The potting mix to use for any succulent plant needs to be well-draining. Leave a Comment. Potassium deficiency leads to the development of brown spots on the leaves. Dont bury the leaves into soil. In the following section, I have talked about these issues in more detail. It appears as white spots or white raised areas under the leaves. A snake plant needs just an occasional drink, especially if it has not been getting any sunshine on it. If you live in a particularly dry climate, try positioning your snake plant on a DIY humidity tray. It includes both overwatering and underwatering. Do not keep your plant wet all the time and avoid watering in the evening. One possibility is that your plant is infected with a fungus, which can be treated with fungicides or other methods. This is due to the presence of moisture on the leaves of the plant. Slowly the leaves start turning yellow and shriveled in places. If water is retained in the soil, it is at the expense of oxygenation. Loosen the soil around the base of the plant and gently remove the plant from its pot. Once you have cut away any diseased leaves, treat the remainder of the plant with a fungicide to ensure there is no future outbreaks of the disease. You can add a few drops of insecticidal soap or liquid soap to help the solution spread and stick to the leaves. The most common diseases in snake plants are: In this article, well be taking a deep dive into each of these debilitating diseases that can have dire consequences for your snake plant if not treated promptly. One commonly used one is methyl bromide which can be applied to the plant weekly to eradicate the fungus within a period of days. Snake plant leaves should be erect and shiny with a bright green hue. Mature leaves are dark green with light gray-green cross-banding, and usually range between 2.5 and 3 feet in length and 2 to 2.8 inches in width. To meet sufficient humidity requirements, keep relative humidity at about 40 percent. If you notice the brown leaves a few days after the feeding, excess fertilizer might be the reason. Your Snake plant might receive too much sun if the leaves start turning yellow or brown. An easy way to do this is to stick your finger 1-2 inches into the soil and see how it feels. Step 2: Sprinkle the seeds on the top of potting mix. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Leaving them in a place where the temperature can go below 55F (12C) can be stressful. Carefully shake the soil from the plant roots and inspect them. It can take a couple months to grow strong enough roots. Neem oil is an effective treatment against fungal issues, and you can definitely use it on your Snake plant too. Unless root rot is transferred to the plants leaves through contamination (which is also very possible), the disease usually begins in wet soggy soil. Each disease will have its own unique list of symptoms, and will attack different parts of a snake plant. It can even begin to develop on neighboring indoor plants if the spores have an opportunity to spread through contact. Snake plants do well in bright and indirect light. The name 'Red leaf spot' clearly indicates this fungal issue makes red spots on the leaves of the snake plant. A snake plant wont die even if you will leave it out of soil for some days. If, you do use half what the INSTRUCTIONS SAY. Removal of infected leaves is the best form of prevention for limiting the spread of the disease. You can also use an electronic moisture meter to accurately measure the moisture in the soil. That liquidy ooze is characteristic of an Erwinia bacterial infection. Please share this guide with your friends and family if you like it. Snake plant might experience fungal problems, such as southern blight and red leaf spot. It means that you watered the plant before it really needed water. Symptoms The symptoms of red leaf spot occur initially on the newest leaves of the plant which are within the central whorl. Fungal disease is another common cause of snake plant leaves curling. Remember to avoid exposing your snake plants in temperatures below 55F(12C) to prevent the risk of cold damage. Overwatering can cause the roots to rot and a build-up of salts in the soil. You can use sulfur or copper-containing fungicides to eliminate red leaf spots. To find out whether your snake plant is receiving more water than it needs, you can check the soil dampness. Sprinkle Sulfur dust on the fungus-infected area of the snake plant. This disease is caused by Pseudomonas spp. The best treatment is to do all you can to decrease the humidity around your plant, including pruning it and nearby plants to allow better airflow to all parts of the canopy. The best way to confirm this is to remove your plant from its container and take a look at the roots. To fix this issue, adjust your watering schedule. Curling snake plant leaves are caused by underwatering, too much sunlight, pest infestation, or stress from transplanting the plant. Wet and hot conditions are ideal for the growth of this fungus. You can also sprinkle cinnamon powder on the plant leaves. Don't forget to hit the undersides of leaves. Also be sure to adjust watering habits accordingly; plants will