Propagating snake plant is easy and simple. However, you need to keep a few things in mind. In this blog post, we will discuss different methods for propagating snake plant and the pros and cons of each method.
Where To Buy Snake Plant?
Potted snake plants are available in several home and gardening stores or online. Depending upon the cultivar, it comes in container sizes from 2.5-inch square to 14-inch diameter.
Looking for the easiest and most beautiful plants to grow, look no further than a snake plant! These plants have many names: Sansevieria, Mother-In-Law Tongue, or Devil’s Tongue. They are some of the easiest and most beautiful plants to grow!
There are mainly three different ways for propagating snake plants!
- Propagating snake plant by leaf cuttings in water,
- Propagating them with leaves planted directly into the soil, or
- Propagating them by division.
In this blog post, we will discuss each of the above methods for propagating snake plant, as well as look at the pros and cons of each method. You will learn about the following:-
How to Propagate a Snake Plant?
Are you wondering how to propagate snake plant in water? Propagating snake plant is easy, and you can do it in many ways! The first is leaf cuttings in water; the second is by propagating leaves in soil, and the second is propagating snake plant by division.
One simple way of propagating snake plant is by leaf cuttings and leaving them in the water! You'll need to find a healthy, non-chlorotic leaf: trim the end and stick it in water until roots form. If you make a V-shape cut at the base of the leaf, the propagating process will go a lot faster. Also, there will be less rotting of tissue in water due to the minimal contact with water.
Steps
- Cut a healthy leaf at its base using a scissor.
- Insert the cut sections in a container of water. Keep the bottom side down from where the roots will grow.
- The 3-4 inches of leaves can be submerged in water.
- Leave it for 3-4 weeks, and change the water every once every week.
- Not all leaves will give out roots. You will see some leaves will start to rot!
- If you see rotting on some, trim the section off and put the leaf back in the water.
- It's always good to start with several leaves to have at least a few surviving until the end.
Pros
The pros of this method are that it's simple, easy, and fast! You can make propagated plants in less time than you may think – up to three weeks with some leaves or only one week for others. Also, if your plant has lots of healthy leaves available for propagating, this is a great way to make new plants.
Cons
The only con of propagated plants made from leaves in water is that these propagate more fragile than roots grown in soil or cuttings planted directly into the soil. Also, this process may take the longest of all methods.
2. Propagating Snake Plant By Leaf Cuttings in Soil
Propagating snake plant by leaf cuttings can be done in soil, too! This process is a little different than propagating leaves in water.
Here's how to propagate Sansevieria leaf cuttings in soil.
Steps
- Cut a healthy leaf at its base
- Use scissors to cut the Sansevieria plant vertically into sections, each around 2 inches. Make sure to keep the bottom side down.
- You can let the callus form on the cut stems for 2 - 3 days by keeping them on a dry surface (not in the soil), planting it, or using a dry potting medium. You can water them after 2-3 days.
- You can also dip the cuttings into rooting hormone powder (optional).
- It is better to use a mixture of potting mix or cacti soil.
- Please keep them in bright but indirect light.
- It takes from 2 weeks to 3 months to start new growth.
- Leave enough room between propagates to grow as they get bigger!
Pros
The pros of propagating leaves in soil are that it's a more reliable method, as these propagate will be stronger than those made from water. There is also less risk of rotting tissue or chlorine burns with this process, and you can use the same kind of container for propagating snake plant whether they're grown in water or soil.
Cons
The only con of propagating leaves in the soil is that it takes longer to grow the propagates than propagating them in water. Roots can take up to 50 days to grow from cuttings planted into the soil, and these plants will be less sturdy.
Propagating Snake Plant By Division
This propagating process is done by splitting or dividing the plant into sections or clumps to create new plants. You can make about 12 propagates from one fully grown mother Sansevieria Plant!
Below is the step-by-step guide on How to propagate Snake Plant by division.
Steps
- Gently slide a fully grown snake plant out of its container and lay it on the newspaper or a clean surface.
- Look for the clumps or sections of the Sansevieria Plant where it is divided.
- Cut the clumps or sections out of its parent plant using scissors, leaving a decent amount of root on each propagated section.
- Gently take the propagates and transplant them into a new pot filled with succulent soil.
- Give some water (do not over-water!)
- Please keep it in bright but indirect light for about two weeks!
Pros
The pros of propagating snake plant by division are that they will be more sturdy and resilient than those grown from leaves in water or soil because they have root contact with the plant it's propagating from.
Cons
The only con of propagating snake plant by division is that it can be difficult to tell the different sections apart and that the propagated plant is delicate and needs to be handled with care.
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Best Conditions To Propagate Snake Plants
Here are the best conditions needed to propagate snake plants
- Bright light, out of the direct sun
- 65-85°F temperature range
- Pots with good drainage
- Soil mixture that drains well
Is Your Snake Plant Dying?
Find the Top 6 Ways to Help Ease Your Snake Plant Propagation Problems
The first step to addressing the snake plant is identifying and correcting the problem. It could be as simple as being watered too often or receiving a lot of light. Snake plant propagation problems are solved with a little trial and error, but luckily they're very resilient!
