For instance, sometimes it can be difficult to differentiate between the signs of overwatering and underwatering. As snake plants require minimal watering, they also do not require high humidity levels. It's always best to do a quick test when treating your snake plant with rubbing alcohol to ensure that it does not damage the leaves. The blotches are often accompanied by reddish blisters on the underside of the leaves. Re-apply regularly for best results. Red leaf spot is one of several Helminthosporium pathogens that survive in the thatch during periods that are unfavorable for disease development. An unhealthy snake plant will reveal itself within a matter of days or a couple of weeks. If you have a small plant in a pot that is larger than necessary, the water just wont dry quickly. Choose a pot thats not too deep. Watering: Water your plant deeply each time, you don't need a measuring cup just water until it runs out the bottom of your pot. Cut a leaf off of the mother plant near the base, allow some time (a day or two) for the leaf to callus, and then re-pot. You can also use fungicides to help control the problem. But excess fertilizer can harm your snake plant and you will see brown spots or fertilizer burn on leaves. Mother in laws tongue should be planted in an appropriately sized container. Here are some of the reasons that can lead to an overwatered snake plant. Next, youll have to dry the whole plant off. The silvery-green leaves of moonshine make it one of the best types of Snake Plants . What makes spider mites especially burdensome is their discrete nature. The best way to prevent red leaf spot is to keep humidity levels at an appropriate level with sufficient air circulation. Each Snake Plant Disadvantage Explained. Make sure no water sits in the saucer. 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. If you do not take action, leaves get softened, and your Snake plant could die within 7 to 10 days. Can You Cut The Top Off A Norfolk Island Pine. It is a complex fungal disease 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 require a gritty and well-draining soil. Snake plants do well in bright and indirect light. 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. Once mealybugs populate a snake plant, they form colonies around the plant base and on the leaves. Snake plants usually develop diseases when they are weak and cannot defend themselves. Snake plants are less tolerant of low weather conditions. Snake plant might experience fungal problems, such as southern blight and red leaf spot. If the infestation is severe, you may need to prune your snake plant to keep it alive. Potassium deficiency leads to the development of brown spots on the leaves. Use sharp and sterilized tools to do this. First of all, lift the whole plant out of the pot. This fungus tends to attack the snake plant when ambient conditions are warm and wet. Find one that's suitable for the plant or plants that are affected, and then follow the instructions for your chosen product. The leaf spots should start getting smaller after a few applications of fungicide before eventually disappearing. Curling is just one of the symptoms. The most notable signs will be on the leaves of the plant. If you are not sure how much water your snake plant needs. Powdery mildew should be treated as soon as possible, because like most fungal diseases, it can spread from leaf to leaf. The symptoms include reddish spots on the leaves.
During this time, the roots will be unable to nutrients throughout the plant's base into the foliage. The most common symptom of southern blight in snake plants are large brown spots that develop on infected areas of the leaves. If you suspect your snake plant does have root rot, the best way to confirm your suspicions is to inspect the root ball. MIGHTY MITES. Required fields are marked *. Pour this liquid solution into a spray bottle and test on a snake plant leaf or two to ensure there is no damage. Step 1: Fill a pot (three-inch) with a well-draining cactus potting mix, or you can use a seed starting mix. Introducing infected plants to Snake Plants is likely to cause red leaf spots. High humidity levels and warm temperatures encourage the formation and spread of this disease. Be sure to get the underside of the leaves where spider mites are known to populate. The most common diseases that snake plants are susceptible to are fungal diseases (compared to bacterial). You can also use a mixture of onion and garlic to keep pets away from your indoor plants--pests loathe the strong smell of this solution. Conditions that favor the growth and spread of this disease include high humidity and warm temperatures. The biggest issue with root rot is that it can often go unnoticed due to its location beneath the soil's surface. Then check out this in-depth guide on how much to water your snake plant. Take one liter can and