Have you done all of the things necessary for maintaining a healthy snake plant, yet somehow your beloved houseplant is still dying? 

Fear not! In this blog post, we’ll outline some of the potential reasons why your snake plant may be in distress, as well as how to bring it back from its (almost) demise. 

Although living plants are complex organisms, they need to have their needs met in order to survive. With some dedication, time, and patience, you can restore your beloved green friend to life. 

Read on to find out what could be causing—and preventing—the growth of your snake plant.

Common snake plant problems

Root rot

A root rot problem occurs when roots are exposed to wet, humid soil that does not have good drainage for extended periods of time.

It leads to the roots becoming infected by bacteria and fungi, as well as suffocating in a waterlogged environment. 

Symptoms 

Symptoms of root rot include wilting or yellowing leaves, browning or blackened roots, stunted growth, and an unpleasant smell coming from the soil. 

In more severe cases, the entire plant may die off due to the disease. 

Treatment 

Root rot should begin with removing the affected parts of the plant, namely any discolored or damaged leaves, and roots. 

Once all infected material has been removed, it is important to repot your snake plant in fresh soil that has excellent drainage capabilities. 

It is also important to keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy. You can check if your soil is too wet by feeling if it is heavy or compacted.  

Prevent

To prevent future outbreaks of plant root rot, always use good-quality potting soil that drains well and does not retain too much water on the roots. 

In addition, make sure you are providing enough air circulation around your plants and avoid overwatering them. 

This will help keep mold and other fungal growth at bay. 

Finally, always inspect your plants regularly for signs of root rot. Such as discoloration or wilting leaves so you can catch the problem before it becomes severe.

Exposure to extreme temperatures

One of the common issues with snake plants is exposure to extreme temperatures. 

If the temperature is too cold, typically under 50°F, then the plant can suffer from frost damage and die. 

On the other hand, if the temperature is too warm, over 100°F, this can cause sunburn and wilting in the leaves. 

Symptoms 

The symptoms of exposure to extreme temperatures for snake plants include drooping leaves, yellowing leaves, brown spots on the leaves, wilting of the leaves, and discoloration of the flowers. 

In addition, if temperatures become too high, blistering may occur on the surface of the leaves, as well as wilting and scorching of foliage. 

Treatment 

If your snake plant has been exposed to extreme temperatures, there are a few steps you can take to help it recover. 

First off, you should move your plant into a cooler area where temperatures remain between 65 – 75°F during the day and slightly cooler at night. 

Secondly, you should reduce watering as this will help slow down any further damage caused by extreme temperatures. 

Finally, add some mulch or compost around your snake plant’s roots to help retain moisture in the soil and protect it from sudden changes in temperature. 

Prevention 

To prevent your snake plant from being damaged by extreme temperatures, there are a few steps you can take. 

Firstly, be sure to locate your plant in an area that receives indirect light throughout the day and provides enough space around it for air circulation. 

Secondly, make sure you don’t overwater your snake plants.

This is because too much water can cause root rot, which can weaken their ability to withstand extreme weather conditions.

Lastly, place a layer of mulch around its base to keep the soil moist and avoid sudden temperature changes.

Mealybugs

Mealybugs are tiny, soft-bodied pests that can cause a lot of damage to your snake plant if not taken care of. 

They feed on the sap from the plant and leave behind white, waxy residue along with sticky honeydew which can cause sooty mold growth. 

These pests can be difficult to spot at first because they blend in with the foliage and often hide in crevices and folds of the leaves.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of mealybug infestation is yellowing or wilting leaves. 

Due to the fact that mealybugs suck out essential nutrients and moisture from the plants, leaving them weakened and malnourished. 

The leaves may also appear distorted as they become wilted or curled up to try and protect themselves from further damage. 

In severe cases, an infestation can even kill off entire sections of your snake plant. 

Treatment

To treat mealybug infestations, you should isolate affected plants immediately to prevent their spreading to your other plants. 

Prune off any infected parts with sterilized pruning shears before spraying down all surfaces with a pesticide containing neem oil or pyrethrin. 

Furthermore, wiping down your snake plant’s leaves with an alcohol-soaked cotton ball will help get rid of some adult bugs while also preventing eggs from hatching into larvae. 

Prevention

To prevent future mealybug invasions, keep a close eye on your snake plant’s health by regularly inspecting it for signs of distress. Such as discoloration or deformed leaves. 

