If your snake plant or mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata) has droopy leaves, it’s usually a sign that something in its care isn’t quite right. Although they are relatively hardy plants, they still need proper care to thrive.
Below is a comprehensive guide of 8 possible causes and solutions to get you a healthy succulent plant!
Your drooping snake plant’s leaves can exhibit specific signs depending on the underlying issue. Here’s how they may look and what you should watch for:
Appearance of Drooping Leaves
Texture:
- Leaves may feel soft or mushy if overwatered or affected by root rot.
- Leaves can feel dry and brittle if underwatered or exposed to excessive heat.
Shape
- Healthy snake plants have upright leaves, but an unhealthy plant with drooping leaves might bend at odd angles or collapse near the base.
Colour
- Yellowing: Indicates overwatering, root rot, or nutrient imbalance.
- Brown Tips/Edges: Could mean underwatering, low humidity, or fertilizer burn.
- Dark Spots: May suggest fungal or bacterial infections caused by overwatering.
- No Color Change: In some cases, the leaves remain green but droop due to stress (like lack of light or physical damage).
General Condition
- Leaves may look wrinkled or puckered if the succulent plant is dehydrated.
- Severely damaged leaves could feel hollow or break easily.
General Causes
1. Overwatering
One of the most common reasons for a drooping snake plant is excess water. Snake plants store water in their thick, fleshy leaves, making them highly drought-tolerant.
- Cause: Snake plants are succulent plants and don’t like a lot of water. Overwatering causes root rot, leading to drooping leaves.
- Solution:
- Check the soil: If it’s soggy or smells foul, remove the plant, trim rotting roots, and repot in fresh, well-draining soil.
- Snake plants don’t like soggy soil. Water only when the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry.
- You cannot have poor drainage with this plant. Use pots with drainage holes.
2. Underwatering
- Cause: While they’re drought-tolerant, snake plants still need occasional watering. Prolonged dryness can cause drooping.
- Solution:
- Water thoroughly, allowing excess to drain. Resume a watering schedule of every 2-4 weeks, depending on your environment.
3. Not Getting Enough Light
- Cause: Snake plants prefer indirect, bright light but can adapt to low light. However, too little or too much direct sunlight can weaken them. This usually happens during the winter months.
- Solution:
- Move the plant to a spot with bright, filtered light.
- Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch leaves.
- during winter, a south-facing window might be preferred to grow strong, thick leaves.
4. Temperature Stress
- Cause: Snake plants are sensitive to extreme temperatures. Cold drafts or heat from vents can stress them.
- Solution:
- Keep temperatures between 60-80°F (15-27°C).
- Avoid placing the plant near heaters, air conditioners, or drafty windows.
5. Heavy Soil
- Cause: Compact, non-draining soil holds too much water, causing root problems. Regular potting soil is not a preferred choice for these plants.
- Solution:
- Repot the plant in a cactus or succulent potting mix, or mix potting soil with sand or perlite for better drainage.
6. Overfertilization
- Cause: Too much fertilizer can lead to salt buildup, harming the roots and causing drooping.
- Solution:
- Flush the soil with water to remove excess salts.
- Fertilize only during the growing season (spring/summer) using a diluted cactus/succulent fertilizer.
7. Pest Infestation
- Cause: Pests like spider mites or mealybugs can weaken the plant.
- Solution:
- Inspect leaves for signs of pests (webbing, sticky residue, or small bugs).
- Treat with insecticidal soap or some drops of neem oil.
8. Natural Aging
- Cause: Older leaves may droop as they age.
- Solution:
- Prune the older, drooping leaves with clean scissors at the base of the plant.
For more tips on Snake Plant Care click here.
Pruning
Depending on the severity and causes of the dropping, you may want to consider pruning.
Here’s when and how to prune it:
When to Prune:
- If the Leaves Are Severely Drooping or Damaged:
- If leaves are bent, yellowed, or rotting at the base, pruning is a good idea to redirect the plant’s energy toward healthier growth.
- If There’s Root Rot:
- After removing the plant from its pot and trimming affected roots, you can prune any severely affected leaves.
- If Older Leaves Are Naturally Drooping:
- Snake plants occasionally shed older leaves. Pruning them will improve its appearance.
When NOT to Prune:
- If the drooping is minor or reversible (caused by underwatering or slight environmental stress), avoid pruning immediately. Address the underlying issue first and give the plant time to recover.
How to Prune Your Snake Plant:
- Tools:
- Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears.
- Sterilize the blades with rubbing alcohol to prevent infections.
- Steps:
- Identify drooping, damaged, or dead leaves.
- Make clean cuts at the base, as close to the soil as possible.
- If only part of a leaf is damaged, you can trim off the affected section instead of the entire leaf.
- Remove any decaying plant material from the soil to avoid mold or pests.
- Aftercare:
- Avoid watering immediately after pruning, especially if root rot was involved.
- Place the plant in a stable, well-lit environment to help it recover.
If the cause of the drooping was resolved and the plant isn’t severely damaged, pruning isn’t mandatory, but it can improve the plant’s appearance and will encourage new growth
A droopy snake plant is often a sign of underlying care issues, such as improper watering, lighting, or soil conditions.
By identifying the cause and taking corrective action, you can restore your plant to its upright, healthy self and enjoy its resilience and beauty for years to come.