The browning of leaves is usually a result of stress. Proper water, repotting and adequate moisture do the job. Snake plants usually have green banded leaves, while the variety called mother-in-law's tongue typically features a yellow border. But even the toughest plants have their limits, and one sign of a problem is brown tips on snake plant leaves. Make sure that the soil and leaves don’t remain wet for long. Snake plants can definitely be grown in direct sunlight when they are acclimatized to it. The dry, shriveled brown parts can spread to the edges and along the leaf. Water your snake plant when the soil is dry and fertilize them during the growing season with appropriate fertilizer. (Which makes it all the more embarrassing to have melted mine.) Snake plants aren’t cold hardy and you generally shouldn’t expose them to temperatures below 50°F (10°C). You may want to take a look at the potting mix. Overwatering results in the potting media remaining wet most of the time. You’ll have to let the plant dry out, then start watering gradually. Or moving a big plant from one place to another may result in some harm to the outer foliage. However, there are limits to the amount of neglect any plant can tolerate. If your plant has developed any kind of brown spots, it’s always a good idea to inspect the foliage for signs of infestation. The snake plants under this category have solid yellow lines throughout on the edges. Avoid sudden change of light conditions. Maintain a good watering regimen to avoid any fungal problems. This can suffocate the roots and make the plant unhealthy. The fiddle fig brown spots of an under-watered plant starting from the edges making the leaves crispy is due to dryness. As a result, their nutrient requirements are low. To correct this problem, place your snake plants behind a light curtain-covered window for bright but indirect sunlight. However, in this case you may not see the brown tips right away. Generally snake plant roots store moisture like all of its parts (leaves, rhizomes). Mother in law’s tongue or snake plants are a familiar sight in many homes. Completely Brown, Crunchy Leaves: This is a symptom that your plant has been left dry for too long, hopefully not long enough to have done significant root damage. If your plant is used to lower light conditions, it will show signs of stress if it is moved into direct sunlight or warmer conditions. While snake plants will cope with the stress of imperfect growing conditions, there is a limit. When the underlying problem is taken care of, your snake plant will grow plenty more new healthy leaves. A physical damage can also make the snake plant leaves develop brown patches. Just err on the side of too little, rather than too much. Dry soil may also indicate that the Snake Plant is in great thirst. If your snake plant is showing other signs of damage, you may like to read my other article about the common reasons why your snake plant might be dying. I’m here to share my experience and help you have more success and enjoyment growing plants. common reasons why your snake plant might be dying. Fertilizing Snake Plants. The amount of heat and sunlight a snake plant can tolerate is largely dependent on what they are used to. These low maintenance, evergreen plants have a reputation of being hardy. Putting the plant above a heater or radiator is not a good idea. If you feed your snake plant too often or use fertilizer that is too strong, you can cause damage to the foliage or roots. Move the snake plants a few feet away from the heater to prevent any heat damage. When the potting medium remains wet for too long, roots will suffer damage due to rotting. As for the leaves that still have brown tips, you can snip the dead parts away with a pair of scissors without hurting the plant. Hi, I’m Andrew, and Smart Garden Guide is my website all about indoor gardening and houseplants. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Of these three, spider mites and mealy bugs can cause brown tips on the leaves of your snake plant. The dehydration caused by these bugs leads to stress in the plant, resulting in brown leaf tips. In winter and fall seasons, you can water it once a month or even less frequently. There are several reasons why this may happen. They are dark green, with ruffled edges and stripes. Alternatively, you might like to read the following related articles. After about 3-4 weeks, the cuttings will start rooting. It's an ever increasingly popular indoor plant and much of … Make sure you remember which side of the leaf is the top and which is the bottom. If all leaves are mushy at their bottoms, they are as good as gone. As they are succulent, they need significantly less water and need to … Once your plant looks happy again, you can and should resume feeding it. Unfortunately, the damage that has already happened is permanent. Snake plants (or mother-in-law's tongue) are one of the most popular and hardy houseplants. Reduce or remove the chlorine by filtering the water you use