Don’t go on general assumptions or you may have a plant that is lacking in something or getting too much of something else. Fungus gnats are dark in color, about 1/8″ inch long, and usually have translucent wings. As thrips feed on your snake plant's leaves, they damage and weaken your plant. | Quote | Post #1229961 (1) Name: Gene Staver Portage WI 53901 (Zone 5a) gasrocks Jul 31, 2016 3:52 PM … They are actually fine being a little rootbound, but there are times where it can become extensive. Historically, reports of snakes with skin infections of unknown origin have been sporadic. Most of the Sansevieria available on the market are of the trifasciata species because these grow much more rapidly than the other non-commercially grown species. One of the main problems that snake plants face is overwatering. It can also be quite tolerant to things such as neglect of feeding, watering, and low light exposure. In the case of more severe root rot, you might need to repot the entire plant. Keep an eye on the roots from time to time. It’s one thing if it’s accidental, but please don’t push the snake plant to its limits, because it absolutely does have them. This can lead to your plant becoming root bound, which will impact the health and stunt the growth of your snake plant. There may come a time where the snake plant will begin to droop and sag. Constant direct sunlight, however, is not good for your snake plant. Use a pair of sharp scissors or a knife to cut the roots individually. Knowing what signs to look for can not only help you to identify potential issues with the snake plant, but implement the proper solutions as well. This will remove any roots that are mushy or already dead, creating space for the good roots to grow. Keeping it in a bright room, watered it … It is important to know that you shouldn’t just start cutting into the root ball to make it smaller. There are plenty of common reasons why it will begin to droop, but the good news is that there are plenty of methods to allow the snake plant to recover. Common Problems with Snake Plants . If the roots become too tightly bound, it can lead to what is known as girdling. Some may need more water, light, or nourishment than others. Snake plants increase in size by spreading out from a rhizome under the soil. Because they are succulents, it can be very easy to overwater your snake plant. Check to see if the roots are thick to the edges of the pot. Fungus gnats, which are similar to fruit flies that can emerge from the soil in larvae form, can attack your snake plant if you have bad drainage or overwatering has taken place. Pay a little attention to your snake plant and you can keep it looking healthy and green for a long time to come. Snake Plant Shark Fin is a new variation of the normal Snake Plant with a unique shape and style that is extremely low maintenance. You can recognize these problems by the plant's appearance. Snake plant fungus usually occurs because the plan has been overwatered and allowed to sit in the water till the roots have become mush. Of course, each plant has its own unique set of pests that tend to do more damage than others. The western sun is actually more intense, so if you keep your plant in a western-facing window, try to keep it a few feet away from the window so that it can hold up to the intense sunlight much better. Rinse, repeat until the problem becomes great enough to cause root rot. The snake plant is no exception to this rule given that it generally thrives in dryer, hotter climates like the West African tropics it originates from. Water the plant regularly during the growing season. When this happens, you will need to repot your plant into new soil and cut off any of the roots that have become rotted. Ingredients and Treatment. Another thing to keep in mind is that snake plants typically only need to be watered every two to four weeks. Fungus gnats are a bit trickier. Press Esc to cancel. Without proper drainage, overwatering becomes possible. Then, check the drainage of the new pot to ensure that it is properly draining. It dwells well in small pots as well as open areas. Fruit flies are similar in size to fungus gnats but can easily be distinguished because they are lighter brown in color and have large red eyes. An improper use of the insecticide can be unhealthy for the plant and can project chemicals into the soil that they should not have. Try to place your plant in a soil that is meant for succulents or even for cacti, which require less water and nutrients to live. Snake plants are oh-so particular when water is involved which makes it susceptible to root rot (as previously mentioned in the above section). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Their leaves of this houseplant are tall, wide and variegated resembling a shark fin, hence the name. Kimberly Caines is a well traveled model, writer and licensed physical fitness trainer who was first published in 1997. For one, it is imperative to the overall health of the snake plants. Why Are My African Violet Leaves Wilting? What is is? snake plant fungus. Another major problem when it comes to houseplants, not just snake plants, is improper potting. When the leaves contain too much water, they can become mushy and fall over. New leaves will progressively enlarge the spread of the plant, and you will soon find that it completely fills the container it is in. Then, we’ll discuss how to prevent fungus gnats in the first place and how to recognize them on your plants. Yellowing in the leaves is a direct sign of root rotting. 