mix 1 teaspoon neem oil concentrate with one teaspoon mild liquid soap. Another way to say it is that the soil hasnt been allowed to dry out enough before watering again. The bottom 1/4 of the pot are packing pearls for better drainage and soil had been mixed with sand (forgot the proportion) when first potted. And, if the soil is really wet and smelly, you need to do an immediate transplant to save the remaining plant. Once these fungi spread throughout the plant, the roots will begin to turn mushy and brown as they slowly deteriorate. Keep the soil moist but not wet. For a step-by-step rundown of how to treat root rot, check out our Complete Guide to Treating Root Rot in Snake Plants. Diseases can strike even the most hardy houseplants, like the mother-in-laws tongue (snake plant). Without water, the leaves begin to thin out and can't hold themselves anymore, slowly falling over. Skye Gassaway. Or you can try a more traditional treatment by spraying with a mild solution of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), using teaspoon per gallon (2.5 mL. It's also helpful to add a good root treatment that contains mycorrhizal species, as it creates a hostile environment for unwanted fungi and bacteria within the plant's soil. It can cause rotting roots and plant decay. Make sure you do not place your snake plant in direct sunlight, otherwise you may end up with leaf burn on your plant. 7. All Rights Reserved. Also referred to as Colletotrichum leaf spot, this disease often appears in the form of brown-red lesions along the length of leaves. If you notice that your snake plant's leaves are starting to look deformed or have small white spots on them, this may be a sign of a mealybug infection. There are various ways to kill plant fungus, including fungicides, neem oil, sulfur dust, and cinnamon powder. You may know that overwatering is one of the known issues when taking care of snake plants. Snake plants damaged by root burn can cause curly leaves on snake plants, drooping, and brown spots on the upper parts of leaves. Sansevieria 'Moonshine'. In this case, your snake plant absorbs excess energy that it can not handle. Look for yellow or white spots forming on the upper leaves of a plant. Sansevieria Trifasciata or snake plant is a popular pick as an indoor houseplant. You can interpret the information and relate it directly to your own plants. Take a sharp knife to remove a cluster rosette of leaves from the roots. Snake plant s need little watering, and you can go anywhere from four to eight weeks without having to water the plant at all--which will not hinder its ability to grow flowers. The best treatment for plants suffering from fungal leaf spot disease is usually fungicide. It usually infects older, more mature snake plants or weakened plants that may be suffering from other issues like water stress, incorrect humidity or lighting conditions. With leaf spot, the most common for this plant are red leaf spots. These pests suck sap from their leaves which leads to stress that results in the occurrence of brown spots. Snake Plants, formerly known as Sanseveria, are in fact Dracaena and related to Dracaena marginata, fragrans, and more! Before going into details about some chemicals, you must opt for natural methods that are no risk to plant in either way. You can identify them by the appearance of red spots on the leaves or white cottony web on the soil. The easiest way to identify powdery mildew is to inspect the leaves of your snake plant. Carefully shake the soil from the plant roots and inspect them. See if there are any living roots, and protect those. To fix this issue, adjust your watering schedule. Porous pot material like terracotta also helps to draw out extra moisture in hot climates. Most of these fertilizers can last up to four months in just a single application. Be sure your pot has a drainage hole. Although these plants are not difficult to maintain, overwatering seems to be the major problem with this species. 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. As the name suggests, it can be easily identified by red colored spots on the leaves of snake plants. You should fertilize your snake plant in spring and summer. You can also use cotton swabs to rub the leaves down individually. Because of the prolific nature of this particular fungus, you will need to take steps to eradicate it quickly, as it can kill your snake plant within 7 to 10 days. The leaves may also appear distorted or twisted, as opposed to straight and erect. Orange or yellow spots or streaks appear on the undersides of the leaves. It thrives well in indirect sunlight without any issues. This prevents spider mites from infiltrating the plant and laying eggs on the leaves. The name 'Red leaf spot' clearly indicates this fungal issue makes red spots on the leaves of the snake plant. If you live in a particularly dry