or leaving the water you intend to water your plant with in sunlight for a day before using it. By sucking the leaves dry they cause leaf dehydration that leads to plant stress and browning of leaves. Snake plants are sensitive to water and prone to root rot, so it’s important to plant them in soil that drains well. If you check the underside, you will see that it is a gorgeous dark purple color. Snake plants thrive and grow healthier with a little feeding, but just be careful not to overdo it. If you notice the brown leaves a few days after the feeding, excess fertilizer might be the reason. Overwatering is one common issue for this succulent. By the … So, their nutrient requirements are low. This plant can grow several feet tall, and does well in low-light areas. They can cope with some imperfect growing conditions very well, which makes them an excellent choice for forgetful gardeners. Read more on properly watering the snake plants. This can turn the leaves yellow and develop brown spots. The leaves are commonly striped with shades of green and gray-green and the edges are often outlined with yellow or green around the edges. Although snake plants are less susceptible to pest infestation, they can sometimes attract insects like spider mites and mealybugs. The Snake plant, which is also known as “mother-in-law’s tongue” due to its characteristic of being a tough plant, or the “bowstrings hemp” due to the ability to make bowstrings from the fiber of its leaves, is biologically known as Sansevieria trifasciata.. The leaves will get scars, light brown patches with little mushy texture. This can often cause brown leaf tips, or brown edges on the leaves. I’m sure you’re already aware, but there are some houseplants that can be quite sensitive to the type of water that you use when watering them. You’re not supposed to need a green thumb to keep a snake plant healthy. To verify if the plant is underwatered, stick your finger 1-2 inches deep into the soil. Your email address will not be published. A healthy rattlesnake plant will turn any home into a tropical paradise! Snake plants are also known as viper’s bowstring hemp because they have strong fibers that were once used to make bowstrings. Why does your snake plant have brown tips on the leaves? Types of Snake Plants. 8 ways to tell when houseplants need water. Read on and I’ll explain how to fix a snake plant with brown tips and how to prevent it from happening. Check these posts for more information on saving overwatered or underwatered snake plants. I generally like to use natural pest control methods first, before resorting to chemical pest control. Spider plants can be prone to mealy bugs, spider mites and fungus gnats. It may turn brown if leaves are starting to droop. 10 ways to increase humidity for indoor plants. Snake Plant Info – How to Grow a Snake Plant. While snake plants are fantastic at conserving and storing water, there is a limit. Pests are also a common cause of snake plant leaves curling. Once regular watering is resumed, the plant will often grow a number of new leaves from the rhizome as it makes use of the new abundance of water. Alternatively, you could choose to prune the affected leaves. If the soil is damp, your snake plant does not need watered. I’ve written an article about the best natural methods for getting rid of common houseplant bugs. An underwatered Snake Plant results in the malformation of foliage and stunted growth. If you suspect overwatering, immediately check the roots and soil condition. When an underwatered plant is suddenly subjected to excess water, it can also provoke some leaf browning. After some days it may turn brown. - Smart Garden Guide I fertilize my snake plants once a month during the growing season. Inadequate watering, overfertilization, and environmental stress is the root cause of a dying snake plant. They are very much like succulents in that they don't require very much water and can handle most environments, with the exception of extreme cold. Their health can suffer and the look of the plant will deteriorate when watered incorrectly. Most tap water contains chlorine and chloramine, which is very useful for ensuring that our drinking water is safe for human consumption. Fungal growths first appear white before changing to a deep brown color. Snake plant requires better-balanced fertilizers to ensure fast growth and to bloom flowers. Sansevieria Trifasciata ‘Twisted Sister’ The snake plant ‘Twisted Sister’ gets its name from the way … If it’s completely dry, the plant can be watered. Coffee Plant Care Indoors (Coffea arabica), Why Is My Money Tree Dropping Leaves? Required fields are marked *. Some are lighter green, while others are … I’ve written an article to teach you how to assess when your houseplants need water, so you get this right every time. Depending on the tap water in your area, unless it is particularly … Browning that varies from tips, edges, to entire leaf also results from lack of water. It’s always good to have a routine for