Why Is My Snake Plant Dying

If you’re wondering “why is my snake plant dying,” you’re not alone. These popular houseplants are famously tough, but they can still run into trouble. Let’s figure out what’s going wrong and how to fix it, so your plant can thrive again.

Snake plants, or Sansevieria, die mostly from too much love, especially overwatering. They thrive on neglect. Other common culprits include poor light, incorrect temperatures, and pesky pests. We’ll walk through each issue step-by-step.

1. Overwatering: The #1 Killer

This is the most frequent mistake. Snake plants are succulents with rhizomes that store water. Soggy soil leads to root rot, a fast-acting fungal disease.

Signs of overwatering include:

Yellowing leaves, often starting at the base.
Soft, mushy leaves that may collapse.
A foul smell coming from the soil.
Constantly wet soil many days after watering.

How to Fix an Overwatered Snake Plant

Stop watering immediately. Let the soil dry out completely if the damage is mild.
If leaves are mushy, gently remove the plant from its pot. Brush away the wet soil to inspect the roots.
Use clean scissors to cut off any brown, black, or slimy roots. Healthy roots are firm and orange or white.
Repot the plant in fresh, well-draining cactus or succulent mix. Use a pot with drainage holes.
Do not water for at least a week after repotting to let the roots heal.

2. Not Enough Light (Or Too Much)

While they tolerate low light, they don’t thrive in it. Too little light weakens the plant, causing slow growth and pale leaves. On the other hand, intense direct sun can scorch leaves.

Light problems look like:

Long, stretched-out, floppy leaves.
Fading or loss of the bright leaf variegation.
Brown, crispy patches on leaves from sunburn.

Finding the Light Sweet Spot

Place your snake plant in bright, indirect light. A spot near an east-facing window is ideal. They can handle some direct morning sun. If you only have low light, water much less frequently as the plant will use water slower.

3. Poor Drainage and Wrong Soil

Using regular potting soil or a pot without a drainage hole traps water. This creates the perfect conditions for root rot, even if your watering schedule seems okay.

Check your setup:

Does your pot have at least one hole in the bottom?
Is the soil heavy and dense, staying wet for weeks?
Is there a saucer underneath that’s always full of water?

The Right Potting Mix and Pot

Always use a pot with a drainage hole. For soil, mix regular potting soil with an equal amount of perlite or pumice. You can also buy a pre-mixed cactus and succulent blend. This ensures water flows through quickly.

4. Temperature Stress and Drafts

Snake plants prefer warm, stable conditions. They are sensitive to cold drafts from windows or air conditioning vents, as well as hot blasts from heaters.

Temperature stress signs:

Wilted leaves, even when the soil is moist.
Dark, soft spots on leaves from cold damage.
General leaf curling or drooping.

Keep your plant in a room between 60-85°F (15-29°C). Avoid placing it next to exterior doors, drafty windows, or heating/cooling appliances.

5. Pest Infestations

Weak or stressed plants are suseptible to pests. The main ones to watch for are mealybugs and spider mites.

Mealybugs: Look like tiny bits of white cotton fluff in leaf crevices.
Spider Mites: Cause fine webbing and tiny yellow speckles on leaves.

Getting Rid of Pests

Isolate the affected plant to stop the spread.
Wipe leaves with a cloth dipped in a mix of water and a few drops of mild dish soap.
For stubborn cases, use insecticidal soap or neem oil, following the product instructions.
Repeat treatment every 5-7 days for a few weeks to break the pest life cycle.

6. Underwatering (It’s Rare!)

It’s hard to underwater a snake plant, but it can happen, especially if it’s in very bright light or has become rootbound. The signs are different from overwatering.

Signs of underwatering:

Leaves become wrinkled and shriveled.
Leaf tips turn brown and crispy.
The entire plant may look droopy and dull.
Soil is bone-dry and pulls away from the pot edges.

The fix is simple: give it a thorough soak. Water until it runs out the drainage hole, and let excess water drain away. Then, return to your normal neglectful schedule.

7. Fertilizer Problems

Snake plants need very little fertilizer. Too much can burn the roots and cause sudden leaf collapse or brown tips.

If you fertilize, do it only in the growing season (spring and summer). Use a balanced, diluted houseplant fertilizer at half strength, no more than once a month. In fall and winter, don’t fertilize at all.

Step-by-Step Rescue Plan for a Dying Snake Plant

Diagnose: Check for mushy leaves (overwatering) or crispy leaves (light/underwatering). Feel the soil.
Inspect Roots: If overwatering is suspected, unpot the plant to check for root rot.
Take Action: Cut away all rotten roots and mushy leaves with clean tools. Repot in dry, fresh, well-draining mix.
Place Correctly: Put the plant in bright, indirect light away from drafts.
Water Wisely: Do not water after repotting for 1-2 weeks. Then, water only when the top 2-3 inches of soil are completely dry.
Be Patient: Recovery can take months. Focus on growing new, healthy roots first.

Propagation: Saving a Part of Your Plant

If the base of the plant is too rotted, you can save healthy leaf cuttings.

Cut a healthy leaf into 3-4 inch sections. Mark which end was the bottom.
Let the cuttings dry for 2-3 days until the cut ends callous over.
Stick the bottom end into moist cactus mix or water.
If using soil, water sparingly. In water, change it weekly. Roots should appear in a few weeks.

FAQ: Common Snake Plant Questions

Why are the tips of my snake plant turning brown?

Brown tips are usually from inconsistent watering (long dry spells then a flood), low humidity, or a build-up of salts and minerals from tap water or fertilizer. Use filtered water if possible and trim the brown tips off at an angle to follow the leaf’s shape.

How often should I water my snake plant?

There’s no set schedule. Always check the soil first. In most homes, watering every 2-6 weeks is sufficient. Water less in low light and during winter.

Can a snake plant recover from root rot?

Yes, if you act quickly. Remove all the rotted parts, repot, and adjust your watering. The plant will focus energy on new root growth, so be patient—it may not produce new leaves for a while.

What does a healthy snake plant look like?

It has firm, upright leaves with vibrant color. The new growth is steady but slow. The soil dries out between waterings, and the roots are firm and healthy when you check them.

By understanding what your snake plant is telling you, you can correct course. Remember, when in doubt, it’s always safer to underwater than overwater. With a few simple adjustments, your resilient snake plant has an excellent chance of making a full recovery.