Snake plants are supposed to be houseplants that you can ignore almost entirely and they’ll still grow. At least that’s what I was told before I got my first.
Then after a while of it doing well I noticed its leaves were starting to split and crack. And I had no idea what was going on.
If you’re facing the same problem then don’t panic. Those splits and cracks don’t necessarily mean your plant is dying.
There are actually a few reasons why your snake plant leaves might be splitting and I’ll take you through all of them as well as how to fix them so your plant can get back to being healthy again.
And thankfully most of the causes of splitting leaves are pretty easy to fix once you know what you’re dealing with. So lets get into it.
1. Inconsistent Watering
This is probably the number one reason behind splitting leaves in snake plants. They store water in their leaves (which is what makes them so able to deal with being neglected). When you make a big change in your watering routine the plant can’t adjust quickly enough.
Look at it like this: You forget to water your snake plant for three weeks. Then to make up for it you absolutely drench the poor thing. That sudden flood of water causes the plant cells to expand quickly and the leaves split. The leaf tissue can’t handle the sudden pressure and cracks.
I did this to my first snake plant. Off I went on vacation for two weeks and when I came back realized I had forgotten to water it.
So I panicked and threw hug amounts of water at it. A few days later? Loads of split leaves.
How to Fix It
You have to be consistent. Snake plants like the soil to dry out completely between waterings. This is what I’ve found works best:
- Water well but not that often (usually every 2 to 3 weeks, depending on your climate)
- Check how moist the soil is before you water
- Use a calendar to remind you if you tend to forget
- Water even less during the winter months as the plant will naturally be growing less
Don’t forget: it’s better to underwater than overwater a snake plant. They’re originally from the desert and so can handle a lack of water way better than too much of it.
2. Physical Damage
Sometimes the answer is simple – your plant got bumped into, knocked over or in some way damaged. Snake plant leaves are fairly stiff and that means when they’re hit or bent they are more likely to crack/snap.
This happens more than you might think. Maybe your cat decided to use it as a scratch post or just rub against it. It could be you accidentally knocked into it while vacuuming. Or maybe the kids were playing soccer indoors and kicked the ball into it.
Damage like this usually results in horizontal splits or cracks rather than vertical ones. They can also look more uneven than splits from other causes.
How to Fix It
While you can’t heal a split leaf, you can:
- Trim the damaged leaf at an angle similar to the natural leaf tip
- Move your plant to somewhere where it is less likely to be knocked into or hit
- Keep it away from pets and children
- Give it a support for any very tall leaves that might be prone to bending
If the damage is minor, you might choose to leave it alone. Snake plants can live just fine with cosmetic damage, and sometimes those battle scars add character!
3. Temperature Fluctuations
Snake plants don’t like sudden temperature changes. They don’t mind a wide range of temperatures (55- to 85°F), but quick shifts can stress them out and cause the leaves to split.
This can be caused by:
- Putting your plant near a window that gets a lot of drafts, especially in the winter
- Putting it too close to a heater or air conditioning vent
- Moving it from indoors to outdoors without letting it get acclimated
How to Fix It
Keeping the temperature stable is the main thing:
- Keep your snake plant away from drafty windows, doors and vents
- Don’t put it near radiators
- If you move your plant outdoors for the summer do it gradually (a few hours a day at first)
- Bring it back inside before the temperatures get as low as 50°F
- Don’t put it on cold windowsills in the winter
Snake plants like the temperature to be between 70 to 90°F during the day and not below 50°F at night. That’s the best spot to stop the leaves from getting problems due to stress.
4. Low Humidity Levels
Snake plants may be ok with a lack of water and don’t need high humidity like some tropical plants. But if the air gets very dry it can still cause issues.
When the air is very dry (like during the winter when we have all the heating turned on), the leaves can lose moisture too quickly and become brittle which makes them more likely to split.
This happens a lot in homes with heating systems that really dry out the air. My sister’s snake plant always gets split leaves in January and February which are the really dry months in her apartment.
How to Fix It
Just try to stop the air from getting too dry:
- You can use a humidifier in the room during the very dry seasons
- Group your plants together as they increase the humidity with each other
- Put the pot on a pebble tray with water (make sure the pot doesn’t sit directly in the water)
- Keep the plant away from heating vents
A humidity level of 40-50% is usually more than enough for snake plants. You don’t need to obsess over this though. All you need to be careful of is extreme dryness for too long as it’s that which can cause problems.
5. Pest Damage
Although snake plants aren’t too likely to be affected by pests they aren’t completely safe. Some pests can damage the leaves that will lead to splitting, like mealybugs, spider mites and thrips.
