As I’ve mentioned once or twice before on this site, snake plants are supposed to be one of the easiest houseplants to keep alive. I mean, they’re basically the cockroaches of the plant world (in a good way!). They can survive neglect, poor lighting and pretty much everything except overwatering.
So when your supposedly indestructible snake plant starts drooping, it feels like a personal failure. I know, I’ve been there.
The good news? Snake plant drooping is usually fixable once you figure out what’s causing it. And that’s exactly what we’re going to talk about today.
I’ve killed my fair share of “unkillable” plants, so I know the frustration. But after years of trial and error (mostly error), I’ve figured out the most common reasons snake plants decide to flop over instead of standing tall and proud.
I’ll show you why your snake plant might be looking sad and what you can do about it.
Why is My Snake Plant Drooping?
Snake plants are known for their upright, sword-like leaves. When they start drooping it’s basically them waving a white flag saying “help me!”
These are the 9 most common reasons your snake plant is throwing in the towel:
1. Overwatering – The #1 Snake Plant Killer
If I had a dollar for every snake plant killed by overwatering, I could retire early. About 80% of drooping snake plants are victims of too much water. These plants naturally grow in arid regions of West Africa and have evolved to survive drought conditions.
When you overwater a snake plant, its roots start to rot because they’re sitting in soggy soil. This root rot prevents the plant from taking up water and nutrients properly, and the result is sad, droopy leaves.
How to fix it:
- Stop watering immediately
- Check the roots – if they’re brown and mushy, you’ve got root rot
- Remove the plant from its pot and cut away any rotted roots with sterilized scissors
- Let the plant dry out completely for a few days
- Repot in fresh, well-draining soil
- Water only when the soil is completely dry (about every 2-3 weeks)
I learned this lesson the hard way when I was trying to be an attentive plant parent and watered my snake plant weekly. Three months later, I was performing emergency surgery on rotting roots and praying for a recovery. Less is more with these plants!
2. Underwatering
While overwatering is more common, snake plants can also droop from being underwatered – especially if they’ve been neglected for months. Although they’re drought-tolerant, they’re not actually cacti.
Underwatered snake plants will show droopy, wrinkled leaves that might feel thin and crispy at the tips.
How to fix it:
- Soak the pot in water for about 15 minutes
- Allow excess water to drain completely
- Establish a more regular watering schedule (but still let the soil dry out between waterings)
3. Poor Drainage
Sometimes the problem isn’t how often you water but that the water has nowhere to go. If your pot lacks drainage holes or you’re using heavy soil that retains too much moisture, even proper watering frequency can lead to problems.
How to fix it:
- Always use pots with drainage holes
- Add perlite, coarse sand, or pumice to your potting mix to improve drainage
- Consider a terracotta pot, which allows water to evaporate through its porous surface
I once had a beautiful decorative pot with no drainage holes that I absolutely loved. I tried using it with a plastic nursery pot inside, but eventually got lazy and planted directly in it. Big mistake! The soil never dried out properly, and my snake plant started drooping within weeks.
4. Improper Light Conditions
Another reason your snake plant might be drooping is improper light. While snake plants can tolerate low light they won’t thrive in it. Too little light causes weak growth and can lead to drooping. Conversely, too much direct sunlight can burn the leaves, causing them to droop from stress.
How to fix it:
- Place your snake plant in bright, indirect light
- If it’s been in a dark corner, gradually move it to a brighter location to avoid shock
- If it’s been in direct sun, move it a few feet away from the window or use a sheer curtain to filter the light
Snake plants actually prefer some light, even though they’re marketed as low-light plants. Mine perked up considerably when I moved it from a dark hallway to a bright room with filtered sunlight.
5. Temperature Stress
Snake plants are tropical at heart and don’t appreciate cold drafts or sudden temperature changes. They prefer temperatures between 65-85°F (18-29°C). Exposure to cold drafts from doors, windows, or air conditioning vents can cause drooping leaves.
How to fix it:
- Keep your snake plant away from drafty areas
- Move it away from air conditioning or heating vents
- Make sure it’s not touching a cold window in winter
- Maintain a consistent temperature in your home
Last winter I noticed my snake plant starting to droop, and I couldn’t figure out why until I realized it was right next to a window with a slight draft. Moving it just 3 feet away made a world of difference.
6. Pot Size Issues
Snake plants actually prefer to be somewhat root-bound and don’t need frequent repotting. If your pot is too large, it can hold too much soil and therefore too much moisture. On the flip side, if your plant has completely outgrown its pot, it might droop because it’s not getting enough nutrients.
How to fix it:
- Only repot when roots are visibly circling the pot or coming out of drainage holes
- Choose a pot only 1-2 inches larger than the previous one
- If you’ve recently repotted into a much larger container, consider moving back to a smaller one
7. Pest Infestations
Although snake plants are fairly pest-resistant they can occasionally fall victim to common houseplant pests like mealybugs, spider mites, or scale insects. These pests suck the sap from the plant, weakening it and causing drooping leaves.
