Mother-in-law’s tongue isn’t just great for beginners: it’s also very easy to propagate. Even though there are several ways you can complete the process, we’ll show you how to propagate your own. Our step-by-step instructions will show you exactly how to select and care for your plant.
Benefits of a Snake Plant at Home
In addition to being a great beginner houseplant, the mother-in-law’s tongue plant has many benefits. There is no doubt that each variety of the plant is beautiful. Snake plants, on the other hand, bring virtue and good health to your home.
Originally cultivated in China, this houseplant was believed to be blessed by the gods. Growing them is said to bring strong virtue to the grower. Moreover, science backs up a number of major benefits of keeping the plant. Besides being great air purifiers and removing toxins from the air, they can also fight diseases. Sansevieria plants are examined by NASA for their air purification capabilities that can prevent sick buildings.
Sansevieria can actually remove harmful benzene and formaldehyde from your home’s air, according to the Department of Horticulture at the University of Georgia. Snake plants release oxygen into the air during the night, making them a great addition to bedrooms.
Concerns Regarding Toxicity
Even though the snake plant purifies the air, it is toxic to dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, and even to humans. Avoid ingesting this plant as you may experience symptoms such as mouth pain, nausea, and salivation. If the plant is ingested by larger pets, they may show signs of vomiting and diarrhea.
Birds, rabbits, and other small pets are susceptible to instant death from the tiniest bite. Keep pets well separated from this plant if you have pets and really want to grow it.
Why Propagate Snake Plants?
It will come a time when repotting is necessary for the health and wellbeing of Sanseverias. The plant needs to be divided when the roots begin to ball up, leaving very little soil in the container for it to grow in.
Snake plants tend to have shallow roots and may fall over continuously when repotted.
5 Simple Steps to Propagate a Snake Plant by Division
Due to the fact that division is the easiest and safest way to propagate a mother-in-law plant, this article will only cover how to divide your existing plants. This method is easy for beginners to follow if they follow these steps:
Step 1 – Gather Your Materials
In order to propagate a plant, you’ll need a sharp pair of shears or a small hand saw. Repotting basics such as fresh potting medium, containers, and a small shovel are also necessary. A gallon-sized pot and a well-draining potting mix work best.
Step 2 – Remove the Plant from the Pot
Rhizomes, which are thick layers of tissue under the soil, grow mother-in-law plants. Leaf and stem growth depends on these parts. When you are ready to work with the plant, remove it entirely from the container. The number of new plants you can grow depends entirely on the size of the current plant.
Look for rhizomes that are below or very near the ground. Then, divide the plant into smaller pieces based on how many and where they are located. There may already be roots forming or roots that are just beginning to form.
Step 3 – Divide the Plant into Sections
Cut the plant’s base into sections with a sharp tool such as a knife, pruners, shears, or a small hand saw. Make sure whatever you choose is sharp and sterile.
Some gardeners simply cut the plant in half, while older plants may have multiple rhizomes that allow you to cut the plant into more sections. For best results, each new plant should have at least three rhizomes and one healthy leaf. Break apart the plant into smaller sections, working as close to the base as possible and cutting the roots that connect each section to the mother plant.
Step 4 – Plant Each New Section into a New Pot
Approximately two to three days later, the rhizome will be healed enough to plant. Organize each pot according to its section. I like to use a gallon-sized container with half traditional potting soil and half cactus potting soil. While ceramic pots are heavier, they can keep the container in place if your plants are tall, whereas plastic containers work just as well.
Step – 5: Stake Tall New Plants
In the event that your new plants are still top-heavy, you may need to stake them upright to prevent them from tipping over. Bamboo pieces are a great way to create your own small stakes and to provide plant support. Additionally, you can tie the plant to the bamboo with twine.