Why Are My Snake Plant Leaves Turning Yellow? The Reasons and How to Fix It
How to fix yellow snake plant leaves
If you've been keeping a snake plant in your home or office, you may have noticed that its leaves have started turning yellow. This can be alarming, but don't worry - there's usually a reason why this is happening and it can be fixed! In this blog post, we will discuss the reasons why your snake plant is turning yellow and how to solve the problem.
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Causes of Snake Plant Leaves Turning Yellow
There are a few reasons why snake plant leaves may turn yellow. The most common reason is:
Watering Stress
Root Rot
Too Much Direct Light
Temperature Fluctuations
Fungal Diseases
Pests
Nutrient Deficiencies
Rootbound
Inadequate drainage
Over-fertilizing
Natural aging
Watering Stress
The snake plant or commonly referred to as "mother-in-law's tongue", is thought to be an indestructible houseplant. In fact, this plant is often recommended to those who have difficulty keeping plants alive.
The snake plant is a succulent and like all succulents, they have adapted to store water in their leaves for long periods of time between watering. This means that they are very drought tolerant. However, this does not mean that they can go without water entirely. Snake plants will show signs of distress when they are not watered properly. If you notice that the leaves are starting to yellow, this could signify watering stress. The snake plant needs just enough water so that the soil is moist but not soggy. Allow the soil to dry out in between watering.
The most common mistake with watering snake plants is that people tend to over-water them. Snake plants are very sensitive to too much water and will start to yellow if they are overwatered.
If you think you may have overwatered your snake plant, the best course of action is to stop watering it entirely and allow the soil to dry out completely. Once the soil is dry, resume watering as normal.
While the main culprit is overwatering, it is possible to underwater your sansevieria trifasciata as well. Underwatering can cause the snake plant leaves to turn yellow and droop. Underwatering is likely to happen when your snake plant is in a pot and the temperature has been particularly warm. The soil in pots tends to dry out quicker than soil in the ground.
If you think you may be underwatering your snake plant, increase the frequency of watering and see if this helps to bring back some of the green colors in the leaves. If the leaves are still yellow and wilted, it's possible that the roots have already started to rot and the plant will not recover. In this case, you may need to start with a new snake plant.
RELATED: 15 Fast-Growing Indoor Plants
Root Rot
Root rot is another common reason for yellow snake plant leaves. Root rot is caused by too much water and can lead to the death of your plant if it is not fixed quickly.
If you think your snake plant has root rot, the first step is to remove the snake plant from its pot and check the roots. If they are mushy or black, this is a sure sign of root rot.
Once you have confirmed that the plant has root rot, it's important to take action immediately. You will need to trim away any affected roots. Next, replant the snake plant in fresh, potting soil.
Too Much Direct Light
Another common reason snake plant leaves turn yellow is because they are getting too much direct sunlight. Snake plants prefer bright, indirect sunlight and will start to yellow if they are in direct sunlight for too long.
If you notice that your snake plant leaves are turning yellow, try moving it to a spot that gets less direct sunlight. If the leaves are still yellow after a few days, it's possible that the plant is getting too much light and you will need to find a spot that gets more shade.
Temperature Fluctuations
Snake plants are native to tropical regions of Africa and prefer warm temperatures. They thrive in temperatures between 50-80 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature drops too low or rises too high suddenly, this can cause snake plant leaves to turn yellow.
If you notice that your snake plant leaves are turning yellow, try to find a spot in your home that has more consistent temperatures. Snake plants do not like drafts, so make sure they are not near any doors or windows that open and close frequently.
These are nice and healthy snake plant leaves.
Yellow snake plant leaves.
Fungal Diseases
If your snake plant's leaves are turning yellow, it is likely due to a fungal disease. Fungal diseases can be caused by several different factors, including overwatering, poor drainage, or humid conditions.
To treat fungal disease, start by improving the growing conditions of your plant. Make sure to keep the soil moist but not soggy, and provide good airflow around the sansevieria plant. You can also try using a fungicide to kill the fungus. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label carefully, as some fungicides can be harmful to plants.
Pests
Yellow snake plant leaves can also be caused by a pest infestation. The most common pests that affect snake plants are mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids.