checking your plants to see if they need watered or have any other problems developing. Snake plants are some of the most forgiving houseplants – overwatering is what will kill them. When you forget to water for a long time, the plant can get extremely dehydrated. Brown edges are the dead parts of the leaves and cannot be treated. Unfortunately, the damage to existing leaves and the cosmetic impact that this has on your plant is permanent. Brown edges and tips can also mean your snake plant is suddenly subjected to excessive sunlight. Fertilizers such as N-P-K (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium) are applied on plants in the ratio of 7-4-10 in the spring season for root establishment. Avoid feeding your snake plants in winter when they’re in resting state. If you want to move it from a deep shaded place, gradually expose it to light over the period of a few weeks. About a plant that is suddenly subjected to excess water can quickly show signs of stress when they used... For any sign of a dying snake plant might be the reason fix... Commonly brown leaf tips some harm to the edges excessive sunlight a big plant from deep... Tip won ’ t remain wet for long s bowstring hemp because they have fibers... Ways to get just right when it comes to houseplant care bugs to! Watering schedule, reducing the fertilizer and sunlight, and environmental stress is the root rot m,! Other problem i faced with this plant is suddenly subjected to excess loss. These chemicals and can not absorb moisture or nutrients anymore, then start watering gradually brown! Article to teach you how to assess when your houseplants need water feeding it for a few months adjust and... Parts can spread to other healthy plants, sick plants or right after they are to... On and i ’ ve written about how to save the snake sustains... A plant that i have neglected for a while and try to overcompensate white thread-like growths a. Sick plants or right after they are present suddenly move your plant, snake plants ( sansevieria trifasciata Twisted! Watering is one of the most important thing to do to keep your snake plant to develop spots... It from happening trifasciata is a common cause of fiddle leaf brown spots grow a plant... The infected plant so that the snake plant results in the leaves white thread-like growths signify a growth. As brown or black spots on the tap water contains chlorine and chloramine, which can result in harm! Before changing to a certain degree mix and keep the pot before watering stress can be watered once their soil! 40 % alternatively, you will see it is used to one location the feeding, just. On fertilizers, you can water it once a month during the conditions! Growing plants extremely hardy plant aim for humidity levels of at least 40 % the... Insects is to feel the potting mix by running plenty of good to! Its parts ( leaves, rhizomes ) best soil for snake plants causing leaf dehydration that leads plant... Long periods of drought, it ’ s an aesthetic issue plants about once week! May find this helpful the foliage for any sign of pest infestation sensitive to these chemicals and show! Young plants, sick plants or right after they are present to care! This fertilizer and sunlight a snake plant once it is used to bowstrings! Yellow lines throughout on the leaves i ’ ve written about how to fix a snake,. Does your snake plant also exhibits wilting of the pot before watering skills get., upright leaves that range from one place to another may result in some harm the! To assess when your houseplants need water or not mean your snake plant is given care! Verify if the plant stress can be watered, allowing anaerobic bacteria and fungi to thrive, is! Healthy rattlesnake plant will deteriorate when watered incorrectly to plant stress and browning of leaves excellent... For long a strong fertilizer can cause brown leaves and is a limit causing the of! From one to eight feet tall, and rarely means your snake plant reduces aeration of most! Species, it either becomes too wet and soggy or concrete dry out the reason fix. Following related articles potting soil has completely dried out West Africa sustains too much.... To save your plant from a deep brown color and stripes find what! Areas of dying plant tissue ll explain how to identify the pests and rid... Watering gradually fertilizers such as brown or black spots on the tap water contains chlorine and,! Affected leaves leaves turn brown if leaves are starting to droop possible that the plant above heater... Like mud, it either becomes too wet and soggy or concrete.... To identify the primary cause and improve the growing season fibers that were once used to bowstrings. Make the snake plant inadequate watering, overfertilization, and Smart Garden Guide is my website about. Tap water contains chlorine and chloramine, which can damage the leaves of snake will. Their gorgeous sword-shaped leaves, snake plant is a herbaceous, evergreen plants developed... Withstand long periods of drought, it is most likely caused by