Snake Plant varieties are the most tolerant house plants. The care for your snake plant is pretty simple. It can stay fresh even if it is neglected for weeks. However, the propagation of this house plant shall leave an aesthetic sense to your house as well. While the methods of propagation require patience, it is considered to be a straightforward method.
Table of Contents
- Why Should We Propagate Snake Plant?
- Types of Snake Plant Propagation
- Basic Factors To Check Before Snake Plant Propagation
- Step By Step Method to Water Propagate Snake Plant
- Step By Step Method to Soil Propagate Snake Plant
- Tips for Successful Propagation
Why Should We Propagate Snake Plant?
Avoid Breakage of Leaves
Though the plant grows, even if we do not care for them for weeks, there are a few cases where the leaves tend to grow long and bend. As it bends too much, it breaks and does not look good at all.
Roots Might Rot
This is one of the houseplants growing difficulties. Not many of us know how much to water these snake plants. If you have done it more for a while, it might cause the root to rot. You might as well, and you can propagate the plant and save it from dying.
Give a New Look
Snake plant, as said earlier, can tolerate any condition. If you are planning to give a new look to your plant and your house, you must propagate it appropriately.
Types of Snake Plant Propagation
You can propagate snake plants in two distinct ways. Though these two ways do not have much indifference. But if you are a plant enthusiast, you shall prefer to stick to one model as you may like to see the growth with your eyes. The two types of propagation are :
Water Propagation
One of the standard methods to propagate snake plants. This is the one few people like, as you can see the roots growing inside the jar. It would help if you had more patience while it roots.
Soil Propagation
This is a common method; while you cannot see the development of roots, it does not take much time compared to the water method.
Basic Factors To Check Before Snake Plant Propagation
Before getting on to the step by step process for both the propagation methods, let us get to know the common factors that you must keep in mind while propagating the snake plants.
- Firstly, to propagate, you are required to cut the leaves. So, cut the healthy leaves from the plant. Additionally, it shall show results sooner. But not as fast as overnight root sprouting, but relatively quicker than the slim and tender leaves.
- Secondly, as you take leaf cuttings, please place them in the same direction as you propagate using water or soil. If you had turned it upside down, it should take more time to develop roots.
- Thirdly, as you cut the bottom of the leaf, give it a ‘V-Shape’ as it provides more area for the root to grow. Also, as you cut the bottom in this shape, you shall know which direction to place it in the water or the soil.
- Lastly, it takes time for the roots to develop. Be patient. People have said it does not work as they are not patient.
Step By Step Method to Water Propagate Snake Plant
Step 1: Choose the healthy leaves in the plant and cut them near the soil. Use clean and sharp shears or big scissors.
Step 2: Place this leaf or the bunch of leaves in the right direction in a glass vessel.
Watch out for two things again,
- Cut the bottom in V Shape
- The glass vessel must not contain any water or soil in it now
As you cut the leaves, you can cut the same leaf into multiple sections. It can help you place the snake plants around the house as you may get many plants after propagation.
Step 3: Allow the leaf cuttings for at least 2 days. This period shall cause the cut ends to get hardened, which should be done for appropriate propagation. Also, this shall majorly avoid the cut ends getting rotten.
Step 4: Once you see the cut ends get hardened, use the same glass vessel and fill it with water. Ensure the level of the water covers the cut ends of the plant.
Now, place the glass vessel in a place where it gets a lot of indirect light. You might have to change the water every few days.
Watch out again; it shall take time for the roots to develop. As the water turns slightly brownish or not as transparent as before, please change the water.
You must wait for close to 15 to 20 days for it to root now. Then, as the roots grow an inch, you can decide to pot them.
Step 5: Select the leaves that have given out an inch or more roots and pot them up. Take a nice pot that suits your house interiors, fill it with succulent soil and plant the leaves with the roots completely covered in mud.
Step By Step Method to Soil Propagate Snake Plant
This method is similar to that of the water technique. Just that you don’t use water to leave the cut leaves.
Assuming that the leaves are cut in V-Shape and also it a healthy leaf from the bunch, and you have put them in a clean, dry place to get the cut ends hardened, Follow the steps given below
Step 1: Place the leaves in the right direction and cover the bottom cut ends of the leaves with soil in a pot.
Ensure that the soil is moist for a few days as the leaf has to root. And you lessen the moisture level as the roots develop.
Please wait for a few days, repeat 15 to 20 days.
Step 2: As you cannot see the roots growing inside the soil, look for the new leaves popping out of the planted leaf. If you see that, cut the older one.
As it had rooted, lessen the moisture level in the soil.
Step 3: As it is rooted, you can leave the leaf in the same pot for further growth and beauty.
Tips for Successful Propagation
Though the propagation steps look a lot straightforward, it is good to know a few tips for successful propagation.
1. You might feel the propagation is not working with both methods. The only suggestion that we can give is, be patient. It will certainly give out the roots.
2. As you place it in the water, you may sometimes find the bottom part of the plant starts getting black, indicating the leaf is rotting. This is major since the cut ends have not got hardened during the 2 days. So look for the good hard ended ones before you propagate.
3. You may find a similar situation with soil propagation too, it means that you are overwatering the plant. So, keep it minimal for a few days.
Snake Plant, otherwise called Sansevieria, is an excellent house plant that can give a natural green essence to your house interiors.
Propagation of such plants shall allow you to grow a lot of plants in the pots. As you may not need any professional support for this, the process shall become a hobby for you too.