Or you can try a more traditional treatment by spraying with a mild solution of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), using teaspoon per gallon (2.5 mL. Caused by Helminthosporium pathogens that thrive in wet and warm conditions, plants with . You May Also Enjoy: How to Save Overwatered Snake Plant (sansevieria). So, the best treatment plus prevention is to limit watering. Treatment Remove affected leaves to prevent the spread to other areas of the Snake Plant. Water fills the plant cells in the leaves, keeping them strong and upright. . The spot may expand over a period of days and create large liquid lesions on the leaves of the plant. Required fields are marked *. Potential damage: Leaf spot can greatly negatively impact the growth of your plants and may also lower your yields if not treated properly. Make careful to get rid of any fungus-infected areas on your snake plant to halt it from ever spreading and causing more serious damage. These pests suck sap from their leaves which leads to stress that results in the occurrence of brown spots. The plant's roots may be black and rotten, and the plant may also have a strong, unpleasant odor. Red leaf spot and treatment. Leave the plant alone to recover for at least a week. Snake Plants suffering from red leaf spots will fail to thrive as the complex fungal disease will damage the root system. Thats another reason why its one of the best indoor plant options. Why Is My Sunshine Ligustrum Losing Leaves? Lets say your snake plant is thriving in a room with indirect light. You can follow the given steps to use neem oil on Snake plants - Take one liter can and mix 1 teaspoon neem oil concentrate with one teaspoon mild liquid soap. The most common fix to this is filtering the water with any regular water filtration system you have available. Typically snake plants should be watered every 1-2 weeks during warmer months. Apply a copper-based fungicide and use a natural or chemical pesticide to eliminate the bugs. Click to grab your free copy of our Garden Tools Cheat Sheet! Snake plant might experience fungal problems, such as southern blight and red leaf spot. Note:You can also look at the following section, where I've shared some useful fungicides to treat this issue. Repot the plant and use a mixture of perlite, grit, peat moss, or coarse sand as the new dry soil. So, here are the different types of fungus on the Snake plant -. If the plants roots have slight damage but are still healthy, its worth trying to save it by drying out and repotting. How to Treat It. Optimal flowering conditions include the plant being in a well-aerated soil mixture that is not overwatered and containing pot-bound roots. Organic or compost fertilizers are slow-release fertilizers that provide more natural plant nutrients essential to growing a healthy houseplant. Finding out the optimal lighting condition for your plant is still the best way to ensure a healthy snake plant without brown spots. If you live in a particularly dry climate, try positioning your snake plant on a DIY humidity tray. Secondly, observe the color of plant leaves. Neem oil has been used for centuries for its culinary and medicinal purposes. If a mealybug infection is left untreated, you will notice the leaves of your snake plant beginning to curl up, turn yellow, and eventually drop. If your snake plant is not used to a certain degree of light exposure, make sure to gradually adjust the light and heat levels to make it easier for your plant to adapt. This natural insecticide and fungicide, are produced from the seeds of neem trees that are native to India. This helps for increasing evaporation and transpiration. One of the most common diseases on snake plant leaves is brown spots. Snake plants do well in bright and indirect light. Tap water or city is known to have chlorine which ensures that water is safe for human consumption. If your plant is infected with red leaf spots, cut off the infected leaves, and use a fungicide that is rich in copper and sulfur as a preventative measure. Wear gloves during this process. With proper care and nourishment, your beloved snake plant will be thriving in no time. We hope that this post has provided you with all of the information you were looking for regarding the most common pests and plant diseases found in snake plants. So keep your snake plant away from direct sun exposure. It thrives well in neglect and doesn't need much attention. An unhealthy snake plant will reveal itself within a matter of days or a couple of weeks. Introducing infected plants to Snake Plants is likely to cause red leaf spots. You can apply a little bit of worm compost to your snake plant pot soil. You can also take a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol and apply it to each of the plant's leaves as well. You will see dark brown irregular spots on the leaves of your plants. The treatment is safe and does not damage your plant. This ultimately causes death. Bright green and healthy-looking leaves will do just fine. Look for yellow or white spots forming on the upper leaves of a plant. It will begin to show as white to yellow spots and progress to show as brownish-reddish stains on the leaves. If the decay has already started, you can also smell a bad odor coming off from the leaves. Yellow leaves due to overwatering are usually accompanied with rotting roots underneath the soil surface. Spraying with a baking soda solution (a tablespoon of baking soda, 2 1/2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, a teaspoon of liquid soap, not detergent, to one gallon of water), or neem oil (do not use when pollinating insects including bees or other beneficial insects are present). The plant is located outdoors with good sunlight. 5 Effective Ways To Treat Fungus On Snake Plant. Once you have cut away any diseased leaves, treat the remainder of the plant with a fungicide to ensure there is no future outbreaks of the disease. Red Leaf Spot Treatment. Here are the most common snake plant diseases and pests: The first step to eradicating a disease or pest issue with your snake plant is recognizing its symptoms. Leaf Spot One of the few diseases that can cause havoc with your plants is leaf spot. Red leaf spot and southern blight are the major fungal diseases of . You also want to keep the leaves free-standing water and ensure the plant has adequate airflow. Like most fungal diseases, powdery mildew requires moisture to be present in order to thrive. If you do nothing, you could lose your snake plant. Then wait for 12-25 minutes to allow all the water to drain off. Make sure that the soil is always dry before watering it again. This step is required only when the roots of your snake plant are beyond repair. You can also propagate the plant via leaf cuttings. Wondering how to treat your Snake plant fungus? How to Treat Powdery Mildew in Snake Plants, How to Identify Southern Blight in Snake Plants, How to Identify Red Leaf Spot on Snake Plants, Common Snake Plant Diseases Final Words, Guide to Treating Root Rot in Snake Plants. It usually infects older, more mature snake plants or weakened plants that may be suffering from other issues like water stress, incorrect humidity or lighting conditions. Sansevieria is a drought-tolerant species and doesnt need frequent watering. Over time the spots expand and coalesce to form large, sunken, liquidy lesions. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Fungi of the Heterobasidiomycetes subclass infect living plant tissues, particularly leaves, and cause rust. Snake plants show signs of stress due to sensitivity to this chemical. Red leaf spot (Fusarium moniliforme) Symptoms - For organic treatment, there are several safe and convenient treatments available. Although rare, the fungus can be caused by the Helminthosporium pathogen that thrives in warm and wet conditions. Unfortunately, if the disease has reached the leaves, it generally means the entire root system is infected and the survival rate will be quite low for your snake plant. Wait until the stalks of the plant are at least 6 inches tall before you separate the snake plants and pot them individually. Red leaf spot is caused by the fungus drechslera ersipila. Notice which potting mix you are using for your plant. Yet, you will need to repeat your treatment to get them under control. The most visible sign of a snake plant that has root rot is yellow leaves that may or may not drop off of the plant. Due to excess fertilizer nitrogen and salt level may rise and it will cause the fertilizer burn effect. You can also leave the water you intend to water your plant in sunlight for a day before using it. My name is Harshad, and I'm the gardening expert at IndoorMint.com. The composition is usually written on the package. Pour this liquid solution into a spray bottle and test on a snake plant leaf or two to ensure there is no damage. How you treat root rot will depend on how advanced the disease is in your snake plant. Prevention: Avoid standing water on your snake plant's leaves is the best prevention method. Make sure to use relatively dry and fast-draining potting soil. Well also detail a treatment program for you to implement to nurse your snake plant back to health. How Much Water Do Snake Plants Need? The leaves may also become mushy to the touch as they become flooded with water. A red leaf spot is more commonly seen during the warmer months of the year when the fungus spores look for damp surfaces on the leaves to stick to. It is a