Why Are My Chinese Money Plant Leaves Curling? Increase the humidity of the space. If you’re wondering how to take care of a snake plant, read on for a few suggestions. It is pressurizing the plant with improper care or cultural conditions and not rectifying them on time. Underwatering can also impact the growth of the snake plant. Always take off the watering needs and feed with all-purpose houseplants fertilizer no more than once a month only during the growing season. Keep the plant in good air circulation. Do not keep the soil soggy and keep a healthy environment in the soil. When you do, take a good look at the roots to see if any are showing signs of damage. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): ZZ plant is a very tough houseplant that not only survives low light and very dry conditions, but is also a great choice for cooler rooms. Fungal growths first appear as white areas on the leaves, then changes to a deep brown color. (How much and how often), Why Do My Houseplants Keep Dying? Water it again. Too much of anything will harm the plant. Leaves may be stippled with discoloration, or turning yellow overall. Next, use a sterilized pair of shears to trim off remaining dead roots. (Causes And Solutions). The water will slowly evaporate and improve the humidity around the plant. The leaves will get scars, light brown patches with little mushy texture. Use a digital hygrometer or a humidifier to provide an ideal humid environment to the plant. Avoid reusing potting soil from previously infected containers, inspect new plants for infestation when bringing them into your home, and maintain good airflow around your Snake Plant. To get rid of spider mites wash them off the plant and increase the humidity around the plant; Biological and insecticidal control. Avoid pouring the water inside the ring of leaves. Check out my article about the best ways to clean indoor plant leaves, to make this a quick and easy process. Although they can tolerate low temperatures up to 50-55° F (10-12°C), mother in law’s tongue are not cold hardy plants. Mist your plant with water or insecticidal soap, then using a clean, soft cloth, wipe the leaves down carefully to remove the spider mites. Pests make the plant weak by keeping sucking the sap from the plant. However, any plant can suffer due to unavoidable situations, and sometimes they may give up on you. I’m here to share my experience and help you have more success and enjoyment growing plants. The Snake Plant is one of the easiest houseplants to grow, making it very popular amongst homeowners. Sterilize the scissors after using a solution of 1 part bleach to 3 parts water so that fungal spores don’t spread to soil or other plants. Use artificial light sources like grow lights, LED, etc. Some hobbyist loves their spider plant but struggles to keep them alive. Over time the spots expand and coalesce to form large, sunken, liquidy lesions. Water & Humidity. These tiny sucking pests are found on the undersides of leaves, wreaking havoc on indoor houseplants. (Watering Requirements+Tips), Why Is My Spider Plant Turning Yellow? The snake plant, commonly referred to as mother-in-law’s tongue, is a resilient succulent that can grow anywhere between 6 inches to several feet. Beneficial mycorrhizae create a hostile environment for unwanted bacteria and fungi; sulfur acidifies the soil, making some nutrients less available and limiting the food source for the pathogens that cause root rot. Plants may also exhibit a fine, spider-like webbing between the leaves or at the base of the plant. Check the potting mix; it should not be excessively draining. Make a point of bringing the plant indoors in future freezes. Does ZZ Plant Like To Be Root Bound? The most effective way to treat a Snake Plant for mealybugs is to manually pick the adults and egg masses off by hand or wiping them with a cloth or cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. One of the biggest challenges with spider mites is their prolific nature; often times a heavy infestation will occur, unnoticed, before plants begin to show physical symptoms of damage. (13 Common Problems), Source: The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, University of Minnesota, Snake plant profile, Lighting Indoor Houseplants. Water the snake plant when the soil is dry. Sansevieria Kirkii Pulchra Coppertone (snake plant) – Super stiff, shimmery, copper and deep bronze, mottled leaves with wavy edged margins reach 2 to 3 feet at maturity and grow in an open rosette. Keep the plant in a somewhat shaded area but should get plenty of indirect light for at least 6-8 hours. Southern blight is caused by a parasitic fungus, Sclerotium rolfsii,  that attacks many houseplants and garden plants alike. Put the plant on the tray. If root rot has spread significantly, dissect the plant, keeping only the healthy portions. If your plant isn’t growing during the