There’s very little more annoying than a snake plant that refuses to stand up straight. They’re suppose to be the best plants for beginners and impossible to kill and yet yours is slumping over and struggling.
Don’t worry though – it’s far more common than you’d think. My first snake plant went this way only a few months after I got it.
Thankfully most causes of leaning snake plants are easy to fix.
So let’s look at the reasons your snake plant might be leaning and how to get it standing tall again.
1. Uneven Light
This is probably the most common reason your snake plant is leaning. Snake plants are pretty smart – they’ll always stretch toward the nearest source of light.
If the light is only coming from one direction (like a window), then your snake plant will bend towards it trying to get that light on it’s leaves.
When I put my snake plant in the corner of my living room with a window to the side it leant so much it was almost horizontal!
To fix this:
- Rotate your plant every week so every side gets the same amount of light
- Put your plant directly in front of a light source rather than off to the side
- If you’re using a grow light make sure it’s centered above the plant
In most cases just rotating the plant will solve the problem. It won’t straighten overnight but give it time and consistently rotate it for a while and you’ll notice the improvement.
2. Overwatering
Snake plants are succulents which means they store water in their leaves. When you water them too much those leaves absorb more water than they can handle and become heavy.
And you can probably figure out what happens next – the heavy leaves start to droop and lean. Worse still, overwatering can cause root rot.
When I went on a vacation for a few weeks I asked my neighbor to water my plants. She gave my snake plant a good watering every other day. When I got back it was not only leaning but had yellowing leaves too.
The fix:
- Let the soil dry out completely between waterings
- In the winter you might only need to water once a month
- If the play has developed root rot you’ll need to repot with fresh, dry soil after trimming away any black roots
- Use pots with drainage holes
3. Poor Soil
Snake plants aren’t all that bothered about soil. But they do have some basic requirements.
If your soil is too dense and holds on to too much water then the roots won’t be able to breathe. If it’s too loose the plant might not have enough support to stand up.
For a happy snake plant:
- Use soil that is specifically made for succulents or cacti
- Add perlite or sand to regular potting soil to improve drainage
- Don’t use soil that have crystals or too much peat in it
A good snake plant soil mix has about 2 parts regular potting soil, 1 part perlite and 1 part sand. This gives the roots something to grip onto while making sure the water drains away quickly.
4. The Pot Is Too Small (Or Too Big)
If your pot is too small your snake plant will be top heavy and starts to lean. The roots can’t spread out to create a stable base.
But a pot that’s way too large means there’s too much soil holding moisture around the roots. Plus the plant doesn’t have enough roots to stabilize itself in all that space.
Here’s how to get it right:
- Choose a pot that’s only 1 to 2 inches wider than your plant’s roots
- Make sure the pot is heavy enough at the base so it can’t tip over
- Terracotta pots work great for snake plants – they’re heavy and help get rid of excess moisture
- Repot only when your plant is very root bound
Snake plants actually like to be a bit snug in their pots. They only need repotting every 2 t 3 years.
5. Weak or Damaged Stems
Sometimes a leaning snake plant is because of physical damage. Its leaves can get bent if they’re knocked over, brushed against too often or damaged when they’ve been transported.
Once a snake plant leaf is bent it won’t be be able to repair itself. That damage is permanent, though the plant will continue to grow new, straight leaves if you cared for it properly.
How to handle damaged stems:
- Badly damaged leaves can be cut off at the base
- Minor bends can be supported with small stakes until you get new growth
- Put your plants somewhere they’re less likely to be bumped into
- Use a heavy pot that won’t get tipped over easily
Snake plants are constantly growing new leaves. So even if you have to remove damaged ones your plant will fill out again over time.
6. Pest Problems
Snake plants can be affected by pests. Mealybugs, spider mites and scale can all attack your plant and will weakening the leaves which will lead to them drooping and leaning.
Pests will usually attack the leaves and hide in any gaps they can find. They suck the sap from the plant and make it too weak to stand up.
If pests are your problem:
- Separate the affected plant so the pests can’t spread to others
- Wipe all leaves with a cloth that you’ve covered in insecticidal soap or neem oil
- For bad infestations you may need to repot the plant after washing the roots
- Look at your plants regularly to check for pests, especially when you first bring them home
7. Temperature Stress
If your snake plant is subjected to sudden changes in the temperature or drafts it can cause the leaves to be weaker and lean.
