The leaves on snake plants can be relatively easy to care for, but when yours has become brown, how will you treat it? We’ve gathered all the information we’ve found so we can make sure you and your plant are taken care of.
Here is what you need to do if you spot brown tips on your plant:
- Check the water level.
- Don’t pack the soil too loosely or too tightly.
- Check out the drafts
- Observe the leaves for symptoms of sickness.
- Remove any dead areas.
We will look at these strategies in-depth and then respond to a few other frequently asked questions about your snake plant, like how often it should be watered and how to remove dead leaves. You need to read on to learn how to take care of your snake plant and keep it looking great.
How to Keep your Snake Plant Healthy
As a houseplant, they are very popular and are hardy succulents that are sometimes called MILs tongues. However, even though they are normally hardy, they can sometimes get sick. If you see your snake plant getting brown leaf tips, it’s a good sign that it might need some tender love. Let’s examine each area that could require attention to improve your plant’s health.
Check the Water Level
Being a succulent, snake plants require less water than other plants; however, they can still become too dry. Water-stressed plants show browning leaves. The moisture content of the soil can be measured either with a moisture meter or by verifying it with your finger. When the snake plant is dry, water it. However, it should be allowed to set out for a while before watering again.
Don’t Pack the Soil too Loosely or too Tightly
It is important not to pack the soil so tightly that the snake plant gets too much water. Your soil may be too loose, however, if you notice signs of dryness in your plant and brown tips. Your snake plant can always be re-potted if you want to be sure its roots and needs are met.
You can get the perfect amount of airiness without too much soil looseness if you repot succulents into a soil mix containing succulents and cacti.
Check out the Drafts
Other factors that may affect the dryness of your plant include drafts. Whenever you place your snake plant near a heater or warm window, the breeze and heat will cause the soil to dry out prematurely. The problem can be solved easily; the plant needs to be moved to an area less affected by a draft. Consider getting a small humidifier to store near the plant if you cannot find another place that you like as much. The air will become moist.
Observe the Leaves for Symptoms of Sickness
Consider other signs your snake plant may need help if you see brown tips on it. You may have an insect problem if you see curling or dropping leaves. A snake plant may be infiltrated by tiny black bugs called thrips. Clean the leaves with a combination of water and mild dish soap to get rid of them. Commercial products are also available.
This insecticide soap will protect your snake plant from thrips.
Remove any Dead Areas
It’s time to make your snake plant look pretty again, now that you’ve figured out what might be the issue with your plant. Cut away any dead or dying leaves or plants with some sharp pruning snips. This will encourage the plant to grow its healthy leaves.
The snake plant stands two feet tall and can be ordered at your convenience online and delivered straight to your home. The plant comes in a simple grower’s pot, but it can be potted into a decorative basket or pot without having to repot it. Getting a new houseplant is so easy. You don’t need to leave the comfort of your home.
Is it Okay to Cut the Brown Tips off of a Snake Plant?
A snake plant that has brown tips indicates that the plant has been stressed at some point. Those brown spots are actually dead parts of the plant, therefore cutting them off will not harm the plant. Keep the overall look of the plant in mind and cut carefully. It might help to cut only the brown portion of the leaf if you have a bit on the side of the leaf or at the tip. This way, you won’t harm healthy plant tissue.
How Can An Underwatered Snake Plant Be Fixed?
Due to snake plants belonging to the succulent family, it’s often easier to overwater them than to underwater them. The problem occurs when you let the soil get too dry before you water the plant again. We often worry about over-watering succulents, so we wait too long between waterings. This condition is evident when the plant’s leaves begin to turn brown at the tip.
So how can this be fixed? First, think about what your watering schedule is. A succulent should be watered about one to two times a week during the growing season. If the plant is drying out quickly, check its location for ventilation or other drying elements. It’s also important to check your soil. Although snake plants prefer a fairly loose, loam-type soil, the water will run right through if the soil is too loose. Make sure your soil contains more vermiculite and coir than gravel.
After your plant has been fixed, you may prune back any brown areas to make it look as healthy as possible.
Watering Snake Plants: How Often Is Sufficient?
They are succulents, which means they can tolerate some dryness between waterings and even prefer it. The growing season allows you to water a snake plant only once or twice a week. Check the two-inch finger test is the best way to go. Make sure that the soil is moist all the way down by sticking your index finger into it. If the lower part is dry, then your plant needs to get good watering. Don’t soak it too long between soakings and let it dry out completely.
Your snake plant may tolerate watering as infrequently as every two months during the dormant season. It is important to check since it may dry out more quickly than you expect if you have it near a heating duct. Snake plants tend to get thirsty if you see the tips of their leaves turning brown.
If you don’t want to get dirty, you can use a soil moisture meter like this one to find out if your soil is too dry or too wet. Most of the time, you always want your soil moisture to stay in the green zone.
What is the Best Way to Trim Dead Leaves?
You need to find out if your snake plant has dead leaves to trim and whether you need to prune it to shape up. If your snake plant has asymmetrical leaves or if it seems overgrown, you may want to prune it. Take off the leaves by snipping them off with sharp, clean pruning shears at the base of the plant. If the leaves are curled and limp, you can simply give them a gentle tug; if they’re done, they will pull up at the roots.
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