6 Tips To Prevent Snake Plant Scarring

Snake plant scarring is a type of fungal infection on the plant.

When the plant gets affected by fungus, you will see brown-colored scars and white patches on its leaves. These scars often appear on the midsection of the leaves.

To treat the problem, you need to use a fungicide and remove the severely affected leaves from the plant.

In this guide, I have shared a few more techniques to deal with the leaf scarring issue. So, let's look at them below.

Jump To:

• What Causes Snake Plant Scarring?
• How To Treat Scars On Snake Plant Leaves
• 6 Tips To Prevent Snake Plant Scarring
• FAQs

What Causes Snake Plant Scarring?

Snake plant scarring or cracking is a result of a fungus attack on the plant.

Sometimes, the dried layers may come off from the surface, which can cause discolored patches on the leaves as well.

The scars and patches on the leaves are irreversible. It means the plant will not regenerate a new layer of skin on the affected surface. 

The leaves will look the same even after eradicating the fungus from the plant. Hence, it's better to remove the affected leaf from the Snake plant. 

Besides, there are other possible causes for Snake plant scarring.

Here's a list of them - 

Cause	Description
Pest Attack	Pests like mealybugs also leave scars on the leaf surface.
Sunburn/Direct Sunlight	Sunburn is another possible cause for the scarring and white patches on the Snake plant leaves.
Pets	Cats and dogs can accidentally scratch the plant's leaves while they play nearby.
Physical Damage	Accidental bumps or scratches can cause scars on the leaves.
Chemical Exposure	Fungicides and pesticides can damage the leaf surface due to the presence of harsh chemicals.

How To Treat Scars On Snake Plant Leaves

The only way you can fix this problem is by removing the damaged part or entire leaf from the plant.

Unfortunately, there is no other way to get rid of scars on the leaves. They are permanent and will remain on the leaf surface till the end.

So, if there are only a couple of marks on the leaves, don't cut the leaves. But if there are too many of them along with the spots or patches, it's better to trim them off.

Here's how I trimmed affected leaves from my Snake plant -

This way, you can avoid the fungus from spreading to other parts of the plant.

Check out the following video to learn more about leaf pruning and propagation -

6 Tips To Prevent Snake Plant Scarring

As you know, the scarring is permanent damage to the Snake plant. 

In most cases, the leaves will not get back to their original look despite trying some solutions and workarounds. However, you can prevent this problem next time using standard plant care methods.

Here's what you need to do to prevent scars and discoloration on Snake plant leaves -

1. Examine The Leaves

You should always examine the issue on your plants closely. It gives you a better idea to understand the issue and take further action against it.

Take a look at the scarring on the leaves and see if you can find anything unusual on them. You also need to ensure that there are no brown or black spots on the leaves, which could be a cause for concern.

These spots appear due to a typical fungus issue in Snake plants. So, it's necessary for you to have a closer look at the scars as well as spots on both sides of the leaves.

2. Water Your Snake Plant

Once the inspection is over, you can water the plant adequately.

Whenever you water the plant after a long time, water it thoroughly. Let it drain out from the drainage holes so that it will ensure the roots have received enough water supply.

Note: If you have already watered the plant a couple of days back, you don't have to repeat the same process.

It will help if you maintain a proper watering routine for this succulent.

Also, do not water from the top. You should water at the base so that the leaves remain dry.

3. Move It Away From Direct Sunlight

If you have recently moved the plant in direct sunlight, it'd be better if you placed it somewhere near a shaded place. This type of place will allow you to prevent the plant from getting sunburnt.

Eventually, you will stop seeing any new scars on the leaves.

Similarly, if you have kept the plant in a dark place, move it to a place where it can get decent sunlight during the day. Snake plants thrive in natural light, so make sure you put them in a well-lit place at your home.

4. Add Fertilizers To The Plant

Fertilizers are essential for maintaining the standard growth rate of the plant. If you don't provide fertilizers to your Snake plant, it's likely to cause issues over the period.

Sometimes, we do neglect our indoor plants, as their growth is relatively slower than the outdoor ones. Still, indoor plants require a regular supply of fertilizers.

As for the fertilizers, you can add any general-purpose fertilizer to this plant. It won't ask for any specific nutrients, especially when you are taking good care of the plant.

5. Keep It Safe From The Pets And Kids

Finally, the plant should be kept away from the reach of your pets and kids. That's the only way you can save the plant from getting such scars on its surface.

Note: If the scars are relatively small, you don't have to do anything else. It's most likely a temporary issue and might have happened because of some of the external factors mentioned in this guide.

So, you don't have to think a lot about it.

6. Keep The Plant In A Ventilated Place

Snake plant doesn't like highly humid places. Whenever I keep my plants in such places, they catch the fungus in no time.

Therefore, it's always a good idea to maintain airflow around the plant.

It will surely prevent the Snake plant from scarring and brown spot issues.

FAQs