Why is My Snake Plant Wilting? How to Revive Your Drooping Plant

That gorgeous green sword-shaped foliage is what makes snake plants such a popular houseplant. But when those leaves start drooping and your snake plant begins to wilt, it can cause concern.

A limp sad looking snake plant is never what you want to see. But don’t worry – this issue can often be fixed with a few adjustments to its care.

In this article, we’ll cover

• The top reasons your snake plant is wilting
• Solutions to revive a drooping snake plant
• Care and troubleshooting tips to prevent future wilting

Soon you’ll have your snake plant looking perky and vibrant again!

Common Causes of a Wilting Snake Plant

Here are the most likely culprits making your snake plant leaves droop and wilt:

Underwatering

Snake plants need less water than most houseplants. But allowing the soil to completely dry out too often can lead to wilting leaves as the plant becomes dehydrated.

Solution: Water more frequently. Aim for every 2-3 weeks rather than once a month.

Overwatering

Too much moisture around the roots over time causes root rot. This damages the roots so they can’t take up water properly. As a result, the leaves wilt.

Solution: Allow more time between waterings for soil to dry out. Water only when top inch is dry.

Too Little Light

Low light conditions prevent the plant from properly photosynthesizing. This leads to weak, limp growth over time.

Solution: Give the plant more bright, indirect light each day.

Cold Drafts

Exposure to cold air from drafty windows or vents can shock snake plants. The leaves lose strength and begin to droop.

Solution: Move plant away from cold drafts. Keep indoor temperatures above 55°F.

Root Bound

When pot-bound, the roots choke each other. This prevents proper water and nutrient absorption, leading to wilting.

Solution: Repot in a larger container to give roots room to spread.

Pests

Spider mites, mealybugs and other pests drink sap from the leaves. This eventually causes the foliage to weaken and wilt.

Solution: Inspect closely for pests. Isolate and treat any infestations.

How to Revive a Wilting Snake Plant

If your snake plant is already drooping and limp, use these tips to care for it and spur new growth:

• Water thoroughly – Allow water to drain from the bottom to hydrate the entire root zone.

• Mist leaves – Misting provides extra moisture as the plant recovers.

• Move to bright location – Give it ample indirect sunlight to regain strength.

• Treat pests if needed – Apply insecticidal soap spray to kill any bugs.

• Repot into fresh soil – Repotting provides fresh nutrients and room for roots.

• Remove dead foliage – Prune any severely damaged leaves to improve appearance.

• Be patient – It takes time for new leaves to unfurl and fill in sparse areas.

With attentive care, your snake plant will perk back up! It helps to identify and fix the underlying issue, be it watering, light, pests, etc.

How to Prevent a Snake Plant from Wilting

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to avoiding a wilting snake plant. Follow these care tips:

• Water properly – Allow soil to partially dry out between waterings.

• Provide bright, indirect light – Keep near an east or south facing window.

• Use well-draining soil – Repot in fresh soil every 2-3 years.

• Inspect for pests – Catch infestations early before damage occurs.

• Keep temperatures above 55°F – Avoid cold drafts.

• Allow room for growth – Repot before it becomes root bound.

• Rotate occasionally – Ensures even light exposure to all sides.

• Mist leaves occasionally – Provides extra humidity as needed.

With the right preventative care, your snake plant will stay strong and upright. It’s all about understanding and meeting its water, light, and nutrient needs.

Snake Plant Watering Needs

One key way to avoid wilting is to provide adequate water on a consistent basis. Snake plants are drought-tolerant, but can wilt if the soil dries out too much between waterings.

Here are some tips for hydrating your snake plant properly:

• Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. For most homes, this means watering every 2-3 weeks.

• During the warmer and brighter months, increase frequency to every 10-14 days.

• In winter when growth slows, you can stretch to watering every 3-4 weeks.

• Always allow excess water to drain out the bottom after watering.

• Feel the leaves – if they start to feel thin or deflated, it’s time to water.

• Wilting leaves or soil that’s bone dry signals it’s time to water immediately.

The exact watering frequency will depend on factors like temperature, light exposure, humidity, soil composition, and size of plant. Get to know your plant’s needs.

Ensure Adequate Light for Snake Plants

While snake plants can tolerate low light conditions, lack of adequate brightness can lead to weak, wilting growth over time.

