Snake plant dry roots are a common problem in this variety of plants.
And it generally happens due to negligence toward the growth of the plant.
But it can also prove costly, as you don't want to see too many dry roots in your plant.
So, how do you fix this problem?
Well, check out the following guide to know more about some of the methods and tips to tackle this issue.
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Why Does My Snake Plant Have Dry Roots?
Unlike other plant issues, the dry root problem is mainly related to underwatering and aging.
When you forget to water your Snake plant for a considerable amount of time, the moisture content in the soil decreases significantly.
Ultimately, it results in dried roots or dead roots.
The other thing is the aging process.
When the plant reaches the end of its life cycle, the roots don't work as efficiently as they should.
And over the period, they become dry and lifeless.
However, it is a gradual process, and it takes weeks to see such results.
This also means you still have the opportunity to revive the plant.
So, here are a few tips that might help you solve this problem.
8 Tips To Fix Snake Plant Dry Roots Problem
Here is what you need to do to avoid the dry roots problem as well as revive the plant from such an issue.
The first few tips will help you avoid the dry roots in your Snake plant, and the latter half of the tips are for solving the actual problem.
I hope you find them useful.
1. Inspect Your Snake Plant's Roots
This should be your first step to addressing the main problem.
When you check the plant thoroughly, it gives you an exact idea of what the issue is.
Without inspection, you would probably be guessing the cause and solution.
So, take a good look at the root system and see if there is any existing issue with the plant.
2. Assess The Roots Problem And Act Accordingly
If you find any root-related issues in the first step, you should try to resolve them quickly.
Sometimes, the roots become dry because of sunburn or heatwaves as well.
And these external factors can be equally damaging to the leaves and the root system of the plant.
More importantly, these are the easy-to-fix issues for your Snake plant.
Hence, it's better to act upon them immediately.
3. Remove Damaged Roots From The Plant
The roots of the Snake plant may get damaged due to various issues, which can also be the cause of dry root problems in the plant.
When the roots get damaged, they do not perform well to extract water and nutrients from the soil.
Due to this, the plant often discards these roots, and they turn dry over the period.
So, if that is the case with your plant, you must remove them using clean scissors.
This method will also force the plant to produce new strong roots at the bottom.
Having said that, be cautious while pruning the dried and damaged roots.
You shouldn't remove too many roots in one go!
4. Transplant The Snake Plant Into A New Pot
Once you have removed the dried roots, try to transplant the plant into a newer and bigger pot.
It will help the plant grow at a standard rate and keep it safe from fungal attacks and similar issues.
The bigger pot will also provide enough space for the plant to grow new roots.
Note: You can also repot the plant into the same pot, but make sure the soil and the roots are in good condition.
Both these tips are essential in keeping the plant safe and sound for an extended period.
5. Water The Plant Thoroughly
As mentioned in the beginning, the watering frequency could be the root cause of this problem.
If you haven't watered the plant in a few weeks, the roots will get dry.
And it will also make the leaves shrivel a lot!
When you water the plant, it instantly rejuvenates the root system.
So, if you have neglected your Snake plant for quite a while, give it a good amount of water.
If you are not sure how to water this type of plant, do check out the next section in this guide below.
6. Keep Your Plant Indoors
When it's too hot outside, the plant goes into survival mode.
This means the plant will shed some of the leaves as well as unwanted roots.
It's a standard response from the plant when it gets under stress.
And it often happens due to unfavorable weather conditions, especially in the summer months.
To fix the problem, you must move the plant inside.
Keep it in a place where it gets indirect sunlight for a few hours.
The cooler temperature indoors will make life much easier for your Snake plant.
Also, it's important to increase the watering frequency when the weather is too hot and dry outside.
This should help in getting the plant to produce fresh roots under the soil.
7. Check Moisture Content In Soil Regularly
Get a moisture meter and check the moisture content present in the soil!
It may seem like an additional task, but it does prove effective for indoor plants.
You can also use this tool for your other plants, which need similar care in hot weather.
The moisture meter will tell you if the plant requires water or not.
Alternatively, you can also check the soil with your fingers.
If it seems dry, you can go ahead and water the plant as needed.
8. Check The Plant Again After A Month Or So
Even after performing all the necessary steps mentioned in the guide above, you shouldn't leave the plant aside.
You need to keep an eye on your plant for a few weeks.
And after a month, remove the plant from the pot and see whether the root has grown back.
If they did, you don't have to do anything else.
Just repot the plant and take good care of it.
Now, let's have a look at the tips to water your Snake plant.
How To Water Your Snake Plant With Dry Roots
When the roots look dry and the topsoil seems hard, you need to follow certain steps to revive the plant.
Here's a step-by-step guide to follow:
- Fill a bucket or container with fresh water.
- Remove the Snake plant from the pot.
- Trim the dried roots.
- Place the plant in the water for a couple of minutes, keeping only the roots submerged in it.
- Get rid of excess dirt attached to the roots and keep it aside for some time.
- Now, repot the plant into a new or same pot. You may replace the soil if you want.
- Get a water spray and add water to the pot. It should be done until the water comes out of the drainage holes.
- Keep the plant in an airy and sunny place.
- Allow it to dry out completely before you move it to its regular place.
And that's how you water the Snake plant with dried roots.
Of course, you don't have to follow all the steps each time you water the plant.
You may water it again in 5-7 days after repotting, depending on the soil condition.
Important: When you repot the plant, there is no need to add any fertilizers to it.
You may add them after a month or two.
In the following section, you will find the FAQs related to this topic.
FAQs
The best way to revive a dried-out plant is by providing enough water to it regularly.
And there is nothing else you can do about it.
Simply focus on fixing the watering frequency.
It could be drying out because of underwatering or aging, or harsh weather conditions.
These three conditions can make things difficult for the Snake plant and its root system to survive for long.
If the leaves look soft and mushy or the topsoil takes longer to dry out, it could be a sign of root rot in your Snake plant.
Quickly take out the plant from the pot and inspect the roots.
It is the best way to confirm if the plant has root rot or not.
You will have to control the amount of water that goes into the pot.
And the next thing you can do is to use some fungicides to manage the root rot issue.
These are the only things that need to be done while fixing the root rot problem in Snake plants.
Also, you can check this guide to know more about this topic in detail.
Check the topsoil of the plant. When it seems dry, you can water your Snake plant.
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