If you have a snake plant and want to propagate it in easy ways. Then you are in the right place. Because today I am going to share the 4 best ways of propagating Sansevieria Trifasciata.
The best part is these techniques apply to all types of Sansevieria varieties.
You will also learn:
How do you give the best care to propagated snake plant cuttings?
And,
How long does it take to propagate a plant?
You May Also Like: Snake plant Temperature Tolerance Guide
How to Propagate Sansevieria trifasciata?
Before learning about the propagating techniques. It is important to know the right time for propagation.
If you live in the northern and southern parts. Spring and summer are the best seasons for the propagation of snake plants.
But if your residence is in the tropical region then you can propagate your mother-in-law’s tongue at any time of the year.
The weather in tropical regions is perfect for all types of houseplants. Temperature, humidity, and other growing conditions stay perfect for 365 days.
Here are 4 easy ways of snake plant propagation:
- Using water as a growing medium for propagation
- Propagating sansevieria by using seeds
- Propagation by Rhizome Division
- Propagation by cuttings snake plant leaves
How to Propagate Snake Plant in Water?
Things you need:
- Sharp knife or shears
- Filtered water
- Clean Glass jar
- Rooting hormone
This is the easiest method to propagate sansevieria. In this method, we take a cutting of the plant and use water for rooting it.
This way you can use droopy or bend snake plant leaves. I use pruned leaves for propagation. This way I don’t have to throw them in the garbage.
This is the best way to reduce leaf wastage.
The Process:
Take a sharp knife and cut the healthy leaf from the base (close to the soil). Make a clean cut to increase the rooting chances.
You should use rooting hormone if you are propagating for the first time. Dip your cutting in rooting hormone and put it in the water.
Make sure only 25% of the cutting is under the water, and the remaining is above the water.
In case the leaf you choose is large in size. Then you should cut it into several pieces. Each piece should be 10 cm long
Note: Keep in mind that cutting will only grow roots when the edge of the leaf that is close to the soil is under the water. Do not reverse the direction of the leaf.
Cut the bottom part of the leaf in a V shape. V cut is necessary to avoid the cut edge pressing against the bottom of the glass jar.
It also increases the surface area that stays under the water.
Use filtered water in the glass and place it in a warm and humid place. Protect the glass jar from direct sunlight.
No need to use fertilizers because at thing times the leaf-cutting does not have roots. Rooting hormone is the only thing that you can use to help the leaf cuttings.
Immediately change the water when it gets dirty or unclear. Also, make sure the cutting always stays under the water.
Cuttings will take a few days to develop roots and new growth. Once you see new white color roots with new growth over the water level.
It’s time to transfer the rooted cutting to the soil.
Gently empty the water and pick the cutting and plant it in the potting soil.
You should use succulent potting soil for planting. Now you should give regular care to your newly propagated snake plant.
How to Propagate Snake Plant with Seed?
Now, this is the tricky part because in most cases indoor snake plants never bloom. This means you will never have seeds to propagate.
But if you are lucky enough and have a pod with seed.
Then follow the below steps.
- First of all, let the pod of seeds dry naturally.
- Remove the seeds from the dry pod
- Spray some water on the potting soil to keep it moist.
- Now plant the seeds in the moist soil
- Cover the pot with a plastic cover to increase humidity
- Use a terracotta pot for good aeration
- Remember that seed germination is a long process. It may take a few months to see new growth.
- This is the reason people do not prefer seed germination for propagating snake plants.
How To Propagate Sansevieria Trifasciata by Root Division
Root division is the little technical method of propagation. These are called rhizomes they store all the nutrients.
Spring is the best time for dividing rhizomes. While dividing the roots you need to be very careful. Do this so smoothly and without damaging them.
Step-by-Step Process:
- First of all, remove the soil from the rhizome to make it completely visible for a clean cut. It is best if you unpot the plant and then divide the roots.
- Make a clean cut to prevent fungus diseases. Now put the rhizome on the newspaper.
- To help your plant heal the wound quickly. You should apply a pinch of cinnamon powder to the cut.
