Help! My Snake Plant Won’t Grow – Here’s What to Do

You brought home a gorgeous snake plant, imagining it standing tall, sending up fresh new leaves like green swords. Instead, months have passed, and your plant is exactly the same size—or worse, it’s starting to look unhappy.

If you’ve ever found yourself sighing, Help! My Snake Plant Won’t Grow – Here’s What to Do, you’re definitely not alone. Snake plants, also known as Sansevieria or Dracaena trifasciata, have a reputation for being practically indestructible. But they’re also notorious for growing very slowly, leaving plant parents feeling like they’re stuck in botanical limbo.

The good news? There’s almost always a reason your snake plant is stalling—and solutions that can help it thrive again. Let’s dig into why your snake plant might be refusing to grow, and what steps you can take to transform it into a vigorous, leafy superstar.

Why Won’t My Snake Plant Grow?

Let’s tackle the mystery at the root of your frustrations (pun fully intended). When a snake plant stops growing, it’s usually sending you clues about what’s wrong. Here are the most common culprits.

1. Is Your Plant Getting Enough Light?

Yes, snake plants are often marketed as “low light” plants—but that doesn’t mean they like low light. It just means they tolerate it.

Think of it like this: you could survive in a dark basement for months, but you wouldn’t exactly be thriving. The same goes for your plant. Insufficient light is one of the top reasons for sluggish growth.

How to Tell If Light Is the Problem

Ask yourself:

Does my plant live in a windowless room or corner?
Does it only get brief glimpses of sunlight each day?
Do the leaves look pale, stretched, or leaning toward the nearest light source?

Snake plants grown in low light often produce narrower, weaker leaves and almost stop growing altogether.

How to Fix It

Move your snake plant closer to a window—but out of direct, harsh sun, which can burn the leaves.
North- or east-facing windows are usually perfect.
If your home doesn’t get much sunlight, supplement with a full-spectrum grow light for 6–8 hours a day.
Rotate your plant every few weeks to ensure even growth on all sides.

Bright, indirect light is your snake plant’s secret growth fuel!

2. Is It Watered Correctly?

A snake plant’s thick, fleshy leaves store water. This makes them drought-tolerant but also prone to root rot if you water too often.

Overwatering Clues

Leaves become soft, mushy, or translucent.
Base of the leaves turns yellow or brown.
The soil smells musty or sour.
New leaves fail to emerge or collapse as they unfurl.

Underwatering Clues

Leaves look wrinkled or shriveled.
Leaf tips turn crispy and brown.
Plant appears stunted, with no new growth for many months.

The Right Way to Water

Always check the soil before watering. Stick your finger 2-3 inches into the soil. If it’s dry, it’s time to water.
Water thoroughly until liquid runs out of the drainage holes.
Let the pot drain fully—never leave it sitting in water.
Reduce watering frequency in winter when the plant’s growth slows dramatically.

Snake plants prefer to be on the drier side, so when in doubt, wait another week.

3. Could Temperature or Drafts Be the Culprit?

Snake plants are tropical natives. They love warmth, steady conditions, and absolutely hate being blasted by cold or hot air.

Situations to Avoid

Placing your plant directly beside an air conditioning vent in summer.
Setting it too close to a heater or fireplace in winter.
Leaving it on a chilly windowsill during a frosty night.
Putting it near doors that frequently open and close, letting in drafts.

Sudden temperature swings can shock your snake plant into dormancy—or worse, damage its tissues.

Best Temperature Range

Ideal range: 60-85°F (15-29°C)
Avoid prolonged exposure below 50°F (10°C)

If your plant has stopped growing, check the surrounding environment. Sometimes, relocating your plant to a calmer, more stable spot is all it takes to get it thriving again.

4. Is Your Snake Plant Root Bound?

Over time, snake plants can become root bound, meaning the roots fill the entire pot, leaving little space for soil, water, or nutrients.

Symptoms of a Root Bound Plant

Roots poke out the bottom drainage holes.
Soil dries out very quickly after watering.
Water runs right through the pot instead of being absorbed.
The plant appears top-heavy or wobbly.

How to Check for Root Bound Issues

Gently tip the plant out of the pot (slide your fingers along the edges to loosen it).
If you see a solid mass of tangled roots circling the shape of the pot, it’s time to repot.

How to Repot

Choose a new pot 1-2 inches wider in diameter.
Fill it with a well-draining soil mix.
Gently tease apart tightly wound roots to encourage outward growth.
Replant and water lightly.

A little extra room gives your snake plant the freedom to stretch its roots—and shoot up new leaves!

