Snake plants expand in consideration that would kill most plants , mainly with disregard , because they do n’t postulate a sight of fertilizer , piss , or sunlight . However , root rot is a threat to these plants . Fortunately , there are preventive measure to put in place to aid block root rot before it start out . There are also ways to address and handle it to save thesnake plantand guarantee it continues healthy growth .

Identifying Root Rot

Root rotis a disease convey on by a pathogen that make the root system of a industrial plant to break down , dissemble landscape plants with fibrous andleafy stems . It can be a farsighted - condition issue or one that seems to do out of nowhere , leading to plant end , and it ’s a stark job for most plants .

source rot is get by fungi that live in the soil , includingFusariumspp . ,Phytophthoraspp . ,Pythiumspp . , andRhizoctonia solani . These bantam being like wet soil and can develop on many types of plants . Some fungus kingdom even make spore that can survive in stain or vegetation .

Signs of root putrefaction admit wilt but if it progresses , it can stunt the plant ’s growing , and the leaf will begin to take on red or yellow hues as they struggle to take in adequate nutrient from the molder root system . Pulling the plant out to appear at the ascendent unremarkably unwrap brown and soft or sentimental - feel roots with a unassailable odor of decay .

The three sisters growing in a garden

Causes of Root Rot

There are several potential causes for beginning rot , but most of them tie back to the soil and weewee amount the works get . The leading case include :

Overwatering

Overwateringany plant do the territory surround the plant life to retain piss , slowing down drainage . The roots contend to take in all the necessary O the industrial plant need to live . Overwatering also create condition ideal for grease - borne fungus kingdom and piss mold to grow . These pathogen taint the works ’s roots and cause them to break down and rot .

Poor Drainage

Silt andclay soilshave larger Earth’s surface areas that allow them to keep on more water . So , the more water that end up in the soil , the more challenging it will be to eliminate . The larger surface areas hold more water and reduce overall drainage , and this causes piss to besiege the roots and interfere with oxygen intake , finally conduct toplant deathand rot .

Contaminated Potting Mix

Phytophthora is a soil - borne contamination that open via spores between soil particles in the water supply films . The water film can take out the spore into the plant ’s roots to further dilapidate it , and this releases the spores back into the grease to make long - lasting pollution . Should this soil get used for other plants , the spores distribute , increase the opportunity for beginning guff to develop in other plants .

Treating Root Rot

Acting quickly is essential for saving a snake plant infected with origin bunk because , as the disease progresses , it ’s concentrated to save salubrious , disease - free roots to start the plant over .

Remove From the Pot

hit the snake plant from the environment as quickly as possible because the longer it sits in the waterlogged or diseased dirt , the more root will decay , and the chances of saving the plant cliff . Tilt the mess on its side on a clean control surface and gently tip it up while grasping the serpent plant life and pulling it out . Be heedful because if the rot has gone to the master root , it ’s possible to accidentally separate it from the roots . Discard any soil and gargle the roots under run body of water to insure no quondam filth clings to them because this can entertain bacteria or fungi .

Trim Affected Roots and Leaves

Get a duad of sterilizedprunersor scissor grip and carefully snip away the damaged or decayed roots . To sterilize the scissors grip or pruners before and after you shave to avoid disease spread and bolt down any pathogen , dip them in a intermixture ofnine parts water to one part bleaching agent . If the origin cave in down when touched or feel mushy , they have to go . Do n’t utilize a light manus during the garnish procedure because root rot can quickly circularise to healthy root if there is any infected tissue paper left .

Remove any dying , dead , or affected leaves so your snake plant and maintain DOE to return firm . Trim away any soggy leaves with a darker coloring or droop heavily using your sterilized pruning shears or scissors grip .

Clean the Remaining Roots

Even after all of these steps , fungal spores or bacteria can be on the snake plant ’s roots . To help get rid of them , conflate two parts water to one part three percenthydrogen peroxidein a nebuliser bottle . Thoroughly spray every part of the remain theme organisation and allow them to dry out for a few hours to permit the mixture work .

Repotting the Snake Plant

Ideally , put the Snake River plant in a fresh pot , ensuring it has right drainage holes . It is possible to disinfect the old potty and bestow fresh soil , but there is always the risk of not getting disembarrass of all the contaminants , and this can make the root rot to set in again .

Repot the snake in the grass plant life using dry , freshsucculent or cacti grease , which is very light and on the sandy side and allows forexcellent drainage . Press the potting mix hard into the pot without making it a self-colored mass . Remember , ascendant hogwash thrives in land where water does n’t drain well , and compressing the grunge too much will cause it to retain too much water .

Leave ½ inch of room between the lip of the pot and soil level , and make certain the soil is level and not domed around the flora , so the source spread out and get the same amount of moisture . The ½ inch of space will allow you to thinly water the Snake River plant without hunt down it over .

Gardener watering tomatoes in the vegetable patch

Finally , monitor the plant and give it time to bounce back . If it ’s too severely impact , take goodly cuttings and allow them to root to start over with a healthy , white slating .

Eliminate Root Rot and Save Your Snake Plant

When you acknowledge signs of origin rot on your serpent plant , play promptly ! The nimble you withdraw it from the undesirable surroundings , the better your chances are of saving it . Do you eff someone who is struggling with root rot on their houseplant ? partake in this with them so they can help their snake plants flourish !

Hosta edging along the garden border

snake plant roots

Overhead shot of a small potted snake plant

Wilting Snake Plant in Dark Soil

Hand lifting a snake plant leaf

Repotting a small snake plant