Sansevieria, known as the snake plant, is famous for its ability to thrive in various conditions. These snake plants have their resilience for certain situations. Although, they sometimes do show signs of distress such as dropping off leaves. So, if you have a snake plant and its leaves are dropping, there is no need to worry about it, as there are several solutions for such situations.
Reasons Behind Dropping Snake Plant Leaves
There are certain reasons due to which your snake plant leaves are drooping. Following is the identification of those causes.
Overwatering and Root Rot
Snake plants are like the camels of the planet's world. They require limited water and store it in their thick leaves. Because of this, snake plants tend to survive without water for a certain amount of time, and when the snake plant is overwatered, it leads to a condition called root rot.
Solutions:-
To avoid overwatering in snake plants, make sure to water it when the soil dries out. Check it by sticking your finger; if the soil seems dry, then water again, whereas if it's wet, then avoid watering the plant.
Poor Drainage
Poor drainage in snake plants could be the culprit of watering problems. Water buildup around the roots will eventually lead to root rot. If the type of soil used is unsuitable for the plant, it will retain excess moisture rather than allow the water to drain away and cause problems in your snake plants, leading them to drop their leaves.
Solutions:-
To manage plant drainage, start using the pots with proper drainage holes. Mix sand in the soil to keep the water flowing or draining out to prevent issues related to poor drainage in the plants.
Overfertilization
Snake plants tend to be tough plants that don't require fertilization in excess. So, it's important to determine the fine balance of the nutrients required depending on the size and variety.
They require fertilization during their growing phase; you can use magnesium-rich fertilizer or can also apply Epsom salts to the potting mixture. You should only fertilize your snake plant during the initial growing season, from early spring to late summer.
Solutions:-
To avoid overfertilization, remove any infected roots you spot in the plant. Rather, report the snake plant in fresh soil to give it a new start.
Improper Lighting
Placing snake plants in improper lighting can make plant's leaves fall over. Snake plants require adequate light for their survival. Insufficient lighting can weaken them over time and lead snake plants to grow slower. Insufficient lighting makes the snake plants elongated and droopy.
Solutions:-
Place your snake plant in a brighter spot from where they can receive indirect sunlight for several hours daily. Avoid placing the plant in direct sunlight.
Pests
A pest infestation can cause snake plant leaves to fall over. Being a houseplant, the snake plant is susceptible to certain pests, i.e., spider mites, whiteflies, aphids, and mealy bugs. Pests damage the leaves and make them look pale. Because of the pest infestation, certain parts of the plant become discolored.
Solution:-
Taking preventive measures against pests is necessary; you can initiate by trapping the plant over a white sheet of paper to detect the pests that we usually don't notice. After this, the process can be followed by using certain pesticides to eliminate the pests.
Rootbound Plant
At times, snake plants become rootbound, meaning their roots have outgrown the pot and are crowded. This rootbound in the snake plant can suffocate the roots and lead to insufficient absorption, leading to leaves dropping.
Solutions:-
Repot the snake plant and allow the roots to expand. Pick the pot 1-2 inches larger than your previous one.
Conclusion
Snake plants are easy to maintain and don't require much effort. But certain things must be taken care of for the plant's wellness. The article explains all these things with the solution for all the problematic situations that can occur with snake plants.
