How to Propagate Snake Plant? 5 Successful Ways + FAQs

Are you looking to propagate your Snake Plant with ease?

The snake plant is special because it has bright green leaves. It is easy to take care of and looks nice inside the house.

Propagating can be hard if you don’t know how to start. But we can help you.

With our blog post ‘How To Propagate Snake Plant’ we’ve outlined simple steps that make propagation easier than ever before.

You’ll learn about things like when & how often to water. Also, best practices for soil types & containers, ideal temperatures, and more!

Propagate Snake Plant: 5 Simple Ways

Tools & Material Required

Tools	Materials
Water Method – Hand pruners or Scissors	Water Method – Water – Dish or small glass jar
Division Method – Hand pruners or scissors (optional) – large sheet (optional)	Division Method – Well-draining, sandy potting mix – Small clay or plastic pot
Soil Method – Hand pruners or scissors	Soil Method – Well-draining, sandy potting mix – Small clay or plastic pot
Rhizome Method – Hand pruners or scissors	Rhizome Method – Rosy potting mix. – Small plastic or clay pot
LECA Methods – Scissors for cutting leaf	LECA Methods – LECAs – Mason Jar

Soil Propagation

Soil propagation is one of the most popular methods for propagating snake plants. To do this, take a leaf cutting from the mother plant. Put it in damp soil.

Here are the steps: 

• Snip off a leaf from your existing plant.
• As close to the soil line as possible.
• Cut it into smaller pieces, each about 2 inches long.
• Remember which end was the bottom.
• So you don’t mix them up when you go to plant them.
• Let the cut leaves callous over for a few days.
• Once ready, place each piece in well-draining soil with the bottom end down.
• It can take around 1 month or more for roots to form.
• Followed by another month or so before there is new leaf growth.

Pros	Cons
Easy to do.	You cannot see the roots growing.
Less time-consuming.	Can get messy if not done properly.
You do not need to put root cuttings in water.
You can mix different kinds of plants together in one pot.

Water Propagation

This way is easy but can take a while. You can grow snake plants by putting the cuttings in water. Usually, when one of the leaves looks weird and needs to be cut off.

Here are the steps: 

• Start by cutting a leaf near the soil line.
• Place it in a Mason jar or vase filled with water.
• keep it in indirect light.
• Replace the water every week.
• Once you see roots growing, put the cutting in moist soil.
• To know if your cutting is ready to be planted, pull it lightly and see if it feels strong.
• Once you put the plant in the soil, don’t give it too much water.
• Wait until you see growth before giving it more water.

Pros	Cons
You can see the roots growing.	The slowest way of propagation
No need to let leaves callous over before planting.	If you cut a snake plant from a variegated variety, the new plant will not retain it.

Can I keep the snake plants in the water forever?

Following the same propagation method as explained above. I left my snake plant alone for a few months without looking at it.

I just added a bit of water sometimes. Then one day, I noticed something amazing! It was growing a brand new snake plant in water.

The plant died because it did not have a strong root system. It was also very light green, which means it did not get enough nutrients.

It could be because I used unfiltered tap water which is bad for the plant.

If you want to keep your snake plant in water, look into hydroponics. It is an interesting way of growing plants.

Put the plants in water. Add liquid nutrients to the water to help it grow like it would in soil.

Rhizome Propagation

One way to make more snake plants is by using their rhizomes. Rhizomes are like white roots and they connect the mother plant to its new baby plants.

Rhizomes are roots that spread underground. I have never seen a rhizome grow above the ground in my pot with snake plants.

To propagate a snake plant by its rhizome,

• Utilize hand pruners to carefully remove the rhizome from the plant.
• Take care not to cut too many of its roots.
• This species is quite resilient and can handle some minor damage!
• After cutting, allow the rhizome to dry out for a day or longer.
• Then, place it into the soil and keep it moist until new growth appears.
• It will help the area heal and regulate water intake.

Pros	Cons
The fastest way to propagate a snake plant.	Sometimes when you take the mother plant out of the soil, you might hurt its roots.
You can break off parts of the rhizome and grow new plants with them.
You do not need to cut the parent plant into pieces.

Propagation by Division

If you have a big snake plant, the best way to make more is to divide it. Propagation by divisions is a lot like propagating using rhizomes.

Should you remove snake plant pups?

It depends on how much room is in your pot. If there is enough room, you can keep them.

Snake plants can grow very quickly. The roots spread sideways and then grow up, making the plant get bigger than its pot.

You can leave the babies attached to the mom. Make your pot bigger and add new soil. Or, you can cut off the babies and grow them separately. That is called propagation by division.

Now we’ll look into step by step method of propagation by division.

