Last Updated on October 16, 2022 by Cristina
Do you see your snake plant growing out and not up? Then you have a problem at hand. Luckily, there’s a few reasons this happens, and their solutions are pretty simple!
Snake plants are one of the most popular house plants for beginners. They’re very forgiving, and you’ll see them multiply in front of your eyes. If your plant is growing to the side or seems droopy, you should fix this.
In this article, I share why snake plants grow outwards and how you can fix this.
Why Is My Snake Plant Bending?
Bending snake plant leaves can be caused by many reasons. One of the primary ones is that the leaves get too heavy to stay upright. Root rot is a second common cause since this disease weakens snake plants.
If your snake plant outgrows its pot, the leaves can also start bending.
Snake Plant Growing Out And Not Up: Reasons And Solutions
If you notice your snake plant is a little droopy and not growing upwards, check to see if one of these reasons might be the cause:
Your Snake Plant Is Still Young
Baby snake plants tend to grow outward instead of up. If yours is young, you’ll likely notice this. All you need to do is give your plant some time to mature.
If you see new baby plants emerging, you can tie them to the bigger leaves to encourage upward growth. Untie them again once they get taller to let them grow naturally.
Your Snake Plant is Over Or Underwatered – Snake Plant Growing Out And Not Up
Overwatering your snake plant can result in root rot. This condition can make your plant roots droop and even die. Too much water could also leave the soil around your plant soggy and unable to sustain the weight of its leaves.
If snake plants get too little water and too much heat, they can dehydrate. Its leaves will weaken and start to hang.
How much water your snake plant needs will depend on where it’s placed and the temperature around it. Only water your plant when the soil feels dry about two inches in.
Your Snake Plant Isn’t Exposed To Enough Light
Light plays a vital role in a plant’s health. Snake plants grow towards the light, and if yours isn’t growing up, its light source might be coming from the wrong angle.
You should place your snake plant in a sunny spot that gets light from all angles. This will help it grow upwards naturally.
Your Snake Plant Roots Are Overcrowded
If your snake plant doesn’t have enough space, its roots can overcrowd. Some plants naturally have more roots than others and can deprive those with fewer of their nutrients if they grow over them.
You should ensure your snake plant is in the correct size pot. If they have enough space to grow, their roots will spread evenly.
Snake Plant Soil Mix, Specially Formulated for Sansevieria Trifascatia Zeylanica Plants
Your Snake Plant Is Too Big – Snake Plant Growing Out And Not Up
Some snake plants can grow so big and tall that their weight is too heavy to carry. This can cause them to droop and grow sideways. You can trim your plant leaves or prop them up to fix this problem. Regularly cutting your snake plant will keep it smaller, while using stakes can promote upward growth.
More Solutions For Helping Your Snake Plant Grow Upwards
Keeping your snake plant healthy will eliminate the chance of it growing outward. While they need little care, you shouldn’t neglect your plant.
Keep your plant satisfied by enriching its soil with nutrients. A fertilizer that contains the necessary vitamins and minerals will ensure vigorous growth. Without these, your snake plant’s growth will be stunted, and it might even start hanging.
If you plan on repotting your snake plant, avoid droopy leaves by ensuring your plant doesn’t get transplant shock. If this happens, your snake plant leaves can bend outward or start curling. With nutrient-rich soil in the new pot, enough water, and direct sunlight, this is unlikely to happen.
Another way to fix drooping leaves is to warm your plant up. Severe cold can harm its leaves and even cause leave rot. Snake plants like warm temperatures, and although they’ll be fine during the winter, keeping them in a sunny spot helps pull them through.
Can You Grow Snake Plants Upside Down?
Growing a snake plant upside down is nearly impossible. Unless you have a special planter on hand, you can’t do this. When the leaves you cut from a snake plant start propagating, ensure you use the correct end. If you use the wrong end, your plant won’t grow.
How Do You Support A Spider Plant? Snake Plant Growing Out And Not Up
Supporting a spider plant is pretty straightforward. They have basic needs, including a bright to mild lighted room, temperatures that aren’t too hot or cold, and a balanced moisture level in their soil. You should also keep them away from direct sunlight.
Watering once a week in the spring and summer is sufficient. During the winter, allow the soil to dry a little more between waterings.
A spider plant mainly grows upwards, but the leaves get longer as it ages and starts hanging down. I recommend hanging your spider plant to let its leaves grow long.
In Conclusion, Snake Plant Growing Out And Not Up
Caring for a snake plant isn’t difficult, but problems sometimes occur. When your snake plant starts drooping, it can kill the aesthetics and your mood! You should keep your snake plant healthy to ensure its leaves grow upward and not out. By identifying the reason for hanging leaves, you can quickly fix them.
Whether it’s root rot, irregular temperatures, sunlight exposure, or a watering issue, you can save your snake plant and restore its leaves if you catch the problem before it worsens. Inspect your plant every time you walk past it or give water.
I hope this article was helpful and fun to read! If you have more questions about caring for snake plants or tips you can share, pop them in the comments!