You should also avoid overwatering as too much water will make it easier for these pests to survive in moist soil environments. 

If possible, try introducing natural predators like ladybugs or predatory mites. 

They will help get rid of any remaining eggs or larvae hiding in your snake plant’s crevices before they have a chance to take over.

Spider mites

Spider mites are one of the most common problems affecting snake plants. 

They are tiny arachnids that feed on the sap from the leaves and stems of many different houseplants, including snake plants. 

These pests are difficult to spot with the naked eye, but they can cause serious damage to your plants if left unchecked. 

Symptoms 

The first signs of a spider mite infestation are light yellow or white spots on the foliage, along with a fine webbing covering over the leaves and stems. 

If you look closely, you may also notice small black dots moving around on the plant. This is an indication of a severe infestation. 

Treatment 

To treat spider mites on snake plants, you should start by cutting off any affected leaves and stems and disposing of them away from other plants. 

After this, you can try treating your plant with a horticultural oil spray or a neem oil solution to kill any remaining mites. 

Prevention

To prevent future infestations, make sure your snake plant is kept in an environment that has low humidity levels. High humidity levels can create ideal conditions for spider mite reproduction. 

In addition, it’s important to inspect your plant regularly to check for signs of infestation and act quickly if needed.

Southern blight

Common snake plant problems can be caused by several factors, including Southern Blight. 

Southern Blight, or Sclerotium rolfsii, is a soil-borne fungal disease that affects plants in warm and humid climates. 

It is most common in the southeastern United States. 

Symptoms

Symptoms of Southern Blight include a white cottony growth on the stem near the soil line, which may spread up to several inches. 

Foliage may be yellow or wilt, and leaves may drop off prematurely. The roots can rot, and a strong musty odor will be present in some cases. 

Treatment

Treatment for Southern Blight includes removing affected plant parts and applying fungicides such as copper-based sprays or Bordeaux mix. 

Prevention

Prevention measures include sterile soil, proper watering practices (watering deeply but infrequently), and good air circulation around the plant to promote rapid drying of foliage after watering. 

You should also avoid working in wet soil and water your plants with warm water rather than cold water.

Do not use excessive nitrogen fertilizers, and reduce the humidity around your plants by using fans or properly ventilated greenhouses.

Red leaf spot

Red leaf spot is a fungal disease that can affect snake plants, also known as Sansevieria, causing them to wilt and die. 

The fungus manifests itself in red or purple spots on the plant’s leaves and may spread to other parts of the plant if left untreated. 

While it is more likely to occur when the drying time between waterings is too short or the air humidity is too high. 

Red leaf spots can also appear in healthy plants due to genetic predisposition. 

Symptoms 

The symptoms of red leaf spots manifest themselves as small circular spots on the leaves that are often reddish-purple in color. 

These spots may look dry and papery with a yellow halo around them, and they will become larger and darker over time. 

As the infection progresses, the entire leaf may turn yellow or brown and eventually wither away. 

If left unchecked, it could spread from one leaf to another until most or all of the plant becomes affected. 

Treatment

If you detect any signs of a red leaf spot on your snake plant, you should take immediate action to treat it before it spreads further. 

Treating infected leaves with fungicides such as neem oil can help prevent further infection but won’t cure existing lesions. 

It’s also important to remove any infected leaves from the plant altogether in order to reduce its spread further still. 

Otherwise, these leaves will continue acting as a source of infection for other parts of your snake plant. 

Prevention

The best way to prevent red leaf spot diseases is by providing your snake plant with proper care. 

This includes maintaining the ideal temperature (about 21°C). Keeping moisture levels consistent (don’t let them dry out completely). Ensure good air circulation around the plants. Avoid overhead watering as well as promptly pruning any dead or damaged foliage.

Furthermore, make sure not to overcrowd your snake plants so they don’t get too much shade, which can cause condensation. 

This additional dampness encourages fungal growth, which can lead to red leaf spot disease.

Conclusion

The snake plant is an incredibly hardy plant and will die only due to extreme neglect or reversing the natural seasons. 

Understanding why your snake plant is dying can be difficult, but knowledge of common causes will help you to find out why is your snake plant dying. 

It can take some experimentation at times to figure out exactly what your snake plants need in order to stay healthy and happy. 

Naturally taking the time to understand your snake plant’s needs is key for a long live and healthy houseplant friend.