If we start talking of plants that work great in all types of indoor spaces, the first name that comes to my mind is that of the Snake plant (Dracaena Trifasciata). Commonly, also known as the Mother-in-Law's Tongue, the Devil’s Tongue, Sansevieria, this plant grows in the highlands of Kenya, Zimbabwe, and some parts of Asia. There are about 60-70 different varieties of Snake Plant.
Isn’t that amazing?
Talking of low-maintenance and hardiness, propagating Snake plant is equally easy. In this post, I am going to share 5 different ways in which you can propagate Snake plants. I will also recommend the best and quickest way to propagate the Sansevieria.
Soil Mixture
Before we speak of propagation of the Snake plant, deciding on the soil mixture is equally important. Since the Snake plant is succulent, it grows the best in well-drained soil, similar to a cactus-type soil mix. I recommend this organic succulent & cactus mix available for sale online.
Otherwise, to keep the soil well-drained, you can take 2 parts of sand, 1-part regular garden soil, and 1-part cocopeat or moss. Snake plant is prone to root rot and improving the porosity will make sure that there is no standing water in the soil.
There is no need to add fertilizer regularly because Snake plants grow the best when neglected.
5 Popular Methods for Propagating Snake Plant
Snake Plant can be propagated in 5 ways. While all methods work, some are easier than others.
1. Leaf Cuttings in Soil
This is one of the most common methods to propagate the Snake plant. Select a healthy-looking leaf from the parent plant. Cut the leaf off from 1-2 inches above the soil.
Now, cut this entire leaf into 3-inches parts – this is going to give us more than one baby plant. Let these leaves dry out for 1-2 days, it helps in healing the wounds that we made before and also helps in avoiding root rot.
Now, once the wounds have healed, insert the cuttings 2 inches deep into the soil. Water the pot thoroughly. It may take 6-8 weeks for the roots to develop and a few months to see growth in your plant.
Optional: To develop the roots fast, you can dip your cuttings in a rooting hormone before planting them in the soil.
2. Leaf Cuttings in Water
When the wounds of leaf cuttings have healed, put the cuttings in the water and watch the roots grow. Within 3-6 weeks, the roots should develop. But it can take more time as well. So, you have to be very patient with this one. Keep changing the water every 4 to 7 days and you are good to go.
Once, the roots have developed, you can transplant your cuttings 2-3 inches deep into the soil.
3. Rhizome Division
Take your Snake plant out of the pot and start by loosening the soil gently with your hands. Once you have removed the soil from the plant, you will see the rhizomes from which the plant rises.
Rhizomes are root-like structures that send out roots and shoots from their nodes. This is how new Snake plant pups are also formed. Use a knife to cut off the rhizome from the mother Snake plant.
Now, let the rhizome callus over for a few days just like we did with the leaf cuttings in soil. Once, it has callused, plant it in the soil, and water thoroughly.
4. Root Division
This method is similar to the rhizome division method. If you have a Snake plant that has filled the pot and there doesn’t seem to be any more space to grow, it is time to divide your plant.
Dividing the plant will not only give you a new pup but will allow the mother Snake plant to do well. The mother plant sprouts rhizomes and these rhizomes eventually become new snake plants. Cut the rhizome from where you see the growth, untangle the roots and plant this baby plant in a new pot.
5. Snake Plant propagation by Seeds
Growing snake plants from seeds is not a very common practice but it is possible to grow them from seeds too. It is not a recommended method of growing Snake plants because it takes a lot of time to grow into a full-size plant.
You can get seeds from your local plant nursery but if you are looking to buy them online, here’s a link (not affiliated to them)
To grow Snake plants from seeds, put the seeds in water and rinse them thoroughly. Now, in the soil mix, place them and gently cover them up with the soil. Plant the seeds not far below the soil surface. Water thoroughly once a week.
After a month or so, you will see some seeds sprouting, and over the next couple of months, you will have a new Snake plant.
Which is the best way of propagating Snake Plant?
Hands down, the Rhizome/Root Division is the best and fastest method of propagating the Snake plant. It is an efficient way of propagating because it takes much lesser time than other methods and also the chances of your baby plant dying are almost zero.
While growing leaf cuttings in water is a super-easy way of propagating, but it demands a lot of patience, and also sometimes, the cuttings tend to rot in water. Chances of success diminish a bit. Also, the variegation you see in some of the Snake plant varieties like “Sansevieria trifasciata var. Laurentii” or “Gold Flame” goes back to the regular green variety and loses the yellow color on the margins when propagated in water.
Growing leaf cuttings in the soil is also extremely slow because it might take months for you to see growth in your plant. And without the rooting hormone, chances of the cuttings developing into a full-fledged plant are reduced.
Best Time to Propagate Snake Plant
Snake plants can be grown and propagated throughout the year. But it takes a bit more time during the winters. Hence, it is not recommended to propagate it during the winter months.
The ideal temperature for its growth is between 20 and 35 degrees Celsius. If the temperature falls below 10 degrees Celsius, shift your plant to a warmer place where it gets some amount of sun during the day.
Conclusion
Snake plants are one of the most resilient plants, they are easy plants and so is their propagation. Try, experiment, and choose the technique which suits you the best.
Go and expand your snake plant collection, it is time to propagate those Snake plants because according to one of NASA’s study on houseplants, Snake plants are known to remove pollutants like trichloroethylene, benzene, and formaldehyde.
I hope you find the information helpful and you fill your home with these beauties soon.