3 Effective Tips To Fix Snake Plant Thrips Problem

Snake plants are lovely plants to have around the house, and one very rarely encounters problems related to the plant. 

You can leave these plants alone for long periods of time without any maintenance, and they will still thrive. 

The defining quality of it is its long, straight leaves that have a regal touch to them. 

On some occasions, you might find that the leaves of your snake plant are curling. 

The leaves might begin to curl and twist within themselves. 

Apart from this, the snake plant may also show other signs of weakness. 

This means that your snake plant is barely surviving. 

The leading cause for this phenomenon is "thrips." 

What Are Thrips And How Do They Affect Snake Plant?

Thrips are tiny black bugs that feed on the entire Snake plant. 

Usually known as Thysanoptera or thunder flies, these thin bugs try to penetrate the cell wall and damage the plant entirely. 

Thrips infestation is a common Snake plant affliction. 

This infestation can cause your plant to curl up, which is unnatural for a Snake plant as its leaves are usually straight. 

You can identify thrips by the way that they feed on the plant. 

These bugs will leave small, black specks on plant leaves and buds. 

If you find it difficult to identify thrips with the naked eye, you can use a magnifying glass. 

Another way to find out if there is an infestation on your plant is to shake the plant leaves by holding a white sheet or tissue paper beneath it. 

Tiny black bugs will fall onto the paper if there are thrips on the plant. 

How To Get Rid Of Thrips From Your Snake Plant?

Take action immediately if you suspect a Snake plant infestation with little bugs called thrips. 

To get rid of thrips here is what you should do: 

1. Remove any leaf that has black bugs on them. The leaves are probably already dead or dying, so use a sharp kitchen knife to get rid of these leaves. However, if you feel like the leaves are fairly normal, there is no need to remove them.
2. Once the leaves are removed, place them far away from any other plant as there is a chance the leaves could infect other plant's life.
3. Use a clean cotton pad or ball to wipe down the remaining leaves to ensure no black specks remain. 

Note that if the entire plant is infested, dispose of it entirely and ensure that the plant does not come in contact with other plants in your house, as they pose a cross-contamination risk. 

Best Insecticides To Fix Thrips Infestation On Snake Plant

There are different types of products available to get rid of bugs on your Snake plant. 

1. Plant-based Miticides 

Plant-based miticides consist of fully natural ingredients that will not damage the plant and kill the bugs effectively. 

Here are some of the miticides you can use: 

• Pyrethrum: This substance belongs to the chrysanthemum family and directly affects the bugs' nervous system. 
• Cinnamate: This pesticide is taken from cinnamon oil and can effectively kill bugs. Use this pesticide on the plant every three days for a couple of weeks to completely eliminate the bugs. 
• Neem oil: Neem oil works excellently as a repellant for insects. You need to apply the oil to the plant regularly until you don't see any bugs. 
• Rosemary oil: This oil is not toxic to plants and humans and can get rid of pests on plants. Dilute this oil with water and spray it all over the plant. 

2. Household Chemicals

If you do not have any fancy oils or miticides available, do not worry. 

You can still rescue your snake plant with chemicals you use on a daily basis. 

• Rubbing alcohol: Use this with water, with a 1:1 ratio, and spray it over the plants. Once you have sprayed the solution, wipe the leaves clean. 
• Dish soap solution: This is a cheap and effective way to remove pests from your plants. 

What Are The Best Conditions For Growing Snake Plant Indoors?

Planting Snake plants indoors is a fairly easy task, even if this is your first houseplant. 

Here are a few steps you should follow when planting the Snake plant: 

• Firstly, choose a large pot or container with a drainage hole fitted at the bottom. Terra cotta pots are the best for snake plants to be placed in as the pot has drying properties that ensure that the soil dries faster than the usual plastic pots. 
• A well-draining potting mix is also required for the ideal growth of the Snake plant. A potting mix suitable for cacti and succulents can also be used for the snake plant. This potting mix will help the plant not get oversaturated with water. 
• Snake plants should not be buried too deep and ideally as deep as it was planted in their previous container. 
• The location also matters when planting a Snake plant. Placing the plant in a well-lit area is important for its growth. Shady areas are also suitable for the plant, but the plant may grow slower than usual. Choose a location best suited for the Snake plant, such as brightly lit spaces near a window. However, this is not necessary as snake plants can grow well, even in shady areas of the house. The plant needs to be kept in a warm spot with temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius. Cold winds should be avoided for the Snake plants, too. 

Now, let's have a look at the FAQs below.

FAQs

Over To You

Well, that's it for this guide!

I hope it helped in learning a few things about the thrips problem in the Snake plant.

Got any questions?

Please let me know in the comments below.

Also, share this guide with your friends and family if it helped fix this problem for you.