Snake Plant Has Brown Tips? How to Diagnose, Treat, and Prevent

The snake plant, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue or Sansevieria, is one of the most popular and durable houseplants. Its sword-shaped leaves add unique architecture and interest to any indoor space. However, even this tough plant can develop issues, including the appearance of unattractive brown tips on the leaves.

If your snake plant has brown tips, don’t panic! This article will cover the common causes, solutions for treatment, and tips to prevent brown tips from returning. With a few simple adjustments to care, your snake plant can return to its upright, healthy green beauty.

What Causes Brown Tips on Snake Plants?

Brown tips usually indicate that the snake plant is stressed in some way Here are the most common factors that can cause snake plant leaves to get brown tips

• Underwatering – Allowing the soil to completely dry out too frequently damages leaf tips. Snake plants are drought tolerant but still need occasional watering.

• Overwatering – Too much moisture around the roots deprives them of oxygen, causing root rot and leaf damage.

• Low humidity – Dry indoor air pulls moisture from leaf tips faster than the plant can supply it. Brown crispy tips ensue.

• Sunburn – If moved from low to bright light, leaves can scorch, especially during summer months.

• Cold damage – Temperatures below 50°F damage sensitive leaf tips first.

• Chemical burns – Chlorine and fluoride in tap water or overuse of fertilizer can burn tips.

• Pests – Insects like spider mites can suck nutrients from leaves, causing brown dried areas. Look closely for webbing or tiny bugs.

• Age – Older leaves naturally die off, starting with browned tips. Prune these for a tidy appearance.

Pay attention to your specific care routine to deduce what is likely causing your snake plant’s brown leaf tips. Once you identify the issue, you can take steps to remedy it.

How to Fix and Prevent Brown Tips on Snake Plants

Repairing existing brown tips on snake plant leaves is usually not possible. However, with some adjustments, you can improve conditions to prevent additional damage. Here are some tips:

• Check soil moisture – Stick your finger in the potting mix to gauge if it is too wet or too dry. Water thoroughly only when top few inches are dry.

• Use distilled or filtered water – Let tap water sit out overnight before using so chlorine can dissipate. Or use distilled or filtered water.

• Mist leaves – Increase humidity around the plant by misting leaves daily or placing the pot on a pebble tray filled with water.

• Move out of direct sun – Slowly transition the plant if moving to a brighter area to avoid sun scorch.

• Keep above 50°F – Prevent cold damage by keeping the plant away from drafty windows or doors during winter.

• Treat pests – Isolate and prune affected leaves. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth to remove mites. Apply neem oil as needed.

• Avoid overfertilizing – Fertilize at half strength, only in the spring and summer when actively growing.

• Prune old leaves – Remove leaves that are mostly browned for a tidy appearance. New leaves will replace them.

With some simple adjustments tailored to your specific conditions, you can get your snake plant back to flourishing health and prevent future brown leaf tips.

When to Worry About Brown Tips on Snake Plants

In most cases, a few browned leaf tips are not a major cause for concern. It is normal for some old leaves to fade. The snake plant continuously produces new leaves, so losing older ones over time is part of the plant’s natural life cycle.

However, if brown crispy areas are appearing on multiple new leaves, or the tips start turning mushy and black, it likely signals a more serious underlying issue.

Here are some warning signs that indicate your snake plant needs urgent help:

• Stems and leaves are drooping and limp looking.

• Entire leaves are turning fully brown or yellow.

• Plant is losing many leaves quickly.

• Soft black areas are appearing on tips and edges.

• White fungal growth or foul odor from the base.

• Visible pests like spider mites or mealybugs on leaves.

If you notice these more troubling symptoms, identify and address the cause right away before the damage worsens. With quick action, even plants in decline can often be nursed back to full health.

How to Treat Advanced Cases of Brown Leaf Tips

For minor brown tips, simply improving care and conditions is sufficient. But if brown crispy areas are more extensive, take these additional treatment steps:

• Trim off affected leaves – Remove badly damaged leaves so the plant doesn’t waste energy on them. Make cuts just above the soil.

• Repot if necessary – Check roots for rot and repot in fresh mix if needed. Discard any mushy roots and scrub the pot.

• Treat pests – In addition to neem oil, use horticultural soaps or organic pesticides for heavy infestations. Isolate affected plants.

• Reduce light exposure – Move plant to a shadier spot while recovering to prevent added stress.

• Hold off fertilizing – Don’t feed while plant is weakened as this can damage roots and leaves.

• Increase humidity – Group plants together, use a humidifier, or place pots on wet pebble trays to raise moisture levels.

With attentive care, even snake plants in decline can often make a comeback after proper treatment. Just be patient, as it takes time for new growth to generate.

