Snake plants are usually planted in smaller pots. Therefore, the roots will be able to hold the soil well. Nonetheless, it can be worse if the roots have grown densely and displaced most of the soil, leaving behind a root ball. Your snake plant’s root may become bound if it happens. If it does, you will need to fix it. How do we know if our snake plant is root bound? What can be done to fix it? These things are explained here.
Root Bounded Snake Plants Signs
It is possible to tell whether a snake plant is root bounds or not using two different methods. You can find visual cues from your snake plant and you can also examine its root ball by taking it out of the pot.
The following signs of root bound are visible visually.
- Plants are dehydrated.
- The soil can quickly dry out.
- The water drains out too quickly.
- Drooping leaves.
- No new growth has occurred.
- Yellowing occurs on the leaves.
- All around the pot, the roots spiral.
The snake plant may be root bound if one or more of these symptoms are present, without any reasonable cause. In this case, you need to check the roots of your snake plants. How do you check the roots of snake plants? The steps below can be followed.
- In order to get started, you must turn the container of your snake plant over.
- Once the plant has been removed, you have to dispose of it. Don’t apply any force when you do this. Be careful when you do it.
- Run a long, thin knife around the edges of the soil to loosen it.
- Once the soil has loosened up, you can slide the plant out. Be gentle when you do it.
- Once your plant has been removed, examine the root ball for signs of potential problems.
- When the root of your snake plant is tangled up densely and has the shape of the pot, leaving little or no soil behind, then you know your snake plant is root-bound.
Root bounded means that the roots are just starting to wrap around the root ball. When the roots begin to form mats around the root ball, the root ball has bound. What about roots which have formed a solid mat and there is no soil visible? This means that the roots of your snake plant have become severely tangled.
Once you examine the roots of your snake plants, if you find that they are severely root bound, you must repot them immediately.
How to Fix a Root-Bound Snake Plant
Root-bound snake plants can be fixed in two ways. You can either repot your snake plant or divide it. The following are explanations of each method.
Repotting Snake Plants
It is best to repot your snake plant if you find that it has become root-bound. If you move your snake plant to a larger pot, it will have more space to grow roots. You can fill the extra space with fresh soil, which will give your snake plants nutrients and water.
What is the best way to repot a snake plant? You can easily follow the steps below.
- The first step is to choose a container with a suitable size.
- When you have chosen the container, you should then take the plant to a sink or table, and lay the pot on its side.
- You now have to try to remove the plant. Don’t force it and do it slowly.
- After removing the plant, the next step is to remove the old soil.
- To perform this step, you must examine the root damage and cut the damaged section.
- After you have examined the root damage and cut it, you will need to add fresh potting mix up to 1/3 of the new container.
- Lastly, plant your snake plant in it and make sure that it is completely covered with soil.
Dividing a Snake Plant
It is also possible to divide a snake plant into two. If you use this method, you will have two plants in the same pot. If you do not want to keep a bigger pot in your particular room, you can use this method.
What is the best way to divide a snake plant? The steps below can be followed.
- You should water your snake plant thoroughly a day or two before dividing it. It will loosen up the soil as a result.
- It is now time to take the plant out of the pot and place it on a flat surface.
- Divide the roots and stems with a clean knife or clippers.
- Once that is done, you must divide each root and plant carefully into two or three equal halves. After that, you must prepare to repot them in separate containers.
- Repot your plants after filling your new container with potting mix.
- You can now water your snake plants to reduce stress after you have finished repotting them.
Having repotted and watered your snake plants, now you can place them in a bright area. Therefore, they will have enough light. Therefore, they will grow and proliferate.