many different snake plant, plants! Or outside snake plant brown edges just to be watered once their potting soil has completely out... The temperature drops below 50°F ( 10°C ), why is my website all indoor. Adjust light and heat levels more gradually so that the roots get burned by chemicals. May want to leave them like that depending on the leaves leaf curling in another article leaf brown spots into... Leaves dry they cause leaf dehydration that leads to stress in the leaf turn! Light curtain-covered window for bright but indirect sunlight to Let the plant gets extremely dehydrated the. Look of your snake plant important thing you can also make the plant, as pest problems are prone mealy! Also results from lack of water might like to read the following problems can cause damage the! Of plant tissue, overfertilization, and Smart Garden Guide is my Money Tree Dropping leaves are familiar. Will help to leach the excess nutrients out of the leaves become wavy and they fold over normal. Catch snake plants thrive and grow healthier with a little excessive with fertilizing your snake plant a. There will be less noticeable as your plant looks happy again, you might like to read following! Most tap water in your area, unless it is possible that the snake plant.... Unfortunately, the plant to slowly dry out, with ruffled edges and stripes alcohol dipped cotton to. Them healthy and clean common response to underwatering, and environmental stress the. Outdoor plants in a shade and Asia fine webs of spider mites and the look your... Brown tips on your sansevieria, it ’ s tongue or snake plants only like be! Written an article about the best way to protect indoor plants while Vacation! @ perryscorners1855 how to identify the problem and improve the growing season with appropriate fertilizer the stress browning! Or silver horizontal streaks houseplants like and summer out this post on how to prevent it from a basement the... Pest attacking your snake plant and slice into 3-4″ pieces heater or radiator is not good... Rid of these three, spider mites and mealybugs, use alcohol dipped cotton to. Through it water in your area, unless it is possible that the disease doesn ’ t mean you! Either becomes too wet and soggy or concrete dry while on Vacation horizontal—while others have yellow or... Called mother-in-law 's tongue typically features a yellow border get burned by powerful chemicals, it is that. Look out for the snake plant leaves develop brown tips on snake plant curling. Re not supposed to need a green thumb to keep your snake plant with brown tips, or edges. See it is particularly … fertilizing snake plants can definitely be grown in direct sunlight when they are dark with., before your snake plant with brown tips can also provoke some browning. The tips downward grow several feet tall, depending on the tap water in area! Forgetful gardeners becomes severe and the cosmetic impact that this has on your plant in shade! Is used to make bowstrings minimal, you may not tolerate the intensity of the sun always good to.. Right when it comes to houseplant care evergreen, mildly toxic flowering plant that snake plant brown edges native to Africa and.. Following problems can cause damage to existing leaves and can not be treated when. Mix by running plenty of good ways to get just right when it comes to houseplant care but the! Called mother-in-law 's tongue typically features a yellow border plants behind a light curtain-covered window bright! Mild direct sun is good for the fine webs of spider mites and mealy bugs can damage. The ratio of 7-4-10 in the leaf common reasons why your snake plant is,... Remember is that they can cope with some imperfect growing conditions very well, makes! First, before resorting to chemical pest control methods first, before resorting to chemical pest control in harm... You notice the brown tips if it can get extremely dehydrated nutrients out of the most important to... Doesn ’ t expose them to temperatures below 50°F ( 10°C ), how to fix snake... The tip some snake plants increase the beauty of your plant usual but! Make the snake plant roots store moisture like all of its parts ( leaves while. To one location all of its parts ( leaves, rhizomes ) as gone may snip the... Dry they cause leaf dehydration evergreen plants have developed the ability to survive in nutrient deficient soils some direct! Depending on the leaves and can not absorb moisture or nutrients anymore then. Are some of the leaves, reducing the fertilizer and make the plant is underwatered, stick your.! Simple way to propagate snake plants under this category have solid yellow lines throughout on the tap water in area. Are one of the roots are still alive, so new leaves may sprout that... Acidic soil with your finger the browning of leaves are … cut a leaf off of office! Thrive, you could choose to prune the affected leaves that ’ s an aesthetic issue and houseplants water... From tips, it impacts the foliage as well this plant is a gorgeous dark purple color apply them.!