Snake Plant Fungus: 7 Effective Ways To Fix The Problem

Snake plant fungus is one of the most well-known issues in this type of indoor plant.

There are many varieties of fungi that can be found on these plants, which mainly include - 

1. Red Spots
2. Brown Spots
3. Yellow Spots
4. White Spots
5. Southern Blight

So, if you are facing any one of these issues, check out the following guide.

Jump To:

• 5 Reasons Why Snake Plant Gets Fungus Problem
• How To Fix Snake Plant Fungus
• FAQs

5 Reasons Why Snake Plant Gets Fungus Problem

Here are some of the reasons why the Snake plant catches fungus - 

1. Overwatering

Although overwatering is not a direct cause of fungus in Snake plants, it can surely weaken the plant.

As you know, weak plants attract many issues sooner rather than later. Therefore, it's not a good idea to neglect this cause, especially when your Snake plant is young and thriving.

2. Infrequent Watering

Do you want your Snake plant regularly?

If not, it can again weaken the plant's system and will attract more such issues. So, infrequent watering is another important reason why you might see a Snake plant fungus on the plant.

3. Weather Conditions

In general, the Snake plant is quite tolerant of difficult weather conditions. But if you expose the plant to such conditions for a long period, the plant might become weak.

And when we talk about the weather conditions, it applies to both sides of temperatures.

Whether it's too cold, too hot, or too humid outside, the plant will be affected adversely. Once the plant weakens, it will be a host to many issues, including the common fungus problem.

4. Overuse Of Fertilizers

Fertilizers are meant to support the growth of your plant.

But at times, we overfeed the plant, thinking it might result in exceptional growth.

Well, it doesn't work that way! If you overfertilize the plant, it will have negative effects on the plant. In fact, it might even attract fungus and harmful bacteria due to the weakened system.

5. Companion Plants

Apart from the natural conditions, your Snake plant can also get fungus from a companion plant on the patio or living room.

Since these plant issues are quite easy to transfer from one plant to another, you shouldn't be surprised if your Snake plant gets it from another plant. So, it could be another possibility of attracting fungus to the plant.

Alright, now, let's take a look at the ways to fix this fungal problem.

How To Fix Snake Plant Fungus

Before we look into the fixes, you should always remember that it's not easy to eradicate this issue. You will have to use the trial and error method to see which method or technique works best for your plant.

1. Remove The Affected Leaves 

If you see a fungal problem on your Snake plant leaves, it's better to remove the leaves entirely. It could be a Red Spot or Brown Spot on the leaves.

However, the best way to tackle this issue is to remove the affected leaf from the plant. This way, you will prevent the fungus from spreading all across your plant.

2. Change The Soil

If the plant is affected by the Snake plant fungus, you can remove the old soil and replace it with a new batch of soil.

Also, do not use the removed soil in any other plants. You should discard such soil completely, as it might spread the same issue to other indoor plants.

Apart from that, you should also rinse the plant with water. Remove the fungus from the affected leaves and roots of the plant.

Now, once you change the soil of your Snake plant, make sure you water the plant thoroughly. There is no need to fertilize the plant initially. 

You can observe the plant's growth for a couple of weeks. If it looks good, you can feed the fertilizer on a regular basis.

Note: As soon as you change the soil, keep the plant in a place where it gets decent sunlight and airflow. Both these factors are important in avoiding the recurrence of Snake plant fungus.

3. Maintain Airflow

As mentioned above, airflow plays a significant role in growing your plants. It also helps in keeping the plant dry, especially the leaves and stems.

When these parts remain dry, you automatically ensure no fungal growth on the plant's surface.

You should also avoid keeping the plant in the bathroom, as the humidity levels are generally high in such places. If possible, keep the plant in a well-lit living room. It will fix any minor fungus issue on your Snake plant.

4. Provide Sufficient Sunlight

The next thing is to ensure the plant gets enough sunlight.

Yes, it's an indoor plant, but it'd be great if you could provide at least some sunlight to this plant. I'd recommend you place the Snake plant in such a place where it can receive a couple of hours of morning sunlight.

It will prevent any fungal growth on the plant's surface, especially on the leaves.

5. Avoid Watering In The Evening

When you water the plant in the evening, the topsoil remains moist for a really long time.

And that's not a good sign for you, as it can easily attract fungal growth to the plant. So, if you've been watering the plant in the evening, you can change the schedule to early morning hours.

6. Fungicides

Fungicides are quite effective in dealing with fungus issues in indoor plants.

But personally, I don't like to use them too much. If you use them in moderate quantities, you might see some exciting results.

7. Neem Oil

Neem oil is the most effective tool to combat issues caused by fungus and bacteria on your indoor plants. It works pretty much like magic and will also have no adverse effects on the plant.

As for the application, prepare a dilute mixture of Neem oil and spray it once a week for optimum results.

On that note, these are the 7 effective ways to tackle the Snake plant fungus issue. In the next section, let's dive into some of the frequently asked questions by the readers.

FAQs