What To Do When Your Snake Plant Develops Brown Spots

Snake plants, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, are highly popular houseplants known for being tough, low maintenance, and able to tolerate neglect. However, even these hardy plants can sometimes develop issues like brown spots on their leaves.

If you notice your once thriving snake plant now has unsightly brown splotches, don’t panic. There are several potential causes and solutions for restoring your plant to health.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the following:

• Common causes of brown spots on snake plants
• Identifying and treating fungal or bacterial leaf spot diseases
• Fixing environmental issues like overwatering
• Proper snake plant care to avoid problems
• When to prune affected leaves
• How to prevent brown spots from developing

Armed with this advice, you can diagnose what is ailing your plant and get your snake plant looking lush and green again.

What Causes Brown Spots on Snake Plants?

There are a few common culprits that can lead to brown blemishes marring the leaves of an otherwise healthy-looking snake plant

• Overwatering – Too much moisture causes root rot and yellowing/browning leaves

• Underwatering – Insufficient water leads to dehydration and crispy brown tips or spots,

• Low humidity – Dry air affects snake plants over time, causing leaf scorching.

• Pests – Insects that suck juices from leaves create stippling and spots.

• Diseases – Fungal or bacterial leaf infections turn areas brown.

• Sunburn – Direct hot sunlight scorches leaves, leaving brown marks.

• Physical damage – Accidental nicks and scrapes appear as brown imperfections.

• Age – Older leaves naturally yellow and brown eventually.

To pinpoint the exact cause in your plant, closely inspect the brown areas and consider any changes in care or conditions lately. We’ll go into more detail on diagnosing and treating the various causes next.

Identifying and Treating Disease

One serious cause of brown splotches on snake plant leaves is fungal or bacterial disease. Two common ones to watch for are:

Drechslera Leaf Spot – Causes circular brown spots with red-purple margins. Spots may ooze liquid. Treat with fungicide sprays after removing affected leaves.

Bacterial Leaf Spot – Irregular water-soaked spots that slowly turn brown. Trim off infected leaves and dispose. Spray remaining foliage with copper fungicide.

Examine your snake plant closely under bright light. If the spots have defined edges or rings of discoloration, that points to a contagious infection. Quarantine the plant away from others immediately.

Prune off all leaves showing symptoms, even if it means cutting the plant back substantially. Be sure to sterilize pruners between each cut. Destroy the trimmed leaves – do not compost.

Spray the remaining leaves thoroughly with the appropriate fungicide or bactericide. Repeat every 5-7 days until no more symptoms appear. Avoid overwatering and improve air circulation until disease is eradicated.

Fixing Environmental Causes

If no signs point to disease, then the brown spots are likely caused by environmental factors. Here is how to address each:

Overwatering – Check if soil stays wet for too long after watering. Re-pot in a container with drainage holes using fresh, well-draining soil. Allow the plant to fully dry out for 1-2 weeks before resuming sparse watering. Trim off badly affected leaves.

Underwatering – Look for shriveled, wrinkled leaves and dry, cracked soil. Soak the root ball in water for an hour to rehydrate. Resume a regular but conservative watering schedule. Remove any crispy brown leaves.

Low Humidity – Raise the humidity around the plant by misting daily or placing on a pebble tray. Keep away from heating vents. Browning tips will not recover but new growth should appear normal.

Sunburn – Move plant to a shadier spot away from hot direct light. Prune off charred looking leaves. Add sheer curtains to filter sunlight if needed.

Pest Damage – Inspect closely for tiny insects like spider mites or thrips which leave speckling or stippling damage. Wipe leaves with insecticidal soap and keep away from other plants until pests are gone.

Physical Damage – Unfortunately scratched or nicked areas won’t repair. But you can neatly prune damaged leaves back to the base.

With proper adjustments to care, new snake plant leaves should grow in vibrant and spot-free again.

Best Practices for Snake Plant Care

Prevention is the best way to avoid issues like browning leaves. Here are some snake plant care tips to keep your plant thriving:

• Water infrequently – Allow soil to dry out between waterings. Water only every 2-3 weeks in winter.

• Use well-draining soil – Repot in a mix made for cacti and succulents if needed.

• Provide bright, indirect light – Keep out of direct sun which can burn leaves.

• Maintain average room humidity – 40-50% humidity is ideal.

• Avoid temperature extremes – Keep between 60-80°F, move away from drafts and vents.

• Dust leaves periodically – Buildup blocks lightneeded for photosynthesis.

• Fertilize lightly in spring – Use a diluted balanced or bloom-boosting fertilizer.

• Monitor for pests – Catch infestations early before major damage occurs.

• Allow soil to dry rapidly after watering – Never let pots sit in water.

Following these best practices minimizes stress and creates the stable conditions snake plants prefer. With a bit of attentive care, brown spots and other issues can be avoided.

When to Prune Affected Leaves

If brown spots or blotches do develop on your snake plant, promptly prune off the damaged leaves. Use sterile gardening shears or scissors to remove leaves at the base of the stem.

Pruning serves several purposes:

• Prevents disease spread by removing infected tissue

• Avoids pest infestations since pests often first attack stressed or dying leaves

• Promotes new growth which will emerge looking fresh and healthy

• Improves overall appearance by getting rid of unsightly damaged leaves

• Allows you to monitor progress if condition worsens or improves after corrective care

Snake plants readily regenerate leaves, so don’t hesitate to prune for the health and aesthetics of your plant. Just be sure to sanitize pruning tools after each cut to avoid transmitting diseases.

How to Prevent Brown Spots Going Forward

While sometimes unavoidable, you can take steps to help prevent brown spots from marring your snake plant’s leaves:

• Inspect new plants closely for pests and diseases before bringing home.

• Quarantine new plants for 2-4 weeks to avoid introducing pathogens.

• Water only when the top several inches of soil are dry.

• Pour off excess water that collects in cache pots or saucers.

• Provide a fast-draining potting mix suited for succulents/cacti.

• Keep in average household humidity around 40-50%.

• Avoid drafty spots and heating/AC vents.

• Apply light balanced fertilizer every 3-4 months during active growth.

• Check frequently for insect pests on leaves and stems.

• Clean leaves periodically with damp cloth to remove dust buildup.

With vigilant care and prompt treatment if issues arise, you can maintain a thriving, spot-free snake plant for years to come. Don’t give up if yours develops problems – simple adjustments can get it back to excellent health.