like a magic, we can actually revive dead snake plant! First, we need to know the causes. Overwatering and slow-draining soils are major causes of dying snake plants, causing the leaves to become yellow or brown and droop…
Revive Dead Snake Plant with Curling Leaves
Snake plants with curled leaves for drought stress:
For 10 minutes, soak the snake plant in a basin of water. Submerging the root ball for 10 minutes if the snake plant soil repels watering from the surface permits the snake plant roots to suck up much-needed water.
Always immerse your plants with water. Watering too lightly moistens only the top inch or two of soil, preventing moisture from penetrating and reaching the roots. Water well so that any excess water drains through the drainage holes in the base. This is a wonderful technique to detect if you’ve hydrated the plant thoroughly enough to keep it healthy.
Replace the soil if water is flowing off the surface of your snake plant and the soil beneath the surface feels dry. Snake plants should be grown in a particular succulent and cactus soil that closely resembles the well-draining, porous soils found in their natural habitat. Even when it is dry, the succulent and cactus soil allows water to penetrate effectively and does not bake hard like some potting mixes.
Your drought-stressed snake plant should show signs of recovery in the next week with regular watering techniques and an initial 10-minute soak in water.
Instead of decaying, the curled in leaves can begin to store water again and reestablish a plump full texture.
Revive Dead Snake Plant With Cold Damage
If your snake plant has been exposed to temperatures below 50°F (10°C), it will recover once placed in a room that is consistently warmer than 50°F (10°C).
However, if your snake plant’s leaves have regions of white that feel mushy, they are unlikely to recover.
To prevent the damage from spreading, cut the injured leaf blades back down to the earth with a sterile set of pruners.
Revive Dead Snake Plant With Brown Spots
Snake plants thrive in hot, sunny conditions, although they prefer to be in the shade, frequently under tree canopies.
Snake plants can adapt to full sun in some situations, although they prefer strong indirect light and can even survive in deep shadow (shade slows snake plant growth). (For more information on why a snake plant isn’t growing and how to fix it, see my article.)
If the snake plant is relocated from a shady location to bright sunshine, it will burn and develop brown spots on the leaves.
The sunburned areas of the leaf do not recover in appearance, but they do not harm the snake plant, which can live for a long period even if its leaves are sunburned.
You can, however, support the growth of healthy leaves by cutting the damaged leaf blade back to the ground.
Snake plants tend to topple over when placed in a pot with a small base because they are top heavy. If they topple over, snake plants can suffer bruising.
Key Takeaways:
Overwatering and moist soils cause the leaves to become yellow or brown and droop, resulting in a dying snake plant. Cold stress can be caused by temperatures below 50°F, resulting in a dying snake plant.
If the leaves curl, it could be a sign of cold stress if they’ve been exposed to freezing temperatures, or it could be a sign of drought stress because the leaves store water.
Sunburn is often indicated by brown dots on the leaves. Snake plants prefer bright indirect light, while direct sunlight can cause brown patches.
To revive a dying snake plant mimic the conditions of its native range with infrequent watering, indirect light, and maintain a warm temperature to prevent cold stress. If the snake plant is dying take cuttings of leaves from healthy tissue for propagation.