9 Reasons Why Your Snake Plant Is Not Growing and How to Fix It

The snake plant, also known as Sansevieria, is a revered staple in many households for its hardy nature and striking appearance. Known for its resilience and low maintenance, novice gardeners often recommend it.

However, even the toughest plants have their Achilles’ heel. If your snake plant is languishing or not growing as expected, it might be experiencing some care-related issues. In this article, we’ll explore nine common reasons why your snake plant might not be thriving and provide practical advice on how to turn things around.

Understanding Your Snake Plant’s Needs

The snake plant originates from West Africa, a region that spans from Nigeria to the Congo. Naturally accustomed to a warm, dry climate, the snake plant thrives under bright, indirect light and minimal water. Understanding these basic needs is the first step toward ensuring the health and growth of your plant.

Top Reasons Your Snake Plant Isn’t Thriving

1. Inadequate Lighting
Lighting is a fundamental aspect of plant care that significantly impacts the health of your snake plant. Snake plants prefer bright, indirect sunlight, which mimics the shaded undercanopy of their natural habitat. Inadequate lighting often leads to etiolation, where the plant becomes leggy, its growth slows, and the leaves might become floppy. Conversely, direct sunlight can lead to scorched leaves, characterized by brown tips and faded color.

Solution: To remedy lighting issues, place your snake plant in a location where it can receive indirect sunlight throughout most of the day, such as near a north-facing window or a few feet away from a south or west-facing window with sheer curtains to diffuse intense light. If natural light is limited, consider using artificial grow lights. These can be set up to ensure your plant receives a balanced amount of light, ideally for at least 6-8 hours a day. LED or fluorescent grow lights are both excellent choices, as they do not emit much heat but provide adequate light intensity.

2. Watering Issues
Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes made by snake plant owners. These plants are susceptible to root rot if their roots sit in waterlogged soil for too long. Signs of overwatering include yellowing leaves and a mushy base. Under-watering can also be detrimental, although snake plants are more tolerant of drought. Under-watered plants typically have dry, curling leaves that may become crunchy.

Solution: Ensure your snake plant is in a pot with good drainage holes and use well-draining soil, typically a mix used for cacti and succulents. Water the plant only when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch. In the winter, reduce watering frequency to accommodate the plant’s slower metabolic rate. If you’ve overwatered, let the soil dry out completely before watering again, and consider repotting if the soil is not draining well. For under-watered plants, slowly reintroduce water to the plant to avoid shock, ensuring that the water reaches the roots and doesn’t just run off the surface.

3. Poor Soil Conditions
The right soil mixture is crucial for the health of a snake plant. Soil that retains too much moisture can lead to root rot, while nutrient-poor, compacted soil can inhibit growth and weaken the plant. Many general-purpose potting soils retain more moisture than snake plants prefer.

Solution: Use a well-draining potting mix designed for succulents or cacti, which typically includes components like perlite, sand, and bark to improve drainage and aeration. If making your own mix, combine two parts regular potting soil with one part perlite and one part coarse sand. This creates an environment where water drains freely, reducing the risk of root rot and ensuring the roots receive adequate oxygen.

4. Environmental Stress
Snake plants are hardy but can be sensitive to sudden changes in their environment. They thrive in temperature ranges from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 26 degrees Celsius). Exposure to drafts, sudden temperature drops, or excessive heat can stress the plant, leading to drooping or brown spots on the leaves.

Solution: Place your snake plant in a stable environment away from drafty windows, air conditioning units, and heat sources like radiators or stoves. If your plant is near a cold window in winter, consider moving it to a warmer spot or providing a barrier to drafts. Similarly, during hot summer months, make sure it isn’t exposed to direct air from AC units, as the cold drafts can be as harmful as winter chill.

5. Nutrient Deficiency
Snake plants require minimal fertilization, but they do need certain nutrients to maintain healthy growth. A lack of essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium can manifest as slow growth, weak leaves, and a pale or washed-out appearance.