1st pic: 2 days ago (arrival), 2nd pic: today (spot has grown). After all, we are just trying to make sure that the plant in question has adequate water for which to grow. In the most extreme of pest infestations, you can try to use insecticides with a pyrethrin base. Teasing the roots apart, you can begin to trim the roots where it is needed without causing major damage to the roots themselves. Fungus gnats are relatively harmless but super annoying. Views: 11456, Replies: 2 » Jump to the end. For the next three months, water your snake plant with 3% hydrogen peroxide. They can be found swarming around ripe fruit, such as bananas, or other sugary foods. Root rot can produce bacteria that can destroy a plant from the inside out. However, one common problem we face in raising snake plants is the cracking of its leaves. Any drooping can be the result of very common issues and thankfully have very common resolutions. Fungus usually starts at the base and kills the whole plant. These plants can withstand droughts and … Powdery mildew infesting a plant’s leaves. This will give them ample room to grow without becoming tangled to a detrimental point. When you water your snake plant, you should begin to see water dripping out from the drainage holes on the bottom. My snake plant developed small round -- oval shaped brown holes at some point this past summer. Plus, they offer a number of health benefits. Snakes plants are vulnerable to the run-of-the-mill houseplant pests: mealybugs, spider mites, and fungus gnats. This is when the roots begin to strangle themselves. Here is one way to try and save face, along with yo… Also, the parts above the ground is only the reproductive body, you can remove them if you don't like the look, and the mycelia will still work on the medium. It may be that they hitchhike on plants when they're brought indoors at the end of summer. Houseplants forum: Snake Plant fungus? Should you decide to repot, be certain that you remove as much of the old soil as you can. People who tried this natural remedy found it worked almost as well as ciclopirox, a medicine used to treat skin infections caused by a fungus. Happy planting! You may be able to revive the plant during the early progression of the disease. They do not harm the plant. As is the case with other plants, pests can become a serious issue when it comes to weakening the overall health of that plant. Just because the surface is dry does not mean that it will be dry underneath. With snake plants, there are generally common reasons why it may begin to droop. Snake plants are as useful as they are visually appealing. How to save your snake plant from root rot? Visible fungus on the soil surface or leaves is often accompanied with some root rot. From fall to late winter when growth slows down, water just occasionally, keeping the soil on the drier side. Still, that doesn’t mean that the snake plant can go completely without attention. The Practical Planter also participates in programs from ShareASale and other sites and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Snake plants, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, is a tough house houseplant that can add a pop of vibrant green color. There can also be a time where the root ball has become solid. Keep doing so until there is a pattern of branching instead of that big clump before you start the repotting process. If your thumb is everything but green, growing a snake plant (Sansevieria spp.) The snake plant is what is known as a succulent. Plants that get more heat or light will likely need to be watered a little more often, though. Because this condition is permanent, prevention is key. If they're bright and green, you're doing a good job. We mean well when we do this. There is no definitive evidence of snake to snake transmission. Make sure there is ample space to give the roots the care they need to properly “breathe.”. Not all plants require the same things. It affects over 500 plant species, typically causing lethal results especially in warm, moist conditions. When you are finished, repeat the hydrogen peroxide step from above and add in a pesticide to keep the pests away. Since fungal problems can wilt, rot and kill the snake plant, avoiding them should be a priority. They might display reddish-brown, sunken lesions, or a white web-like growth that eventually turns dark brown and hardens. All parts of your snake plant work together to make it what it is. If you don’t, there’s a blockage somewhere and water will sit in the soil for longer than is necessary. Heavily infested plants are better off discarded because pest control would be lengthy and you risk infection of nearby plants. Avoid touching the plant leaves with the sticky paper. Other pests, such as mealybugs and spider mites, are rare but are still a possible problem. I rarely feed it. When this happens, you will need to repot your plant into new soil and cut off any of the roots that have become rotted. 3 reasons why your Snake Plant is dying. Generally speaking, succulents will need to be watered less than a standard houseplant. A couple days ago I noticed a spot on one of the leaves on my snake plant, today I checked it and it was much bigger. Snake plant might experience fungal problems, such as southern blight and red leaf spot. Insects: If your snake plant tends not to get a whole lot of light, this could be one of the leading reasons why your plant is unhealthy and why it is beginning to droop. Overwatering is one of the most common issues there is when it comes to plants of all kinds. And by over loved, I mean of course, over watered. These pests tend to be a little more obvious before drooping begins as the plant will have faded dots or brown specks on the leaves. source. When this happens, you can actually tease the roots apart. can be ideal because it requires minimal care and is hard to kill. Also called mother-in-law's tongue, this African native and common houseplant grows erect, sword-shaped leaves and is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 12. If you feel like drainage issues are the reason, you can simply repot your plant. When southern blight infects a host plant it penetrates the stem and infects the plant quickly. Don't