Root rot is one of the most common problems facing snake plant owners. This potentially fatal disease can quickly kill your beloved sansevieria if left unchecked. However, with some TLC and attentive care, it is possible to rescue an affected plant. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the causes, symptoms, and solutions for reversing root rot in snake plants.
What Causes Root Rot in Snake Plants?
Root rot occurs when the roots of the plant are attacked by fungal pathogens such as pythium, phytophthora, rhizoctonia, or fusarium species. These organisms thrive in wet, poorly drained soil and infect the roots, causing them to turn brown, mushy, and slough off. As more and more roots are destroyed, the plant is unable to take up water and nutrients, leading to decline.
There are several factors that can create an environment conducive to fungal root rot
-
Overwatering – The #1 cause of root rot is too frequent or excessive watering, Snake plants prefer their soil to dry out between waterings, Wet soil leads to oxygen deprivation in the roots
-
Poor drainage – Dense heavy potting mixes or pots without drainage holes can allow moisture to accumulate in the soil. Stagnant water promotes fungal and bacterial growth.
-
Compacted soil – When soil is pressed firmly around the roots, it reduces air circulation and drainage. Re-potting with fresh soil can help.
-
Cold temperatures – Chilly weather slows root growth and function, making them vulnerable to rot organisms. Keep snake plants above 55°F (13°C).
-
Root damage – Wounds from rough re-potting, transplant shock, or pest infestations can provide entry points for pathogens. Handle roots gently.
How to Identify Root Rot in Snake Plants
Catching root rot early is crucial to saving the plant. Here are the most common symptoms:
-
Slow, stunted growth – Declining health causes growth to slow or stop. New leaves may be smaller than normal.
-
Wilting – Leaves start drooping as the roots lose the ability to transport water. Wilting may start in just one part of the plant or encompass all leaves.
-
Yellowing or browning leaves – In advanced cases, leaves turn yellow or brown starting from the tips and progressing toward the base as the roots die off.
-
Drooping or dying leaves – Severely damaged roots cannot support all the plant’s leaves. The oldest, lowest leaves may turn yellow and drop off.
-
White fungal growth – In very moist soil, you may see white fungal mycelium or mold on the surface.
-
Foul odor – Rotting roots give off a distinctive foul, decaying smell.
-
Root examination – The most definitive test is to remove the plant and check the roots. Healthy roots are firm and white/tan. Rotted ones are brown, mushy, and snap off easily.
How to Treat and Prevent Root Rot in Snake Plants
If you catch root rot early, it is possible to nurse your snake plant back to health. Here are some tips:
1. Remove the Plant from the Pot
Carefully remove the snake plant from its pot. Knock away as much soil as possible to expose the root system. Trim off any visibly diseased, blackened roots with sterilized scissors or pruners.
2. Rinse Off the Roots
Use room temperature water to gently wash remaining soil and debris from the roots. This stops the spread of fungus and lets you inspect the roots for damage.
3. Sterilize the Pot
Before replanting, thoroughly clean the container with hot water and soap to destroy any lingering fungal spores. Alternatively, use a fresh sterile pot.
4. Apply a Fungicide Drench
Water the roots with a fungicide solution made for root rot, like Banrot. This kills active fungi on the roots to prevent further damage. Let it soak in well.
5. Repot in Fresh Soil
Repot the snake plant in a sterilized potting mix, ensuring excellent drainage. Choose a pot with drainage holes and use a gritty, peat-free soil amended with perlite or sand.
6. Apply Cinnamon Powder
Dusting the roots and cut surfaces with ground cinnamon inhibits fungal growth. Its antibacterial properties stimulate healing.
7. Water Sparingly
Once repotted, water only when the top 50% of soil is dry. While recovering, the plant needs less frequent watering to encourage new root growth.
8. Increase Air Circulation
Place a small fan nearby to keep air moving around the leaves. Good airflow wards off fungal and bacterial problems.
9. Move to a Warm Spot
Ensure the plant gets plenty of warmth and light to aid recovery. Aim for 65-80°F (18-27°C) and bright, indirect light.
10. Apply Rooting Hormone
Dipping trimmed roots in rooting hormone like Indole-3-Butyric Acid (IBA) stimulates the growth of new feeder roots.