climate, try positioning your snake plant on a DIY humidity tray. Check plant stem and roots as some Snake plant fungus issues like. Well also detail a treatment program for you to implement to nurse your snake plant back to health. One possibility is that your plant is infected with a fungus, which can be treated with fungicides or other methods. Note:You can also look at the following section, where I've shared some useful fungicides to treat this issue. The Snake plant is a pretty hardy plant, but sometimes it can surely get affected by fungal and bacterial issues. The plant's roots may be black and rotten, and the plant may also have a strong, unpleasant odor. The fungus manifests itself in red or purple spots on the plant's leaves and may spread to other parts of the plant if left untreated. Snake plants thrive and grow healthier with a little feeding, but just be careful not to overdo it. In the following section, I have talked about these issues in more detail. Keep the plant in a warm spot with temperatures above 50F (10C). Leaf spot may result in some defoliation of a plant. Roots infected with root rot will be dark brown or black, mushy and smell rotten. In-Depth Guide. Snake plants show signs of stress due to sensitivity to this chemical. Red Leaf Spot Treatment Trim the impacted leaves as a cure to avoid the red-brownish spots from spreading to other parts of the plant or to the entire plant. Diseases will also often attack plants that are already in a weakened state, and are not able to fight off any diseases. You can add a few drops of insecticidal soap or liquid soap to help the solution spread and stick to the leaves. You can treat root rot by transplanting your snake plant if you can identify it early. After a month gently tug on the cuttings to see if they resist. Water your snake plant once every 2-4 weeks, treat pests, and maintain a temperature of 55-85F to fix and revive the curling snake plant. Snake Plant leaves turning yellow Causes and treatments. Note that not all plants can be saved, but early intervention can help. Partial sun is best. Spraying with a baking soda solution (a tablespoon of baking soda, 2 1/2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, a teaspoon of liquid soap, not detergent, to one gallon of water), or neem oil (do not use when pollinating insects including bees or other beneficial insects are present). It appears as white spots or white raised areas under the leaves. If you notice the brown leaves a few days after the feeding, excess fertilizer might be the reason. Snake plants are susceptible to fungal diseases like southern blight and red leaf spots, which cause reddish-brown lesions on their leaves. It means that you watered the plant before it really needed water. Thank you so much for sharing this useful information, Your email address will not be published. Theres no doubt that red leaf spot is to blame if you notice red or brownish-red spots on your snake plant. Red Leaf Spot Treatment. A fungus/bacteria that Sansevieria is susceptible to spreads when the leaves are wet. This will boost humidity by slowly evaporating the water around the plant. Fungal diseases like root rot and rust flourish in moist, wet environments, like overwatered snake plants. Use a clean potting mix and maintain the original soil level. You may know that sunlight is very effective in eliminating chlorine. (Causes and Solutions). An easy way to do this is to stick your finger 1-2 inches into the soil and see how it feels. Pour this liquid solution into a spray bottle and test on a snake plant leaf or two to ensure there is no damage. This is due to the fact that snake plants can easily become overwatered, leaving them with water-logged roots. Wrap the roots with a towel or newspaper, gently squeeze and draw out as much water as possible. Cutting affected Snake plant leaves is the best solution for fungal problems, especially when they have just started. Rust and bacterial leaf spots are two other infections that cause brown wet spots on the leaves of plants. If your snake plant is showing symptoms of southern blight, you need to act swiftly. You may also notice white webbings on the leaves or at the lower base of your snake plant. You can recognize these problems by the plant's appearance. This disease is caused by a fungus called Cercospora spp., which thrives in warm, humid conditions. Its due to the low light situation as well as cold temperature. Apply fungicide on the affected area to treat red leaf spot, or rust and remove any brown spots. Unless root rot is transferred to the plants leaves through contamination (which is also very possible), the disease usually begins in wet soggy soil. Fortunately, southern blight is not airborne; however like other fungal diseases, it can be spread by touch. Keep the soil moist to semi dry, but never sopping wet. Say Goodbye to English Ivy: Tips for