Why is my snake plant getting sick?
Good morning I happen to notice I’ve been getting spots on my succulent snake plant. So I cleaned the spotted area with peroxide and water about a weak ago. Now 2 different leaves look like this😭 any suggestions #TheThread #brunchataudreys #GregGang #SnakePlantSquad #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #SucculentSquad
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Best Answer
It could be one of two things. Overwatered or underwatered. To tell there will be subtle differences.
I'll go over them so you can tell. For your I am suspecting UNDERWATERED.
Here is why, by looking at the photo it looks as if the leaves are starting to curl inward which is a big clue.
You can tell for sure by feeling the leaves if you take a leaf and very gently pinch it and it has give (not to be mistaken for soft and mushy). Will sort of fold over in your hand. They will feel almost dry inside and have a lot of give, that is definitely underwatering.
I suspect this because of the soil she is in. It looks like it is in RePot me dark classic orchid mix. Which is great for orchids. But will dry out a bit too fast for the snake plant. Which isn't bad, you can keep it in there but when you water. Submerge the pot soil in warm water (make sure all of the mix is covered as well as her roots in the water). Give her a 20 minute soak long enough to absorb plenty and rehydrate her.
For overwatered the leaves will be sort of mushy inside, and bend over the pot because they would be unable to support their own weight.
For that damage the plant would look very ill. Your does not which is why I think it is actually underwatered. This is good though because it's a much easier fix. ❤️
Having that kind of soil myself I know that if just top watered it pours right through it. It needs a good soak when watering. It's a great mix and you will have happy plants. But they need a bit of a soaking.
You also might have to water a bit more often with this mix. Not less, it is great for overwaterers because the roots NEVER sit in water. 🌿
Unless, I'm wrong about the soil and there is normal soil below which is drying out too slow in that case Steph is right and she needs to dry out longer. I keep mine in a very rocky mix and water every 2 weeks. But my soil has literally no soil it is pretty much just rock. ❤️
I'll go over them so you can tell. For your I am suspecting UNDERWATERED.
Here is why, by looking at the photo it looks as if the leaves are starting to curl inward which is a big clue.
You can tell for sure by feeling the leaves if you take a leaf and very gently pinch it and it has give (not to be mistaken for soft and mushy). Will sort of fold over in your hand. They will feel almost dry inside and have a lot of give, that is definitely underwatering.
I suspect this because of the soil she is in. It looks like it is in RePot me dark classic orchid mix. Which is great for orchids. But will dry out a bit too fast for the snake plant. Which isn't bad, you can keep it in there but when you water. Submerge the pot soil in warm water (make sure all of the mix is covered as well as her roots in the water). Give her a 20 minute soak long enough to absorb plenty and rehydrate her.
For overwatered the leaves will be sort of mushy inside, and bend over the pot because they would be unable to support their own weight.
For that damage the plant would look very ill. Your does not which is why I think it is actually underwatered. This is good though because it's a much easier fix. ❤️
Having that kind of soil myself I know that if just top watered it pours right through it. It needs a good soak when watering. It's a great mix and you will have happy plants. But they need a bit of a soaking.
You also might have to water a bit more often with this mix. Not less, it is great for overwaterers because the roots NEVER sit in water. 🌿
Unless, I'm wrong about the soil and there is normal soil below which is drying out too slow in that case Steph is right and she needs to dry out longer. I keep mine in a very rocky mix and water every 2 weeks. But my soil has literally no soil it is pretty much just rock. ❤️
@SuperbRaspfern #TheThread this seams like it happened over night. It was dry so it’s not one of the ones affected by the chlorine??
@Preciousplants1 the diagnosis says it’s water deficiency, it’s dry on top but moist soil @ExecAudreyficus @Lynnja
@Preciousplants1 leaf spots are more often a result of overwatering than underwatering. But sometimes it's just a bit of scarring from normal handling. If the roots are healthy (white or bright orange), you're good. Underwatering signs usually start at the leaf tips, they'll get wrinkly and feel more papery than firm, or fronds that used to stand up straight will start to flop over. But honestly, a snake plant can go a LONG time without watering before showing any of these signs. Definitely let the soil completely dry out all the way down in the pot, then thoroughly soak it.
