Why are my snake plant leaves turning yellow? Snake plants are regarded as one of the easiest to care for houseplants because they have low requirements for light and water. However, like any plant they can be affected by a wide variety of issues including disease, pests and environmental stressors. This article will explore why your snake plant leaves are turning yellow and provide some fairly minor adjustments to help the plant recover.

What is the secret of the snake plant?

The first issue to check is that the snake plant is not being over-watered. If the potting mix is soaking wet it can cause root rot which is not good for the plant and will result in the leaves turning yellow. It is also important that the potting mix allows the water to drain quickly and easily.

Another reason for a snake plant to have yellow leaves is because of sun burn. As snake plants are used to shady conditions in their native home they can not tolerate direct sunlight and will develop scorched yellow leaves as a result. Usually these leaves feel firm rather than mushy and can be cleaned with a cloth or cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.

Cold temperatures can also lead to a snake plant having yellow leaves because of a lack of moisture in the potting soil and lower photosynthesis. This can be remedied by moving the snake plant to a warmer location in the house. The ideal temperature window to keep snake plants in is between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Finally, it can be helpful to prune any old or damaged leaves from the snake plant to encourage growth and allow it to redirect its energy toward new foliage.