Follow these six tips to make snake plants last longer in your home or office!
1. The Propagated Plants Are Rotting Or Not Growing At All
Solution:
This is usually a problem with propagating leaves in the soil where it has been too moist and cold, leading to rot of plant tissues and root death from lack of oxygen and propagating leaves in water also due to the lack of oxygen.
2. The Propagated Plants Are Too Delicate Or Brittle
Solution:
Make sure that propagating leaves in water have a lot of bright light when grown to get enough energy from sunlight for photosynthesis. Make sure not to over-water propagate leaves in soil.
3. The Propagated Plants Have A Different Color Than The Parent Plant
Solution:
This is usually caused by propagating snake plants at too high of a temperature (over 80°F) which will change the pigment production of the propagated plants.
4. The Propagated Plant Has Wilted Leaves
Solution:
This is caused when propagating leaves in soil that has been too moist for an extended period. Propagating leaves in soil that have been too dry for an extended period can also cause propagated plants to wilt because they are not getting enough water or healthy airflow around them.
5. The Propagated Plant Is Too Large
Solution:
Propagate the Sansevieria into a new pot with succulent soil, which will make it easier to keep the propagates hydrated. You can divide this propagated plant into smaller sections and replant it into new pots.
6. The Leaves Are Turning Yellow With Brown Spots
Solution:
This can typically occur if the Snake Plant was grown in a location that is too cold or if the Snake Plant has been overwatered. In this case, cut off yellowing leaves and give more time in between waterings.
In conclusion, Snake Plants are easy to propagate, but like any plant, they can die if you don't provide them with the correct care! Snake Plant propagation problems are most often caused by overwatering or under-watering, propagating leaves in too cold of a location, and sometimes the Snake Plants aren't getting enough light.
Conclusion
Whether you are an experienced gardener and would like to propagate some new snake plants or you are a first-timer propagating snake plant, I hope you find this blog post helpful.
FAQs
Can I cut the leaves of my snake plant?
Yes, but make sure to leave the bottom of the leaf intact and cut off about an inch up from it.
What propagating methods should I use? Should I let the propagates grow in soil or water?
This is up to you. The propagation method you choose all depends on how much time and space you have! Propagating snake plant in the soil will give them a better chance at survival and less problem of root rots.
Do I need to water my propagates often?
No, you only need to water them once every week or until the soil is dry.
How do propagating leaves work?
Propagation of snake plants by leaf cuttings in the soil is the most popular and easiest way to propagate your Sansevieria plant. Take a cutting from an established Snake Plant, dip it into rooting hormone powder (optional), and then place this propagated piece onto some damp soil. Once propagates are established, transplant the propagated plant into a pot with succulent soil.
How long does it take to propagate leaves in water?
It takes about 2-3 weeks for propagating snake plant by leaf cuttings in the water and shorter if you use rooting hormone powder too! Propagation of leaves is done by dipping the propagated leaves in rooting hormone powder and placing them into a bowl or pot of water.
How long does propagating snake plants by division take?
It takes about 50 days for propagating snake plant by division, but you can make about 12 propagates from one fully grown mother Sansevieria Plant! Propagation of snake plants by division is done by splitting or dividing the plant into sections to create new propagates.
How do I water my propagates?
You need to give your propagate some light watering every week! Water it until the soil is dry; never over-water them, as this will lead to root rots.
How long does it take to propagate to grow roots for snake plant?
It can take propagates that are propagated in soil two to three months for roots to grow. If the propagates are propagated in water, it should take up to a few weeks before new root growth is noted.
Do I need any special plant pots?
No, it can be propagated in a regular pot with potting soil. You can add some succulent soil to your potting mix for better results.
Do snake plant propagations need light?
Yes, they do! Keep your propagators in bright light but indirect sunlight for the best results. You can also use grow light if available.
How do I know when my plant is ready to propagate?
You'll notice the leaves of your snake plants start to yellow and fall off, or you won't see any new growth coming out from older parts of the plant within about two weeks. At this point, the propagated plant is ready to be propagated.
Are snake plants hard to propagate?
No, propagating snake plant is easy if you follow the steps and tips in this blog post.
How do you encourage the roots to grow from cuttings?
It would be best to keep the propagates moist, prevent root rot and ensure that the propagated plant is in a bright room or near grow lights. You can also add some rooting hormones to help them root faster.
Can the Propagation Methods for Snake Plants be Applied to String of Turtles Plants?
Yes, the propagation methods for snake plants can definitely be applied to string of turtles plants. Both varieties are ideal for propagating through leaf cuttings or division. If you want to learn more about how to propagate string of turtles plants, check out our comprehensive string of turtles article.
Are snake plants toxic to cats and dogs?
No, they are not toxic to cats and dogs. But if you have a snake plant propagated in the soil, ensure that your cat or dog doesn't eat the propagates as they may get an upset stomach from it.
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