Mealybugs are small, white insects that feed on the plant’s sap. They can cause the leaves of a snake plant to turn yellow and may eventually kill the plant if left unchecked. If you suspect that your snake plant has mealybugs, you can try treating it with insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, or rubbing down the individual leaves with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
Spider mites are tiny insects that feed on plant leaves. They are typically hard to spot since they are so small and usually on the undersides of the leaves. They can cause the leaves of a snake plant to turn yellow. To treat spider mites, you can try using a horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.
Aphids are small, green insects that feed on the plant’s sap. They tend to form in clusters and can cause the leaves of a snake plant to turn yellow. If you suspect that your snake plant has aphids, you can try treating it with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. You can also try squishing them with your fingers or blasting them off with a hose.
Nutrient Deficiencies
One of the most common problems that gardeners face is nutrient deficiencies in their plants. While there are many possible causes, one of the most common is a lack of nitrogen in the soil.
This can cause the leaves of a snake plant to turn yellow, as well as stunt its growth. In order to correct this problem, gardeners need to add a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to the soil. This will help to ensure that the plant gets the nutrients it needs to grow properly.
Gardeners should also be sure to monitor the soil pH, as too much or too little acidity can also lead to nutrient deficiencies. By taking these steps, gardeners can ensure that their snake plants will stay healthy and thrive.
Rootbound
If you notice your snake plant's leaves are beginning to turn yellow, it could be a sign that the plant is rootbound or overcrowded in its pot.
When a plant becomes rootbound, its roots begin to circle the inside of the pot and become entangled. This can cause a number of problems, including stunted growth, yellowing leaves, and even death.
If you suspect your plant is rootbound, gently remove it from its pot and examine the roots. If they are tightly intertwined, it's time to transplant the plant into a larger pot. Here’s how to choose the best pot for a snake plant. Be sure to loosen the roots before replanting and water thoroughly afterward.
As your snake plant continues to grow, it will probably need to be repotted frequently. Here’s how to repot your snake plant in a few steps! If it becomes too big for its pot, you can divide it into multiple plants. With a little TLC, your snake plant should soon be back to its healthy self.
If the roots are all tangled like this then your plant is rootbound and needs to be repotted.
Inadequate Drainage
If you notice that your snake plant's leaves are turning yellow, it could be a sign that the plant is not getting enough drainage. Snake plants need well-draining soil in order to thrive, and if the soil is too dense or compacted, it can cause the roots to rot.
If you think inadequate drainage may be the problem, try repotting your snake plant into a pot with plenty of drainage holes. You may also want to amend the soil with some perlite or sand to improve its drainage.
With proper care, your snake plant should soon bounce back and its leaves will return to their usual green color.
Over-fertilizing
If you've ever seen a yellow snake plant, another possible cause is over-fertilization. When you fertilize your snake plant, you're essentially giving it a concentrated dose of nutrients that it wouldn't normally get from the soil. While a small amount of fertilizer can be beneficial, too much can cause problems. One of the most common problems is yellow leaves. This is because the excess nutrients in the fertilizer can cause the leaves to turn yellow. Over time, this can lead to leaf loss and even death.
Snake plants aren't plants that need a lot of feeding. In fact, they could survive without it but if you want to give it a boost, you can feed it once a month during the growing season which is spring through summer. When feeding snake plants, always use a fertilizer that is diluted to half the recommended strength. This will help prevent problems such as yellow leaves.
Do not fertilize your snake plant in the winter months, the plant is dormant during this time and does not need the extra nutrients.
If you think you may have over-fertilized your snake plant, stop fertilizing it and flush the soil with plenty of water. This will help to remove some of the excess fertilizer from the soil. You can also try repotting the plant into fresh potting mix. With proper care, your snake plant should soon recover from the effects of over-fertilization.
Natural Aging
One final reason why snake plant leaves may turn yellow is simply due to natural aging. As snake plants age, their leaves will gradually begin to turn yellow and then brown. This is a normal part of the plant's lifecycle and is nothing to be concerned about.
Once the leaves have turned brown, they will eventually fall off the plant. Snake plants will then produce new leaves that are green.
So, if you see your snake plant's leaves turning yellow, don't be alarmed. You've cared for it well and for a long time if this is the case. It could just be a natural part of the plant's lifecycle.