11. Fertilize Sparingly
Avoid overfertilizing while the plant recuperates, as excess salts can burn damaged roots. Use half-strength balanced fertilizer once a month.
12. Monitor Progress
Check for new growth and leaf firmness weekly. If the decline continues, the roots may need further treatment.
How to Prevent Root Rot
Once you’ve tackled a bout of root rot, it’s important to take steps to prevent a repeat occurrence:
-
Plant in fast-draining soil – Use a commercial cactus/succulent mix or amend potting soil with perlite, gravel, or sand to improve drainage.
-
Water only when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry – This may mean watering only every 2-3 weeks. Always pour off excess water in the saucer.
-
Avoid overhead watering – Water at the base of the plant to keep moisture off the leaves and stem.
-
Use containers with drainage holes – Never allow the plant to sit in water. Remove any trays or saucers after 30 minutes.
-
Give plenty of light – Low light spurs overly moist soil conditions. Provide at least moderate indirect sunlight.
-
Improve air flow – Stagnant humid air encourages fungal growth. Place in an area with some air circulation.
-
Inspect soil before watering – Check soil moisture with your finger rather than on a fixed schedule.
-
Watch for signs of overwatering – Drooping, yellowing leaves demand an immediate reduction in water.
-
Repot in fresh soil annually – Replace old potting mix to avoid compaction and salt buildup.
With attentive care focused on reducing moisture, snake plants can thrive for decades. A dilute hydrogen peroxide rinse can also be used monthly as a preventative root rot treatment. At the first sign of trouble, take action to restore your sansevieria’s roots before significant decline occurs. With prompt treatment guided by the steps above, your treasured snake plant can make a full recovery.
Introduction: Save a Rotting Snake Plant
I have a confession to make: I really over loved my Snake Plant. Like REEAAALLLYY over loved it. And by over loved, I mean of course, over watered. If this has happened to you, don’t give up! Here’s one way to try to save face with your dead plant friend.
Sansevieria trifasciata, a. k. a. Snake Plant or Mother-in-laws-tongue, is an extremely hardy plant. (Which makes it all the more embarrassing to have melted mine. These plants are a lot like succulents in that they don’t need much water and can grow in most conditions, except for very cold ones.
Almost always, when they get really droopy, like mine did to tell me it wasn’t happy, it means they have too much water. A healthy Snake Plant has a lot of different parts, but I’m only going to talk about root rot and how to save as much of the plant as I can.
- a clean pot
- utility scissors or garden sheers
- perlite
- peat moss or vermiculite
- container to mix the two soil ingredients
- big wooden spoon
*A 6″ plastic pot worked for me, but a clay pot would be better because it would let this desert-loving plant get more air.
Step 2: Make a Clean Cut!
Cut off the bottoms of your leaves well above the yellowed and melted ends to get rid of the bad ends. You want to make a straight cut across in what looks to be a healthy section.
To keep the plant’s look while the roots try to grow, I left my leaves on for as long as possible. If you prefer to ere on the side of caution, cut them even shorter.
NOTE: There’s always a chance that a fungus or bacteria got into the plant through the rot, and there’s no way to tell if that happened or not. But I still think it’s worth a shot to save it. If it doesnt work, then Ill throw it out and get a new one.
Let your cut leaves sit for 24 hours to callus over before moving on to the next step. You can also sprinkle some cinnamon on the ends if you have any on hand because it kills mold. (I was out!).
Overwatering? Root Rot? Saving My Snakeplant // JerseyWifeJerseyLife
FAQ
How to fix root rot on snake plant?
Can a plant recover from root rot?
What does an overwatered snake plant look like?
How do you save a dying snake plant?
What causes snake plant root rot?
The primary cause of snake plant root rot is excessive watering. Remove the infected soft and rotten root system with sterilized garden shears to fix the problem. After that, repot the plant in a new container filled with fresh new soil. To avoid standing water, ensure that the soil and pot have adequate drainage.
How do you treat a snake plant rot?
Apply the powder to the snake plant’s roots. Your plant should be fine at this early stage of root rot. If you find root rot, you should replace all of the old soil with new soil. You must disinfect the soil with a potassium permanganate solution or boiling water.
Why is my snake plant wilting?
If your snake plant appears to be wilting or toppling over, or its leaves are bent, then it may have root rot. Snake plants are succulents, meaning they hold onto water within their leaves.