If your snake plant isn’t growing straight, it’s probably due to one of three things: overwatering, leaves growing too tall and heavy, or uneven exposure to sunlight. Each of these are common problems that can cause your snake plant to lean, bend, or droop. While not dangerous, a leaning plant isn’t nearly as pleasing to look at as a healthy, erect plant. Luckily, there is an easy fix to each of these issues that will soon have your snake plant growing straight toward the sky.
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How to Make Your Snake Plant Grow Straight
Snake plants are easy to grow, but still require care and attention to thrive in a home environment. If you notice your snake plant starting to droop or lean, it needs your help to adjust itself and begin growing straight again. There are simple measures you can take to fix the problem and help your plant grow straight and tall. Here are the three main causes of crooked growth, and how to fix them:
Avoid Overwatering
Snake plants are succulents, which means they don’t need a lot of water to survive. In fact, they do best when watered once every 1–2 weeks during the growing season. When your snake plant is dormant in winter, it only needs to be watered once per month. If your snake plant’s soil is very wet, the weight of the plant’s leaves can pull it to one side or the other, making it appear to be crooked.
- Snake plants should only be watered once every 1–2 weeks in the growing season.
- In the winter, your snake plant only needs to be watered once every 4 weeks.
- In wet soil, the weight of a snake plant’s leaves can pull it to one side, making it look crooked.
- To correct overwatering, allow the top 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm) of soil to dry out before watering again.
- Wet soil can also cause root rot. Root rot can cause plants to lean and leaves to droop.
- If your plant has root rot, treat it appropriately, and replant in a new pot with new soil.
Additionally, overwatering can cause root rot, which will weaken the root system. Root rot can not only cause the plant to lean, but also for its leaves to droop. If your plant is leaning or drooping and its soil is wet, allow the top 2–3 inches of soil to dry out before watering it again. Examine the root ball for signs of root rot. If the roots are soft, slimy, or brown, treat the plant for root rot and replant it with new soil in a new pot.
Use Stakes
Sometimes, even an extraordinarily healthy snake plant can lean to one side. This is because the leaves of a snake plant, especially very large ones, can become heavy and begin to droop or lean under their own weight. One way to fix this is by using stakes. Position a stake behind a drooping leaf and drive the stake a few inches down into the soil, so that it’s sturdy. Use twine or jute string to gently tie the leaf to the stake.
- Sometimes healthy snake plants have heavy leaves that droop under their own weight.
- Position a stake behind the drooping leaf and drive the stake into the soil until it’s stable.
- Use twine or jute string to gently tie the leaf to the stake.
- If many leaves are buckling, consider replacing the soil.
- Use an indoor potting soil that has good drainage but is dense enough to support the roots.
If many leaves seem to be drooping under their own weight, it may be time to replace your snake plant’s soil. Make sure to use potting soil that drains well, but also one that is dense enough to support the roots of a tall plant.
Rotate Your Snake Plant
Snake plants love sunlight so much that they will sometimes grow at an angle to try and reach the light source. If you notice your plant growing at an angle towards a window, this is likely what is happening.
- Snake plants will commonly grow on an angle to get closer to a light source.
- If your snake plant is near a window and growing crooked, it needs to be rotated.
- Rotate your plant every few days, so that all sides get an equal amount of light.
- Eventually, the leaning will even out, and your plant will begin to grow straight.
To get your plant growing straight again, simply rotate your plant every few days. This ensures that all sides of the plant get an equal amount of sunlight. If you are always rotating the plant, it won’t have a chance to continually lean in one direction.
Why Do Snake Plants Grow Crooked?
Uneven light is the most common reason snake plants grow crooked. Because they grow towards a light source, unless the window or grow light is directly overhead, your plant may grow crooked to get closer to the light.
- Growing toward a light source is most common reason for a snake plant to have crooked growth.
- Rotate your plant or grow it under overhead light to prevent crooked growth.
- Your plant may also appear crooked due to overwatering.
- Reduce watering to once every 1–2 weeks to prevent overwatering.
Overwatered plants can also appear to grow crooked. However, the plant itself is likely not crooked. Rather, overly wet soil isn’t able to support the weight of the leaves, so the plant will begin to lean within the pot.
Why Do Snake Plants Bend Over?
The most common cause of snake plants bending over is because their leaves become too heavy to support their own weight. Root rot can also weaken a snake plant and cause its leaves to bend, droop, and turn brown.
Why is Your Snake Plant Not Growing Straight?
If your snake plant is not growing straight, the common causes are:
- Overwatering can make the soil too wet to support the weight of the leaves, or cause root rot, making the leaves droop. This can be fixed by addressing root rot, repotting the plant if necessary, and watering less frequently.
- Snake plant leaves can grow so tall and large that they can no longer support their own weight. If this is the case, gently attaching the leaves to stakes can help them to stand tall.
- Snake plants often grow crooked to get closer to a light source. To remedy this, rotate the plant often so all sides get the same amount of light.
By checking the soil for moisture and providing adequate light for your snake plant, you can correct the majority of dropping or crooked leaves. With bright light conditions, warmth, and well-draining soil, your snake plant will grow tall and strong.