use more water in warmer, brighter areas. Rust fungi do not feed on dead organic matter, so they move from one plant to the next after sucking the sap. So, here are the different types of fungus on the Snake plant -. (A North facing window works well.) Bright green and healthy-looking leaves will do just fine. Keep the plant out of direct sunlight until the leaves are dry. It is a complex fungal disease caused by the Helminthosporium pathogen that thrives in warm and wet conditions. Small red or reddish-brown spots appear on the leaves and have a central tan. Any good fungicide can get rid of Southern blight. You May Also Enjoy: How Much Water Do Snake Plants Need? 10. Plants in the Dracaena genus can vary wildly in appearance. You can use paper towels, newspapers or old terry cloth to remove most of the water from the roots. You can follow any or all of these steps, depending on your plants condition. Mealybugs inject an acidic toxin on the leaves of snake plants which causes the plant's leaves to weaken. Inappropriate watering or fungal issues all boil down to poor treatment. Wear gloves during this process. Take your potted plants outside (as long as temperatures are above 50F) and use your hose to spray them down. When watering your snake plant, it is essential to only water the soil but not the leaves. Leaves that are yellow from the base are done for and wont recover. Wait until the stalks of the plant are at least 6 inches tall before you separate the snake plants and pot them individually. This fungal disease will cause "lesions to be irregularly shaped, sunken, reddish-brown, and often have a chlorotic (yellow) border," notes Unversity of Florida IFAS. It can get rid of mites, scale, aphids, and other tiny insects. Organic or compost fertilizers are slow-release fertilizers that provide more natural plant nutrients essential to growing a healthy houseplant. If your snake plant pot does not have sufficient drainage holes, it will likely develop root rot rather quickly. You can also use cotton swabs to rub the leaves down individually. this article covers all you need to know. All Rights Reserved. To prevent future infections, you may consider moving your snake plant to a brighter position that receives plenty of indirect light, and has sufficient air flow to assist with evaporation. Now there are many reasons why a snake plant can become yellow, but overwatered leaves can be identified by their soft and pulpy look. Mother in laws tongue should be planted in an appropriately sized container. So, the cell membrane ruptures and eventually dies. Snake plants require a gritty and well-draining soil. You can also leave the water you intend to water your plant in sunlight for a day before using it. It's also best to quarantine your snake plant if it is infected to prevent other plants from being infected. Only water when the soil has dried out for several days - these plants prefer underwatering to overwatering. See if there are any living roots, and protect those. Snake plants are sensitive to the type of water you are using when watering them. 11. Once mealybugs populate a snake plant, they form colonies around the plant base and on the leaves. Choose a pot thats not too deep. You will see dark brown irregular spots on the leaves of your plants. Sitting the root ball directly on the newspaper is the most convenient way to dry it. Sometimes you can smell root rot, as it gives off a moldy and pungent odor around the plant's base. Although, there are tons of different leaf spot . My snake plant pup Is growing real tall real fast and real skinny with a bunch of Little leave. Now, let's see how you can treat this issue. Put the pebbles into the tray then fill it with water. In extreme cases, root rot can kill your entire snake plant within 8 to 10 days. If you touch them, the decaying roots will feel soft and mushy. Fill the can with water and mix well. When you water the plant in the evening, the topsoil remains wet for a really long time and attracts fungal growth to the plant. Fungicides with copper and sulfur properties can be sprayed on as a preventative measure. But if the roots have rotted away, it might be too late. Thats another reason why its one of the best indoor plant options. Immediately reconsider your watering schedule as the first measure to treat snake plants, and then follow this treatment plan to save the snake plant. Brown spots on your snake plant can occur for several reasons. As snake plants require minimal watering, they also do not require high humidity levels. Typically snake plants should be watered every 1-2 weeks during warmer months. The fungus may be a southern blight or red leaf spot. For a step-by-step rundown of how to treat root rot, check out our Complete Guide to Treating Root Rot in Snake Plants. Dont pull them out just yet. Due to excess fertilizer nitrogen and salt level may rise and it will cause the fertilizer burn effect. Porous pot material like terracotta also helps to draw out extra moisture in hot climates. Baking soda may burn some plant leaves. Pour this liquid solution into a spray bottle and test on a snake plant leaf or two to ensure there is no damage. Rust is another