The snake plant, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue or Saint George’s sword, is a popular houseplant revered for its resilience and easy care requirements. However, even this tough plant can show signs of distress if underwatered for too long.
What Causes Underwatering in Snake Plants?
Snake plants prefer occasional deep watering as opposed to frequent light watering. Their fleshy leaves and roots are adapted to store moisture through long dry spells in their native habitat. But it’s easy to underwater these desert-dwelling plants unintentionally despite good intentions. Common causes include:
- Forgetting or neglecting to water regularly enough
- Using a container without drainage holes
- Having the plant in a fast-draining soil mix
- Keeping it in a spot with excessive heat or dry air
Snake plants can handle some drought, but not getting enough water will eventually show signs of distress.
Signs Your Snake Plant is Underwatered
Here are the most common signs that indicate your snake plant needs more frequent watering:
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Curled leaves – The normally stiff, upright leaves bend and curl inward when dehydrated
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Browning leaf tips – The edges turn yellowish-brown and crispy when moisture stressed.
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Wrinkled leaves – Lack of water causes the leaves to pucker and develop wrinkled ridges.
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Drooping – Severely dehydrated leaves start to bend over and droop.
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Dropped leaves—Leaves on the ground can turn yellow, shrink, and fall off if the plant is too wet.
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When the soil is bone dry, it pulls away from the sides of the pot and looks parched.
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Slow growth – Inadequate hydration suppresses new leaf production and expansion.
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Root bound – Neglected plants concentrate their roots in a tight ball as moisture decreases.
Reviving an Underwatered Snake Plant
Don’t despair if you discover your snake plant is underwatered! Here is a step-by-step guide to rehabilitation:
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Drink a lot of water. Let the water soak into the roots until the bottom of the pot can drain freely. This initial soaking hydrates the entire root system.
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Trim any dead parts – Remove dried up, damaged foliage to improve appearance and redirect growth energy. Make clean cuts with sterilized shears.
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Repot if rootbound – Carefully remove from the pot and loosen tightly packed roots before repotting in fresh soil, if needed. This encourages new moisture-absorbing roots.
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Move to a better spot – Choose a warm spot with moderate sunlight and humidity. Avoid drafty areas.
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Water more frequently – Snake plants need infrequent but deep watering. But an underwatered plant may need more moisture while recovering. Allow the soil to partly dry out between waterings.
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Fertilize lightly – Use a balanced houseplant fertilizer at 1/4 strength while your plant regains its vigor.
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Mist occasionally – Misting the leaves can provide a humid boost during rehabilitation. But take care not to overdo it.
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Be patient – It can take weeks to months for an underwatered snake plant to fully recover and resume growth. But don’t give up!
With attentive care and adjusted practices, even severely distressed snake plants often recover remarkably well. Just heed their call for a drink and promptly rehydrate at the first signs of underwatering.
What Causes Snake Plants to Need More Water?
Though drought-tolerant, snake plants do require occasional deep watering to look their best. Factors that can increase their moisture needs include:
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Warm or hot conditions – Heat accelerates water loss from the leaves.
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Lots of sunlight – Brilliant light makes them transpire more.
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Dry indoor air – Low humidity leaches moisture from the plant.
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Small pot size – More frequent watering needed in smaller containers.
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Highly organic potting mix – Soil with more peat/compost dries out faster.
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Rapid growth – Fast growing plants need more hydration.
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Rootbound plant – Compacted roots absorb less water. Time to repot!
Adjust your watering routine based on your environment and the needs of your individual plant.
Tips for Watering Snake Plants
Here are some best practices for properly hydrating your snake plant:
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Allow the soil to dry out almost completely between waterings. Check with your finger.
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When watering, soak the soil thoroughly until excess drains from the drainage holes.
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Pour water slowly so all gets absorbed by soil and roots.
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Water less in winter when light and growth decrease.
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Use room temperature water rather than cold water.
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Always water into the soil, not on leaves.
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Ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent soggy soil.
Gaining experience with your plant’s needs will help you maintain that ideal moisture balance. A little attention goes a long way!
Signs It’s Time to Water Your Snake Plant
In addition to dry soil, here are some visual clues that your snake plant is thirsty:
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Leaves are curled inward or wrinkled.