When to Propagate or Repot a Snake Plant with Brown Tips

If an aging snake plant is suffering extensive leaf damage, propagation may be necessary to start new healthy plants, rather than trying to rescue the original.

You can also divide congested rootbound plants. Here are signs it’s time to propagate or repot your snake plant:

• Most of the leaves are browned or declining.

• The plant is growing very slowly or not at all.

• Noticeable pests or diseases that persist after treatment.

• Roots are popping out of drainage holes or wrapped around the root ball.

Propagating a snake plant is quite easy:

• Use a clean, sharp knife or shears to cut off a leaf at the base.

• Allow the cut end to callous over for a few days in a dry spot.

• Pot the leaf cutting upright in soil, with just the bottom few inches buried.

• New roots and shoots will sprout in a few weeks.

For rootbound plants, gently remove from the pot and separate crowded rhizomes and roots before repotting in fresh soil mix. This stimulates new growth.

Appropriate Potting Mix for Snake Plants

To prevent potential problems that lead to brown tips, make sure your snake plant is potted in a suitable mix. Here are recommended potting media:

• Standard potting soil amended with added perlite for drainage

• Cactus and succulent soil mix

• Equal parts potting mix, perlite or pumice, and orchid bark

Avoid moisture-retentive pure peat-based mixes, as snake plants are prone to root rot if kept too wet. Make sure the pot has drainage holes as well.

Ideal Light Conditions for Snake Plants

While snake plants tolerate a wide range of light levels, some conditions make them more prone to tip scorching or sunburn. Here are the best lighting situations:

• Bright indirect light from an east or west window

• Moderate ambient room lighting, no direct sun

• Shaded south or north window, with sheer curtain to filter sun

• Undergrow lights, keep 12-18 inches away to avoid leaf burn

Rotate the plant periodically so all sides get even light exposure. Acclimate gradually if increasing light levels.

Ideal Temperature Range for Snake Plants

Cooler temperatures can shock snake plant leaves and cause brown crispy damage. Here are ideal home temperature guidelines:

• Daytime – Between 70-80°F

• Nighttime – Over 60°F

• Avoid dropping below 50°F

Keep away from cold drafts from windows and doors. Use a portable heater or grow lights to maintain warmer conditions if needed.

Ideal Humidity Range for Snake Plants

The dry air in most homes can lead to excessive moisture loss and brown leaf tips in snake plants. Strive for these humidity levels:

• 40-50% humidity is ideal

• At least over 30%, avoid prolonged periods under 20%

• Can be increased with humidifiers, grouping plants, and pebble trays

Higher humidity also helps the plant resist pests and diseases. Consider investing in a hygrometer to monitor conditions.

Signs of a Healthy Snake Plant

When provided with proper care and growing conditions, here are signs your snake plant is thriving:

• Upright, rigid, sword-shaped leaves

• Solid deep green leaves with no brown spots

• New shoots emerging from the base

• Moderate growth rate, up to 6 inches per year

• Healthy white roots when repotting

By getting to know your plant’s natural growth patterns, you can better detect early signs of problems and remedy the causes before lasting damage occurs. With attentive care tailored to your environment, you can keep your snake plant healthy, green, and tip top!

Common Snake Plant Varieties

There are over 70 different cultivars of snake plants available. Some types are more prone to tip damage than others:

• Laurentii – Yellow striped leaves scorch easily without sufficient humidity.

• Moonshine – The bright yellow-green foliage loses moisture faster than darker green varieties.

• Black Gold and Black Coral – The thin upright leaves are quite sensitive to overwatering.

Know your particular snake plant variety’s needs and adjust care accordingly. Some may require more diligent monitoring to avoid brown tips.

FAQs about Snake Plant Brown Tips

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about causes and solutions for brown tips on snake plant leaves:

Why are the tips of my snake plant turning brown?

The most common causes of brown tips are inconsistent watering, low humidity, too much sunlight, heat stress, or tap water chemicals. Identify your specific growing conditions to pinpoint the issue.

Should I cut off brown tips on snake plant leaves?

Trim off badly damaged and dried out leaves for an attractive appearance. But leave leaves with minor tip browning since it will not spread or harm the plant. Just improve care going forward.

How can I raise the humidity for my snake plant?

Use a humidifier, place pots on pebble trays, or group plants together to raise humidity. Also mist leaves daily with room temperature water avoiding the base and soil.

Can I propagate a snake plant with brown leaves?

Yes, you can take healthy cuttings from sections with undamaged leaves to start new snake plants, even if other parts are declining.

With some adjustments to lighting, watering, humidity, and temperature conditions tailored to your environment, you can get a snake plant with brown tips back to thriving health!