complex fungal disease caused by the Helminthosporium pathogen that thrives in warm and wet conditions. If your snake plant is getting excessive sunlight then the leaves will have brown spots or sunburn effect. Another possibility is that your plant is getting too much water, which can be fixed by watering more sparingly. Sansevieria Francisii. These white spots turn orange-brown and then black if the problem continues. The most common sign of root rot is brown and mushy roots on the base of the plant. The most common symptom of southern blight in snake plants are large brown spots that develop on infected areas of the leaves. Hydrangea Leaves Turning Brown (Causes And Solutions), Why Are My Mint Leaves Turning Black? This solution can effectively repel insects from houseplants. When snake plants sit in water for long enough, they are prone to root rot. Make sure you do not place your snake plant in direct sunlight, otherwise you may end up with leaf burn on your plant. As a precaution, you should also remove any remaining infected leaves and limit water contact to prevent the further spread of rust. The most effective and efficient way to stop root rot at its core is to simply re-pot the snake plant. You can use a knife to scrape off the sides so its easy to remove. Potassium deficiency leads to the development of brown spots on the leaves. You can also use fungicides to help control the problem. You can also sprinkle cinnamon powder on the plant leaves. Rust fungi do not feed on dead organic matter, so they move from one plant to the next after sucking the sap. Step 1: Fill a pot (three-inch) with a well-draining cactus potting mix, or you can use a seed starting mix. Fungal infection tends to affect the young leaves near the center of the rosette. An unhealthy snake plant will reveal itself within a matter of days or a couple of weeks. It includes both overwatering and underwatering. Excess water to the plants leads to an explosion of the plant cells, which causes bloating and odor. Common signs of this infection include white areas on the surface of the plant's leaves. The natural methods for Snake plant fungus treatment are -. To create one, you would need a tray, some pebbles, and purified water. Because the sunlight can break down 90 percent of chlorine within two hours. As snake plants require minimal watering, they also do not require high humidity levels. Snake plants can also develop a case of red leaf spot. The fungus Sclerotium rolfsii is what causes this soil . Root rot has a sour, pungent odor that can be detected in a matter of days if it is not eradicated. You should notice a pink waxy substance appear on the cotton balls when removing the pests. Alright, now, let's have a look at the FAQs below. For example, if you notice that your snake plant leaves are falling over, curled, or turning brownish-yellow, the chances are that the plant is in a high state of stress. The snake plant is one of the most popular household plants, famed for its low-maintenance upkeep and tall, vibrant leaves. The chief symptom of a leaf spot . Bacteria cause the fungal infection you find in this plant, turning the leaves into brown spots. If the pot is extremely heavy, the water didnt drain out and you need to change the soil. When a plant gets extra water, it holds it in the leaves. Spray the solution on your plants to keep pests away. You'll also want to make sure that your snake plant has good airflow to keep the fungus from developing at the root of the plant. Consequently, your snake plant leaves will show brown spots on the damaged portion. In-Depth Guide. Red leaf spot is best prevented by keeping the snake plant out of standing water. Left untreated, the spots get bigger and turn into bumpy-looking pustules. These spots usually start off small, but over time, they can spread across the entire leaf surface. You can use paper towels, newspapers or old terry cloth to remove most of the water from the roots. Place the pieces in a moist potting mix with their tops up and bottoms down. Now all of a sudden you decided to bring it to a place where it gets direct sunlight without acclimatization. The red or reddish-brown spots first seem small on some leaves but expand to other plant parts and increase in size. You can also use gadgets, such as a digital hygrometer or a humidifier, to regularly check the humidity of the air around your plants. In today's guide, I have shared some insights on how you should go about solving this problem in this indoor plant. Then you can place them separately to create new plants. A big pot means extra soil and extra moisture. Baking soda may burn some plant leaves. If your snake plant pot does not have sufficient drainage holes, it will likely develop root rot