Snake plants, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue or Sansevieria, are popular houseplants known for their upright, sword-shaped leaves and easy care requirements. However, you may notice your snake plant’s normally straight leaves starting to curl or roll up. Why does this happen and what can you do about it? Here are the 7 most common causes and solutions for curled snake plant leaves.
Overwatering
Overwatering is the most common reason for curled leaves on a snake plant. Snake plants prefer dry soil and can easily rot if overwatered.
When a snake plant gets too much water, the roots are unable to absorb it fast enough. This leads to a buildup of moisture in the soil that causes the leaves to curl. The excess moisture also makes the plant more prone to root rot.
Solutions for Overwatering:
- Allow the soil to completely dry out before watering again. Only water when the top few inches of soil are dry.
- Water less frequently. Snake plants only need to be watered every 2-3 weeks on average.
- Ensure the pot has drainage holes and that excess water can flow out. Pour out any water that collects in the saucer beneath the pot.
- Repot in fresh, well-draining soil if the current soil stays wet for too long. A cactus/succulent mix is ideal.
- Trim off any mushy, curled leaves that are damaged from overwatering.
Underwatering
While they don’t need much water, snake plants do require some moisture. If you underwater and the soil dries out completely, the leaves can start to curl and wrinkle.
Signs of underwatering include wrinkled, drooping, curled leaves and potting mix that feels dry and dusty when you stick your finger in it. The plant may appear wilted overall as well.
Solutions for Underwatering:
- Water the plant thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the pot. This will hydrate the plant and moisten the soil again.
- Move to a spot with more humidity to reduce moisture loss from the leaves.
- Water more frequently, such as every 1-2 weeks. Check the soil before watering and only water when the top few inches become dry.
- Repot in a soil mix with better water retention if the current mix dries out too rapidly.
- Trim any severely curled or wrinkled leaves to improve the plant’s appearance. The damage won’t reverse on those leaves.
Low Humidity
Snake plants prefer a minimum humidity level of around 40%. If the air becomes too dry, such as during winter when heaters run frequently, the leaves can lose moisture more rapidly. This causes the blades to curl and roll inward to conserve moisture.
Signs it’s too dry include dry, brown leaf tips in addition to curling. The soil may still be moist, so it’s not due to underwatering.
Solutions for Low Humidity:
- Place a humidifier nearby to increase moisture in the surrounding air.
- Mist the leaves daily or place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water to create a humid microclimate.
- Move away from heating/cooling vents that can dry out the air.
- Group plants together to raise the local humidity.
- Repot in a soil mix with better moisture retention.
- Trim off any excessively dried leaf tips if they become unsightly.
Too Much Sun
While snake plants can tolerate most lighting conditions, getting too much direct sun can cause the leaves to curl and wrinkle. The intense light scorches and dries out the leaves faster than the roots can supply moisture.
You’re most likely to see curling from sun exposure during summer or if you recently moved the plant to a brighter location. Bleached, yellowed patches may also be visible on the leaves.
Solutions for Too Much Sun:
- Move the plant to a spot with bright, indirect light to filter the sun’s rays. An east or west-facing window is often ideal.
- Add a sheer curtain between the plant and window to diffuse the light.
- Provide afternoon shade if the plant receives intense western sun.
- Mist the leaves more frequently to supplement moisture loss from sun exposure.
- Rotate the pot regularly so all sides get equal sun exposure and reduce risk of lopsided curling.
Cold Temperatures
If temperatures dip too low, below 50°F, the snake plant’s growth will slow. This makes the leaves more vulnerable to curling as they won’t be able to take up water and nutrients as efficiently.
You may notice curling during winter or if you keep the plant in an unheated garage or porch. The leaves may also appear wrinkled or droopy.
Solutions for Cold Temperatures:
- Move the plant to the warmest spot in your home, ideally above 60°F.
- Keep away from cold drafts from windows and doors.
- Place on a propagation mat or other gentle heat source to warm the pot.
- Insulate the pot with foam sleeves, burlap wrappings, etc. to retain heat in the soil.
- Mist leaves to provide supplemental moisture since uptake slows when cold.
- Avoid repotting until temperatures warm up again.
Drafts
Exposure to constant air circulation from fans, open doors/windows, or air vents can also cause snake plant leaves to curl. The moving air has a drying effect and causes excess moisture loss.
You’ll usually notice the curling is more pronounced on the side facing the draft. Leaves may turn yellowish as well.
Solutions for Drafts:
- Move the plant to a protected spot away from frequent air circulation.
