What to Do if a Moonshine Snake Plant Has Brown Spots

Identify Leaf Spot Disease

• Leaf spot is a fungal disease that appears as small brown spots on new foliage on moonshine snake plants. Leaf spot commonly occurs in the whorls of new leaf growth located in the center of the plant where there is little air circulation. Plants kept in humid, shaded areas are more prone to leaf spot infection than moonshine snake plants that receive some direct sunlight. If left untreated, the fungi that cause the small brown spots will grow larger and develop a web-like mycelium that can cover the infested leaf and spread to other parts of the plant. Leaves infested with leaf spot typically turn yellow and wilt as the fungal infection grows.

Identify Thrips

• Thips are small brown insects that use their abrasive mouth parts to damage the surface of snake plants and feed on the sap that oozes from the wounds. As thrips feed, they damage the texture of snake plant foliage and cause callouses and scars to develop on the surface of the foliage. If left untreated, the foliage of moonshine snake plants will curl and fade to yellow or brown. Thrips appear as small brown dots on the foliage of snake plants. However, they are very fast insects that are difficult to detect with the unaided eye, making the scars and damage to the plant an easier way to identify their presence.

Treat Fungal Problems

• One of the best ways to treat brown spots caused by fungal diseases is to change the way you care for your moonshine snake plant. Remove wilted foliage, and place the plant in a bright area of your home. Water only the base of the plant when the soil is completely dry, and take care not to splash water on the infested foliage. Keep the foliage with brown spots dry for several weeks, and monitor the plant regularly. Dry growing conditions cause difficulty for the fungal disease to survive on your plant, according to the University of Florida.

Treat Thrips

• You have several ways to remove brown spots on snake plants caused by thrips. Thrips are easily washed off of potted snake plants by taking the plant outdoors and spraying the foliage with a high-pressure garden hose. Light thrip infestations are also relatively easy to remove by washing the infested plant with insecticidal soap or horticultural oils. Several pesticides are labeled for treating thrips and are effective for removing dense infestations. Always follow the instructions on pesticides, as labeled, for best results.