They bite into the leaves and suck the juice from them which creates weak spots that can split over time. Sometimes the damage isn’t immediately obvious until the leaf splits later.
I once had a snake plant that suddenly developed splits in a few of it’s leaves. After spending a while trying to figure out where they’d come from I found tiny spider mites on the undersides of the leaves.
How to Fix It
Take action as soon as you spot pests:
- Isolate the affected plant from your other houseplants quickly
- Wipe the leaves with a cloth to remove any pests you can see
- Spray the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil
- For bad infestations you just need to use a systemic insecticide
- Repeat the treatments every 7 to 10 days until all signs of pests are gone
If you can then you want to prevent pests from getting on your plants to begin with. So look for them on a regular basis.
I now wipe my snake plant leaves with a damp cloth every month and I haven’t had pest issues since.
6. Root Bound Conditions
Snake plants don’t mind being a bit root bound but when the roots are extremely crowded they will eventually have problems, including the leaves splitting.
A root bound plant will struggle to take up the nutrients and water it needs. The leaves might not be storing enough moisture and then be more likely to split when they’re stressed.
You can tell if your snake plant is root bound if:
- The roots are growing in circles around the inside of the pot
- Roots are growing out of the drainage holes
- The pot look like they’re bulging
- Water runs straight through the lot without being absorbed
How to Fix It
If your plant has outgrown the pot:
- Repot in a container that is 1 to 2 inches larger in diameter than the current pot
- Use fresh potting mix (I mix regular potting soil with about 30% perlite)
- Wait about a week before watering after you’ve repotted
Don’t get a pot that’s too big. As mentioned before snake plants like to be a little snug. A pot that’s too big can actually cause some problems with overwatering as the soil stays wet for longer.
Speaking from experience I think is spring is the best time to repot. It’s when the plant staring go grow fully again coming out of the winter. My snake plants seem to do much better when they’re repotted in April or May versus October.
7. Nutrient Deficiencies
This is less common but still worth mentioning. Sometimes a lack of nutrients can make your snake plant weaker and the leaves will then split because of this.
Snake plants don’t need much feeding and can go a long time without being fertilized but after years in the same pot with only occasional watering the soil can become depleted.
How to Fix It
A simple fertilization routine can really help:
- Use a balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength
- Fertilize only during the spring and summer when the plant is growing
- Apply every 4 to 6 weeks and not more often
- Flush the soil thoroughly every few months to stop any salt building up
Remember that overfertilizing is worse than underfertilizing for snake plants. If you’re in any way concerned or worried then go light on the fertilizer.
FAQ about Snake Plant Leaf Splitting
Will a split snake plant leaf heal itself?
Unfortunately, no. Once a snake plant leaf splits it won’t repair itself. The damage is permanent but it won’t spread to other parts of the leaf or to other leaves. The split leaf will continue to photosynthesize though.
If you don’t like the way it looks then you can trim the leaf. New leaves will eventually grow and replace it.
Should I cut off split snake plant leaves?
It’s really up to you! There’s no need to remove any split leaves unless they’re really damaged or diseased.
Can I propagate from a split leaf?
Yes! A split leaf can still be used for propagation. You can cut the leaf into 2 to 3 inch sections making sure you remember which end was closer to the base of the plant (the bottom end). Plant that bottom end in soil and eventually a new plants should grow.
I’ve propagated lots of snake plants from damaged leaves. Sometimes they’re even faster to root than the good leaves!
Why are my snake plant leaves splitting vertically?
Vertical splits (running up and down the leaf) are usually down to watering inconsistently or big fluctuations in the moisture. Horizontal splits are caused by physical damage or extreme temperature changes.
If you’re mainly seeing vertical splits then look at how often you’re watering first.
Is leaf splitting a sign my snake plant is dying?
Not necessarily. Split leaves are a sign that your plant has come under some stress but snake plants are very tough. As long as you address the underlying cause your plant should be fine.
Signs of a truly dying snake plant are things like mushy stems, lots of yellow leaves leaves, a nasty smell or leaves that are falling over and watering doesn’t help.
Final Thoughts
It can be frustrating to find your snake plant has split leaves. Even more so when you think you’re doing everything right. But they’re very tough plants and a few split leaves won’t kill them.
You just have to be consistent to keep them happy. They can adapt to all sorts of conditions but they don’t like sudden changes. Get yourself into a routine with your care and stick with it.
If you already have split leaves don’t worry much. Just work out the most likely cause, make whatever adjustments are needed and focus on keeping new growth healthy. Your snake plant will bounce back before you know it.