Watching your snake plant grow can be rewarding, but it can also evoke feelings of frustration, especially if there’s a problem and you don’t know what’s wrong. One of the most common problems people have with their snake plants is that the leaves start to droop and fall over.
Its erect and pointy leaves are one of the things that make this plant so unique, so when they start to flop, it can be disheartening. There are a few reasons why your snake plant’s leaves might be falling over, and luckily, there are also some easy solutions.
Why Do Its Leaves Fall Over?
These plants are one of the easiest houseplants to care for. Very forgiving of neglect, snake plants usually survive even if you forget to water them for weeks.
It’s rare for snake plants to get sick since they’re not susceptible to many diseases. So, if your plant’s leaves are falling over, it’s most likely due to one of the following reasons:
Too Much Water
They’re drought-resistant – and these plants have low water requirements. They’re not supposed to receive too much water. Additionally, roots that are constantly wet will start to rot, causing the plant to become unhealthy.
If you think your snake plant is getting too much water, check the soil. If it feels soggy, muddy, or if there’s standing water in the pot, that’s a sure sign that you’re overwatering it. For this plant, underwatering is less of a problem than overwatering.
No Proper Water Drainage
Same as above, when there’s too much water sitting on the roots, it causes them to rot. If the pot doesn’t have proper drainage holes, water will pool at the bottom and sit on the roots. This is one of the most common reasons why snake plant leaves start to droop and fall over.
Top Heavy
Depending on the variety, some snake plants can get quite tall – up to four feet. And as they grow, the leaves get larger and heavier. The plant’s stem might not be able to support the weight of the leaves, causing them to fall over. Changing the pot to a larger one can help with this issue.
Not Getting Enough Water
Snake plants are succulents, so they need less water than other types of plants, but not getting enough water may also cause their leaves to fall over. You have to water them fortnightly, which means you have to allow the soil to dry out entirely between waterings.
Too Much Sun
Snake plants need bright, indirect light to thrive. But too much sunlight can also cause problems for your plant. When it’s exposed to more sunlight than it can tolerate, its leaves will start to turn yellow, then eventually become brown. As a result, its leaves will start to weaken and fall over. Moving the plant to a shady spot might just help fix the problem.
Repotting Issues
When your plant becomes pot-bound, its roots start to crowd the pot and prevent new growth. As a result, the plant may start to produce new leaves that are smaller and weaker than the old ones. Again, its leaves will droop and may even fall off.
What to Do About It
Luckily, there are a few things that you could do when your snake plant’s leaves fall over.
- Water only once every two weeks and allow the soil to completely dry in between waterings.
- Check your pot for proper drainage to avoid root rot.
- Move it to a bright spot but do not expose it to intense and direct sunlight.
- Watch out for roots coming out of the pot. If this happens, it’s time to move your snake plant (or divide them) to a larger pot.
- Give it some support. You could use bamboo stakes or even toothpicks to prop up its leaves until it grows stronger.
Final Thoughts
Although a snake plant is a very tough and hardy plant, there are still a few things that could cause its leaves to turn yellow or fall over. Fortunately, most of these causes can be easily resolved.
First, identify the problem and then take the necessary steps to fix it. With a little bit of care, your snake plant will be back to its old self in no time.