Many do not realize that snake plants are part of the succulent family. This means they do very well in dry conditions, and they don’t need to be watered often. Here’s how to avoid having an overwatered snake plant.
The Sansevieria plant, which people sometimes call the “snake plant,” is a type of succulent that doesn’t need much water. They do well in dry soil, just like aloe vera plants. Snake plants’ leaves hold a lot of water. Snake plants are often overwatered and tend to die quickly when too saturated. Avoid this by following our tips.
The resilient snake plant can withstand some neglect, but too much water is one misstep that can quickly lead to trouble. Overwatering is the most common cause of problems in snake plants. Learn to recognize the signs of overwatering and follow these steps to get your soggy snake plant back to good health.
Warning Signs Your Snake Plant is Overwatered
Yellowing or Wilting Leaves
If the leaves develop a yellow tinge or appear droopy and soft, it likely indicates excessive moisture around the roots. Healthy snake plant leaves are firm and upright. The lower leaves tend to show overwatering symptoms first.
Mushy or Translucent Leaves
Severely overwatered snake plants may have leaves that feel mushy or squishy. Leaves may become translucent and almost jelly-like in texture. This is a result of waterlogged tissues.
Mold Growth
Examine your snake plant closely for any white, gray, or fuzzy mold growing on the leaves or in the potting mix surface. Mold thrives in the damp conditions caused by overwatering.
Foul Odor
A rotten smell coming from the potting mix is a telltale sign of overwatering. The wet soil lacks oxygen and begins to harbor fungal and bacterial growth.
Insects Like Gnats
Fungus gnats and other small flying insects are attracted to wet decaying soil. An overwatered snake plant is likely to become infested with these nuisance pests.
Slow Growth
Too much moisture prevents proper air circulation to the roots. Lack of oxygen will stunt the plant’s growth and affect its overall health.
Step-By-Step Guide to Saving an Overwatered Snake Plant
1. Cease Watering
Stop watering the plant immediately and allow the soil to dry out Place the pot in a sunny spot to quicken drying. Remove any saucers under the pot to prevent water from pooling.
2. Assess the Roots
Carefully remove the snake plant from its container. Knock off all the potting mix and inspect the roots. Healthy roots are white or creamy in color. Brown, mushy roots indicate root rot.
3. Trim Damaged Roots
Use sterilized scissors or pruners to trim off all the rotten, blackened roots. Cut back to the healthy white tissue. Removing damaged roots prevents rot from spreading.
4. Rinse Away Old Soil
Thoroughly rinse the remaining healthy roots under room temperature water to wash away any diseased particles clinging to the roots. Let them air dry for several hours.
5. Apply Fungicide Treatment
Spray the trimmed roots with a fungicide to guard against further fungal or bacterial infection. Allow them to dry fully before the next step.
6. Repot in Fresh Soil
Replant the snake plant in a sterile container filled with a well-draining potting mix. Choose a pot only slightly larger than the root system.
7. Resume Conservative Watering
Wait until the soil is completely dry before watering again. When you do water, only add enough to moisten the soil without saturating it.
8. Provide Bright, Indirect Light
Place the recovering plant in a warm spot with plenty of indirect sunlight. Low light worsens overwatering problems. Avoid direct hot sun which can scorch leaves.
9. Propagate Healthy Leaves (If Needed)
If the rot is too severe, propagate healthy leaves to save genetic stock for a new plant. Severely damaged plants often can’t be rescued.
Preventing Overwatering Issues in Snake Plants
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Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
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Water thoroughly only when the top few inches become dry.
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Use containers with bottom drainage holes to prevent standing water.
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Add sand, perlite, or gravel to potting mix to improve drainage.
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Water early in the day to avoid wet foliage overnight.
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Keep plants away from leaking air conditioners or drafty windows.
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Limit fertilizing which encourages excessive foliage growth needing more water.
With prompt action at the first signs of overwatering, you can get your snake plant thriving again. Consistent deep but infrequent watering is key to keeping these succulent-like plants healthy.
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How to Save an Overwatered Snake Plant
- Carefully remove the snake plant from the pot.