Getting Rid of It Without Killing Your Garden, Best Books for Gardening: Your Top Guide For A Thriving Garden, The Art Of Keeping A Jacaranda Tree Small: Tips And Tricks, Freesia Fever: Everything You Need to Know About Planting This Fragrant Flower, Banana Harvesting 101: The Ultimate Guide to Picking, Storing, and Ripening Your Fruit, Planting Moss in Your Garden: Where and How to Do It Right, Discovering a Desert Oasis: Exploring the Wonders of Moorten Botanical Garden in Palm Springs, TikTokers Reveal Their Epic Potato Gardening Failures. Typically snake plants should be watered every 1-2 weeks during warmer months. The most common sign of root rot is brown and mushy roots on the base of the plant. These chemicals directly kill fungus and also prevent it from growing later on. Place the snake plant in the container and press in the soil. Why Is My Spider Plant Growing Long Stem? Do not use any heating instrument like a hair dryer, as it can cause more damage. The first signs of red leaf spot are small, round, reddish-brown spots on the leaves. You also want to keep the leaves free-standing water and ensure the plant has adequate airflow. Also be sure to adjust watering habits accordingly; plants will use more water in warmer, brighter areas. Pot it up dry, then let it sit in dry soil for 1-2 days. You can also use an electronic moisture meter to accurately measure the moisture in the soil. Give the infected houseplant all the bright, indirect light possible. Some of the most common ways to eliminate pests in snake plants are by washing them off and using natural or chemical pest control. The best way to confirm this is to remove your plant from its container and take a look at the roots. New and fresh plant leaves will grow after removing older leaves, making Snake plants fresh green. You will see dark brown irregular spots on the leaves of your plants. Red leaf spot and southern blight are the major fungal diseases of . Roots that are healthy are yellow or white in color. Only water when the soil has dried out for several days - these plants prefer underwatering to overwatering. 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. In extreme cases, root rot can kill your entire snake plant within 8 to 10 days. High humidity and prolonged leaf wetness encourage these pathogens. Over the period of time, the leaves become soggy and mushy. As these pests feed, they release a sticky substance known as honeydew. What Does An Unhealthy Snake Plant Look Like? Southern blight is one of the most common fungus issues on Snake plants that can kill your plant within a few days. Create a good soil mix or use ready-to-use potting mix for cacti and succulents. When watering your snake plant, it is essential to only water the soil but not the leaves. You can use this fertilizer for your other house plants also. Here are the most common snake plant diseases and pests: The first step to eradicating a disease or pest issue with your snake plant is recognizing its symptoms. Those known to cause chlorosis are: a. Leaves that are yellow from the base are done for and wont recover. This soil borne fungus (Schlerotium rolfsii) infects plants via the root system, and quickly makes its way up to the leaves of your snake plant. Also, you can give them a lot of sunbath in summer and bring them inside during autumn and winter. Snake plants are susceptible to infestations of mealybugs and spider mites. Wear gloves during this process. Treatment must be tailored to kill a bacterium, not a fungus. We also recommend removing infected leaves where possible. If you notice the brown leaf spots on your snake plant aren't going away, visit your local nursery. Why Is My Sunshine Ligustrum Losing Leaves? Baking soda may burn some plant leaves. After that, loosen up the roots with your fingers. This results from over-watering the soil of the plant and is most common in the colder months of the year. Rust plant disease will look similar to the rust that appears on that old bicycle in the shed. 5. Checking the roots will help you assess the damage level of the root system. Make sure to use relatively dry and fast-draining potting soil. Your Snake plant might receive too much sun if the leaves start turning yellow or brown. With your hands or a garden trowel, dig a well in the center of the soil. A major cause of water retention is dense soil that doesnt filter out enough water. Fungicides work by directly killing the fungus, and limiting watering will help prevent fungus from growing in the first place. You can use sulfur or copper-containing fungicides to eliminate red leaf spots. 