spring or summer, troubleshoot through the previously mentioned issues that may be causing growth to slow. Do not overwater and never keep in a high humid environment for too long. in pots without drainage holes, root rot can kill the whole plant within ten days. The best method of prevention is to avoid standing water on the leaves of your Snake Plant. Quarantine the infected snake plant and trim off the damaged leaves. Inappropriate temperature levels lead to the snake plant’s suffering and may even be the end for your plant. At night the temperatures should be between 55 and 70 degrees F. Intense sunlight You can safely avoid watering them for weeks at a time. Physical damage during repotting can also lead to shriveling in a snake plant. It was pretty rough repotting it alone. Cold damage Native to tropical Africa, snake plants grow better in warmer temperatures. East or west-facing windows work well for sufficient light availability for the plant. Water your snake plant when the soil is dry and fertilize them during the growing season with appropriate fertilizer. Before keeping your snake plant, monitor the location. This is a common problem for people growing snake plants as house plants as they are tall and top heavy. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made by our readers with no extra cost added to you all! Leaving a snake plant … Snake plants usually get disturbed due to too much light or shady light for too long hours. Snake plant or Sansevieria is a mother in law tongue plant, it is an easy growing indoor plant and is able to thrive in many climatic conditions. Your snake plant is likely to suffer due to stress leading to wilting of the plant. Keep the temperature level between 65 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the daytime and 55 degrees Fahrenheit -70 degrees Fahrenheit at nighttime. Maintaining an ideal temperature and humidity and providing indirect light can revive your snake plant. Visible on the roots first causing them to turn brown and mushy — classic signs of rot. Replant the plant in fresh, sterilized soil. Growth slows down considerably or stops completely during the cooler winter months as plants go dormant to conserve energy. Don’t forget to clean the leaves of your snake plant every few months. This damage You will not experience any serious growing problems under normal conditions. Do not propagate any contaminated cuttings. Sansevieria will suffer damage and rot in very cold Winter temperatures. Family: Agavaceae (placed by some in the Liliaceae). Use sheer curtains. It is crucial to understand these cues so that we can take necessary action to save your plant. Spring and early summer delicate lightly scented flowers emerge from stalks. If you just bought a new ZZ plant home or your ZZ plant has suddenly stopped growing, then you might be wondering if the plant is root-bound. Bring the plant in if it is going to cool; Keep the plant between 60 and 80 degrees F during the day in the house. Alternatively, I would suggest investing in a. The citrus mealybug is the most common species found on succulent plants like the Snake Plant. You can also use any chemical pest control to treat the infected plant. A mealybug infestation to the untrained eye can have you believe you need to let the soil dry out because mildew is appearing on the plant leaves. They reduce the plant’s vigor and energy to keep the plant healthy. Although underwatering your snake plant isn’t as bad of a deal as overwatering, but in the longterm, your plant is likely to stress out, resulting in poor growth. See here for my best ideas for indoor planters. Put the pebbles into the tray and fill it with water just enough to moisten the rocks. Snake plants cannot stand too much water, and if the plant remains in waterlogged soil, then the roots can stop functioning, resulting in the plant’s wilting. This damage interrupts the pathways in which water and nutrients flow, inhibiting water uptake through the roots, causing the plant to perish from lack of moisture. A Snake Plant also exhibits wilting of the leaves with white thread-like growths and wet, softened areas of dying plant tissue. Once symptoms are visible in the leaves the problem may be past the point of rectifying, endangering the entire plant. Prune heavily damaged leaves from the plant, making sure to keep healthy foliage intact as over-pruning further stresses the plant. Cold damage. You can also turn the plant upside down and carefully rinse the leaves off with tepid water in the shower, washbasin, or kitchen sink. The ideal humidity for the snake plant is about 40%. Small doses of the toxin may not cause any symptoms; consumption of large amounts of the plant cause swelling and numbness of the tongue and throat, leading to intestinal distress. link to How To Revive Dying Spider Plants? Spider mite damage appears as small yellow and brown spots on your plant’s