Sansevieria, commonly called the “snake plant” or “mother-in-laws tongue” is a popular houseplant that is known for it’s low-maintenance nature and tolerance of neglect. This plant is a wonderful addition even to dark rooms and doesn’t mind a missed watering, making it great for busy plant owners.
While snake plants can survive a wide range of conditions, brown leaf tips are a commonly encountered problem that affect the appearance of the plant. Read more to find out causes for brown tips on snake plants and how to fix them.
Check out this Snake Plant Care Guide for more information about general Sansevieria care.
Brown tips on snake plant due to under watering
Although snake plants tolerate long periods of drought, they still need to be watered at some point to avoid drying out. Leaf tips are one of the first places you will see signs of dehydration.
If it has been a while since you last watered your snake plant, give it a good drink. Dump out the excess water that collects in the saucer so the plant does not stay wet for too long.
Water with room-temperature water. Cold water shocks the roots, leading to an unhappy plant.
Snake plants that are in bright rooms with low humidity require more frequent watering than those in low light rooms with high humidity. It is important to adjust the watering frequency based on each plant’s specific conditions.
How to bottom water a snake plant
If your snake plant’s soil is extremely dry, bottom soak the plant to increase moisture.
- Place the pot in a tub filled with room-temperature water. Allow the pot to soak up water from the drainage hole for 45 to 60 minutes.
- Poke a finger in the soil to see if the water has reached the top layer. If it still feels dry, water the soil from the top.
- Once the soil is saturated, drain the tub and allow the pot to drain the water thoroughly.
- Once the excess water has been drained, place the pot back in it’s original location.
How to water snake plants
It is important to keep a balance between under and over watering because dry soil causes brown leaf tips, while soaking wet soil causes root rot.
Before watering, poke a finger in the soil to check the moisture of the top layer. If it is dry, water the plant. If it is still moist, wait a few more days before checking again. Usually, I water about once every two weeks in the summer and once a month in the winter, but this could vary depending on your plant’s conditions.
When it is time to water, pour enough to moisten the soil without soaking it.
Plant the Sansevieria in a well-draining soil with several handfuls of perlite mixed in to increase drainage. A terracotta pot with a drainage hole also helps to remove extra water and allows the roots to breathe.
Brown tips on snake plant due to water quality
Even if your watering schedule is appropriate, the quality of the water used could be causing brown leaf tips. Tap water that is high in salts and minerals (like chlorine or fluoride) builds up in the soil, damaging the leaves. To avoid this problem, use a water filtration system. You can also water with collected rain water, or leave tap water out in a bowl overnight so the chlorine has time to evaporate before watering.
See also: 12 Best Plants for Low Light Bathrooms
Brown tips on snake plant due to excess fertilizer
In their native habitat, snake plants are used to growing in nutrient deficient soils. As a result, they do not require frequent fertilizer. In fact, fertilizing too often damages the roots and leaves, causing brown tips.
If you would like to fertilize your snake plant to increase growth, fertilize once a month with a dilute, water soluble fertilizer during it’s growing season (from spring to the end of summer). There is no need to fertilize more often than this.
If you fertilized frequently and notice salt buildup, flush out the soil with water to remove the excess salts. If there is severe buildup, repot the plant in fresh new soil. Avoid fertilizing the snake plant for several months afterwards.
Related article: Monstera Care Guide
Brown tips on snake plant due to low humidity
Very low humidity also causes brown leaf tips. Some indoor spaces are excessively dry- avoid placing the snake plant next to any vents or heaters.
While snake plants do not need very high humidity, try to aim for a humidity level around 40%.
Brown tips on snake plant due to temperature extremes
Snake plants prefer temperatures from 55 to 85 °F (13 to 29 °C). This is unlikely to be a problem if your snake plant is kept indoors year-round.
Cold temperatures below 50 °F (10 °C) stress the plant, leading to brown tips. If your snake plant is kept outside, bring it indoors when temperatures drop to avoid damage.
In addition, temperatures above 85 °F (29 °C) also damage snake plants. Avoid keeping the plant outdoors during periods of heat.