Solution: Feed your snake plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength, ideally during the growing season (spring and summer). Fertilize every other month, which is sufficient given the plant’s low nutrient needs. Avoid over-fertilization as it can lead to nutrient burn, evident from brown tips on the leaves. If you suspect your plant is experiencing nutrient burn, flush the soil with water to remove excess fertilizer salts.

6. Root Rot
Root rot is a common issue that can severely affect snake plants, primarily caused by overwatering or using a soil mix that doesn’t drain well. The symptoms of root rot include a mushy base, discolored leaves, and a rotting smell coming from the soil. The condition inhibits the plant’s ability to absorb water and nutrients effectively, which can be fatal if not addressed promptly.

Solution: To address root rot, first, remove the plant from its pot and inspect the roots. Healthy roots should be firm and white or cream-colored. Cut away any black or mushy roots with sterile shears, as these are already dead or dying. After trimming, treat the remaining healthy roots with a fungicide to prevent further infection. Repot the plant in fresh, sterile, well-draining soil and a clean pot to prevent reinfection. Going forward, adjust your watering habits to ensure the soil has a chance to dry out between waterings, and always ensure that your pot has adequate drainage.

7. Pests and Diseases
Snake plants can occasionally fall victim to pests such as spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects. These pests typically appear when the air is too dry or the plant is already stressed. They can cause visible damage, including spots on leaves, sticky residue, or thin webbing around the plant.

Solution: Increase humidity around your snake plant by misting the leaves or using a humidifier, as pests often thrive in dry conditions. Regularly inspect your plant for signs of pests and clean the leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust that can attract insects. If you discover pests, isolate the affected plant from your other houseplants to prevent the spread. Treat infestations with insecticidal soap or neem oil, applying according to the product instructions. Repeat the treatment as necessary until the pests are completely eradicated.

8. Age and Natural Growth Patterns
Snake plants are relatively slow growers and can appear to be dormant, especially during cooler months. It’s essential to understand the natural growth cycle of your snake plant; it might not actually be unhealthy but merely in a dormant phase. Aging plants may also slow down in growth, which is a natural part of their lifecycle.

Solution: Practice patience and continue to provide care consistent with snake plant needs. During dormant periods, reduce watering but ensure the plant still receives ample indirect light. Avoid repotting or fertilizing during dormancy to minimize stress. If your plant is very old and growth has stagnated, consider propagating sections of the plant to start new growth while continuing to care for the older plant.

9. Pot Size and Type
The size and type of pot used for a snake plant can significantly influence its health and growth. A pot that is too large can hold excess moisture leading to root issues, while a pot that is too small can restrict root growth and nutrient availability. Additionally, the material of the pot can affect soil moisture levels.

Solution: Choose a pot that is just slightly larger than the root ball of your snake plant, allowing for 1-2 inches of extra space around the sides for growth. This size helps control soil moisture and supports healthy root development. Materials like terra cotta are porous, helping to evaporate excess moisture more quickly than plastic or glazed ceramic pots. Ensure any pot you choose has drainage holes. If repotting, do so during the plant’s active growth period, typically in the spring or early summer, to reduce stress and facilitate faster recovery.

Advanced Care Tips for Thriving Snake Plants

Beyond the basics, ensure your snake plant has adequate humidity, which can be increased with a pebble tray or humidifier if your home’s air is dry. Periodically wiping the leaves can prevent dust accumulation, allowing the plant to breathe better and perform photosynthesis more efficiently.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you’ve tried all the above tips and your snake plant still shows no signs of recovery, it might be time to consult with a horticulturist or visit a reputable plant nursery for further advice. Sometimes, a fresh set of expert eyes can spot issues that aren’t apparent to the plant owner.

Conclusion

Caring for a snake plant is generally straightforward, but like all living things, it has specific needs. By understanding and addressing the common issues outlined in this guide, you can help ensure your snake plant survives and thrives.