- Point fans up instead of directly at the plant.
- Close doors and vents creating drafts across the leaves.
- Use a pebble tray or humidifier to add moisture back to the air.
- Rotate the pot every few days so all sides receive equal exposure.
- Shield the plant with other objects like books or decor items to block air flow.
- Mist leaves frequently to replace moisture lost from constant air movement.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Lack of certain nutrients can also cause unusual leaf curling in snake plants. Nutrient deficiencies usually arise from using poor quality soil, overwatering that leaches nutrients from the soil, or inadequate fertilization.
Common deficiencies that cause curling include:
- Nitrogen: Leaves turn pale and curl inward from the tips.
- Calcium: Young leaves are deformed or curled. Leaf tips may die back.
- Magnesium: Older leaves yellow and curl downward before falling off.
- Iron: Youngest leaves are pale and curled but veins remain green.
Solutions for Nutrient Deficiencies:
- Repot in fresh, rich potting mix to replenish nutrients.
- Fertilize every 2-3 months during spring and summer with a balanced houseplant fertilizer.
- If drainage is poor, repot in a planter with holes to prevent nutrient leaching.
- Identify specific deficiency based on symptoms and treat accordingly:
- Nitrogen: Apply high-nitrogen plant food monthly.
- Calcium: Add calcium supplement or crushed eggshells.
- Magnesium: Epsom salt fertilizer or magnesium supplement.
- Iron: Liquid chelated iron supplement.
- Trim off any severely curled leaves to promote new healthy growth.
How to Bring Curling Snake Plant Leaves Back to Normal
If you identify and resolve the underlying issue promptly, mildly curled snake plant leaves can usually recover and straighten out again. Here are some tips to help:
- Improve growing conditions by adjusting water, light, humidity, etc. based on the plant’s needs.
- Gently bend and straighten leaves while they’re still pliable to retrain them to proper form. Avoid forcing stiff, dried leaves.
- Mist leaves daily to provide supplemental moisture and hydration.
- Use a damp cloth to wipe dust off the leaves which can block photosynthesis.
- Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer to stimulate new growth.
- Remove any leaves that are too far gone to save so the plant directs energy to new leaves.
- Be patient! It can take weeks for leaves to uncurl as the plant recovers. New leaves will emerge straighter.
With attentive care and troubleshooting, your snake plant’s curling leaves should go back to their normal straight and upright position. Consistently meeting the plant’s care needs will prevent future curling episodes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Curling Snake Plant Leaves
What causes snake plant leaves to curl?
The most common causes of snake plant leaves curling are overwatering, underwatering, low humidity, too much sun exposure, cold temperatures, drafts, and nutrient deficiencies. Identifying the specific cause is key so you can adjust care properly.
How can I fix curled leaves on my snake plant?
Fix curled leaves by addressing the underlying cause, whether it’s improper watering, lighting issue, etc. Then improve care conditions moving forward. Gently bend curled leaves to reshape them. Trim any damaged leaves.
Do curled snake plant leaves straighten out again?
If caught early, mildly curled leaves can straighten out again once growing conditions are improved. Severely curled dry leaves won’t uncurl. New growth should emerge in better shape.
Should I remove curled leaves on a snake plant?
Remove any curled leaves that are shriveled, brown, or clearly dying back. Keep mildly curled leaves for now and attempt to revive them. Trim if they don’t recover to encourage new growth.
What does it mean if my snake plant leaves are curling inward?
Inward curling, where the leaf edges roll toward the center lengthwise, usually indicates dehydration from underwatering, low humidity, or excess sun. Insufficient access to water causes the plant to curl to conserve moisture.
Why are my snake plant leaf tips curling?
If just the tips of the leaves are curling, the likely causes are too much sun exposure, salt buildup from tap water, or fertilizer burn. The leaf tips get damaged the most easily from these stresses.
How do I prevent my snake plant leaves from curling again?
Prevent future curling by providing ideal care consistently: water only when dry, moderate sunlight, average room humidity and temperatures, leached soil, and occasional fertilizer. Address any environmental issues.
Conclusion
Snake plant leaves that are curling, rolling, or bending instead of standing straight are usually indicative of a problem. Fortunately, now that you know the range of potential causes, from overwatering and temperature stress to high sun and nutrient issues, you can diagnose the reason and take corrective action. With a few simple adjustments to care, lighting, or soil, your snake plant’s leaves should return to their upright, elegant form. Consistent maintenance of proper growing conditions will prevent nuisance curling in the future so you can enjoy the healthiest snake plant possible.