5 Reasons Your Snake Plant's Leaves Are Drooping, According to Horticulturists

Snake plants (Dracaena trifasciata) are resilient plants known for their sturdy leaves and ability to thrive in low light. While these tropical houseplants can handle a lot before they start to show signs of damage, one main indicator your snake plant is struggling is if the leaves are drooping. Over time, stressful conditions can weaken the foliage and cause it to bend. Ahead, gardening experts explain several common reasons your snake plant's leaves may be falling over—and how to fix each.

Reasons Your Snake Plant's Leaves Are Drooping

Stressful conditions, such as overwatering and inadequate sunlight, can cause snake plants' leaves to lose their vertical stance.

Too Much Water

Giving your snake plant too much water can cause the leaves to fall over. "In severe cases, the leaf tissue will start to die and rot," says Justin Hancock, horticulturist for Costa Farms. "As this happens, the leaves lose stability and will wilt or droop and potentially even fall off."

The Fix: To avoid overwatering, let the soil dry out between waterings, which you can gauge by poking a finger in the soil and feeling for moisture.

Not Enough Light

While snake plants are known for tolerating low light levels, in really low light, the leaves may become long and stretchy as they reach for light. "The more they stretch, the weaker they’ll become and the more likely they will be to droop or flop," says Hancock.

The Fix: Snake plants grow best in bright light. To prevent your snake plant's leaves from falling over (or revive them if they already have), keep it in an area with enough sunlight and warm temperatures.

Root Problems

While this is less common than other causes, the leaves of a severely root-bound snake plant can droop. "When plants are root bound, the leaves cannot get the oxygen, water, or nutrients they need, and the leaves fall over," says Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist at Colorado State University. "There is not enough energy to sustain them."

The Fix: If the leaves are falling over because of root rot or the plant is root-bound, repotting it is the best solution. "Snake plants should be repotted every three or four years," says Langelo. "Make sure that the new pot is 1 to 2 inches larger in diameter than the old pot." When repotting a plant with root rot, be sure to remove most of the soil around the roots.

Pests

Pests that remove sap from the plant's leaves will cause the leaves to fall over with time. "The sap contains the plant's nutrients and water," says Langelo. "Scale, mealybugs, aphids, mites, and whiteflies are a snake plant’s main insect issues. All these insects have piercing mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant leaves."

The Fix: If your snake plant is infested with sap-sucking insects, treating it with a horticultural oil can protect future growth and prevent existing growth from getting worse, says Hancock. Apply the horticultural regularly, as indicated on the packaging.

Temperature Fluctuations

Exposure to cold temperatures can damage the cells in the leaves, potentially causing the leaves to droop. "Temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit will make the leaves fall over and eventually kill the snake plant," says Langelo. "Placing the snake plant away from doors or cold drafts in the winter will keep your snake plant healthy."

The Fix: Protect your snake plant from frosty or freezing temperatures to keep the leaves from drooping. "Placing the snake plant away from doors or cold drafts in the winter will keep your snake plant healthy," says Langelo.

"If you’re growing it outside on your deck, patio, or porch, for example, bring it in on cold nights," says Hancock. "If you’re buying from a store and it’s significantly cold outside, securely wrap it in plastic to protect it from cold damage between the store and your car."