Do you want to repot your Snake plant but are worried about root rot?
Root rot is a common problem with Snake plants, but it can be easily fixed with certain measures.
If your plant is suffering from root rot, you can surely consider repotting it to a new pot.
In today's guide, I have talked more about this topic in detail.
So, let's dive in!
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4 Reasons Why You Should Repot Snake Plant With Root Rot
First, let's understand the reasons behind why you should repot your Snake plant with root rot.
1. Poor Drainage In The Planter
One of the main reasons for root rot in Snake plants is poor drainage.
If the planter does not have proper drainage holes, the water gets accumulated at the bottom, and the roots start to rot.
This is why it is essential to repot the plant in a new pot with proper drainage holes.
And if you don't want to repot the plant, you can simply make a few holes at the bottom of the existing pot.
It will help in improving the drainage and will eventually reduce the chances of root rot.
So, do try it out!
2. Overwatering The Plant
As you might know, Snake plants are quite drought-tolerant.
They can survive for weeks without water and can even tolerate some neglect.
However, overwatering is one of the leading causes of root rot in these plants.
If you water the plant more than necessary, the roots start to rot due to the excess moisture.
So, it is essential to water the plant only when the soil is dry to touch.
It would be best if you also let the water drain out completely after watering to avoid any standing water.
3. Type Of Pot
Yes, it might sound surprising, but the type of pot can also lead to root rot in Snake plants.
If you are using a plastic pot, there are high chances that the plant will suffer from root rot.
This is because plastic pots do not have proper drainage, and the water gets accumulated at the bottom.
You can use the traditional clay pots or the modern-day ceramic pots as they have proper drainage holes.
4. Lack Of Sunlight
Sunlight not only helps in the growth of the plant but also helps in preventing root rot.
If the plant is kept in the dark place, it is more likely to suffer from root rot.
This is because the lack of sunlight increases the humidity around the plant, which leads to the growth of fungi.
Also, the sunlight increases the temperature around the pot and absorbs excess moisture.
When you place your plant in a dark or shaded place, the soil stays wet for a long time.
And eventually, it invites more issues like root rot.
These are some of the possible causes of root rot in Snake plants.
If you find that your plant is suffering from any of these reasons, you should consider repotting it.
In the following section, I have talked about the process of repotting a Snake plant with root rot.
How To Repot Snake Plant With Root Rot
Although the repotting process is fairly easy, it might be a little daunting for beginners.
And it becomes even more critical when the plant is already suffering from an issue like root rot.
But don't worry; I am here to guide you through the process step-by-step.
Here's what you need to do -
1. Remove The Plant From The Pot
The first step is to remove the plant from the pot, as it will give you an idea about the extent of the damage.
For this, you need to turn the pot upside down and tap it gently so that the plant comes out easily.
Do not pull out the plant forcefully as it might damage the roots.
Once you have removed the plant, take a close look at the roots and see if it's possible to recover the plant from this state.
Note: If more than 80-90% of roots are damaged, it is better to propagate the plant instead of repotting.
You can even discard the plant completely and get a new one for yourself.
2. Cut Out The Damaged Roots
After removing the plant from the pot, it is time to get rid of the damaged roots.
For this, you need to cut out all the black or brown roots with a sharp knife or shears.
But sterilize the knife before cutting anything to avoid any further issues.
You can sterilize the knife by dipping it in alcohol or boiling water.
Once you have cut out all the damaged roots, rinse the plant thoroughly with water.
It will help in getting rid of any dirt or debris that might be present on the plant.
3. Choose The Right Pot And Soil Mix
Now that you have removed the damaged roots, it is time to choose the right pot and soil mix for repotting.
As I mentioned earlier, using a clay or ceramic pot is better because they have proper drainage holes.
It would be best if you also used a well-draining potting mix for repotting the plant.
You can even prepare the potting mix at home by mixing equal parts of perlite, coco coir, and potting soil.
4. Repot The Plant
After you have chosen the right pot and potting mix, it is time to repot the plant.
This is the final stage of this process, so you need to be careful in handling the plant.
So, here are the steps to follow -
- Start by adding some potting mix to the bottom of the pot and then place the plant carefully in it.
- Now, add more potting mix around the plant and pat it gently so that it settles in place.
- Do not pack the soil too tightly as it might restrict the growth of roots.
- Once you have potted the plant, water it thoroughly and place it in a bright, sunny spot.
And that's it!
You have successfully repotted your Snake plant with root rot.
Things To Remember After Repotting Your Snake Plant With Root Rot
Well, your job doesn't end after repotting the plant.
You need to take some extra care of it so that it can recover from the root rot completely.
So, here are a few things that you need to remember -
- Do not fertilize the plant for at least a month after repotting.
- Water the plant only when the soil has dried out completely.
- Avoid placing the plant in direct sunlight as it might damage the tender roots.
- Keep an eye on the plant and look for any signs of new growth.
- If you see any new growth, it means the plant is recovering well, and you can start fertilizing it again.
- Be patient and give the plant some time to recover completely.
Keep these things in mind, and your plant will do well!
In the following section, let's take a look at the FAQs related to repotting a Snake plant with root rot.
FAQs
When you notice that your Snake plant's leaves are starting to yellow and fall off, it could be a sign of root rot.
The roots will appear black and mushy, and the stem may also be discolored.
These are the signs of root rot in your plant.
Root rot is often caused by overwatering your plant.
When the roots are constantly wet, they start to decay and rot.
This can also happen if you have kept your plant in the rain for a long duration.
Yes, the Snake plant can regrow its roots if they are not too badly damaged.
If the root rot has just started, you can try to save your plant by repotting it in fresh potting mix.
It's quite difficult to save a Snake plant with no roots, as the plant will have no way to absorb water or nutrients.
You could try propagating your plant from stem cuttings, but it's unlikely that the plant will survive.
Snake plants can be propagated from stem cuttings.
Simply take a cutting of around 6 inches, and remove the damaged leaves.
Place the cutting in a pot of fresh, moist potting mix, and wait for it to root.
Once the plant has rooted, you can then water it as normal.
Keep the pot in a bright, warm place, and wait for your new Snake plant to grow!
You can also propagate it through leaf propagation.
Over To You
While root rot is a serious issue, it can be fixed with the right care and attention.
If you think your Snake plant has root rot, follow the steps mentioned above to repot it properly.
And take care of the plant after repotting so that it can recover fully.
Do you have any questions about this topic?
Please let me know in the comments below.
I'll do my best to answer them as soon as possible.
Do share this guide with your friends and family if you found it helpful!
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