leaves. If there is any soil stick to the finger/skewer, that means the soil is still moist and doesn’t need water. The challenge with root rot is that it often goes unnoticed because it occurs beneath the soil surface and out of sight. They lay microscopic eggs within a mass of white cottony threads and then perish within 5 – 10 days. While saving frozen plants is possible, freeze damage to plant tissue and other cold injuries can often be prevented. Leaving the snake plants outdoors or in a balcony during winter season highly increases the chances of cold damage. The roots then die back due to lack of oxygen or the overgrowth of a soil fungus. Keep the leaves of your Snake Plant dusted, eliminating places for spider mites to nest and lay eggs. The excess water will drain into the dish. This wide temperature range makes it easy to provide the right temperature. (Causes+What to Do), Why Is My Spider Plant Turning Brown? The cold damage in the winter months can stunt the plant’s growth. You can add a root treatment containing beneficial mycorrhizal species, or dust the healthy roots with sulfur powder to help prevent reinfection. If the plant has suffered frost damage, that means ice crystals have sucked moisture from leaf tissue, and the plant requires hydration to survive. Native to West Africa and similar to other succulents, your Snake Plant prefers warmer temperatures. These cues include: Saving the snake plant is essential and can be made easier by identifying the problem causing pain to the plant. When the temperature drops below 50°F (10°C), they suffer permanent damage to the leaves. Remove the water from the dish after an hour. Neem oil will help to get rid of the bugs as they are a natural fungicide and insecticide. Avoid a high humid environment. Inappropriate temperature levels lead to the snake plant’s suffering and may even be the end for your plant. To maintain a high-temperature level during cold weather, keep the plant near the furnace but should not feel the heat. Because of their very resilient, nearly indestructible nature, your snake plant may recover if you allow it to dry out and place it somewhere warm to rest. ; Lightweight and Portable -- ideal soil test tool for indoor and outdoor use. By reading further, you will learn the reasons for the problem and the solution for curing the issue as well. If left untreated, leaves will yellow, curl, and drop. Both of these plant pests will damage the plant and cause its growth to stunt. Do not mist nearby the snake plant and keep cleaning the leaves to remove any dust on them. Healthy roots begin to turn brown and mushy as they perish, unable to take in nutrients needed for growth. Cut the roots that are healthy just above the dead and damaged roots. Soggy soils encourage the growth and multiplication of Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, or Fusarium fungi which spreads into the roots, infecting plants. Cutting away any obviously damaged stems and roots may also help. Always avoid exposing the plant to cold drafts and temperature below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. It is crucial to understand why your snake plant is dying to take appropriate action so that you can revive your snake plant. Protecting Plants from Cold and Frost. Welcome to SimplifyPlants.com. Keep checking on the plant every few days to find out any issue in the plant at an early stage. To prevent root rot, always water when required, and the drainage system should be proper. Red leaf spot occurs when fungal spores in the air find a damp leaf surface to adhere to. Hello, My name is Richa, and this is where I share my passion for indoor plants. You won’t have to worry about all the ways to water houseplants while on vacation, as your snake plant will easily tolerate 3 weeks or more without water, even in warm, arid conditions. Remove affected leaves to prevent the spread to other areas of the Snake Plant. As root rot progresses leaves turn yellow, wilt, or droop and then become mushy as well. That can affect their growth at the beginning and then lead to the wilting of the plant. Alcohol spray will repel insects without harming the plant. This plant has several cultivars with minor differences in appearance and size. Troubleshooting problems with snake plants are fairly straightforward and most problems can be identified and treated easily. Its about 36 inches in height. If your snake plant has been too soggy for too long, you may need to repot the plant. If you leave your snake plant outside in low temperatures, you can cause damage to the leaves that results in scarring, wilting and curling. Also read: Overwatering vs. It is also very popular among gardeners and plant lovers. The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, How Often Do You Water Spider Plants? The common names include mother-in-law tongue, Snake Plant, Devil’s tongue, and many others. I had to repot