Snake plants are often overlooked by home gardeners because of their low maintenance and robust nature. Because snake plants are expected to thrive in all conditions, many may choose to ignore their needs. One of the few indications that your snake plant is stressed is it drooping. How do we know?
Droopy snake plants are caused by overwatering, inadequate lighting, and excessive fertilization. Other factors such as fluctuating humidity and temperature, root rot, pest infestation, and poorly draining soil can also lead to snake plants falling over.
It is important to treat your plants properly, which means taking care of them and providing them with favorable conditions. Although snake plants don’t ask much, they do need some consideration and they have a few requirements.
By reading on, you’ll learn why your snake plant’s leaves are falling over and what you can do to fix them.
The snake plant droops for what reason?
Something can knock snake plants over and cause them to fall over. This could be internal or external, and can range from watering, lighting, or soil composition to cultural conditions.
In addition, we will teach you more about the snake plant’s needs and what is causing the leaves to fall over.
Inadequate watering can lead to droopy snake plant
Problems with watering originate when you overwater, water underwater, or water in an inefficient manner. Snake plants are able to thrive in dry conditions thanks to their thick leaves that store water.
You can quickly develop root rot in snake plants if you overwater them. They cannot flourish in soggy soil for too long and will start to show signs of stress. Droopy leaves are the first sign. Eventually, yellow leaves appear.
It is best to water the soil with hydrogen peroxide for 2-3 months if you feel there is any chance that root rot might develop in the soil.
For snake plants, watering less is also not a good idea, but can be tolerated for a long period of time.
The snake plant becomes stressed when watered improperly, for example: sometimes you water it at the right time, and at other times you forget watering. Its leaves become droopy since it is tense.
Soil must be dry inside and out, so water only when the plant needs. You can check by poking a skewer/finger into the soil up to a few inches. If the soil is still moist, then you need to let it dry completely.
Improper lighting can lead to droopy snake plant
Since snake plants are known to be hardy houseplants, they can thrive in any light available. Their favorite light is bright indirect light, which helps to reinforce their growth and health.
Long-term dim lighting causes snake plant leaves to droop due to lack of light needed to produce energy to stay firm and lustrous.
Snake plants can also have droopy leaves from too much light, since they lose moisture rapidly. Snake plants may display distress at first through their leaves.
It should be rectified slowly and not all at once. If the plant is in shady conditions, move to brighter light gradually.
Sunlight can damage snake plants, so block direct sunlight with curtains, shades, or other objects.
Keep the snake plant at least a few feet away from the south-facing window. Make sure they have plenty of light all day long.
Overwatering snake plants and keeping them in dim light can cause the leaves to droop and then more problems within.
Your snake plant will droop if it is exposed to too much humidity.
To keep the snake plant healthy and with healthy leaves, it does not need an excessive amount of water or moisture. It is important to keep the moisture level high so that the plant will remain happy. They are not moisture-loving plants.
Increased humidity can cause the snake plant’s leaves to fall over, as the moisture level rises. Leaves of the snake plant suffer from excessive moisture when the humidity level surpasses 60%, since the moisture keeps them from growing.
Humidity levels around 40% are ideal for a snake plant to thrive. Plants don’t need much water in either the soil or the atmosphere because they store water.
We need to be moderate with them, neither too high nor too low. If they persist for a long time, these conditions can be harmful to snake plants. Use a humidifier to maintain an ideal level of humidity around the plant.
Poorly drained soil can cause your snake plants to droop
You could have an issue with the soil mix if your watering routine is correct. Soil mix may be too heavy for the snake plant and not drain adequately. The potting mix should be well-aerated and drain well.
Soil mixes that are too heavy will hold water on the surface for too long, which leads to drowning of the soil and rotting roots. This causes the foliage to drop off.
Half of the perlite can be added to the potting mix along with a handful of worm compost to make the soil mix well-draining. A ready-made soil mix can be purchased from the market for succulents.
You should water the soil while observing if the water comes out immediately or after 2 minutes. Moreover, you should examine the drainage system.
Remove as much existing soil as possible and repot in a relatively larger pot if you are repotting in fresh soil.
Drooping leaves can be caused by insect infestation.
Plants such as snake plants can be easily attacked by pests under poor conditions, especially in high humidity and frequently overwatered. There is also a possibility that it is due to other infested plants.
An infestation of pests makes the plant vulnerable and causes it to have more problems. The foliage starts to fall over as the pests start sucking the sap as the leaves lose their energy at the earliest signs of infestation.
The plant needs immediate cutting off the damaged leaves and rotten roots and repotting in fresh soil. Using insecticide for a few weeks will help control pests completely. Sterilize the soil and follow the watering methods discussed above.
Pest infestation can be controlled using chemical or organic methods, such as horticulture oil, neem oil, cinnamon powder, etc. You should not over-water or over-fertilize snake plants because this will cause even more problems.
The pests will not be completely controlled until the treatment is continued.
Drooping leaves can be caused by a temperature change.
Snake plants can withstand temperatures up to 50°F, but droopy leaves are an indication of increased stress if temperatures dip below that threshold.
Stressed plants will suffer from the fluctuations in temperature, which can differ so frequently from one environment to another.
Even after moving it to another location to correct the temperature issues, your plant might suffer an adverse effect from a sudden shift. Going slow with plants’ sudden transitions can affect their internal system.
A snake plant near the furnace or another heating system can allow for a controlled environment during cold weather.
As long as such heating systems do not produce excessive heat, the plant may suffer droopy leaves, brown leaves, etc.
Overfertilization can cause snake plants to droop.
Despite the fact that snake plants don’t require much water or food, it’s best to keep other conditions in check so they will survive longer. When you overfeed your snake plant, you affect the snake plant’s entire functioning from the inside out.
Excess fertilizer will impact soil fertility, cause salt buildups, and raise soil temperatures. Plant leaves will become droopy because of it.
Snake can be fertilized in the summer and spring, with a two-month gap between fertilization. Winter is a time for plants to rest, which is why fertilizing should be avoided. Unnecessary fertilization will only harm them.
Put a layer of compost on the soil and fertilize with general-purpose houseplant fertilizer. Don’t water too much. It is important, however, to hydrate the snake plant correctly in order for the fertilizer to dissolve properly in the soil.
A few things to remember
- Snake plants require little maintenance, but you need to be careful not to neglect them.
- Provide them with sufficient light and water, but be careful not to overdo it. Snake plants can survive on less water, but it may not be as happy with the reduced light.
- Soil that allows drainage and containers that allow drainage should be used when planting them, because they will dry out the soil more quickly, avoiding soggy soil.
- Check your leaves for signs of damage and remove any debris, and cut any damaged leaves.
- The snake plant’s leaves do not like having water sit on them, so it should not be misted frequently.
- These plants are beautiful and do a great job of purifying the air around them, but they are also dangerous to pets and children if ingested. Make sure that they are in a safe place away from pets and children.
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