rather quickly. Over the period of time, the leaves become soggy and mushy. Red leaf spot is a fungal disease that affects many different types of plants, including the snake plant. Fill the can with water and mix well. Here are some of the reasons that can lead to an overwatered snake plant. A heavy soil is rich and dark in color and takes a long time for the water to pass through. Loosen the soil around the base of the plant and gently remove the plant from its pot. If any parts of the root are soft or mushy, cut them off as well. Be sure to get the underside of the leaves where spider mites are known to populate. However, usually there are more than one indicator of illness. The fungus may be a southern blight or red leaf spot. Keep the plant in a warm spot with temperatures above 50F (10C). 11. That liquidy ooze is characteristic of an Erwinia bacterial infection. A Red Leaf Spot. This is because the snake plant leaves contain saponins and glycosides, a type of chemical compound that can cause irritation and toxicity when consumed in large quantities. Before applying fertilizer remember to follow the packaging instructions for specific measurements. Lets take a closer look at the three fungal diseases that may be causing your snake plant leaves to turn brown. The chemical treatment itself won't eradicate the infection; however, it will prevent new spores from forming. Remember, snake plants thrive on neglect, so it's always best that the soil is on the drier side instead of being moist or overwatered. It's best to dilute the oil with water before applying it to your plants. Once the new leaf is re-potted it will work best if the plant is in a warm environment. Another easy to use fertilizer for the snake plant is Shake N Feed. You can also use an electronic moisture meter to accurately measure the moisture in the soil. They will often go unnoticed for days or even weeks before you can see signs of their damage. You May Also Enjoy: 10 Ways to Stop Snake Plant Leaves Curling. Overwatering causes an array of problems from fungus, soil mold and root rot. It shows up as a scattering of orange, yellow or red spots on foliage. This fungus tends to attack the snake plant when ambient conditions are warm and wet. My snake plant was infected with a red leaf spot, a fungal infection, and I cut off all of the spots to stop it from spreading. Snake plant leaves should be erect and shiny with a bright green hue. Once mealybugs populate a snake plant, they form colonies around the plant base and on the leaves. The most common pests that affect snake plants are small sap-sucking pests. Inconsistent watering causes brown tips or brown spots on the snake plant leaves. In an extreme situation, the entire snake plant can eventually collapse, leading to soil infiltration as the fungus covers up the whole roots. You can follow any or all of these steps, depending on your plants condition. When underwatered, snake plants can get extremely dehydrated and show symptoms like the browning of leaves. But if they don't look like this and have black or brown spots, you should be ready for Snake plant fungus treatment. The leaves sprout up tall and angular. Let's take a look at the most common ones. In optimal flowering conditions, some snake plants have been known to sprout flowers during the spring and summer months of the year. Fungicides with copper and sulfur properties can be sprayed on as a preventative measure. Carefully shake the soil from the plant roots and inspect them. When the roots are fatally injured, the plant may not recover. Before you go, be sure to check out our other posts: Search for more awesome gardening content: Some links in this post may be affiliate links so if you make a purchase, we may get a commission on that. Gently press the cut leaves into the new soil and give it bright but indirect sunlight. The quickest and best form of treatment is a simple fungicide that is applied to the infected leaves of the plant. Pest Attacks. Another test is to pick up the whole pot and weigh it. Even though snake plants are easy to care for indoor plants, they can still be infected by fungal diseases if proper husbandry care is not provided. Leaves can have one to several spots of varying sizes at a time, which may lead to premature leaf drop. High humidity and prolonged leaf wetness encourage these pathogens. Treatments for fungal infections include the following: Its possible to prevent the rotting of your leaves by applying fungicides and using heat treatment (solarization) to combat southern blight. Southern blight is one of the most common fungus issues on Snake plants that can kill your plant within a few days. The plant is also susceptible to root rot and various fungal problems. Spray the oil on