The leaves of snakes are firm, shiny, and can tolerate a variety of cultural conditions. A long-term unfavorable condition, however, can lead to a lot of problems, and white spots are one of them. How can we prevent snake plants from getting white spots, and why do they get them?
White spots on snake plants are commonly caused by overwatering, pest infestations, and molds. Keep pests away by watering your snake plant appropriately. A snake plant can also develop white patches with low lighting, overfertilization, or frequent repotting. Illumination, watering, and cultural conditions can make the plant vulnerable, attract pests, and promote fungal growth.
Taking care of snake plants requires some knowledge about their needs and care. It is possible to exterminate them if you ignore them.
For a complete understanding of white spots on snake plants, let’s go over the following information.
When snake plants have white spots, what causes them?
There are several reasons why snake plants develop white spots. This could be:
- Molds
- Pests
- Low-light conditions
- Drainage problems
- Pruning
- Watering problems
- Repotting
- Fertilizing
Let’s look at some of the common problems and how we can solve them to prevent white spots on snake plants.
Snake Plants Can Develop White Spots If There Is Too Much Salt in the Water
Snake plants should ideally be watered with filtered water, since tap water contains fluoride and excess salt and can be harmful to the plant. When you water your plant, the water evaporates slowly, but the salt remains.
Over time, salts accumulate in the plant and cause white spots, which limit its growth. The growth of bacteria and fungi can also be a result. The plant can be prevented from developing this problem if you water it with filtered water, or further stopped if it is not watered. Alternatively, you can keep a bucket full of water overnight so excess salt can settle at the bottom, and then water in the morning.
Snake Plant White Spots Are Caused by Pest Infestation
Despite being fairly hardy plants, snake plants may become infested with pests. Pest infestations can cause them to become weak. The sap of snake plants is consumed by pests, resulting in white mold on plant leaves and stunting their growth.
Your snake plant needs to be checked periodically because pests can kill it. Let’s take a look at what these pests do to your plants and how you can get rid of them.
Mealybugs
Mellybugs are soft-bodied and appear on the plant with masses of white cotton. Using mouth-strings, they extract sap from the plant.
A high number of mealybugs can lead to yellowing leaves, white mold, curling leaves, and weak plants. Follow these guidelines to treat or control mealybug infestations.
- Plants that are infected should be isolated and pruned.
- Rub rubbing alcohol on the insects.
- You can spray 1 tsp rubbing alcohol, 1 tsp vegetable oil, and 1 cup water on the plant every few days until there is significant control.
- Rice should be soaked in water for ten days. After the rice has been soaked, it has fermented and converted to ethyl alcohol. In a spray bottle, spray the liquid part onto the plant for one to fifteen minutes, then wash the plant with filtered water after spraying.
- These insects can be effectively controlled with insecticidal pesticides available on the market. Dehydrated pests die from the damage done to their outer bodies. However, only use them as last resorts.
- Mealy bugs are stopped from growing by neem oil, which is anti-feedant in nature. One teaspoon of neem oil per gallon of water should be sprayed every 7 to 14 days depending on the severity of symptoms.
Spider Mites
In addition to creating webs on leaves and sucking up tissues, spider mites are relatives of spiders. Oval in shape and pale in color, they are reddish brown or brown. When an infestation continues, the leaves can turn yellow and develop white mold.
Here are some methods for treating and preventing spider mite infestation.
Infested plants are isolated, the infected parts are pruned, and the infected parts are discarded. The plant should be washed with a strong stream of water. You will be able to get rid of the pests in large numbers this way.
They utilize biological insecticides to combat a wide range of pests.
By applying weekly, you can prevent and control insect population explosions and provide better protection than chemical pesticides. Infested plant parts should be sprayed with a mixture of neem and water. Pest eggs will be killed and the pests’ reproduction cycle will be interrupted. Reapply every few days to ensure complete eradication.
The spider mites can be treated with hydrogen peroxide mixed with water.
Rub rubbing alcohol on visible pests to kill them.
Snake Plant Pest Prevention
It is possible to save yourself and your plant from the hassle if you prevent the issue from settling into your plant.
Ensure you regularly check the plant for infestations or other issues before they take over.
Give your snake plant adequate indirect light, and do not overwater or over-fertilize the plant. Prevent pests from attacking the plant by spraying insecticides every month.
To avoid pest issues, keep the snake plant in good airflow and the humidity level average.
Horticulture Oils for Treating Scale Infections
It is an effective and eco-friendly way to treat scale infections. Plants can tolerate it if it is diluted with water. An emulsifying agent is combined with these oils to make them more easily soluble in water.As horticulture oil suffocates and disrupts the metabolism of eggs, it treats scale infections and controls them. It is important not to overuse these tools, as they can be harmful to a plan if overused.For best results, spray the diluted oil directly on the scales. There will be a rapid evaporation of excess oil within the plant. Applied every few days, the mixture will give you complete control.
White Mold
On snake plant leaves, white mold appears as reddish-brown lesions or white web-like growth, which is unsightly and causes the plant to look ugly.Eventually, the plant will give up and die. Culture or pests are responsible for this condition, as well as improper care. Your ignorance of these factors might contribute to this fungal disease.The fungus spreads its spores through air and water in the soil. The problem should be resolved soon, as they are contagious and pose a threat to the plant’s health.