fungal disease that affects the leaves of your snake plant. Red leaf spot and southern blight are the major fungal diseases of . It gradually breaks down into small amounts in a longer time span. It usually develops in periods when the ambient air is cooler and the plant doesnt receive enough bright light to evaporate excess moisture that has collected on the leaves. Although rare, the fungus can be caused by the Helminthosporium pathogen that thrives in warm and wet conditions. This article will cover the causes of brown spots, effective yet simple remedies, and how to keep your snake plant disease-free. Snake plants are susceptible to fungal diseases like southern blight and red leaf spots, which cause reddish-brown lesions on their leaves. Once these fungi spread throughout the plant, the roots will begin to turn mushy and brown as they slowly deteriorate. These small, pink-colored insects are covered in a waxy white substance that helps protect them from excess heat and moisture loss, making them a very common issue with snake plants due to their dry texture. They feed on the fluid within the plant's leaves and can grow in large numbers in a very short period of time. Take one liter can and mix 1 teaspoon neem oil concentrate with one teaspoon mild liquid soap. If the brown leaves are due to overwatering, you should also reduce watering until the problem disappears. Toxicity. It is essential to note that snake plants can be toxic to humans and pets if ingested. Even though snake plants are hardy and can survive in the most negligent environments, it doesn't mean that they are completely disease and pest-proof. Therefore, always check the soil before watering and water when the soil is almost dried. I strongly believe in sharing knowledge with everyone, so you'll always find me posting new how-tos and guides on this blog. Squishy brown spots will form, secreting a sticky brown fluid as they soften. Most contain sulfur or copper octanate. If some of the leaves are dead, but roots are in good condition, you may be able to get them to grow back some new pups. Southern blight is one of the most common fungus issues on Snake plants that can kill your plant within a few days. It will begin to show as white to yellow spots and progress to show as brownish-reddish stains on the leaves. These blisters can sometimes have red liquid pustules where the sap from the snake plant leaves is oozing out. This natural insecticide and fungicide, are produced from the seeds of neem trees that are native to India. Orange or yellow spots or streaks appear on the undersides of the leaves. The best way to prevent this fungus is by avoiding using pots and containers that carry it. Be sure to get the underside of the leaves where spider mites are known to populate. There are a few reasons why your Snake plant may be getting brown spots. Would you agree? The other possible reason for snake plant yellow leaves diseases. Wet foliage is much more likely to form mold than dry leaves. Take each leaf and cut it into parts, at least 3-4 inches long. The fungal growth may lead to the death of the plant. Now all of a sudden you decided to bring it to a place where it gets direct sunlight without acclimatization. After a month gently tug on the cuttings to see if they resist. Remove the sansevieria from its nursery container and loosen the roots. Another possibility is that your plant is getting too much water, which can be fixed by watering more sparingly. But if they don't look like this and have black or brown spots, you should be ready for Snake plant fungus treatment. After a couple of days, pour some water slowly until it starts dripping from the drainage holes. Excessive Sunlight and Heat. Yet, you will need to repeat your treatment to get them under control. Use a pot just big enough to barely fit the root system. Be sure your pot has a drainage hole. Remove any dead or crispy leaves by cutting them with a sterilized scissor. Knock off the old soil and plant the cutting in a new pot. A red leaf spot is to blame if your snake plant develops crimson or brownish-red blotches. The plant is located outdoors with good sunlight. In severe cases, the infected areas can even fall off. The biggest issue with root rot is that it can often go unnoticed due to its location beneath the soil's surface. Make careful to get rid of any fungus-infected areas on your snake plant to halt it from ever spreading and causing more serious damage. 