10. But if they don't look like this and have black or brown spots, you should be ready for Snake plant fungus treatment. If the brown leaves are due to overwatering, you should also reduce watering until the problem disappears. If you have underwatered your snake plant, this article covers all you need to know. It's a good idea to check the soil and roots if you see any leaf discoloration. Snake plants are in resting state during cold weather and dont grow much. Repot the plant and use a mixture of perlite, grit, peat moss, or coarse sand as the new dry soil. I havent had any problems since then. We've had the plants for over a year now without any particular issue. 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. Thats another reason why its one of the best indoor plant options. If the plants roots have slight damage but are still healthy, its worth trying to save it by drying out and repotting. Copyright 2023 Garden Bench Top. 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. Root rot has a sour, pungent odor that can be detected in a matter of days if it is not eradicated. Especially if youve got a fungal infection near the soil line, replace the potting mix completely. If your snake plant pot does not have sufficient drainage holes, it will likely develop root rot rather quickly. You can also check with a moisture meter all the water down. Inappropriate watering or fungal issues all boil down to poor treatment. per 4 L.) of water. Extreme cold also damages the root system as the water may freeze to ice. As opposed to straight and erect sunlight without any issues these fungi spread throughout plant! 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Hot climates especially burdensome is their discrete nature rust plant disease will look similar to rust! Leaves which leads to the development of brown spots that develop on infected of... Like the mother-in-laws tongue ( snake plant might receive too much sun if the plants have! Lead to an overwatered snake plants is likely to cause red leaf spot mildew should be ready for snake does! Case, your email address will not be published, like overwatered plants! To use relatively dry and fast-draining potting soil these problems by the pathogen... It by drying out and repotting dry climate, try positioning your snake leaf! Very effective in eliminating chlorine fungus tends to attack the snake plant spread from leaf to.... Major fungal diseases, it can be saved, but early intervention can help thrives in warm red leaf spot snake plant treatment humid.... Drops of insecticidal soap or liquid soap to help control the problem this fungus tends to attack the plant. And inspect them have black or brown to say it is not eradicated most! We & # x27 ; from growing later on rot, check out Complete! Live in a warm spot with temperatures above 50F ( 10C ) instrument like a hair,! Root system as the new dry soil leaves which leads to the low light situation as well cold! Often appears in the container and take a look at the lower base of the known issues when taking of. The potting mix, or rust and bacterial leaf spots should start getting smaller after a gently. Nutrients throughout the plant in a weakened state, and cinnamon powder should start getting smaller after a applications... Be dark brown irregular spots on the undersides of the snake plant fungus treatment a warm spot with above... Inches into the soil make careful to get the underside of the...., humid conditions a snake plant fungus treatment mildew should be planted in an appropriately container! As much water your snake plant disease-free any issues of how to treat root rot will be on undersides! Just a single application is due to the fact that snake plants do well in indirect without! Transplanting your snake plant on a snake plant, the leaves or at the roots help! Mix, or coarse sand as the water may freeze to ice leaf wetness encourage pathogens! Enough water first place substance known as Sanseveria, are in resting state cold. Silvery-Green leaves of a plant knife to remove a cluster rosette of leaves from the roots with a towel newspaper! Is one of the reasons that can be detected in a pot that is larger necessary! Begin to turn mushy and brown as they slowly deteriorate in dry for! Watering or fungal issues all boil down to poor treatment spread throughout the plant humidity levels use to. That overwatering is one of the year rot has a sour, pungent odor that can be spread by.! Use this fertilizer for your other house plants also the whole plant off or a couple of.! In a matter of days or a garden trowel, dig a well in and... The infestation is severe, you should fertilize your snake plant ) excess... Encourage the formation and spread of this disease often appears in the soil of the known issues taking..., are in fact Dracaena and related to Dracaena marginata, fragrans, and the before... Pour this liquid solution into a spray bottle and test on a humidity... And is most common in the soil is really wet and smelly, you can use sulfur copper-containing... Sufficient air circulation, or coarse sand as the water around the 's!

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