Brown tips on snake plant due to bright sunlight
Snake plants thrive in medium to bright indirect light. Extended exposure to direct sunlight causes leaf burn, especially if the plant is not used to such bright light. This is especially likely if your snake plant is right next to a south facing window.
Make sure the snake plant is not directly touching the window- the hot glass may burn the leaves. If your snake plant is receiving direct light, move it farther away from it’s light source or draw a sheer curtain so that it receives indirect light.
Avoid placing snake plants near south facing windows because they provide very bright light that is too harsh for this houseplant. East or west facing windows are better.
Brown tips on snake plant due to pests
Brown leaf tips may be from insects such as spider mites or mealy bugs sucking on the sap of the plant. These insects damage the leaf structure, leading to distorted growth and discolored leaves.
Additional signs of pests:
- Cotton-white webbing
- Black spots or mold like substance
- Yellow or brown spots
Inspect the snake plant for any signs of insects. If there are pests, quarantine your plant and check any neighboring plants as well because they spread quickly.
Wash the plant in the sink under a strong stream of water with an insecticidal soap. Spray the plant with rubbing alcohol or diluted neem oil. Dab any remaining bugs with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol.
Many pests have a long life cycle, so continue to spray once every three to four days until all signs of the infestation are gone. The whole process may take several weeks.
To avoid infestation problems, check your houseplants regularly, especially when bringing home new plants from the nursery, or bringing in plants from outdoors.
Can I cut the brown tips off my snake plant?
Once the leaf tip has turned brown, it does not return to it’s green color. If the damage is minimal, snip it off. Note: the tip does not grow back, so cut it in a way that appears natural to avoid oddly shaped leaves.
If the damage is severe, cut off the whole leaf at the base of the soil and a new leaf will grow in it’s place.
Snake plant care summary
The following conditions help prevent brown tips on snake plants:
| Sunlight | Moderate to bright indirect light (but tolerates low light) |
| Water | About once a week in the summer, once a month in the winter Allow the top 1 to 2 inches of soil to completely dry before watering again |
| Soil | Well-draining, porous soil |
| Temperature | 55 to 85 °F (13 to 29 °C) Do not keep at temperatures lower than 50 °F (10 °C) |
| Humidity | Medium humidity |
In summary for brown tips on snake plant…
While snake plants are known for their low-maintenance nature, brown tips are a common problem people face. Brown tips on snake plants may be due to any of the following:
- Under watering: While snake plants tolerate periods of drought, they do need some water. If it has been a while since you last watered your snake plant, give it a good drink (you may need to bottom water if the soil is extremely dry). Water the snake plant when the top layer of soil is dry to touch. The best time depends on your plant’s specific conditions.
- Water quality: Tap water that is high in salts and chemicals may hurt the snake plant, leading to brown tips. In this case, water with filtered water, collected rainwater, or water that has sat out overnight.
- Excess fertilizer: Snake plants are not picky about fertilization. At most, fertilize once a month from spring to summer. If there is severe salt buildup, flush the pot with water.
- Low humidity: While snake plants are not picky about humidity, very arid areas dry out the leaf tips. Avoid keeping the snake plant next to vents or heaters since their surrounding air is especially dry.
- Temperature extremes: Very hot or very cold temperatures cause brown tips. Keep the snake plant in temperatures from 55 to 85 °F (13 to 29 °C). Bring the snake plant indoors during very hot or very cold periods.
- Bright sunlight: Very bright light burns the leaves. Provide the snake plant with bright, indirect light. Avoid extended periods of direct light, and make sure the leaf tip is not directly touching the window.
- Infestation by pests: Inspect the plant closely for insects and quarantine it if they are present. Follow the steps described to remove them.
To fix brown tips, identify and fix the underlying problems. Provide your snake plant with it’s ideal conditions to ensure the new growth is healthy. While you can not turn the brown tips back green, you can snip them off if the damage is minimal. If the majority of the leaf is affected, cut the leaf at the base of the soil.
Provide your snake plant with indirect light, room temperature, medium humidity, and water when the soil is dry for it to thrive.
See other plant specific care guides here
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