• Put the mother plant on the ground.
• Then slide it out of its pot.
• To divide the root clump into different parts, use a sharp knife, hand pruners, or scissors.
• You can divide them according to space and your need.
• Each part should have at least three pieces of the plant.
• These parts can be leafy tops, rhizomes, or offspring of the snake plant.
• Put the pieces into pots with soil that lets the water drain away.
• Make sure to use potting soil.

Pros	Cons
The best way to propagate a big snake plant.	Can be hard to divide the plant without cutting or damaging some of its roots.
You don’t need to wait too long for the root system to develop.	You need a big snake plant with many stems.
It’s also easier to give each new plant its own pot with enough space.

Leaf Cuttings in LECA

LECA stands for Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate. It is made of small clay balls that keep moisture in them.

I wanted to use LECA for the whale fin leaf cutting. I have been experimenting with different ways of growing plants from cuttings using LECA.

The experiment with the whale fin leaves was a great success. So now I’ll explain how to apply this method to snake plants.

To root a snake plant leaf in LECA,

• Wash your LECA very well.
• Then put some of it in the bottom of a jar.
• Cut the leaves and put them in.
• Put the LECA around the leaves. This will help keep them in place.
• Fill the bottom of the jar with water. This will create a reservoir.
• The water level should not reach the bottom of the leaf-cutting.
• After a few weeks of using LECA, you will notice many more roots growing!

Pros	Cons
It is a great option if you already have LECA on hand.	The LECA needs to be washed and changed periodically.
It’s fast and the leaves root quickly compared to other methods of propagation.	It can be difficult to find the right balance between moisture and air in the jar.
The LECA helps keep the air damp. New plants need it to take root and stay healthy.

How Long It Takes to Propagate a Snake Plant?

It usually takes 1-3 months for a snake plant to grow. Sometimes it can take longer.

When propagating snake plants, it is best to use LECA instead of water because the cuttings will not rot.

It takes a while for cuttings to grow in soil. You can’t see anything happening, so it might feel like it is taking longer than it really is.

In water or LECA, you can see the roots starting to form, which is encouraging. With soil, you need to wait for the roots and new plants to start growing.

The division is a quick way to propagate snake plants. You just cut the baby plants off the mother plant at the rhizome and plant them.

Snake plants grow slowly, so you need to wait for them to be big enough before you can chop them off.

When to Propagate Snake Plants?

It takes longer to propagate plants, like the snake plant, in the winter.

In the spring and summer, when it is warm and there is lots of sunlight, these plants will grow faster. This is the best time to propagate them.

Can You Plant a Snake Plant Without Roots?

You don’t need to have roots when planting a snake plant. You can just use one leaf. The leaf won’t grow, but it will make roots below the ground. It will also make a rhizome later on.

The rhizome is like a stem that will grow into a snake plant. When it is big enough, you can cut the baby from its mother’s leaf. Or you can leave them together.

Can You Replant the Broken Snake Plant?

Yes, you can use a leaf from a snake plant to grow a new one. Make sure the leaf is healthy and you know which end was pointing down before it broke off.

Also, you don’t need to cut your snake plant leaf before planting it. You can cut pieces and stick them into the soil. They will grow and fit in with the other plants.

Let the plants sit for a day or two before putting them in new soil. When you replant them, make sure the soil is moist. Too much water might not be good for your bigger snake plant.

Snake Plant Basics Care Guide

Origin:	Tropical Western Africa
USDA Zone:	9-11
Soil pH:	5.5-7.0
Average Height:	Upto 3 feet tall
Average Spread:	Upto 36 inches wide
Water Schedule:	To prevent overwatering and root rot, Snake Plants only need to be watered fortnightly.
Ideal Temperature:	60-75 °F or 16-24 °C
Soil Texture:	loamy, light, & well-draining soil.
Light Requirements:	Bright and indirect light.
Fertilizer:	Twice a year in summer and spring only.

The Snake Plant is an intriguing tropical plant indigenous to Western Africa.

The plant likes warm weather. It grows best in temperatures between 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit (16-24 degrees Celsius). The most favorable USDA Zones are 9-11.

This plant likes the soil to be between 5.5 and 7.0 on the pH scale. It also needs light, loamy soils that let water pass through easily.

Your plant needs bright light that is not directly from the sun. Only water it every 2 weeks. If you water it too much, the roots can rot.

Fertilizer should only be applied twice a year in summer and spring. On average, the Snake Plant can reach up to 3 feet tall and 36 inches wide!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Propagating a snake plant is a great way to ensure that you have enough of these fantastic and easy-care plants.

Propagating plants is easy and not very expensive. It can also be fun and make you feel happy.

This article tells you five ways to get new snake plants.

These five methods are soil propagation, water propagation, rhizome propagation, leaf cuttings in LECA, and propagation by division. If you use these methods, your snake plant will grow successfully.

With some practice and knowledge, you can grow more than one type of houseplant. Soon you will have your own green jungle!