The process of growing indoor plants in water is used often to propagate plants. Since snake plants are succulents, can you grow them in water? How do you propagate them in the water? We examined these questions. We will discuss them with you in this post.
Generally snake plants are grown in soil, however, you can propagate them in water and grow them. Snake plants do not require much water the moment the plant is mature, so you won’t have to water it often.
Growing snake plants in water, which is referred to as hydroponic growing, can be done in a number of ways. But the key is that the plants need daily attention. Read on to find out how to grow snake plants in water.
Snake Plants Can Be Grown In Water Using Two Methods
A snake plant can be propagated by cutting off a leaf from a mother plant or by growing a brand new plant from that leaf. Both methods are effective and can be done in a matter of minutes. Let’s see how.
The Snake Plant: Method 1. Cutting It
The following are necessary for both methods:
- Pruning shears
- A paring knife
- A jar
- Fresh soil
Snake Plant Inspection
Consider your snake plant healthy before you decide to propagate it. Your snake plant will be grown from its rhizomes using this method. These are root extensions that are connected to the root system at the bottom of the plant. You can tell if your plant is stressed by its red spots, drooping leaves or yellow leaves. If the leaves of the plant appear okay, remove the plant from its plant container.
Check The Roots
Make sure the root system is in good condition by shaking away the soil and looking closely at the roots. If they have a pungent odor, they may indicate root rot, in which case you will need to bring the plant back to health before using it for propagation.
Divide The Leaves
It is easy to divide a snake plant in two ways. The most common and safest way is to grab one of its leaves by its roots and pull it apart. It takes shorter than five seconds.
To protect the shoot from damage, be sure to wiggle the shoot off before you tear it off. The other option is to use a paring knife to cut the leaf free at the end of the shoot.
Put The Shoot Into The Water
Take the newly detached shoot and place it in the water-filled glass jar. Make sure the water covers the shoot one inch up from the stem. The seed will root when placed in a sunny and warm spot within your home. It can take several weeks before the roots emerge from the bottom of the shoot, so patience is of the essence. Also, remember to replenish the water so that it remains fresh and clean.
Soil Transfer
When the snake plant roots have established by the bottom of the shoots, it can be placed in the soil to continue growing.
As long as you add some medium to your pot, plus some stones, pebbles, or beads, then you can grow the snake plant in water, without soil. A few months later, you should see a completely new snake plant take shape.
The Snake Plant: Method 2. Dividing It
Inspect The Snake Plant
This method requires you to ensure that the snake plant is not in a state of stress before propagating a new plant from it. If it is sick, the new plant will not develop a good root system and is likely to die within a matter of days.
Check the leaves for spots or webbings, which can indicate a pest invasion or fungus. Check that the roots of the plant are strong and healthy.
Dividing The Plant In Thirds
Make sure you clean and sterilize your shears, and then cut the plant into three separate sections. This will ensure that no bacteria, or fungus, gets on your cuttings.
Make sure that you plant the cuttings in the same position, meaning that you shouldn’t plant them upside down.
Add Cuttings To A Jar
All you have to do is place all the cuttings in the glass jar, and then add water until the cuttings are two inches deep at the bottom.
Then place them in a warm and sunny spot, and check them every day for root growth. Do not add fresh water to the jar until it becomes dirty; however, you can transfer them to a pot if you want. You may also choose to plant them in soil.
How To Maintain Hydroponic Snake Plants
Here are some tips to help you grow your snake plants hydroponically if you plan to keep them in water.
- You should always keep an eye on the water level of your snake plant. The water will evaporate every day, and it is okay for it to become low at times. As long as you give the plant some care, it shouldn’t become completely dry in order to prevent it from becoming dehydrated.
- Snake plants grow slower during the winter months of the year because the light levels are low. In these months, you won’t have to water them as often.
- Replace the water in the pot at least once a month, ideally twice, instead of just topping it off. This will help to keep it clean and fresh, and it keeps illnesses at bay.
- If you notice that your pot’s water smells or seems cloudy, this could be an indication that the roots are decaying. The snake plant may become susceptible to root rot if grown hydroponically so make sure to keep an eye out for it. If any dead leaves or roots are found, be sure to remove them immediately and replace the water immediately.
A Snake Plant Requires A Long Time To Root In Water
The snake plants will take up to 2 1/2 to develop baby roots if propagated using water. They can take much longer if propagated in soil rather than water. After the roots begin to form, they require a few more weeks to grow pups.
Do Snake Plants Prefer To Grow In Water Or Soil?
In traditional propagation methods, snake plants are propagated in a soil medium. However, this does not mean that propagating in water is ineffective. The cuttings may grow roots for a little longer, but it must be noted that dividing the snake plant will sprout many new snake plants faster than cutting individual leaves.
How Do You Encourage Cuttings To Grow Their Own Roots?
Rooting cuttings from plants is most successful if the roots receive ideal conditions to grow. A good way to do this is to keep them away from cold drafts and direct sun, and to ensure that the cuttings grow with active growth nodes on their stems. You can also try using a rooting hormone to help the cuttings grow faster.
Is It Possible To Multiply A Snake Plant?
You can easily and quickly multiply your snake plants by removing them from their pots and dividing them into three or five sections. Use your hands or a sharp paring knife for this.
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