5. Is It Time to Feed Your Plant?

Snake plants are famously low-maintenance, but that doesn’t mean they can thrive forever without food. Like all living things, they need nutrients to grow.

Signs Your Snake Plant Needs Fertilizer

Leaves look pale or dull instead of vibrant green.
Growth has stalled for many months even in good light.
Older leaves yellow and die off more quickly.

How to Fertilize

Use a balanced, all-purpose liquid houseplant fertilizer.
Dilute it to half strength to avoid burning the roots.
Feed monthly in spring and summer when your plant is actively growing.
Skip fertilizer altogether during fall and winter.

Remember: it’s far better to under-fertilize than overdo it. Snake plants are sensitive to fertilizer salts building up in the soil.

6. Is the Soil Right?

Heavy, compacted soil can hold too much moisture, leading to rot and stunted growth. Snake plants thrive in fast-draining mixes that mimic their native sandy soils.

The Best Soil Mix

2 parts cactus/succulent mix
1 part perlite, pumice, or coarse sand

Why Drainage Matters

Excess moisture suffocates roots, causing rot.
Well-aerated soil keeps oxygen circulating around the roots.

If your plant has been sitting in standard potting soil for several years, consider repotting into a lighter mix for happier, healthier growth.

7. Patience: The Secret Ingredient

This might be the hardest part of plant parenthood—waiting. Snake plants are naturally slow growers, especially indoors where light levels and temperatures fluctuate.

When Growth Slows Naturally

In autumn and winter, many snake plants enter a semi-dormant state.
Lower light levels and shorter days signal the plant to conserve energy.
New leaves might take several months to appear, even under perfect care.

Bottom line: If your snake plant looks healthy and firm, but simply isn’t growing new leaves yet, don’t panic. Keep caring for it—and have faith that growth will resume once conditions improve.

How to Encourage Your Snake Plant to Grow

Now that you know the possible reasons for stalled growth, let’s look at practical steps to help your plant put out fresh, vibrant leaves.

Boost the Light Levels

Place your plant in bright, indirect light whenever possible.
Use sheer curtains to filter harsh direct sunlight.
Consider LED grow lights if natural sunlight is limited.
Rotate your plant every few weeks to encourage balanced growth on all sides

Perfect Your Watering Routine

Check soil moisture before watering.
Adjust watering frequency based on season and home humidity.
Avoid letting your plant sit in standing water.

Create Ideal Growing Conditions

Maintain consistent room temperatures.
Avoid placing your plant near heat or cold sources.
While snake plants tolerate dry air, occasional misting can remove dust and refresh leaves.

Feed Wisely

Use a balanced fertilizer at half strength.
Feed monthly during active growth periods.
Flush the soil with plain water every few months to prevent salt buildup.

Repot When Needed

Check roots every 1-2 years.
Upgrade to a slightly larger pot if roots are crowded.
Refresh soil to give your plant a nutrient boost.

Keep It Clean

Dust buildup blocks sunlight and slows photosynthesis.

Wipe leaves with a soft, damp cloth.
Check for pests like spider mites or mealybugs while cleaning.
Remove dead or damaged leaves to encourage new growth.

Divide for More Plants

Dividing a mature snake plant is a fun way to multiply your collection—and often stimulates new growth in the parent plant.

How to Divide

Remove the plant from the pot.
Separate the root ball into sections, ensuring each has leaves and roots attached.
Pot divisions into fresh soil.
Water lightly and keep them in indirect light until established.

Not only does this keep your snake plant healthy—it’s the perfect excuse to share plants with friends!

When Should I Worry About My Snake Plant Not Growing?

Slow growth alone isn’t cause for panic. But certain symptoms mean it’s time to take action:

Mushy, collapsing leaves
Persistent foul odor from soil
Rapid yellowing or browning of foliage
Severe drooping despite proper watering

These could signal serious issues like root rot or pest infestations. When in doubt, gently unpot your snake plant to check the roots for signs of rot or pests.

Common Myths About Snake Plant Growth

Let’s clear up a few snake plant misunderstandings:

Myth: Snake plants love dark corners.
Reality: They survive there—but grow much better in bright, indirect light.

Myth: Snake plants need no fertilizer.
Reality: Occasional feeding helps fuel healthy growth.

Myth: Snake plants grow quickly.
Reality: They’re naturally slow growers, especially indoors.

Quick Checklist: Help Your Snake Plant Thrive

Here’s a handy cheat sheet for troubleshooting your sluggish snake plant:

Provide bright, indirect light.
Water only when soil is dry.
Avoid cold drafts or heat blasts.
Fertilize sparingly in spring and summer.
Repot every 2-3 years.
Keep leaves clean and dust-free.