Snake plant brown spots
The snake plant or Sansevieria species also known as Mother-in-Law’s Tounge are nowadays the most famous or commonly known plant in every household. This plant is known for its ability to purify indoor air pollutants. A key feature of this plant is it has upright fleshy leaves that are mottled green in the center and have broad yellow band stripes in the margin of the leaves.
Snake plants are long-lived, inexpensive, and easy to care plants. they ate well suited to survive at room temperature. Besides their hardy character still small care is needed. One of the most common problems related to snake plants is the brown spots on the leaves. Let us see some of the reasons for snake plant brown spots’ causes and remedies.
Understanding the causes of brown spots in snake plants
1. Overly intense light
Signs
Brown spots sometimes with crispy patches in the leaf with a large blotch in the middle may occur due to direct intense sunlight. Due to this, the plants develop sunburn or brown spots due to heat-killed cells.
How to treat
Treatment is simple either you can cut the leaf with the brown spots or you can just ignore it. As these spots are not harmful and will not spread if you give the plant proper light. Remember that although the leaf got brown spots due to high light intensity still they are photosynthetically active and function normally. If these brown spots bother you so much then you can just cut the leaf out.
Prevention
Simply do not keep the snake plant under direct sun or near the window glass, especially during warmer months. Filter the sun with semi-sheer curtains or can exchange the place of the snake plant with other more sun-loving plants.
2. Fungal infection
Signs
If the brown spots are light brown on the border with dark brown in the center then it may be a fungal infection. This type of fungal infection is mostly air born (1). Air-born fungal infection causes spots in the leaf to enlarge and sometimes develops a yellow halo ultimately causing the death of the leaf.
How to treat
Sanitize the plant, that is you need that is needed to remove the infected leaf as soon as possible. As the infected tissue is the source of spores of the fungi which may spread further in the whole plant. Keep an eye on the plant if further fungal infection spread then keep on cutting or removing the leaf from the snake plant.
Prevention
Fungal infections are very common in plants. Prevent too much watering of the plant. Use mulch or topdressing as it helps in the prevention of water splash. As we all know water or humidity is the main cause of fungal infection. hence you need to keep the foliage dry by managing the water. Another important prevention is to keep the plant near a window or in a place where a continuous flow of air is there. As air helps in the prevention of humidity. keep under sunlight for some time at least one hour a day.
3. Overwater
Signs
Brown patches on the leaf sometimes occur due to overwater (Dr. House plant). watering the plant is one of the major factors which determines the general health and development of the plant. Overwatering may cause the rotting of the leaves by developing brown spots. Due to moist conditions and too much water, the leaves are unable to perform photosynthesis and thus cause the brown spots which show the decaying of the chlorophyll pigment-containing cells.
How to treat
The treatment of this condition is very simple. Prevent overwatering. Keep the plant in a proper place where there is sufficient air and light. If possible water only the topsoil drys up. Do not overwater the plant in the rainy or high-humid seasons.
Treatment
The overwatering causes brown spots if you want you can cut the snake plant leaf. But This is not an infection and hence can not spread further so if possible just leave the leaf if it does not bother you too much. Just keep a check on the watering to avoid further issues.
4. Underwatering
Signs
Another reason for developing brown spots in the snake plant is underwatering. Underwatering leads to a lack of humidity which affects the chlorophyll-containing cells thus they eventually start dying and causing brown spots in the snake plant leaves.
How to treat
The treatment is simple for brown spots due to underwatering. That is keep watering the plant properly in order to maintain the humidity content. This type of leaf spot is again not contagious or infectious therefore it completely depends upon you whether you want to cut the leaf or leave it.
Treatment
The treatment for this underwatering problem is very easy, avoid inconsistent watering of the paint. As we all know overwatering and underwatering both cause the leaf spots due to improper humidity. Thus keep a check on the watering routine of the snake plant. Water only when the topsoil dries up. Do not drench the snake plant with too much water.
Summary
Snake plants are the easiest to care plant. These are hardy plants and require very less care in the day to day life. Due to its easy handling and its air-purifying properties, this plant is becoming more and more popular worldwide. for taking care of this plant and to avoid leaf spots following precautions should be taken
1. Avoid inconsistent watering
Overwater and underwater are not good for any plants which come under the category of house plants. It is very important to check the water level of the plant before watering. Always before watering check the top soil by poking your finger in the pot. Only water when the topsoil dries up.
2. Avoid fungal infection
Do not keep the plant in moist or damp conditions. This plant is already a succulent plant in nature thus damp conditions may cause the fungal growth on the leaves.
3. Proper sunlight and air
Snake plants thrive well under proper air-light conditions. If you are keeping this plant indoors make sure to put it under the sun once or twice a week and keep it near the window or places where proper airflow is there.