- Check if the soil is smelly, wet, or moldy. If it is, make sure to throw away the soil instead of saving it for planting again.
- Remove the soil from the roots of the plant and check on them. Healthy roots should be white and strong looking.
- You can put your plant back where it belongs as long as the soil doesn’t smell bad, isn’t too wet, or has mold on it. Give it about a week to dry out. Be mindful of your watering from now on.
- But more work needs to be done if there is root rot. Using clean scissors, start by carefully cutting away rotting roots. Any roots that are brown, slimy, or mushy need to be cut out so that the healthy white parts can show through. Remember that you can always propagate your plant to save it if the roots are too far gone.
- Remove leaves that are beyond repair. It is necessary to get rid of leaves that are heavy, dark, or soggy and wet. This helps your plant save energy so it can grow back stronger.
- Put your snake plant in a new pot with dry, new soil made for cacti or succulents. Use a clean pot with plenty of holes for drainage. If you still want to use the same pot, wash it with hot water and soap first.
- Leave your plant alone to recover from repotting. Do not water it for at least a week.
Signs Your Snake Plant is Overwatered
- Snake plant leaves that are soft, soggy, and mushy are often a sign that it has had too much water. When leaves hold too much water, they may even start to wrinkle.
- Drooping leaves or bending leaves also suggest overwatering. But this could also mean that it’s too hot or there isn’t enough sunlight. This is important to remember when trying to figure out why your plant’s leaves are drooping.
- Yellow or darkening leaves suggest too much water. This can manifest as overall discoloration or small yellow spots.
- If your plant’s leaves are falling off, you may be giving it too much water.
- Fungus grows in damp places, so moldy soil is a clear sign that you are giving your snake plant too much water. Moldy soil is a problem that many houseplants have, but it can be fixed.
- A white layer on the soil could be mold or salt crystals, which are another sign of too much water.
- In order for snake plants to grow well, the soil should not stay wet all the time. It’s a problem if the soil around your plant stays wet for several days.
- Root rot is the worst thing that can happen when you water too much because it can kill your plant. All of the above signs point to possible root rot. Other signs of root rot are soil that is loose and a bad smell. You can take the plant out of the ground to see if there is root rot.
10 Common Snake Plant Problems & How To Fix Them
FAQ
How do I fix an overwatered snake plant?
How do you dry out an overwatered plant fast?
How to tell if a snake plant is over or underwatered?
How much water is too much for a snake plant?
What happens if you overwater a snake plant?
Overwatering a snake plant can lead to signs similar to root rot and other problems. An overwatered snake plant will show signs including drooping leaves, yellowing, and easy falling over. To save an overwatered snake plant, you need to address the root rot issue and ensure proper drainage.
Do snake plants need a lot of water?
There are a few different factors that can lead to overwatering. If you are going to water your snake plant, then you should water it a little less than usual. Snake plants need to dry out completely between waterings, so if you give them too much water, they can suffer from root rot. Snake plants need well-draining soil to thrive.
How to save an overwatered snake plant?
The plant will use the water faster, and excess water will evaporate over time. To save an overwatered snake plant, you have to start with dry soil. If you pull an overwatered plant from wet soil, it’s going to be hard to assess the condition of the root ball directly. Soil needs to be completely dry to be able to look at the roots effectively.
What happens if a Snake Plant is overwatered?
When a Snake Plant takes in excess water, the leaf cell structure is damaged, leading to leaves that burst. Overwatered Snake Plant leaves become soft, mushy, and squishy. A healthy Snake Plant has rigid green leaves that stand upright from the plant’s base.
How do you know if a snake plant is overwatered?
This is the most common sign of an overwatered snake plant. Your snake plant is a kind of succulent. So, it can store water within its leaves for future usage. But if you supply more water than it can handle, the snake leaves will look soggy or mushy. You may also find mold on the leaves or wrinkling leaves.
Can snake plants get too much humidity?
So if you live in a humid area or keep your houseplants in a bathroom, they may get too much humidity. Snake plants should be grown in a pot that is slightly larger than the root ball of the plant. Having a pot that is too big will result in it holding too much water, which could result in overwatering & your plant will damage.