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Leaves look thinner and deflated.
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Leaves turn yellow or brown on the tips/edges.
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Soil pulls away from the sides of the pot.
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Pot feels very lightweight when lifted.
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New growth has slowed or stopped.
Use these telling symptoms of dehydration rather than watering on a fixed schedule. Your specific conditions dictate ideal timing.
Common Mistakes That Lead to Underwatering
It’s easy to accidentally underwater your snake plant. Here are some common errors:
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Forgetting to check soil moisture regularly.
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Watering too infrequently, like once a month.
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Not watering thoroughly enough.
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Using a pot without drainage holes.
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Keeping in a spot that’s too hot and dry.
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Assuming it can go long periods without water.
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Relying on a schedule rather than signs of thirst.
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Not increasing water after repotting into a larger container.
Avoiding these missteps will ensure your snake plant gets the moisture it needs to thrive! Learn its care needs to prevent underwatering.
Catching underwatering issues early allows you to reverse the damage and revive your snake plant. Recognizing the telltale signs of thirst helps you provide just the right amount of water. With a little extra TLC, an underwatered snake plant can make a full recovery. Consistent deep watering when the soil dries out will keep it looking lush and beautiful.
Cycles of Growth and Dormancy
There are two basic cycles of growth and dormancy that snake plants experience. The first is known as the active cycle, which lasts from the beginning of spring through summer. During this time, your plant should look vibrant and healthy, with new leaves growing rapidly. In the autumn months, however, your snake plant will go into its dormant state for about six weeks until it begins to grow again in early winter (the second cycle). During this dormant period, it will appear to have stopped growing completely but don’t worry—this is normal!.
If you suspect your snake plant has entered its dormant state, there are a few ways to tell.
- First, check the leaves. If they look droopy and limp, the plant probably hasn’t had enough water.
- Next, check for any brown spots on the leaves. If you see some, your snake plant probably needs some water.
- Lastly, look at the soil around your plant. If it’s dry and not very wet, that’s probably why it’s not looking its best.
Do not water your snake plant if you think it has gone into its dormant state. Overwatering during this time can cause root rot or mold growth on the topsoil. Instead, wait until the soil feels dry before watering again, which could take up to three weeks. You can also check by inserting an inch stick into the soil; if there is no moisture at all then it’s definitely time for some H2O!.
Holes, Discoloration, or Dark Spots on Leaves
If your snake plant’s leaves are turning yellow, brown, or black in spots, it could be a sign that the plant is underwatered. This condition happens when the soil is too dry for a long period of time and eventually causes parts of the plant to die off.
Plants will look sickly and unhealthy over time if they don’t get enough water to grow well. The leaves will begin to look wilted as they dry out more quickly than normal. As the problem worsens, new growths may even turn brown or black before dying off entirely!.
Should you worry that your snake plant is having this problem (or any other), here are some things you can do to help it get better:
9 Snake Plants Signs Your Houseplant Is Giving You – Sansevieria Houseplant Care
FAQ
How do I know if my snake plant is dehydrated?
Snake plants, like other succulents, store water in their leaves. Snake plant leaves may turn brown and brittle when they are dry, but yellowing and soft leaves are often a sign of too much watering.
What does an underwatered snake plant look like?
- Dry, brittle leaves: The leaves will feel papery and may even crack easily.
- Brown tips or edges: The plant may also develop brown spots or discoloration on the leaves, especially at the tips.
- Curling or drooping leaves: The leaves may curl inwards, or the plant may appear limp and droopy.
- Wrinkled or shriveled leaves: The leaves may look wrinkly and shriveled, indicating a lack of moisture.
- Hard, dry soil: The soil in the pot will feel dry and compacted, and may even have cracks on the surface.
How do you know when a snake plant needs water?
How do I know when to water my snake plant? Leaves that droop and curl up mean it’s time to water your snake plant. Water every 1-2 weeks, less in winter, more in active growth seasons.
Can a snake plant recover from underwatering?
Snake plants can go months without watering. Pinch off any roots that are too soft and repot them in soil with lots of big rocks. Mine are in soil that is about 60% perlite. I bottom water mine in a bucket with tap water and a little liquid fertilizer about every 2 months. They thrive on neglect.