How to fix it:
- Inspect your plant carefully, especially in the crevices where leaves meet
- For minor infestations, wipe down leaves with a solution of water and mild soap
- For more serious cases, use neem oil or insecticidal soap
- Isolate the infected plant to prevent spreading to other houseplants
Always inspect new plants before bringing them home! I once brought home a new snake plant that looked perfectly healthy, only to discover it had mealybugs a week later. By then, they had already spread to my other plants, turning a simple problem into a whole-house issue.
8. Fertilizer Issues
Snake plants don’t need much fertilizer, but they do need some nutrients. Too little fertilizer can lead to slow growth and eventual drooping. Conversely, too much fertilizer can burn the roots and cause the same drooping symptom.
How to fix it:
- Fertilize lightly during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength
- Skip fertilizing in fall and winter when growth slows down
- If you suspect fertilizer burn, flush the soil thoroughly with water and don’t fertilize again for several months
9. Age and Gravity
Sometimes, the reason is simply age and physics. As snake plant leaves grow taller and older, they can naturally begin to droop under their own weight, especially the outer leaves. This is more common in varieties with particularly tall leaves.
How to fix it:
- This is natural and not necessarily a problem
- If appearance bothers you, you can propagate younger plants from the older one
- Provide good light to keep new growth strong and upright
My oldest snake plant is about 7 years old now, and the outer leaves do tend to lean outward a bit. I’ve come to appreciate this as part of its mature character rather than a problem to fix!
How to Restore a Drooping Snake Plant
Once you’ve identified the cause of your snake plant’s drooping, you can take steps to nurse it back to health. But remember, plants don’t recover overnight. Be patient and consistent with your care.
1. Assess the damage: Are the leaves just drooping, or are they also yellow, brown, or mushy? Mushy leaves indicate severe problems and may need to be removed.
2. Check the roots: Gently remove the plant from its pot and look at the roots. Healthy roots should be firm and white or light tan. Brown, black, or mushy roots need to be removed.
3. Adjust care based on cause: Follow the specific recommendations above based on what you determined was causing the drooping.
4. Be patient: Some leaves may never stand upright again once they’ve drooped severely. Focus on ensuring new growth comes in healthy and strong.
5. Consider propagation: If your plant is severely damaged, taking healthy leaf cuttings to propagate new plants might be your best bet.
I once completely forgot about a snake plant on my balcony during a three-week vacation in summer. When I returned, it was completely flopped over and looked dead. I cut off the healthiest sections, let them callus for a few days, then planted them in fresh soil. Three months later I had new baby plants starting to grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my snake plant drooping after repotting?
Repotting is stressful for snake plants! Drooping after repotting is usually a sign of transplant shock. Make sure you didn’t damage too many roots during the process, and that you’re not overwatering the newly potted plant. Give it time to adjust to its new home, and keep it in similar light conditions as before.
Should I cut off drooping snake plant leaves?
It depends on the cause and severity. If leaves are just slightly drooping but otherwise healthy, they may recover with proper care. If leaves are severely damaged, yellowing, or mushy, it’s best to remove them by cutting them at the base with clean scissors. This allows the plant to focus energy on new, healthy growth.
How often should I water my snake plant?
Less than you think! In most indoor conditions, watering once every 2-4 weeks is sufficient. Always check that the soil is completely dry before watering again. In winter, you might only need to water once a month. When in doubt, it’s better to underwater than overwater a snake plant.
Can a severely drooping snake plant recover?
Yes, snake plants are remarkably resilient! As long as there are some healthy roots and the problem is corrected, your plant has a good chance of recovery. The damaged leaves might not stand upright again, but new growth should be healthy. In severe cases, you might need to propagate from the healthiest parts of the plant.
Why are my snake plant leaves falling over but not soft?
If your leaves are falling over but still firm, the most likely causes are insufficient light, improper watering (either too much or too little), or simply tall leaves succumbing to gravity. Try moving your plant to a brighter location and adjusting your watering schedule. Supporting very tall leaves with stakes is also an option.
Should I mist my drooping snake plant?
No! Snake plants don’t like humidity on their leaves and misting can lead to fungal issues. They’re adapted to dry conditions, so focus on proper soil moisture instead of aerial humidity. If your home is extremely dry, you can place a humidifier nearby, but don’t mist the plant directly.
Final Thoughts
Snake plants have a reputation for being virtually indestructible, which is why it can be particularly frustrating when they start to droop. But remember even these tough plants have their limits and preferences.
In my experience the most common cause of snake plant drooping is overwatering, followed by poor light conditions. Start by addressing these issues and you’ll likely see improvement.
The good news is that snake plants are incredibly forgiving. I’ve seen them bounce back from situations that would kill most other houseplants. And if all else fails they’re one of the easiest plants to propagate – so you can always start fresh with cuttings from any surviving healthy sections.
Don’t beat yourself up if your “unkillable” plant is struggling. We’ve all been there. Gardening is a continuous learning process and each plant teaches us something new about what they need to thrive. Your drooping snake plant isn’t judging you – it’s just asking for a little adjustment in its care routine.