If you need a tolerant plant for your office, the Snow White Waffle Plant is a perfect choice! This small ruffled species is a variegated variety of the Purple Waffle Plant. The “Snow White” variegation has unique green and purple foliage with cream-colored edges.
Waffle Plants are generally easy to care for, which makes them excellent for beginner gardeners. But like with any plant, if its care requirements aren’t met, it will begin to die.
To save a dying Snow White Waffle Plant check for overwatering, too much sun, a lack of humidity, or a lack of fertilization. You’ll need to rule out which of these issues is causing your plant to be unhappy.
Why is My Waffle Plant Dying?
A dying plant can take many different forms. Brown leaves and drooping foliage are the most common symptoms of something amiss. It would be best if you started doing detective work at the first sign of decline. Quick action can save your plant from death and help it bounce back quickly.
The most common issues gardeners face with the Snow White Waffle Plant are:
- Overwatering
- Too Much Sun
- Lack of Humidity
- Lack of Fertilization
Let’s explore these issues further and examine the actions you can take to remedy them.
Overwatering
Snow White Waffle Plants love their moisture. The soil must be constantly moist but not water-logged. Finding this balance can be tricky, so overwatering is very common.
If you notice that the foliage and stems are becoming translucent and droopy, there’s a good chance the soil is waterlogged. Waterlogged soil prevents the roots from accessing oxygen, which in turn causes the roots to rot. Rotten roots cannot take in water or nutrients, so the plant starts to die.
How Often Should You Water Waffle Plants?
To keep your Snow White Waffle Plant happy, you should water the soil about once a week. Since everyone’s home is different, a more accurate measure of when to water your plant is to feel the soil. If the top two inches of soil are dry, it’s time to give your plant a drink.
A proper pot with drainage holes is key to preventing overwatering. Terracotta pots are an excellent choice for plants that need constant moisture. Terracotta is a porous material that allows water and air to travel through the pot. This prevents water from getting trapped in the soil. Ensure your terracotta pot has a drainage hole on the bottom and a saucer to catch any excess water.
Too Much Sun
Since the Snow White Waffle Plant is a variegated variety, you must be careful about its leaves. A lack of chlorophyll causes those beautiful white and pink colored leaves. This lack of chlorophyll means that the variegated parts of the plant are unable to absorb sunlight.
The variegated leaves will burn and turn brown if a Snow White Waffle Plant is exposed to direct sunlight.
How Much Light Does a Waffle Plant Need?
Waffle Plants, in general, prefer lots of light. If planted outdoors, they can handle partial sun throughout the day. Indoor Snow White Waffle Plants need bright indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, as it will burn the delicate leaves.
The best way to ensure the leaves don’t get scorched is to filter sunlight through a sheer curtain. Keep in mind that too much shade is also harmful to your plant. Variegations tend to revert to green if the plant doesn’t receive enough light.
Lack of Humidity
The Snow White Waffle Plant is a tropical plant that requires high humidity to thrive. Warmth and humidity go hand in hand, so it’s just as important to make sure that you keep your plant in a warm environment. A lack of humidity can lead to curling leaves, brittleness, and brown patches.
If you live with cold winters, you’ll need to be extra cautious about dry air. Both heaters and air conditioners will dry out the air in your home, so you’ll need to compensate with more humidity. 50-70% humidity is ideal.
Should I Mist My Waffle Plant?
Misting your plant with water is a great way to increase humidity levels. But a more effective method of adding humidity is to place your plant near a humidifier or in a humid area of the home. A bathroom is a great place for the Snow White Waffle Plant since the air is moist and warm. In the kitchen near a dishwasher is another excellent location!
Lack of Fertilization
Waffle Plants naturally grow in the rainforest understory, where the soil is moist and full of nutrients. To recreate this environment in your home, your Snow White Waffle Plant will require regular fertilization and nutrient-rich soil. A lack of nutrients will cause your Snow White Waffle Plant to lose its bright, bold colors and stunt its growth.
What Kind of Soil Do Waffle Plants Like?
Although the Snow White Waffle Plant will tolerate regular potting soil, it will thrive best in richer soil. For the best color and growth, use slightly acidic soil (6.1-6.5 pH) rich with humus. Humus is a dark material made from the decay of animals and plants.
Along with humus, ensure your soil contains peat moss. Peat moss is harvested from bogs and will add nutrients to the soil and make it slightly acidic.
You can also feed your plant with a general houseplant fertilizer once a month in the spring and summer. A 5-10-5 fertilizer should do. Ensure you water the plant after applying fertilizer to prevent burning the roots.
Do Purple Waffle Plants Like to Be Root Bound?
Purple Waffle Plants and Snow White Waffle Plants can tolerate being root bound but won’t thrive this way. The stems of the Snow White Waffle Plant are delicate and may get damaged if the plant becomes root bound. Be very gentle to avoid breakage if you’re trying to remove a root-bound Waffle Plant from its pot. You may need a dull butter knife to ease the roots away from the pot walls gently.
Is Snow White Waffle Plant Toxic?
If you have a curious feline or canine who tends to eat things they shouldn’t, you can breathe easy knowing the Snow White Waffle Plant is not toxic. Waffle Plants, in general, are not on the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) list of toxic houseplants.
The Waffle Plant also goes by the name “Red Ivy,” which may lead to confusion around its toxicity. Common houseplants like English Ivy are incredibly toxic to dogs, cats, and humans.
Is a Waffle Plant a Nerve Plant?
Although they do look very similar, the Waffle Plant and Nerve Plant are two completely different species. Waffle Plant is also known as Hemigraphis alternata and is from the Acanthaceae family. Nerve plant is also in the Acanthaceae family, but it is of the genus Fittonia.
Both love moisture and produce white flowers. They both also have trailing growth habits, so it’s easy to see how they could get confused.
How Big Do Snow White Waffles Get?
When this plant is happy, it can grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) tall. Many gardeners prefer to plant their Snow White Waffle Plant in a hanging planter because they tend to grow outward rather than upwards. Their maximum width is between 8-12 inches (20-30 cm).
Summary
The Snow White Waffle Plant is not only funky and unique, but it’s easy to care for too! Like with any plant, if you neglect its care, it will start to show signs of unhappiness.
A dying Snow White Waffle Plant is often attributed to overwatering and root rot. Too much direct sunlight can cause delicate leaves to become burnt and brown. A lack of humidity will cause this tropical plant’s leaves to curl and shrivel. And without nutrient-rich soil, the Snow White Waffle Plant will likely have stunted growth.
Hopefully, this guide will help you determine which affliction your Snow White Waffle Plant is suffering from and how to fix it.