it immediately the container was split and the plant was over grown but healthy. Hi, I’m Andrew, and Smart Garden Guide is my website all about indoor gardening and houseplants. The problem is not the above-given reasons. While the snake plant is easy to care for, it’s always good to familiarize yourself with a plant’s basic preferences and needs. With my experience of keeping plants for several years, I have learned a lot about them and how to keep them alive and thriving and so here I am to pen down my experience for all of you. It has sharp pointed leaves that look like the skin of a snake. The most common reasons why your snake plant is dying are root rot, exposure to extreme temperature variations, insect infestations, or fungal problems. If the temperature gets extremely low or high, they will be scarred. The snake plant should be watered only when the soil needs it. Sometimes your snake plant can become dirty from dust accumulating on the leaves, and this can reduce the amount of light entering the leaves, even if the plant is situated in a bright room. You can use neem oil or horticultural oil spray every month to prevent pest infestation. (All Possible Problems+Solution). The soil and roots will uptake the water through capillary action. If you want to learn more about how to care for succulent plants indoors, check out my full snake plant care article and my guide to growing succulents indoors. It belongs to the family Asparagaceae, native to the tropics of West Africa. Take the plant out of the pot and remove the soil from the roots. You can also use a dish under the pot while watering. On the leaf where the damage is to the side, you can cut the leaf all the way to the bottom of the injury, if you so desire. Extreme temperature can generally cause stress among plants. If the soil is dry it may survive temperatures as low as 5°C / 41°F. Pour the water on the soil near the base of the plant to avoid damage to the plant and increase water absorption. Before attempting rubbing alcohol, spot test an inconspicuous area on your plant to ensure it won’t damage foliage; the waxy succulent leaves on a Snake Plant are typically strong enough to withstand a little bit of rubbing alcohol, but it’s best to double check before treating your plant. You can keep the soil on the drier side, but dry soil for a prolonged period will harm the plant. Cold damaged plants can be watered and given a boost of liquid fertilizer to help aid in their recovery. Some links in the post are affiliate links and I get a commission from purchases made through links in the post. Please note: Simplify Plants is reader-supported. If your snake plant is not getting enough light, move the plant to a brighter location. Bring the plant indoors during cold weather to protect the plant from cold drafts. Read on to learn about the ailments Snake Plants succumb to, and appropriate treatments, so you can address the problem correctly and quickly. (13 Common Problems). Within a week to ten days, external symptoms appear, signifying infection. Mealybugs are similar to their relatives the soft scales but they lack the scale covering and retain legs throughout their life cycle allowing them to move around. Snake Plants are very easy to grow, making them a favorite houseplant for many, including those that aren’t extremely adept at keeping plants alive. The dark-green elongated leaves with grey strips get around 4feet in height. And in case your plant is suffering, it is really easy to revive back your plant by monitoring the plant’s needs and providing appropriate care. (All Possible Problems+Solution), link to Does ZZ Plant Like To Be Root Bound? for homes where too much light is not available. The ideal temperature for the snake plant is between 65 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. You may have some decorative pots with plenty of drainage that you can plant your snake plant in, but personally, I much prefer to set the pot on a drip tray, or inside a more decorative planter. A dying snake plant will give you many visual cues to identify the problem as soon as possible. Lets see how well it last. While snake plants will struggle to survive in pots without drainage holes, there are a number of solutions to this problem that you wouldn’t immediately think of. Snake plant (aka sansevieria) is showing up a lot these days in outdoor containers. The plant should get indirect light for at least 6 hours. how much light snake plants need to grow and thrive. The plant naturally grows in hot and dry areas so it will not appreciate cold temperatures. The best temperature for snake plants is between 50-85 °F. Another fungal disease, red leaf spot is caused by Drechslera erythrospila. Also read: Do snake plant need fertilization? Mix 2 cups of 70% isopropyl alcohol with a liter of water and spray the plant. Use a humidifier to regulate the humidity in the room ideal for the plant.