Is Your Snake Plant Dying? Here’s 7 Signs and What To Do #2

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Snake plant has droopy leaves

The most common reasons behind the snake plant’s droopy leaves include:

Too much stress

The snake plant becomes stressed during the winter if neglected. We must take special care when placing the snake plants during winter.

If the plant is kept near the window, you might want to close the window since the draft might stress the plant, leading to droopy leaves on the plant.

Do not place snake plants near radiators as the heat from them will alter the humidity level, causing the leaves to wilt and go limp.

Regular misting will relieve the plant’s stress during the winter, so make sure to check for humidity levels.

We have already discussed not moving the plant from one extreme to the other.

Watering Issues  

Watering issues include both the underwatering and the overwatering of snake plants.

Underwatering and Overwatering

Even though succulent plants can tolerate drought conditions and last for days without water, snake plants will have droopy leaves if left unattended for a long time.

Watering a snake plant should only be done when the soil is dry. Do not under water the snake plant or stress it in any way.

Using water for proper growth, plants absorb minerals and nutrients essential to their development.

Feel the soil before watering your snake plant, so you can create a watering regime for it.

Snake plants can easily be overwatered, so it is a good idea to feel the soil to make sure it is fertile.

Watering any indoor houseplant should be done by feeling the soil first.

Snake plant leaves are dying

Let us examine the reasons for the snake plant’s dying leaves.

Environmental Stress

No houseplant should be put under stress for that matter as it could result in the plant’s death.

Snake plants grow in the toughest of conditions and do not require extra care.

The snake plant tends to grow stunted when it is moved to extremes. Be sure to give it an adequate amount of sunlight and humidity.

In addition, you might notice the plant in a dying state after you purchase it. This is because it is adapting to the new environment.

Please do not worry.

You will need to provide the snake plant with the utmost care and nurturing. It will take a few days for it to adjust to the new environment, and eventually, it will settle down.

As soon as the plant has fully adapted to its surroundings, you will notice the leaves healthy as they should be.

Take care when the plant receives a cold draft during the winter, and remove it from that spot.

Pests

Yes, an infestation can be detrimental to a plant, which leads to its demise. This point has been highlighted repeatedly, so treatment of the pest situation right away is of utmost importance.

It is imperative that you isolate the plant from your other plants so that the pest does not spread.

Spider mites, mealybugs and aphids eat the newly formed leaves of snake plants, which turn yellow.

After a while, the crown of the plant turns brown and finally sheds all of its leaves.

We can apply neem oil solutions or a mixture of eco-friendly soap to treat the pest situation.

To eliminate the pest completely, the solution should be applied for at least 14 days.

Also, pesticides are permitted as long as you avoid overdoing it.

Watering issues

The leaves of snake plants store water, and they are succulent. 

A succulent plant does not require much water, but is susceptible to overwatering issues.

The snake plant’s leaves could be dying due to either drowning or overwatering.

Under water, we will see the snake plant’s leaves turn yellow and fall off.

We will notice the leaves turning brown and shedding off of the plant if the plant is overwatered.

Each scenario causes the snake plant stress and is equally dangerous.

Always water the soil sensibly and stick with a watering regime.

It is very dangerous to leave a snake plant on still water. Make sure the drainage holes are visible.

Snake plant is getting leggy

The Snake plant’s leggy growth can be attributed to:

Overfertilization

Snake plants require proper and healthy feed for proper and healthy growth. During the growing season, we can fertilize the snake plant.

Do not feed the snake plant during the winter, as it will stunt its growth. Winter is the period when the snake plant is dormant.

Snake plants also require a very low dose of fertilizer.

Always follow the directions for a fertilizer purchased at the market. Do not add a little extra for extra growth.

We will see that the plant has brown tips and develops a leggy growth if ravaged by fertilizer spikes.

In this way, you should try not to add more than the amount mentioned to avoid overfertilization.

Low Light   

Snake plants benefit from at least an hour of direct sunlight a day for healthier growth, which leads to variegated leaves.

Winter can be hard on plants, so they should be placed somewhere with more direct sunlight.

Stay away from the cold draft and away from radiators with the plant.

The plant will grow leggy if the plant is kept away from the bright light and is exposed to a lot of cool drafts.

The humidity should range from 40% to 50% by using a humidifier or dehumidifier depending on your location. Place the plant in a brighter spot or use artificial LED lamps if necessary.

Snake plant leaves are turning yellow

This is the most common reason for yellow leaves on snake plants:

Overfertilization

A nutrient spike sustained by overfertilization can cause stunted growth and yellow leaves on the snake plant.

The fertilization should be taken care of because the plant does not require too much feed.

Only use the feed during the growing season.

Snake plants like a balanced 10:10:10 or 20:20:20 fertilizer, but in very tiny quantities only.

During the dormancy period, which occurs during the winter, cut the feed by half and halt during the fall.

You may not need to fertilize the plant again even after it has been over-fertilized. All we need to do is rinse the excess fertilizer from the foliage.

Once the process has finished, give the plant at least a month without fertilizer.

Make sure the soil is moist and receives the proper sunlight.

Pests   

It is pest resistant, but we can never tell from where the pests attack the plant in the case of plants.

The spider mite, mealybug, and aphids are apt to attack snake plants.

The snake plant’s new leaves turn yellow with the action of these sap-sucking pests.

We can use the method above to cure the snake plant if we isolate the plant immediately.

Here’s what we can do:

  • Neem oil solution
  • Horticulture oil
  • Insecticidal soap
  • Pesticide

Please follow the instructions that are on the label if you are using the pesticide.

Underwatering

Underwatering the snake plant will stress it. The snake plant will develop yellow leaves if it is underwatered.

When the plant is not provided with water, it will not be able to absorb nutrients and minerals. The plant will be stressed, and it will make photosynthesis less efficient.

In underwatering conditions, the plant can suffer irreversible damage if left unchecked.

Yellow leaves may need to be removed because they are of little use now, and they are causing issues.

Once we water the plant correctly, it will grow healthy leaves naturally, and it will continue to thrive for many years to come.

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