@Preciousplants1 also, the one tip that's brown might be because of damage that's limited water and nutrients from reaching it (I circled the damage in the photo). If you want, you can trim off the tip from the damage line up. Leaves won't continue growing when the tip is removed, but the brown area also won't turn green again.
@stephonicle thank you, I thought the diagnosis was wrong. I will let it completely dry out. Thank you Stephanie. I notice the damage but it’s got spots on other leaves as well.
In the second picture you can see a brown spot. and that leave is starting to crinkle and get mushie
In the second picture you can see a brown spot. and that leave is starting to crinkle and get mushie
@Preciousplants1 A good guideline for determining whether the issue is over or underwatering: overwatering typically shows signs at the base of the plant first, closest to the soil. Underwatering usually shows at the leaf tips, furthest from the soil 😉
@GuruWildpapaya I only water when it’s dry. No pest but I think I @SuperbRaspfern @stephonicle were right
@Preciousplants1 Maybe you should try the finger test or You can Get a Moisture Meter For your plant, They do sell them on Amazon.
@SuperbRaspfern he’s overwatered I took the bark off the top and sure enough it’s is wet, 😳 I musta watered it with all the repotting. Thank Shannon and @stephonicle @ExecAudreyficus
@M1DLAND3R I usually finger test but I had the bark decoration on top of the soil and I only bottom 💦. Thank so much
@stephonicle on another subject, the Purple Heart 💜 cutting are a plant now and so it the Tradescantia fluminensis my spelling is crazy. The babies aren’t doing too well. Thought I give you a little progress report 👍🏽🙏🏽🫶🏽
@Preciousplants1 the Tradescantia look fantastic! Your spelling was spot-on by the way lol 😜 You'll be able to trim and propagate pieces from the fluminensis bicolor any day now! 🥰 I recently got several new Tradescantia & Callisia cultivars from an amazing seller on Etsy, happy to share some of those with you once they've grown a bit more ❤️
@stephonicle cool oh my gosh, I can start a new one with a cutting for this one? 🙌🏽that would be great. I’d love 💕 them Steph when they’re ready. You say you got them on Etsy hum. I’m have to go back on there. Thanks for the tip. How’s your Echeveria pink cherry?
@SuperbRaspfern lmbo I’m 70 lol tampons are a thing of the past 🤣but great idea 💡 I can get some. Thanks for that tip. I was wondering how I could dry it out a bit. 👍🏽
@Preciousplants1 the Rock Tray (also commonly called a pebble tray) Under my plant Is to Give Some Humidity not Much but it’s a Boost for humidity as Pothos Prefer Humid Conditions.
@Preciousplants1 you're cracking me up about the tampons 😂😂 I'll definitely send you more cuttings 😊 The beautiful echeveria you sent me is doing great! It actually just came out of isolation in my bathroom, that's where I keep all new plants for a few weeks to check for pests & spray down with insecticidal soap. It's with my other succulents under the grow lights now, I'm very excited to see what colors develop. Will send you pics! 🥰
@Preciousplants1 about the humidity tray with the pebbles, just fill a dish with rocks, set your plant on top, and pour water over the rocks every few days or whenever you've noticed the water has evaporated.
@Preciousplants1 Same I don't need them anymore either. Haven't had to worry about that for 7 years now. Woohoo!!! But I do keep them on hand for plants and even bloody noses! Useful little things! The dollar store is a great place to get them, because plants are not picky about the brand 😂
@stephonicle sounds great 👍🏽 it look so beautiful on picture but don’t know which color it’ll be. That’s so awesome about plants 🪴 @SuperbRaspfern gave me a good laugh as well. But I’m going to get some and the rocks/tray✔️🫶🏽. Have a blessed night my friend
Looks like you’ve received a lot of great advice, but I’ll add one more bit. Because snake plants are a type of succulent, I would suggest using a terracotta pot. Plastic pots retain moisture longer. Terracotta pots dry out quicker and make it easier to avoid root rot from overwatering. All of my snakes are in terracotta except on that is in glazed clay pot with inside unglazed.
@SuperbRaspfern
Is a Rattlesnake plant completely different from a Snake plant or are they in the same family?
Is a Rattlesnake plant completely different from a Snake plant or are they in the same family?
@BuffCaperspurge 👋🏽 I have a water purifier on the faucet. I thought that would filter the chlorine.??? I’m going to try Britta
@RefinedSandwort thanks Joy: I think I will try terracotta. I love them 👍🏽