think this is fungus. The good thing about common issues is that there are common solutions, too. Snake Plant is a tough plant that can do well in a vast variety of dwelling conditions. If you opt to trim the roots, take it out of the pot and gently place it on its side. The leaves were coming out, one by one, looking like this: I thought I was overwatering, until I turned the whole plant around, and saw this: ; I assume these are related to each other, but what is it, and what should I do? I saw no signs of spider mites or any type of fungus. One way to tell if your plant needs to be repotted or trimmed is by loosening up some of the soil on the sides of the pot. I wiped the leaves down with alcohol in October and some brown spots still appeared. Exposure to the right temperatures can be the difference between a thriving plant and a plant that looks ugly and unhealthy. I'm wondering if I should cut … Name: Alex Calven Canada. Need some more experts to chime in please. Give the plant a gradual introduction to the light, starting with a couple of hours on the first day. This means that the leaves, which are rubbery and thick, are naturally good at holding in moisture. Snake plant is prone to mealybugs and spider mite infestations. Monitor the leaves of the plant to detect whether you're doing a good job at watering. This can occur when you … They can be found swarming around plants, especially around wet soil. Ask a Question forum: Snake Plant Fungus? Achieve this by keeping the snake plant in daytime temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and nighttime temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Red leaf spot and southern blight are common fungal diseases that attack the snake plants already weakened by overwatering. Her work has appeared in the Dutch newspaper "De Overschiese Krant" and on various websites. Also, make sure that the pot you are using has proper drainage. 1. Growing a snake plant in well-drained, gritty, sandy soil, such as cactus mix, can prevent this. Snake plants are exceptionally easy to care for but that doesn’t mean they’re not susceptible to problems like common houseplant pests, sunburn, or fungus that results from over-watering. Here are 20 facts you must know about Sansevieria! I'm guessing that just digging out the whatever-it-is won't be enough. Although simple to grow, there are still some problems that can affect the growth of the plant. That’s right, too much light can cause the leaves to droop as well. Snake Plant, Mother in Laws Tongue, Vipers Bow String Hemp, Devils Tongue are maybe not the sexiest names, but they do have a way of drawing attention! This is an indoor plant and people mostly use it as an indoor ornamental plant. We’ll start with fungus gnat treatment first because that’s probably what you’re here for. Knowing what to look for and how to identify the issues at hand can allow you to implement the fixes that you need to bring vibrance and life back to your snake plant. This should clear away the rot and return your snake plant to its previous glory. Make certain that the snake plant roots take up three-quarters of your pot space at the most. Just because it can withstand some mishandling doesn’t mean it’s a great idea to do so. However, if they seem slightly dull, you might have to provide more water. Thankfully, there is a way to recover from overwatering. These pests suck sap from the plant, weakening it and causing small wounds and shedding of the leaves. A good rule of thumb with any plant is to properly educate yourself on its requirements. In the wintertime, they need to be watered less than that, only requiring it when the leaves are starting to look wilted. Help! I'm very concerned about a recent odd mildly hollow brown spot that has appeared on my snake plant. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. The fungus is digesting partly decomposed organic matter in the potting mix. How should I deal with it? Keeping your snake plant healthy and vibrant isn’t the hardest thing in the world, but there are steps to be taken. One way or another, people tend to take “negligent-resistant” as “doesn’t need attention.” While snake plants can do quite well in the shade, they tend to do a bit better when they have at least partial exposure to natural sunlight. They can take around eight hours of direct light per day but placing them in all-day direct light can be too much. magpie1998 Jul 31, 2016 3:35 PM CST. The snake plant has a reputation as a hardy indoor plant, and it’s true that it is. That is when it can become unhealthy for the snake plant and begin drooping. You will also want to add half perlite into your regular potting soil and use a bit of compost to make the soil more fertile as well. The Practical Planter is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Snake fungal disease is an emerging infectious disease, confirmed in numerous species of snakes, caused by the fungus Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola. This means that the roots are tangled together and become restricted from growing. A good rule of thumb is to repot your snake plant every three to five years. Since the water doesn’t drain out properly, that can lead it to sit there until the next watering. If you use a pesticide, be certain to follow the manufacturer instructions before spraying. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which can be quite harmful for a plant. It's generally the leaves that are affected. What Causes Brown Spots on the Leaves of Prayer Plants? Sticks, curtains, and other things can be good to limit the amount of sunlight exposure that the plant gets without having to frequently move it around on a daily basis. Snake plant is prone to mealybugs and spider mite infestations. The symptoms of snake rot fungus usually occur as brown or red leaf spots. 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