It is most likely that your snake plant has been underwatered because its leaves are curling. snake plant leaves curl can be caused by anything that stresses out your plant. Insects, fungi, and improper temperatures can be responsible for curling leaves in some cases.
Common Reasons for Snake Plant Leaves Curl
It is first necessary to figure out why your snake plant’s leaves are curling, before you can fix the problem. It will be easier for you to identify which issue is causing curly leaves once you know the common causes.
Underwatering Cause Snake Plant leaves Curl
Snake plants are known for their drought resistance. They just need to be watered twice a month, unlike other home plants.
In fact, one of the most common ways people damage snake plants is by overwatering them!
Snake plants, on the other hand, require some water to survive. The leaves will curl in an attempt to preserve moisture if you don’t water them for a month or so.
The leaves of a dehydrated plant will appear curled, wrinkled, or dry. It’s also possible that they’ll turn yellow or droop.
Insect Infestation
Thrips, mealybugs, and spider mites can wreak havoc on a snake plant that is otherwise healthy. Thrips are the most prevalent cause of curled leaves in a sansevieria, second only to overwatering.
Insects that devour the snake plant cause harm to the plant’s cell walls. The leaves get deformed and curl inwards as a result of the damage.
Because most snake plant pests are so little, it might be difficult to spot them. Try shaking your plant’s leaves over a white surface or using a magnifying glass to examine the leaves.
Thrips will appear as small black specks, whereas mites will appear red and mealybugs will seem white. They like to congregate around the base of the leaves, where your snake plant’s leaves are firmly packed together.
When should I Be Concerned About Curly Leaves?
Leaf edges may bend or twist lightly on snake plants. Edge curling is a problem only when it goes beyond a centimeter.
A plant with previously straight leaves that has developed many curly edges is also cause for concern.
Do I have to Cut Off Curly Leaves on My Snake Plant?
It is not necessary to remove the leaves, since most curly leaf causes can be easily rectified. In this case, there is an exception, as long as you notice there are visible signs of disease on the leaves.
Maintain Stable Temperatures
You might need to work to protect your plants from extremely cold temperatures if you have outside plants.
Winter is an ideal time to bring snake plants inside. Using a clear plastic sheet or blanket to cover plants that cannot be moved may be helpful.
Plants that have been damaged by cold will eventually recover. A plant can, however, die if it is exposed repeatedly to extreme temperatures.
Get Rid of Insect Infestations
In the first place, you should keep your houseplant far away from other plants. Spreading the infestation is the last thing you want to do.
After that, begin removing any leaves that show signs of an insect infestation. Wipe both sides of each leaf with a moist cloth after properly disposing of them.
Finally, to keep the bugs away, spritz your plant with neem oil a couple of times per week.
Water Soak Your Plant
If you fear your plant has been submerged, this method allows you to properly water it without risking drowning it. To do so, simply ensure that your pot contains drainage holes.
Fill a sink or tub with three inches of room temperature water to water soak the plant. Allow at least 45 minutes for the roots to absorb water through the drainage hole before removing the plant from the water.
Remove your plant, allow it to drain completely, and then replace it in its original location. To avoid this problem in the future, make sure you water your plant twice a month.