The yellowing of snake plant turning yellow is usually a sign that the plants are stressed or unhappy. They may be suffering from overwatering, root rot or temperature fluctuations. They can also be affected by fungal infections, pests and nutrient deficiencies. Luckily, these issues can be resolved with a little bit of attention and effort.
Overwatering is the most common cause of yellowing snake plant leaves. This occurs when the soil is continually wet and re-wet, which causes the roots to rot and eventually die. To prevent this, you should water your snake plant only when the soil feels dry down an inch or so. It’s also a good idea to use a soil moisture meter to monitor the amount of water in your snake plant’s soil.
Overwatering: Excessive watering can lead to root rot, causing the leaves to turn yellow
The other main reason for yellowing snake plant leaves is because of root rot. This is caused when the snake plant’s potting soil is not well-draining, causing excess water to stay in the roots. This leads to fungi that can cause the leaves to turn yellow and mushy. Fortunately, this can be corrected by repotting your snake plant into a light and well-draining soil mix that emulates the snake plant’s native habitat.
Other reasons for snake plant leaves turning yellow include photodamage and natural aging. The former is a normal process that occurs as the snake plant sheds its older leaves to make room for new growth. Natural aging typically involves yellowing, browning and dying of the oldest and most damaged leaves.