How to Prevent Mold on Snake Plants
Your beloved plants will look unsightly if they have white molds. Occasionally, this can cause problems for your snake plants and also attract more plant-related problems. In the first place, you can prevent white molds by taking proper care.Make sure your plant receives the right amount of light and water.
To prevent soil from sitting in water, the excess water should be completely drenched away. In addition to attracting pests, this causes mold to grow. The soil mix should drain well, be pasteurized, and have good airflow around the plant. Do not mist your snake plant. To avoid contamination, purchase disease-free plants and scrub pots with a bleach solution and water. Check your plants periodically for disease symptoms.
What Causes White Spots on Snake Plants?
When your plant is sick, you need to know what signs to look for. If you possess the right knowledge, you can identify the issue immediately and take quick action. Here are some signs your plant is telling you that it needs your help:
- Root rot is indicated by a foul smell coming from the roots and soil.
- Tanning brown patches on plants can indicate inadequate watering.
- If your plants are bushy and dull, then pruning and lighting routines will need to be addressed.
- There is usually a problem with fertilizing when your snake plant is covered in white molds and everything else appears to be okay.
Making Your Snake Plant White Spot-Free
For your snake plant to prevent white molds, make sure you take care of the following factors.
Lighting
Snake plants require special lighting to grow, to remain healthy, and to maintain the perfect conditions they prefer. The lighting could be dim, moderate, or bright. It thrives in bright light, as long as it is filtered.
Generally, snake plants dislike being wet for long periods, because wet conditions are conducive to fungi, white mold, etc. An appropriate sun will speed up the evaporation process. This will prevent white mold from growing on the plant.
Dry conditions and proper lighting make it difficult for pests and fungi to attack the plant.
Ensure that the snake plant receives full-day indirect sun. Using sheer curtains, you can remove the direct light from the plant. Snake plants do well in windows with an east and north orientation.
During the winter, keep the snake plant away from the window as cold drafts can attract pests and cause fungal growth.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing the snake plant is important since the soil might not be able to provide all the nutrients it needs. It will provide adequate nutrients to the plant to boost its growth.
Some plant owners fertilize their snake plants too much to see fast growth. White mold is caused by poor soil quality and pest, fungal, or bacterial growth.
If you want to fertilize your snake plant, use organic all-purpose houseplant food twice a year during the growing season. Be sure to follow the package directions to prevent overdosing.
Thus, you will be able to keep your snake plant healthy and prevent pest infestation and fungal growth.
During winter, you shouldn’t fertilize snake plants, as this may harm them and attract pests and fungi.
Repotting
Frequently repotting your snake plant is a bad idea. Plant roots are adversely affected by frequent repotting. Rhizomes and leaves along with roots and leaves store water. Repotting them over and over again can lead to them becoming weak and vulnerable over time.
Repotting your snake plant every couple of years or whenever you feel it’s necessary is not a good idea. Try other methods if you feel your plant is sick, give them time if you feel they are unwell.
The snake plant should not be repotted during the winter as it is a resting period. When you see roots coming out of the pot, this indicates that the roots need more room to thrive and better airflow.
Repotting your snake plant will require you to repot it in a one-size-larger pot than it was previously. Make sure the soil and roots are sprayed with fungicide to prevent contamination in the future.
Pruning
Snake plants have thick, firm leaves and are generally hardy plants. Usually, these plants are not easily affected by external factors.
There are times, however, when plants suffer from prolonged ignorance, resulting in brown leaves, yellow leaves, or curled leaves. Curing and pruning of leaves with this condition may reduce pest and fungal growth.
Overgrown roots can look awkward, and will also affect plant growth. Additionally, this condition attracts pests and fungi.
Your snake plant should be pruned as soon as you discover damaged and dead leaves. The snipped off portions of the tip may be acceptable if the damage is not too severe. If you prune the leaves, make sure they look good. In case the leaves are badly damaged, trim them off at the soil line.
Leaves and roots should be cut with sharp, sterilized scissors. Wear gloves when trimming as they can be poisonous and irritant.
Pruning overgrown parts of the plants and keeping them moist will prevent pest infestations and fungal growth.
Watering
Rather than following a watering schedule, water your snake plant as needed. Overwatering will cause the soil to become soggy, resulting in your snake plant becoming drenched.
The condition can cause fungal growth and root rot, which can result in white mold on leaves.
After the leaves are saturated with excess liquid, white spots appear on the leaves. Snake plants don’t like to stay wet, and if given too much water, can become very vulnerable. So water your snake plant carefully to prevent them from becoming wet.
You should thoroughly water your plant. Two minutes should be enough time to drain the excess water. When soil is completely dry, stick your finger into it for a few inches to check for soil moisture.
If you water minimally during the dormant season, your plants are in a resting period and the soil dries slowly due to a lack of light and heat.
Tips for Keeping Snake Plants Alive
- For preventing fungal growth and pest attack, you can spray any organic fungicide and insecticide on the plant every few weeks.
- Check the soil every few days and water the snake when necessary.
- In order to grow properly, the light should be moderate, but should be available all day.
- Repot the snake plant at least five years apart.
- Snake plants dislike moist leaves, so don’t mist them.