For best results, provide the following:

• Place in an east or south facing window where it gets indirect sunlight for part of the day.

• Light levels of around 2,000-4,000 foot candles are ideal if using a light meter.

• Rotate the pot every week or so to ensure even exposure on all sides.

• During fall and winter, you may need to supplement with a grow light.

• Watch for leaves turning pale or elongated and leggy growth – signs it needs more light.

Give your snake plant the brightest spot in your home without exposing it to harsh direct sunlight. This encourages strong upright growth.

Use a Well-Draining Soil Mix

To avoid wilting related to overwatering, use a potting mix that drains well:

• Use a cactus/succulent soil or make your own mix containing compost, perlite, bark chips or gravel.

• Re-pot every 2-3 years to refresh the nutrients and improve drainage.

• Choose a container with bottom drainage holes to allow excess water to flow out.

• Add extra perlite or small rocks to the pot to improve drainage if needed.

Avoid using dense soil that stays soggy, as wet feet lead to root rot and wilting. Let the soil partially dry out between waterings.

Ideal Temperature Range

Snake plants prefer steady, warm temperatures between 60-80°F. Avoid placing them near cold drafts from windows, vents, or outdoors.

If exposed to temperatures dipping below 50°F, the foliage can weaken and begin to droop. The cooler it is, the less water your plant will need.

Monitor your indoor temperatures with a thermometer during the winter. Move plants as needed to keep them away from cold window drafts.

Humidity Preferences

Snake plants are tolerant of a wide humidity range, from dry conditions up to 80% humidity. But they do best with 40-60% humidity.

Homes tend to be dry during winter when indoor heat runs often. Mist the leaves every few days to provide a humidity boost if needed.

Grouping plants together also creates a little more humidity. Just ensure the leaves dry fully before nighttime to prevent disease.

Pot Size Needs

It’s important to repot snake plants into a larger container every few years. This gives the expanding root system more room.

If the roots are crowded and start circling around the pot, it leads to poor water and nutrient absorption. As a result, the leaves can wilt.

Repot into a container that’s 1-2 inches larger in diameter. Don’t go too big at once. Use fresh potting mix to encourage new growth.

Pest Prevention

Snake plants can fall victim to spider mites, mealybugs, and other sap-sucking pests. An infestation deprives the leaves of nutrients, eventually causing wilting.

Be proactive by doing the following:

• Quarantine new plants before introducing to others

• Regularly inspect for signs of infestation

• Treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap at first signs

• Keep leaves dust-free by wiping with a damp cloth

• Ensure proper growing conditions to avoid plant stress

Catch and treat pests early to avoid lasting damage. Weak wilting leaves are more prone to infestations.

Signs of a Healthy Snake Plant

Here are indications your snake plant is getting what it needs:

• Upright, rigid leaves

• Green, glossy foliage

• New growth emerging

• No drooping or wilting

• No pests on inspection

• Soil drying out between waterings

• Drainage from the holes after watering

Monitor your plant’s condition and adjust your care routines as needed. With the proper environment and your attentive care, your snake plant will thrive for years to come, with no drooping in sight!

When to Be Concerned About Wilting

Occasional light wilting when a plant needs water is normal. But if you notice:

• Severe, sudden drooping of multiple leaves

• Wilting that doesn’t improve after watering

• Continued weak growth over weeks/months

• White crusty deposits on leaves

• Webbing or tiny pests on inspection

• Foul odor from rotten roots

• Mushy, translucent leaves

These can indicate an underlying problem requiring attention, such as root rot, overwatering, lack of light, or pests.

Don’t let it progress too far before taking action. The sooner you diagnose and fix the issue, the better chance your plant has of bouncing back.

Enjoy Your Vibrant Snake Plant!

With its upright sword-shaped leaves, the snake plant is a bold and architectural statement in any indoor space. By understanding what causes your plant to wilt and droop, you can take preventative care to keep those leaves perky and green.

Adequate hydration, ample indirect sunlight, roomy container, proper soil mix, and vigilance against pests will keep your snake plant going strong for years to come. Pay attention to its needs, and you’ll be rewarded with a healthy, hardy snake plant that brightens your home without the wilts.