Signs of Underwatered Snake Plant (And How To Revive It)
Snake plants known for their hardy and easy-maintenance nature can still be underwatered. The snake plants are almost every gardener’s favorite indoor plant as the plant can survive in extreme conditions with more water or even with less water. Due to this reason, the snake plants get underwatered due to a large gap between the watering as we know the plant is self-sufficient, but it’s not. Let’s know more about the underwatered snake plant, signs, preventive measures, and Step-by-Step Solutions.
Key takeaways:
- The snake plant that is underwatered shows dehydrated leaves that are mostly droopy, curled, and losing the natural color from the tip.
- The leaves later will; turn brown as a whole which is a clear indication that the plant is dying.
- The underwater plant is extremely thirsty and thirst, if not quenched, will weaken the plant and they will die ultimately.
- Though there are many reasons that the snake plant is underwatered even though you watered the plant right.
Let’s take a look at the reasons, indications, and solutions to get back the snake plant.
When the snake plant is underwatered?
The snake plant is underwatered when the need for hydration is not fulfilled. The soil is too dry and even sometimes becomes flaky. There is a huge gap between the watering supplies.
The plant will get dehydrated and start to indicate through their leaves like wrinkling of leaves, discoloration of leaves, falling of leaves, and the plant will look lifeless.
Just not this let’s look at the symptoms that underwatered snake plants show.
How to know about the Underwatered Snake Plant?
Let’s look at the signs that snake plants show when they are underwatered. The underwatered snake plants just don’t show stunted growth but also show the following signs:
1. Curled leaves
The curling of leaves is one of the most common symptoms that underwatered snake plants indicate. The leaves, even the new ones, start to curl and twist to save the loss of water.
Less water in the soil can even dry out the roots. The lack of water makes the leaves lifeless. The leaves will die if the thirst is prolonged. Remember not to overwater the snake plants.
2. Browning of leaves tip
The water is needed for the various physiological processes and if the plant is dehydrated then the green pigment called chlorophyll will also fade away.
The result is a low level of photosynthesis and the discoloration of leaves, like the start of browning of the tips and later the whole leaf will turn to a brownish shade. The brown spots on the leaves are also related to the underwatering issue.
“Trees give peace to the souls of men.”
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3. Dropping of leaves
The less water level in the soil will make the absorption of nutrients difficult for the plants. The plant will start to become and try to save energy. The leaves will start to fall due to less water and nutrients in the leaves.
Firstly the leaves start to droop and later they fall. So it’s important that you check the falling leaves. It might be due to the soil not being watered well.
4. Wrinkling of leaves
Another sign of underwatered snake plants is the wrinkling of leaves. The low water level in the plants will make the plant cells less turgid and the leaves will appear with fine lines and age even in the early growing stages.
5. Dry soil
The soil is too dry and can create problems for the snake plant. The snake plants are hardy and can withstand dry conditions.
But the soil is kept dry for long enough that the top 2 inches are completely dry then the snake plants get underwater. The dry soil is less brown and flaky.
6. Stunted growth
Fewer nutrients and dry roots can stunt the snake plant’s growth.
Even the snake plants are growing slowly which can also be related to the underwatered snake plants. Less moisture diminishes the plant reactions that are responsible for plant growth.
Related: Snake Plant Turning Yellow – Causes and How to Fix it
Causes of underwatered snake plant
1. More of a gap in watering
Though snake plants are hardy and can survive in dry soil, but not for long. The watering was done but the gap was too, such that the soil got dry and roots also got too dry and damaged with rough soil.
You must create a watering schedule for the snake plant as well even if they want less water. Properly managed watering is needed rather than too much watering.
2. High drainage
Due to higher drainage than normal, the soil can become dry and the snake plants can get underwatered.
This happens due to too many drainage holes in the pots, the size of the pot being too small or too much sand in the soil can also increase the drainage of the soil. The water retains less in the soil with too high drainage.
3. High temperature
Due to too much exposure to sunlight and high temperature, the chances are there that the soil can dry easily. You must check the soil when the temperature is high.
How to save the underwatered snake plant?
- Move the plant to the cold spot or the shaded spot where the sunlight is not that strong. The temperature is also not that high in that spot.
- Improve the drainage of soil and also use the potting mix that has a good amount of compost. The sand level should also be decreased which might be the reason for the soil getting dry too quickly.
- Spray the snake plant with water near the soil on sunny days and when the sunlight is strong.
- Use fertilizer so that soil gets deficient in nutrients. Plants in such cases get low nutrients so there should be a good amount of nutrients, vermiculite, etc. in the soil.
- Use a humidifier to increase the humidity as less moisture in the air can make the plant absorb more air and the soil gets dry quickly.
- 60 minutes of soaking in water works. Yes! It does work. You can soak the sake plant in the water for 60 minutes so that the plant can revive back by quenching its thirst.
Wrapping up the context
We just wish that by now you are best aware of the reasons that the snake plants are underwatered, when the sake plants are underwatered, and how you can revive the underwatered snake plants. It’s just that the soil needs to be moist and well-drained for the snake plant to thrive and stay healthy. The indirect sunlight is suitable for the snake plants and the south or west-facing windows are great for the snake plants. Happy planting!