RELATED: 28 Different Sansevieria Varieties
Preventing a Snake Plant from Turning Yellow
Prevention is always better than cure, and this is especially true when it comes to growing snake plants. There are a few simple things you can do to prevent your snake plant leaves turning yellow.
Plant in well-draining soil
First of all, make sure you're potting your snake plant in well-draining soil. As we mentioned before, snake plants need well-drained soil in order to thrive. If the soil is too dense or compacted, it can cause the roots to rot, which can then lead to yellow leaves.
To prevent this from happening, make sure you pot your snake plant in a light and airy potting mix that drains well, a cactus soil mix works well. You can also add some perlite or sand to the mix to improve drainage.
Don't over-water
Another important thing to remember is not to over-water your snake plant. Snake plants are succulents and they store water in their leaves. This means that they don't need to be watered as often as other plants.
In fact, snake plants can actually rot if they're overwatered. So, be sure to only water your snake plant when the soil is dry to the touch.
Don't over-fertilize
We've already mentioned this, but it's worth repeating. Don't over-fertilize your snake plant. Snake plants don't need a lot of fertilizer and too much can actually do more harm than good.
If you do want to fertilize your snake plant, only do so once a month during the growing season, and make sure you use a diluted fertilizer.
Make sure it gets bright, indirect light
Make sure your snake plant is getting enough light. Snake plants prefer bright, indirect light. If they don't get enough light, their leaves may begin to turn yellow.
So, if you notice your snake plant's leaves turning yellow, try moving it to a spot that gets more light.
Maintain temperatures between 50-80°F
Finally, make sure the temperature is right. Snake plants like temperatures that are between 50-80°F. If it's too cold or too hot, their leaves may begin to turn yellow.
By following these simple tips, you can help prevent your snake plant from turning yellow. And if you do notice the leaves beginning to turn yellow, you can take steps to correct the problem and get your snake plant back to its healthy self.
FAQS About Snake Plant Turning Yellow
Why are my snake plant leaves getting soft?
If the leaves on your snake plant are getting soft, it's usually a sign of too much water. Snake plants store water in their leaves and if they're overwatered, the leaves can become soft and mushy. If you think your snake plant is being overwatered, allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. You can also reduce the frequency of watering.
Should I remove yellow leaves from a snake plant?
Yes, you can remove yellow leaves from snake plants. You can just remove the yellow parts and the snake plant leaf will continue to grow however, it will not regenerate its beautiful pointy tips. If that bothers you, you can certainly remove the entire yellow leaf.
Can yellow snake plant leaves turn green again?
Yes, snake plant leaves can turn green again. If the leaves have only turned yellow and you have identified and corrected the issue then the leaves should turn green again within a few weeks.
Is some yellowing natural?
Yes, some yellowing is normal and to be expected on older leaves, especially as snake plants age. If the plant is otherwise healthy and the leaves are only lightly yellowed then there is no cause for concern. However, if the leaves are significantly yellowed or if there are other signs of distress then it's best to take action.
What do you do with dead snake plant leaves?
If you have snake plant leaves that are dead or dying, it's best to remove them. Dead leaves can provide a home for pests and diseases, which can then spread to the rest of the plant. To remove a dead leaf, simply cut it off at the base with a sharp knife or scissors. Be sure to disinfect your cutting tool between cuts to prevent the spread of disease.
How often should you water a snake plant?
Snake plants should be watered when the soil is dry to the touch. This can vary depending on the size of the pot, the type of potting mix, and the temperature and humidity levels. In general, snake plants should be watered every one to two weeks. During the winter months, you can reduce watering to once a month.
How do you fix an overwatered snake plant?
If you think your snake plant has been overwatered, the first step is to stop watering it. Allow the soil to dry out completely and then water as normal. You can also reduce the frequency of watering. If the leaves are mushy or yellow, you can remove them. Once you have removed the dead leaves, be sure to increase the airflow around the plant and water only when the soil is dry to the touch.
What causes yellow leaves in a snake plant?
Although snake plant leaves turning yellow can be caused by several different factors, the most common reasons are watering stress, root rot, too much direct light, temperature fluctuations, fungal diseases, pests, and nutrient deficiencies. Don't worry if your snake plant is showing some yellow leaves, though. With a little investigation, you should be able to figure out the cause and take steps to fix the problem and have a healthy snake plant.
