10 Ways to Stop Snake Plant Leaves Curling (Expert Weighs in)

by Becky Decker · May 25, 2023

For all you plant lovers out there, this one’s for you. If you have a snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata), you may have noticed that the leaves have been curling lately. And not in a natural way—more like, they’re dying. So, what gives? Many factors could be at play here but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Quick takeaways:

There are various reasons behind the Snake plant leaves curling.

You have to provide appropriate sunlight to your plants, a good water supply, and many more.

But there are even ways that can help you in saving the snake plant leaves curling.

You have to provide appropriate sunlight to your plants, a good water supply, and many more.

In this blog post, we will explore 10 ways to stop your snake plant leaves from curling. With a little help from our experts, your plant will be back to its old self in no time. Stay connected to know more about the snake plant leaves curling.

Table of Contents

Why is Snake Plant Leaves Curling?

Underwatering

Underwatering is one of the most common reasons for snake plants to experience leaf curling. When the soil is too dry, the leaves will begin to curl inwards as a way to conserve water. If you think your plant may be under-water, check the soil before giving it a drink.

The soil should be moist but not soggy. If the soil is dry, give your plant a good soaking and then allow the excess water to drain away.

Overwatering Cause Diseases

1. Overwatering can cause diseases in snake plants

When the roots of a snake plant are constantly wet, they can start to rot. This will lead to several problems, including leaf curl. The leaves of the plant will start to droop and the edges will curl up. The plant may also produce fewer flowers and fruits.

2. Underwatering can also cause problems

If you don’t water your snake plant often enough, the leaves will start to brown and dry out. This can also lead to leaf curl. Make sure you water your snake plant regularly but don’t overdo it. Let the soil dry out between watering sessions.

Lack of Light

If your snake plant leaves are curling, it’s likely due to a lack of light so provide them with sufficient light. Snake plants need bright, indirect sunlight to thrive. If your plant is not getting enough light, the plant will develop curled leaves in an attempt to get closer to the light source.

To fix this problem, move your snake plant to a location that gets more light. If possible, put it near a south- or west-facing window. If you can’t provide more natural light, you may need to supplement with artificial lighting. Use a fluorescent grow light and place it about 12 inches from the plant. Leave the light on for 12-16 hours per day.

Leaves are drooping or bending

The first thing you should do if you notice that your snake plant leaves and even polka dot leaves are drooping or bending is to check the soil moisture. If the soil is too dry, the leaves will droop in an attempt to conserve water. Give the plant good water and make sure to drain any excess water from the pot so that the roots don’t rot.

You should also check for any pests or diseases that could be affecting the plant. If you see any pests, remove them immediately and treat the plant with an appropriate pesticide. If you suspect a disease, contact a professional for diagnosis and treatment options.

Leaves are narrow and stretched

If your snake plant’s leaves are narrow and stretched out, it’s a sign that the plant is not getting enough light. Snake plants need bright, indirect light to thrive.

If your plant is not getting enough light, move it to a brighter spot. If you can’t provide bright, indirect light, you can try growing snake plants under fluorescent lights.

10 Ways to Stop Snake Plant Leaves Curling?

Snake plants will grow amazingly if you care just like Ficus Elastica Tineke for them, but as mentioned above there are reasons behind the snake plant leaves curling. Now, you should about the ways that can stop the snake plant leave curling. They are as follows:

1. Check the soil moisture – If the soil is too dry, the leaves will curl to conserve water. Water the plant thoroughly and then let the top few inches of soil dry out before watering again.

2. Check the light – If the plant is getting too much direct sunlight, the leaves will curl to protect themselves from scorching. Move the plant to a location with indirect or filtered light.

3. Check for pests – Sometimes pests like spider mites can cause plants to curl their leaves to prevent further damage. Inspect the plant carefully for any signs of pests and treat it accordingly.

4. Make sure you are watering your snake plant regularly and deeply. Water the soil, not the leaves, and allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering.

5. If you live in a hot or dry climate, consider misting your snake plant regularly to help increase humidity around the plant.

6. Check that your pot has drainage holes so that excess water can drain away from the roots of your snake plant.

7. Consider moving your snake plant to a more humid location, such as a bathroom or kitchen.

8. Make sure you are using a balanced fertilizer. But do not overfertilize the plants. Fertilizer will provide a good amount of nutrients to the plants which will help the plant to prevent curling leaves.

9. Avoid underexposure of sunlight to the snake plants as it will prevent curled leaves.

10. Make sure to use a well-drained potting mix for your snake plants as it will help the plant to recover from curled leaves.

Concluding lines

In this guide, you come to know that there are various reasons behind the Snake plant leaves curling. Some of them are an excess supply of water to your plants, pest issues, undersupply of water, root rot, dry soil, etc. But there are even ways that can help you in saving the snake plant leaves curling. You have to provide appropriate sunlight to your plants, a good water supply, and many more. Read the whole guide for its proper understanding.

Thanks for reading! Happy gardening!

FAQ’s

1. Why are my snake plant leaves curling in?

One of the most common reasons why snake plant leaves curl is due to lack of water. If your snake plant is not getting enough water, the leaves will start to curl inwards as a way to conserve moisture.

Other reasons why your snake plant leaves may be curling could include:

– Too much sun exposure
– drafts from windows or doors
– temperature changes (either too hot or too cold)
– insect infestation
– disease

2. How do I make my snake plant leaves straight?

If you notice that your snake plant leaves are starting to curl, there are a few things you can do to try and fix the issue. First, check to see if the potting mix is too dry. Snake plants like to be in well-draining soil, but they also need to be kept moist. If the potting mix is too dry, water your plant and see if that helps straighten out the leaves.

If the potting mix seems fine, it could be that your snake plant is getting too much sun. Snake plants like bright light, but direct sunlight can scorch their leaves and cause them to curl. Move your plant to a spot that gets bright indirect light and see if that does the trick.

Finally, your snake plant may be just getting too big for its pot. When this happens, the roots can start to the crowd and put pressure on the leaves, causing them to curl. Report your snake plant into a larger pot and see if that helps straighten out the leaves.

3. Can I trim the tips of my snake plant?

If your snake plant’s leaves are curling, it could be a sign that the plant is not getting enough water. Try giving the plant a good watering and see if the leaves uncurl. If they do, then you know that the plant was just thirsty. However, if the leaves don’t uncurl, there could be another issue at play.

One possible reason for curling leaves is that the tips of the leaves are too dry. If this is the case, you can try trimming off the dry tips. Be sure to use sharp scissors or shears so that you don’t damage the leaves. Just take off a little bit at a time until you see new growth appearing.

If your snake plant’s leaves are still curling after you’ve trimmed the tips and watered generously, then it’s time to consult an expert. There could be something else going on that requires a more specialized solution.