ðŸŠī Plant Doctor
← All plants

Snake Plant (Sansevieria) — common problems

Find the symptom you're seeing for the likely cause and fix.

Root rot / mushy base

Likely cause: Overwatering; roots rot easily in wet compost.

Fix: Let compost dry fully between waterings; water barely in winter; use free-draining cactus mix with drainage holes.

Yellow or wilting leaves

Likely cause: Root rot from waterlogging; sometimes mealybugs or vine weevils.

Fix: Reduce watering; check roots; inspect leaf bases and treat pests.

Wrinkled / curling leaves

Likely cause: Underwatering; plant draws on stored leaf water.

Fix: Increase watering slightly, but keep the barely-water-in-winter approach.

Leaf flopping / leaning

Likely cause: Low light; sometimes root rot if whole plant leans.

Fix: Move to brighter light or stake; investigate roots if the whole plant leans.

Source: extension care guide. Symptoms often overlap — match the conditions (light, watering, humidity) to your situation.

Other houseplants

Pothos4 issuesMonstera (Swiss Cheese Plant)5 issuesFiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)4 issuesPeace Lily5 issuesSpider Plant4 issuesZZ Plant2 issues

General care guidance from university extension sources — not a substitute for diagnosing your specific plant and conditions. How this works.