This impressive snake plant (sansevieria) is popular for small spaces because of its thick, straight, fleshy leaves. Due to its small footprint, this green is a popular choice for homes with limited space.
However, after a long period of growth, the leaves, which should have been thick when you bought them, have become thinner.
Even though you’ve been taking good care of your snake plant, its leaves are getting thinner and thinner. We’ll explain why the leaves are getting smaller and smaller and why the plant as a whole is getting weaker.
Why Does the Snake Plant Become Thinner?
Because they thrive in dimmer conditions and tolerate partial shade, snake plants are a popular indoor plant choice.
It is highly likely that Sansevieria becomes thin due to the lack of sunlight.
But the real snake plant likes to be in the sun. They will suffer from a lack of sunlight if kept inside all year.
The lack of sunlight may eventually cause snake plants to weaken, but this is usually not the case due to the plants’ resilience.
However, the lack of sunlight will gradually cause the leaves to thin out.
Snake plants’ leaves grow upward in search of sunlight, especially between spring and fall when the plant is most vigorous.
As a result of the prolonged lack of sunlight, the leaves will become thin and spindly.
Roots Became Overcrowded
If you haven’t repotted your snake plant in more than two years, the roots may have become congested, causing the leaves to become thinner.
Roots’ ability to take in water and nutrients is compromised when there is too much competition for space.
In addition, since there isn’t much room in the pot, the leaves don’t develop properly and instead stretch out to become long and skinny.
Unfortunately, restoring the already thinning leaves is not possible.
How I Made The Leaves of My Snake Plant Thicker
The photo below shows a snake plant with leaves that are getting smaller because it doesn’t get enough light. It appears weak and skinny.
As you can see in the photo below, I grew this snake plant outdoors during the spring and summer.
About 3 months after putting it outside in the sun.
Even though the leaves are already thin, they won’t return to how they were. However, new leaves have grown from the base of the plant. (Above image)
The emergence of these new leaves is accompanied by an increase in their thickness.
You can see that restoring the already thin leaves to thick leaves is difficult (almost impossible), but you can cause new strong leaves to develop by moving the plant.
Place your snake plant in the sun if you want it to grow thick and strong, as long as the temperature is suitable for snake plants.
Keep in mind that the direct summer sun can severely burn the leaves of a snake plant.
Key Takeaways to Remember
Here, I discuss the factors that contribute to snake plants’ thinning appearance.
When a snake plant gets thinner, the first thing to think is that it’s not getting enough sunlight. Light intensity changes when it passes through a window, even in a sunny room.
The growth will also be very different from what it would be outside in the sun if the window is dirty and cloudy or if it has been treated to block UV rays.
Also, wipe the leaves with a damp cloth every so often if they get dusty since they block the sun.
The word “indoors” can mean very different things depending on whether it is near a window or a wall. Even if it is near a window, the direction it faces (south or north) makes a significant difference.
Also, when moving pots, gradually acclimate them to sunlight. The plant’s leaves might get scorched if you take the pot outdoors.
Reasons For Snake Plants Became Thin
- Mainly because there wasn’t much sunlight.
- Roots that are clogged up can also cause thinning because the plant can’t grow as smoothly.
- The leaves in the middle of the plant tend to be thinner because they are surrounded by other leaves and don’t get enough light.