The best temperature range for snake plants is between 60 to 85°F (15 to 29°C). Below 50°F (10°C) they will suffer from damage from the cold, which can cause the leaves to collapse.
Last winter I put my snake plant near what I presumed was a window that would be fine. What I didn’t realize was that there was a cold draft coming through it. The plant slowly started leaning away from the window.
To keep your snake plant temperature happy:
- Keep plants away from drafty windows, doors etc.
- Don’t put them near radiators or heaters
- And don’t put them in spots where the temperature fluctuates a lot
- Never leave them in a car during the summer or winter
If your plant has been damaged by the cold you may need to remove the affected leaves and move it to somewhere better. It will eventually produce new leaves if the roots haven’t been damaged.
8. Genetics and Natural Growth Patterns
Sometimes your snake plant’s leaning isn’t your fault at all – it’s just the way it grows. Some varieties naturally grow at a bit of an angle rather than perfectly straight.
The snake plant family has over 70 species. Some, like the ‘Twisted Sister’, have been bred to have a curved growth.
What to know about natural growth patterns:
- Research your variety to understand how it normally grows
- Some varieties like ‘Cylindrica’ fan out as they grow rather than doing so straight up
- New growth will often show how the plant is going to grow – if new leaves grow straight but the old ones lean it’s probably an environmental issue
- Don’t fight against its genetics – sometimes going with your plant’s natural growth makes it more interesting
An awful lot of what we see as problems are actually just natural characteristics of the plant. Learning to tell the difference can save you a lot of unnecessary worry.
I once spent months trying to fix what I thought was a leaning problem. It was only later I discovered through research that the variety I had naturally grows with a slight curve to its leaves.
9. Unbalanced Fertilizer
Snake plants don’t need much fertilizer but getting the balance wrong can definitely cause problems with leaning. Too much nitrogen, for instance, can cause poor growth that flops over.
At the same time a major lack of nutrients can lead to floppy leaves too. It’s a tricky balance but fortunately not too difficult to get right.
I made a mistake in the past of using regular houseplant fertilizer and not diluting it. The growth after was tall but the leaves were skinny and couldn’t support themselves.
For proper snake plant fertilization:
- Use a balanced fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength
- Fertilize only during the spring and summer
- Don’t put fertilizer on more than once every 2 to 3 months
- If you’ve never fertilized your snake plant and it’s doing fine then just leave it. If it’s working then stick with what you’re doing
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I stake my leaning snake plant?
You can stake a leaning snake plant for a while giving you a chance to address the underlying issue. Use a bamboo stake and some plant ties to support the leaning leaves without damaging them. But staking will only be a temporary solution. You’ll still need to fix whatever’s causing it to lean in the first place.
Will my snake plant straighten up on its own?
If the leaning is caused by an issue with light and the leaves aren’t permanently damaged your snake plant will slowly straighten up again once you begin to give it the right light. However, badly bent or damaged leaves won’t recover sadly.
Can I cut off leaning leaves?
Absolutely. If some leaves are leaning or damaged you can cut them off. The plant will send its energy to the new, straight leaves. Just don’t remove more than about 30% of the plant at once.
Is it normal for snake plants to lean outward as they grow?
Many snake plant varieties do have a slight natural lean to how they grow, especially as they get older. If your plant seems healthy in every other way and the leaning is symmetrical it could just be how it naturally grows.
How do I know if my snake plant is getting too much light?
Signs of too much light include yellow leaves, brown spots, or just looking pale and unhealthy. If your plant is showing these symptoms and leaning away from the light it might be telling you it needs less intense light.
Final Thoughts
Take heart from knowing that snake plants are very tough and most leaning issues can be corrected with a bit of time and the right care.
A lot of the time a problem may look bad but is just your plant getting used to its environment. That slight curve might actually be completely normal. You just need to know the difference between natural growth and signs of it being unhappy.
Snake plants are really forgiving too. Even if yours is leaning a lot don’t give up on it. With the right changes it can definitely recover.
And if all else fails and your snake plant insists on leaning then just look at it as having some personality. Sometimes the plants with those strange quirks are the ones we end up liking the most.