Before we jump into how to proliferate snake plant, let me introduce you to one of the toughest houseplants in the world, Sansevieria.
Introducing The Toughest Houseplant
Sansevieria is the genus from which snake plants originate. More than 60 species have been identified. Snake plants are mostly known for their Sansevieria trifasciata species, even though it’s often referred to simply as Sansevieria because it’s the most popular.
Water is stored in snake plants’ leaves, allowing them to survive in their hot, arid habitats. While cacti and succulents use photosynthesis, sansevierias convert carbon dioxide into oxygen by opening their pores at night, storing the carbon dioxide for use by the next day. This is one of the benefits of snake plants that make people want to keep them indoors, even in the bedrooms. These plants are extremely tolerant of neglect. Snake plants thrive in any environment due to their tenacity and easy-to-grow characteristics, which make them ideal for potted houseplants.
Snake Plant Proliferation: Which Method Is Best?
How to proliferate snake plant? There are many ways to proliferate snake plants, however, we will only discuss the top 2 methods. Therefore, today we will discuss how to start snake plants using different methods. There are pros and cons to each, but they all result in an expansion of your Sansevieria selection!
Choosing Your Technique
A garden full of lush foliage is easy to build if you use snake plant proliferation or also known as propagation. Selecting your rooting method is the first step. There are many ways to propagate plants. There are some methods that are more reliable than others. Let’s discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each method and how to best apply it. You’ll have a bunch of new plants in no time!
A cactus-type potting mix serves as the rooting medium in this technique, which is by far the most common of all. Ensure that the leaf is healthy and thick before you begin. Pick one that looks perfect and vigorous, without any cosmetic damage. While damaged leaves can take root, a healthier leaf produces a healthy plant.
Leaf Cuttings In Water
Snake plant cuttings can be rooted in water. Doing so can pose a slight risk to your cut, but it’s still possible. As opposed to rooting in potting medium, you will need a much longer cutting. From the tip of the leaf, aim for a segment of 4-5 inches. The cut end of a cutting should be allowed to heal for a day or two, just as you would for a soil-based propagation.
Fill a jar or glass with clean, room-temperature water. To keep it from falling out, make sure it is tall enough. Put the cut end into the water after you have added your cutting. You should change the water in your jar twice a day. Ensure that your container isn’t building up algae by cleaning it once a week. Keep your cutting in a location with bright, indirect lighting. As soon as you see roots growing from the cutting, allow them to grow at least two inches long. The plant can then be transplanted into moistened potting mix.
Although it is the easiest, this method has the biggest disadvantage of rotting your cuttings. Let only the lower part of the cutting sit in liquid, keeping most of the cutting out of the water. Additionally, protect your young cuttings from pests, as pest damage can be fatal during this fragile period.
Dividing Snake Plant
How to proloferate snake plant? Another method is through division. Eventually, snake plants can become root-bound or too tightly packed. Repotting snake plants is a popular choice during this time. However, if you can make one plant multiple, why transplant it?
The first step in how to proliferate snake plant is to remove it from its pot. Take a look at the root tangle. Is it intertwined with other roots around the pot? If that’s the case, you should divide your plants. The plant itself should be examined. Segment it in a way that will look good when separated into pots. It is recommended that each clump has at least one or two healthy-looking stalks with a few leaves. You can gently tug the clump apart by wrapping your fingers around its base or bases. You don’t want to rip the roots, only to separate them as much as possible.
Once it’s mostly separated, you can trim it with a sterilized knife. You can now plant that segment in the potting mix at the same height as before. Depending on the size of the plant, the leaves may require some assistance while they establish themselves. The stakes should provide ample support.
The division has the benefit of propagating even cultivars that won’t propagate well via leaf cuttings. Because you’re not just taking a part of a plant, but a whole smaller plant as well. Therefore, how to proliferate snake plant if you have unusual cultivars? Dividing them is the best way to proliferate the snake plants.