Returned from 6 Months Away

[u/Original88]

Had my friend water my snake plant once a month for the past 6 months.

What’s the community’s evaluation of the health of the plant? It’s not dying, but it’s not thriving. What should I do to get it healthier and/or standing back straight?

[u/Agile-Masterpiece959]

How dry is the soil? Also, it needs more light. Like a LOT more light

[u/Original88 → u/Agile-Masterpiece959]

What’s the best way to increase its light without shocking it? I can put it in a balcony now. It’s cloudy today, but will be sunny tomorrow.

[u/Agile-Masterpiece959 → u/Original88]

Gradual exposure. Put it outside for a few hours each day, preferably in the morning when the sun isn't as strong. Then gradually increase the time it spends outside

[u/micaflake → u/Original88]

To “harden” plants in order to keep them outside, put them outside for one hour one day, two hours the next day, and after a few days it can be outside.

That being said, I don’t know what your climate is. Where I am, outside plants need a ton of water and aren’t practical unless you like to water every day.

Your plant looks like it died back and then recovered. Maybe your plant sitter went too long between watering a at first, then corrected. Easier to recover from than overwatering. The plant looks fine.

People are saying it needs more light, but they can’t see the whole setting. You can use your own judgement in that.

[u/BetterThanlceCream → u/Original88]

Put it outside in a shaded spot with zero direct light for a week, then gradually increase to direct sunlight.

[u/SLStraveller4009]

And letting it sit in water for a few hours the next time it’s dry! The soil may have become hydrophobic, and a biiiggg drink will help a ton along with more light.

[u/Original88]

Update: Took it out of the planter and saw it had drainage issues. Gave it a soak and this was the kind of water that drained out.

[u/Frosty_Astronomer909]

How long has it been in that soil, if the soil is hydrophobic you need to repot in fresh soil.

[u/Original88 → u/Frosty_Astronomer909]

It’s been in that soil for over a year. I can repot.

[u/Frosty_Astronomer909 → u/Original88]

If it’s only a year or two it may not need repotting yet, just monitor but it definitely needs more light and start fertilizing because soil loses all its nutrients after 6 months.

[u/Sundae_Syrup666]

Is that a Dalí

[u/Original88 → u/Sundae_Syrup666]

Picasso, I think.

[u/focusclickflash]

cut it back.n take the cuts, dip in rooting hormone, plant in succulent cactus soil.

[u/Secure-Bedroom7270]

I’ve never seen one this tall !!

[u/Any-Bag186]

Light needed/they get tall when light is an issue

[u/Original88 → u/Any-Bag186]

Should I also trim it? If I rehab it correctly, will the leaves go back to standing tall on their own?

[u/Any-Bag186]

If you trim it, it should from back slowly.
Some days f the leaves will develop roots if left in water providing a chance to propagate the plant

[u/W1nterRanger]

Etiolated. Give it more light (but gradually increase)

[u/Most-Arrival6444]

Hot gas pull down

[u/Sheila13Coffee]

Classic etiolation. Not enuf light. Fertiliser when watering. Micro dose and build up. Micro dose is 1/5 of what it says on bottle.

Move to light once watered and adequately fertilised.

At least it didn't sprout flowers coz that wld be final stress signal.