5. More sunlight encourages plant growth, which demands more water and nutrients. Also, you can give them a lot of sunbath in summer and bring them inside during autumn and winter. You should notice a pink waxy substance appear on the cotton balls when removing the pests. So what are the most common diseases and pests that encumber snake plants? To eradicate this fungus, you'll need to cut away any leaves that have been affected by it and then spray the rest of the plant with copper or sulfur-containing fungicide. Red Leaf Spot Treatment. Treatment must be tailored to kill a bacterium, not a fungus. Snake plants can also develop a case of red leaf spot. When room rot occurs, the plant roots can die due to a lack of oxygen and an overgrowth of fungus within the soil. You can apply a little bit of worm compost to your snake plant pot soil. You can follow the given steps to use neem oil on Snake plants - Take one liter can and mix 1 teaspoon neem oil concentrate with one teaspoon mild liquid soap. Alternatively, create a DIY chemical-free anti-fungal treatment at home by mixing dishwashing detergent and bleach. Symptoms and Diagnosis. The Spruce / Anastasiia Tretiak Pest Attacks. They will often go unnoticed for days or even weeks before you can see signs of their damage. Red leaf spot is best prevented by keeping the snake plant out of standing water. Once the disease has progressed, the leaves become distorted and waste away. If you have put a little too much fertilizer, you can flush it by running loads of water through it. If you see brown spots on your Snake plant, it is likely due to a fungal infection. Required fields are marked *. The leaf spots should start getting smaller after a few applications of fungicide before eventually disappearing. If left unchecked, the disease can work its way up into the leaves of your snake plant, causing the leaves to become wrinkled and mushy. If you cannot purchase a new pot immediately, you can take a pair of needle-nose pliers or sharp shears and create your own drainage holes. How to Get Rid of Bugs on Your Snake Plant (With Pictures). But excess fertilizer can harm your snake plant and you will see brown spots or fertilizer burn on leaves. Normally once a month is sufficient. Use sharp and sterilized tools to do this. If you do nothing, you could lose your snake plant. Place the pieces in a moist potting mix with their tops up and bottoms down. It does not seem to clear to you if the leaves dry. Even the most disease-resistant plant, however, can become infected with diseases that wreak havoc on its growth and appearance. If, however, the entire root system is infected, and the rot has begun to spread into the leaves, the only way forward is to propagate healthy parts of your plant. Bacteria cause the fungal infection you find in this plant, turning the leaves into brown spots. Place the snake plant in the container and press in the soil. If your snake has been exposed to chilly temperatures then the cell sap (liquids within the snake plant leaf cells) will freeze. If you are not sure how much water your snake plant needs. Snake Plant leaves turning yellow Causes and treatments. Because porous materials like clay allow water vapor to pass through the walls. Skye Gassaway. The best treatment for plants suffering from fungal leaf spot disease is usually fungicide. Gardening is one of my passions, and I enjoy pretty much everything connected to plants. Ensure that the detergent doesn't have degreasing ingredients. The soil around the roots will remain moist for too long. High humidity and prolonged leaf wetness encourage these pathogens. . Ours is outdoors in a protected spot-zone 9b and it is doing fine. Whenever you move plants from a darker to a lighter spot, gradually expose them to brighter and brighter light over a week or so. The sharp, strong smell of eucalyptus oil is another all-natural way to keep your indoor plants free of bugs and insects. An overwatered Snake plant may have wet leaves that are soft and limp. Introducing infected plants to Snake Plants is likely to cause red leaf spots. Sansevieria 'Moonshine'. You can identify them by the appearance of red spots on the leaves or white cottony web on the soil. It's best to dilute the oil with water before applying it to your plants. Sansevieria is a drought-tolerant species and doesnt need frequent watering. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, and may earn fees by linking to Amazon. Snake Plant Care How to grow Mother In Laws Tongue, Sansevieria Trifasciata Laurentii How to grow and care for the snake plant, Vipers bowstring hemp How to grow and cultivate the plant, Small snake plant varieties Mini Sansevieria for indoor decoration. When repotting the plant, you need to break away as much of the infected soil as much as possible before you add in the fresh soil. Keep the soil moist but not wet. If the plants roots have slight damage but are still healthy, its worth trying to save it by drying out and repotting. . Red leaf spot is best prevented by keeping the snake plant out of standing water. Cut off affected leaves, spray with a plant-safe antibacterial, and be sure to take care to not cause any mechanical damage, any small nick on a leaf is a doorway for bacteria. You should fertilize your snake plant in spring and summer. The most easily recognizable variant may be Dracaena trifasciata, which is also commonly known as a Snake Plant, but with flat blade-like leaves. There are often spots of liquid at the center of these blisters, and the surrounding flesh of the leaf may look like it is beginning to rot. To hit the undersides of leaves southern blight is one of the snake.! To rot and a build-up of salts in the soil is almost dried the appearance of red spots the! You do use half what the INSTRUCTIONS SAY fertilizer can harm your snake plant, it is a complex disease... 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