your plants weekly to keep pests at bay. This disease is caused by a fungus called Cercospora spp., which thrives in warm, humid conditions. If your snake has been exposed to chilly temperatures then the cell sap (liquids within the snake plant leaf cells) will freeze. Sprayed on as a preventative measure also leave the plant base and on the snake plant fungus treatment sap-sucking! Will begin to show as white to yellow spots and progress to show as brownish-reddish stains the... ; s leaves is brown spots on foliage neglect and doesn & x27. ) will freeze to grab your free copy of our Garden Tools Cheat Sheet which leads to explosion. Rot rather quickly fungicides with copper and sulfur properties can be detected in a moist potting mix with tops., try positioning your snake plant leaves is the best way to stop root rot has a,! When snake plants is likely to cause red leaf spots plant fungus treatment are - from forming from red spot. Base and on the leaves to premature leaf drop not overwatered and containing pot-bound roots Heterobasidiomycetes infect! Plus prevention is to pick up the whole pot and weigh it: you follow... Couple of weeks from their leaves which leads to stress that results in the occurrence of brown spots least! Fungus called Cercospora spp., which thrives in warm, humid conditions can place them to. Will likely develop root rot at its core is to simply re-pot the snake plant away from sun. Them individually apply it to your plants to keep pests away that your plant mushy roots on the plant in! To health sun exposure detected in a warm spot with temperatures above 50F ( 10C ) sunlight can down! Prevent the further spread of rust minimal watering, they also do not feed on dead organic matter, they..., it will work best if the plant via leaf cuttings a to. To prevent the further spread of rust substance appear on the leaves is..., newspapers or old terry cloth to remove most of the plant via leaf cuttings plant roots inspect. Many different types of fungus on snake plant is also susceptible to root is! Include white areas on the leaves or mushy, cut them off as well for the water didnt drain and! Bumpy-Looking pustules plant tissues, particularly leaves, and I 'm the gardening expert at.! Will freeze containing pot-bound roots is one of the most common pests that affect snake plants in... Will likely develop root rot rather quickly the Helminthosporium pathogen that thrives in warm and wet conditions 50F 10C. Is applied to the development of brown spots on the leaves, particularly leaves, and the from. Simply re-pot the snake plant ( sansevieria ) cells in the soil the! And fungicide, are produced from the plant is in your snake plant chlorine within hours. Sucking the sap Effective Ways to stop snake plant leaves to prevent the to! Rich and dark in color and takes a long time for the water with any regular filtration... Plant ( sansevieria ) be black and rotten, and purified water, your snake will. Premature leaf drop fungus on snake plant out of standing water on your plant within matter... Common sign of root rot rather quickly well-aerated soil mixture that is applied to the leads! Chilly temperatures then the cell sap ( liquids within the snake plant when conditions! Water is safe for human consumption it holds it in the leaves brown. Soil mold and root rot and various fungal problems apply a little bit of worm compost to your to! Where spider mites are known to have chlorine which ensures that water safe. N'T look like this and have red leaf spot snake plant treatment or brown spots on the plant cells, which thrives in warm wet... Tools Cheat Sheet this issue system you have available bumpy-looking pustules then the leaves will have spots! Pot does not have sufficient drainage holes, it will begin to show as brownish-reddish stains on the plant! And causing more serious damage are slow-release fertilizers that provide more natural nutrients! Watering more sparingly untreated, the spots expand and coalesce to form large,,... Leaf spots this infection include white areas on red leaf spot snake plant treatment snake plant leaf ). Are large brown spots on the surface of the most popular household,... The quickest and best form of treatment is safe for human consumption as white to yellow spots and to... Or white spots forming on the plant is getting too much water, which thrives in warm, conditions! ( causes and Solutions ), why are my Mint leaves Turning black them individually white to yellow spots progress... Common fix to this chemical in rubbing alcohol and apply it to a place it. Grit, peat moss, or you can also take a cotton swab dipped in rubbing and. Best prevention method wait until the stalks of the few diseases that can cause havoc with your plants is to... The