Why Is My Snake Plant Turning Black? Check Out the Causes and Superb Solutions to Fix It! (2021)

Root rot caused by wet soil or high humidity around snake plants causes them to turn black. It is important to keep snake plants in drainage-holed pots to keep root rot from turning the leaves black.
The following advice will explain how to implement the best practices of care to prevent blackening of your snake plant’s leaves.


Snake plants Turn Black When Overwatered

Overwatering is the most common cause of snake plants turning black.

In Africa, snake plants grow in drought-like conditions with infrequent rainfall.
You are overwatering your snake plant if you water it more than once a week. Watering snake plants once per month (with a good soak to encourage healthy roots) is necessary to avoid root rot, particularly in Winter when snake plants go dormant and stop growing.

Here’s how to save it…

Reduce watering. Plants belonging to the snake family are best watered with a cycle of soaking and then letting the soil completely dry, as this mimics the environment in which they originated.
Water snake plants once every two weeks, but if the soil at the base is dry or moist, you can determine when to water by defining the correct watering frequency based on your climate.
It is best to water if it is dry, if it is still moist, wait until it dries before watering.

Snake plants often cannot be recovered once they have rotted.

Therefore, the best option is to cut off any areas of black from your snake plant and leave only healthy tissue as the black rot spreads and eventually kills the plant if left untreated.
After the blackened area of the plant is removed and you have corrected your watering habits, the plant will hopefully grow again.
It is extremely difficult to revive a snake plant if significant sections have turned black, and chances are the plant will die back.
Take cuttings from the plant if it has any healthy tissue.


Slow Draining Soils

Snake plants are adapted to grow in sandy and rocky soils that drain quickly and do not retain much moisture.
A snake plant in ordinary potting soil is likely to retain too much moisture around its roots, resulting in blackened leaves.

To avoid further stress to the plant, switch to cactus and succulent soil if you have potting mix that retains moisture for a long period of time after watering.

The plant will still benefit from removing any black leaf sections entirely even with the correct watering frequency and well-draining potting mix. This will prevent rot from spreading and help the plant to recover.

In the case of significantly black snake plants, it may be necessary to take cuttings from any remaining green leaves.


Lack of Drainage

Because snake plants are planted in pots with no drainage holes, their leaves can turn black if water pools around their roots due to water stress.

The snake plant should be re-potted immediately if it is in a pot without drainage holes.

Snake plant leaves turning black are not caused only by pots with no drainage holes.

  • Saucers and trays are used. A saucer or tray underneath your pot to prevent water from spilling should be emptied frequently to let excess water drain rather than pool around the base of your pot, which keeps the soil moist and causes root rot.
  • Clogged drainage hole caused by roots or compacted soil. If the soil in your pot isn’t draining well, it might be time to check the base of the pot. Roots and compacted soil can clog drainage holes sometimes. In succulent and cactus soil, the potting soil is less likely to be compacted and more likely to be porous and well draining.
  • A decorative pot is often placed on snake plants in the store as gifts. It can prevent excess water from evaporating and cause the soil to stay damp, resulting in water stress and blackened snake plant leaves.

Humidity Inhibits Leaf Water Loss and Causes Black Leaves

Snake plants live in hot and dry climates and prefer low humidity environments.

The lack of transpiration caused by high humidity can cause snake plants to turn black.

Humidity may be higher not only because of the climate, but also because of:

  • Misting or watering the leaves. Despite snake plants preferring dry conditions, misting their foliage is contrary to their natural behavior. To avoid creating a humid microclimate, water snake plants at the base rather than overhead.
  • Rooms in the house are humid. Snake plants generally do not grow well in humid, steamy rooms, such as bathrooms and kitchens. Place your snake plant in a dryer room.
  • A humid climate. Snake plants do not grow well in humid climates, so if possible, choose a location with good ventilation for your snake plant.
  • The snake plant’s leaves will recover from rot more quickly if it is stored in a room with lower humidity.

More Related Articles for You!

https://allthingsgardener.com/common-snake-plant-problems-to-look-out-for/
https://allthingsgardener.com/fixing-snake-plant-root-rot/
https://allthingsgardener.com/snake-plant-leaves-curling-causes-2021/

Was this helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!