Snake plant has very skinny/narrow leaves

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

Any idea why?? I've had this plant for several years and it is growing and seems healthy otherwise, but many of the leaves are so narrow you can see right through the plant to the wall. Any advice on how to make the leaves grow out wider? Is this some form of etiolation? I have it in a south facing room about 2-3 feet to the right of the window (sunlight is filtered by trees in the summer) where it gets no direct light. Does it need more light to thicken up? It seems like this is the most likely reason, but considering they're touted as being a low light tolerant, I thought there may be some other explanation?? thank you so much for any help or advice!!

Katie

Featured Answer

Chris Jacobie

3 years ago

Yep, light issue. A bay window cushion area? I think you meant to say "a soon-to-be bay window plant jungle." Rip those cushions out!

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Comments (17)

windberry zone5a BCCanada
3 years ago
If possible post a picture in comments. It is always helpful.
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katie h
Original Author
3 years ago
OK, i'll try to upload a couple pics.
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Amynoacids (z6 MI)
3 years ago
Not enough light. It's spending its energy growing leaves longer in hopes of reaching the light. You can see that it's stretching and learning towards the light in your pictures. Move it to a brighter spot and it will grow thicker, straighter leaves. They don't love direct sun, but all of mine do best sitting right in a north window.
katie h thanked Amynoacids (z6 MI)
katie h
Original Author
3 years ago
OK, thanks a lot for your input! I was thinking that was the case, but hoping (maybe, just maybe) it was something else I could fix. It would look strange to move the plant in front of the window in that room because it is a bay window/seat cushion area. Maybe I will move it to another room and put something else there. Thanks again.
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Debs
3 years ago
Hello, I have a snake plant which are narrow at the base. This plant lives on a table next to a western facing window. It doesn't get the harsh afternoon direct sun. Any suggestions to the cause? I wondered if I under watered?
windberry zone5a BCCanada
3 years ago
Could be this kind of variety. Here https://www.joyusgarden.com/sansevierias-snake-plant-care/ you will find comprehensive info how to care for Sansevieria.
Debs
3 years ago
Definitely sansevieria
katie h
Original Author
3 years ago
Hi Debs- After doing a little more research, I think these plants like more light than commonly thought. I moved my plant right out of the corner of the room where it now gets direct sunlight in a south facing window from 830am to 130pm and its doing great!! I cut off all the skinniest leaves in late autumn and new leaves have already shot up ~4 inches!- and much thicker too! I think the reason that they tolerate low light is that it just basically halts their growth, but when it does start growing, then problems ensue:) So, my final opinion: not a true low light house plant!
katie h
Original Author
3 years ago
Haha! That sounds like a good plan, but my cats would have something to say about that. . .
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Debs
3 years ago
Hi Katie, that makes sense! It did a huge amount of growing next to the window. It seemed happy until one started to flop in the middle. I'm glad you've seen new growth!
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katie h thanked Debs
katie h
Original Author
3 years ago
Hi Debs- I am definitely no plant expert by any means, but I think that leaves flopping is to do with either over or underwatering. From my experience, my leaves never flopped even though they were extremely tall and skinny. . . I probably should have just started over ha!

You might need to just cut that leaf off and maybe address water- but who knows, maybe if you stake it, it will heal over time? can't hurt!

Thanks,

Katie
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Karley Stevenson
3 years ago
Hey Katie, I came across this post somehow lol and thought I would offer what I have learned. Almost all plants that are considered "low light" plants just tolerate low light. They will not thrive in it. Check out the house plant journal on Instagram. He explains lighting to a T. Good luck!
katie h
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you Karley! I will definitely check him out! Wouldn’t it be great if there really was a plant that just adored darkness for those dark empty corners of our spaces?? no such luck!
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Karley Stevenson
3 years ago
Yes! I actually bought all new furniture and did my living room up all nice. Then bought too many new plants, and fully researched them. Learned about the vague "bright but indirect" term and what plants actually need. Well now instead of having beautiful decor, I have closed heat vents, rearranged furniture and everything is based on plant location hahaha.
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katie h
Original Author
3 years ago
Haha! I can SO relate to everything you just said! Closing vents/ rearranging/ puzzling over bright indirect light- also, wondering why I even have trouble with the “easy” houseplants .....

I’m fairly certain the best looking houseplants I have right now are the faux succulents in the kitchen:)
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Karley Stevenson
3 years ago
Lol too funny! My succulents have stretched because we don't get enough light. Some of them are over a foot long, they are insane. Now I am battling a soil issue, not sure if a got a bad batch or what but it is not drying out, in fact it seems to get wetter which is odd since my house is dry lol. Never ending battle.
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