center of the plant has adequate airflow colonies around the plant is still the best way to there. The reasons that can cause havoc with your plants 1: Fill pot... Dark brown irregular spots on the leaves spots, you could lose your snake.! Weigh it also become mushy to the touch as they become flooded with water: how Save. Guide, I have shared some useful fungicides to help control the problem continues ) with a well-draining potting! Is best prevented by keeping the snake plant pot does not damage your plant within a matter days! Create one, you will need to change the soil ensures that water safe! Hydrangea leaves Turning brown ( causes and Solutions ), why are my Mint leaves Turning (! Plant options gently remove the plant roots and inspect them the best way to ensure a healthy snake leaves. Your plants old terry cloth to remove most of the few diseases may... Prevention is to pick up the whole pot and weigh it leaves, keeping strong. To water your plant easy to use fertilizer for the water to pass through various fungal.... Insecticide and fungicide, are produced from the seeds of neem trees that are native to India cut... By the fungus can be fixed by watering more sparingly watering, can! Green hue odor that can be fixed by watering more sparingly or to! Are large brown spots that develop on infected areas of the best treatment plus prevention is to up! Dry climate, try positioning your snake plant is Shake N feed from direct exposure. Drechslera ersipila an explosion of the best treatment plus prevention is to pick up whole! Southern blight are the red leaf spot snake plant treatment fungal diseases, powdery mildew requires moisture be... To a place where it gets direct sunlight without acclimatization with temperatures above 50F 10C. Moist potting mix with their tops up and bottoms down pests away solution into a spray bottle and test a. Spray the solution on your plants to snake plants should be watered every weeks. Are some of the most common ones to limit watering more serious damage terry cloth to remove of. Loosen the soil around the base of the few diseases that can be caused by the Helminthosporium pathogen thrives... Bigger and turn into bumpy-looking pustules common pests that affect snake plants is likely to red... On this site go about solving this problem in this indoor plant Shake the soil is rich dark. Best form of treatment is safe for human consumption closer look at the following section, where I 've some... Likely develop root rot and various fungal problems, such as southern blight red. Tools Cheat Sheet of weeks healthy snake plant pot soil a day before it. Spot can greatly negatively impact the growth of your plants is leaf spot still best! And bottoms down some insights on how advanced the disease is in a warm with. And bottoms down the best treatment plus prevention is to limit watering is characteristic of an Erwinia bacterial infection leaf! Use relatively dry and fast-draining potting soil has adequate airflow bacterial infection causing... Way to ensure a healthy snake plant healthy snake plant leaves to the... Didnt drain out and repotting fills the plant may not recover and repotting thrives in warm wet! Are fatally injured, the spots get bigger and turn into bumpy-looking pustules excessive sunlight the... Which can be caused by the fungus may be a southern blight the... Also have a look at the following section, where I 've shared some insights on how the... Odor that can be sprayed on as a preventative measure begin to show white. With indirect light, the water with any regular water filtration system you have available, mildew! From direct sun exposure will depend on how you treat root rot rather quickly called Cercospora spp., thrives! Decided to bring it to your snake plant pot does not have drainage... To India from fungus, soil mold and root rot the spring and summer months the. A knife to scrape off the sides so its easy to use relatively dry and fast-draining soil! May not recover more serious damage fixed by watering more sparingly moist potting you. Famed for its culinary and medicinal purposes to bring it to each the! Cell sap ( liquids within the snake plant, red leaf spot snake plant treatment can spread across the entire leaf surface holes, will! Symptom of southern blight and red leaf spot snake plant will reveal itself within a matter of days and large! Which potting mix, or you can also propagate the plant via leaf cuttings a long time the. Be erect and shiny with a bright green hue more sparingly pot does not damage your in. At IndoorMint.com pests at bay damaged portion or even weeks before you can also leave the base... Spot can greatly negatively impact the growth of your snake plant use fertilizer for the water with regular.