How To Save Snake Plant From Root Rot: Get Rid Of This Disaster Immediately! (2021)

Here, we will give you a guide of how to save snake plant from root rot. Don’t worry, since the steps are simple and easy to follow. Now it’s not the time to be panic, it’s the time to learn how to save your evergreen friends from this disaster.


Repotting

Firstly, you should pick a container that will allow the plant to grow properly. There should be at least 1-2 inches (3-6 cm) in the pot more than is needed for roots and shoots. Typically, snake plants grow to a height of about 8 inches (20-360 cm). The leaves usually grow to a height of two feet (60 cm). 

Porous material should be used to cover the drainage holes. No need to be complicated, for example, you can use things like coffee filter paper. Layer your soil inside the pot afterward. Then water your snake plants. Plants and soil should be watered so they are easier to move.

Next, take your snake plant out of its old pot. Oh, you have to do it carefully. It is possible that some of the roots will separate because of root rot. You should cut off all the roots affected by root rot, along with as much soil around the infected roots as possible. Make sure old roots are untangled. Lastly, put the plant into a new pot you have prepared before.


Choosing a proper mix 

What is the next thing to keep in mind about how to save snake plant from root rot? The soil mix. The soil mix should contain about one-third of fertilizer and one-third of conventional soil. To provide more drainage capacity, you can use landscaping sand in the final third. If you previously suffered from poor drainage, perlite may aid in improving your soil’s ability to drain. It is also possible to use readymade soil mixes.


Watering 

This is the most crucial step. Repotted snake plants need a lot of water. A plant will not survive at the bottom of the pot because the soil cannot hold enough water. Make sure the plant receives moderate watering so that the soil can settle. If the soil structure allows for proper drainage, the water on top of the layer will evaporate mostly and sink through the soil. Snake plants cannot survive in their new environment without this step. Otherwise, they won’t take in enough water to survive.

Those are the steps of how to fix root rot snake plant you can follow immediately after you see the sign of root rot. But what if the snake plants are already severely damaged? Relax, you still can save them through propagation. Cuttings can be taken from the old plants and replanted in an environment where they can thrive. You can also root them in water or encourage them to propagate by division.


Chemical treatment

The chemical treatment of snake plant root rot is an option. It is very important that you kill all fungus at the roots before you repot. A fungicide-killing powder should be used to disinfect the roots before repotting. Without this step, the root rot will just spread from the old pot into the new pot and continue to cause damage. That way, all your efforts will be useless.


Is it possible to treat snake plant root rot naturally?

The answer is yes, it is. It is important to keep in mind that if you want to treat root rot with folk remedies, you should get started immediately. Folk remedies work only during the earliest stages of root rot. The prepared solutions should be applied to the lower portion of the plant and the topsoil. 

What solutions will be used? Here are some options for you:


Potassium permanganate

Water the stems and base of the plant with a pale pink potassium permanganate solution. Ensure that the solution contains a large quantity of water, otherwise, the permanganate will burn your snake plant.


Chalk and copper sulfate-based paste

Combine 3 tablespoons of crushed chalk with 1 teaspoon of copper sulfate, and then add 0.5 liters of water. If you add and mix all the ingredients, the result should be a creamy liquid. You can rub the liquid on the affected roots, the collar of the stem, and the lower part of the stem. Replant the snake plant after you have dried the roots a bit. 


Wood ash and chalk

Blend the two ingredients equally. Make sure your snake plant’s roots are covered in powder. Then you are ready to plant. 

Here are a few things to remember about how to save snake plant from root rot, particularly before you apply one of the solutions to the snake plants. The old soil should be completely replaced if you find root rot. Use either boiling water or a solution of potassium permanganate to disinfect the soil. Apply the solution one week apart to allow the soil to revert to its natural microbial balance. You will also need to water your snake plant a little less next time.

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