice and it can negatively affect their growth.
Root Rot
The symptoms of root rot are not apparent until the disease spreads to the leaves. Root rot is evident when the roots of the plant become soft and brown.
The ideal conditions for bacteria to thrive are moist roots.
Bacteria can be beneficial to plants in some cases, but bacteria that thrive in moist conditions can damage them.
When the roots begin to decay, there is also an unpleasant smell associated with root rot.
Ideally, fresh roots should not be too soft or brown, but white and fairly tan.
Leaves Turning Yellow and Soft
When the plant’s leaves turn yellow, you can be sure that it has root rot. A plant’s lush green color begins to fade away and is replaced by yellowing when the soil lacks nutrients. Plants with yellow foliage need immediate attention because they are stressed.
Drooping Leaves Will Fall
A plant suffering from root rot is unable to provide adequate nutrients and hydration to its leaves, leading to the leaves wilting, turning soft, and falling off.
How to Water a Snake Plant
It is not necessary to provide a lot of water to snake plants. It is easy to overwater snake plants, so be careful not to overwater them.
While watering your plant, keep these things in mind:
- Before watering, check the soil. Feel the soil with your hands, and it should feel dry and gritty. Ensure that the plant is well-hydrated before applying water. Before you water the plant again, the soil must be completely dry.
- Plants of larger sizes need more water than those of smaller sizes. Make sure to water these appropriately.
- At no time should you mist your plant. During hot or dry days, you might be tempted to mist or water the plant, but this will only cause root rot.
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