- Do not water your plant for 5 days. This time period is enough for your plant to heal itself from the cut.
- Now plant the division in the potting soil. It is best to use a terracotta pot at this time. It will save your plant from overwatering by draining an excessive amount of water.
- Place the pot in indirect bright light and give it regular care.
- The rhizome will get established in its new home within 7 to 12 days.
How To Propagate Sansevieria from Leaf Cuttings?
Here I would like to mention that with this technique of propagation you will not get the same mother plant as the new plant.
Because only the green part of leaves is able to grow roots. We need both yellow and green parts for the variegated snake plant.
How do I take cuttings from a snake plant?
- Look for the healthy disease-free leaf. It is best to use young leaves instead of old leaves. Because young leaves have the tendency to grow rapidly.
- This increases the chances of your success.
- Once you choose the leaf then prepare your knife by disinfecting it.
- Make a clean cut at the base and then cut the leaf in parts. Each piece must be 10 cm long.
- Let the leaf pieces heal by losing liquid and drying out.
- Then take a plant pot filled with succulent potting soil and plant the leaf-cutting in it.
- Spray some water on the soil and place the pot in a warm and humid place.
- You will see new growth in less than 30 days.
How to get success in Snake Plant Propagation?
Unfortunately, not all the cuttings will survive in the environment. It is common with all growers. But you can increase the chances of 100% success by giving them proper care.
Below is the guide that you need to follow:
Proper Light
A snake plant can tolerate a variety of temperature and light conditions. It can survive in low light for some days.
But the new cutting will not survive in low light. You have to place them in indirect bright light.
The light source can be indirect sunlight or LED grow light.
Do not use HPS grow lights because they produce lots of heat and high heat is not good for cuttings.
Rich potting soil
Overwatering is the main cause of snake plant death. You should avoid overwatering your plant. But in case you give extra water to your plant.
Then potting soil can save your plant by draining all extra water.
Such soil is called well-draining potting soil. For succulent, you should use succulent potting soil because it has all the essential qualities and nutrients.
Watering
Learning the correct watering technique will double the chances of successful propagation of snake plants.
This plant can tolerate drought for a long time but as I mentioned it cannot stand firm in waterlogged soil.
Therefore, you need to let the soil dry between waterings.
But when you take care of cuttings you should keep the soil moist until you see the new growth. But this does not mean you water the cuttings every day.
Type of Pot
Do not use plastic or ceramic pots. These pots do have a draining hole but we need the best pot for our snake plant cuttings.
Terracotta pots are best to use for succulents. The material of these pots is porous, which means the final pot has tiny pores in it.
These pores allow extra water to go out of the pot through pores. It also increases the airflow by allowing it to enter through these tiny pores.
Sterilize Tools
Sterilization of tools is necessary to prevent fungus infections. Use rubbing alcohol to sterilize the gardening tools.
Once you are done with your plant, sterilize them again before storing.
Why there is no visible growth?
If you don’t see visible growth for some time but your cutting is stand firmly. This means your plant is in a dormant state.
Actually, in many cases, we have seen that some cuttings go to dormancy time. And does not show any growth. But this does not mean they are dead or will not grow in the future.
The dormancy period can last from a few weeks to months. Just give your cuttings the best possible care and they will definitely grow after some time.
But if they turn yellow or mushy this means they are dead and now you can remove them.
Common Problems with snake plant propagation
It is common that some cuttings will not grow at all. This is the reason I always advise propagating 4 to 5 cuttings at a time.
The main problem with snake plant propagation is the yellow edges of cuttings. This is due to the low temperature in grow room.
Root rot is another common problem that growers face while propagating the sansevieria plants. This is the result of excessive use of water.
It can also be triggered by the use of heavy water.
Once your cutting is infected by root rot. Then you cannot do anything to save it. Whereas you can repot the snake plant to save it from overwatering and root rot.
How long does it take to propagate a Sansevieria?
It is a slow-growing plant. You have to wait for 7 to 8 weeks to see new white roots. In some cases where the cuttings are not getting proper care takes up to 3 months to develop new roots.
Patience is the key to success to propagate sansevieria.
