I got no Roots in My Snake Plant, Why is that?
The reason your snake plant does not have roots is more than likely the result of excessive watering. Snake plants or Sansevieria trifasciata has a distinctive spiral shape and long, pointed leaves. It has been reported that some snake plant leaves tip over and flopfly. This problem may or may not affect all leaves. It seems to be an observable problem throughout the plant.
It’s also a sign of something worse, usually. A snake plant has a rhizome or stem beneath it, below the leaves or shoots, that has the ability to grow subtly, and produce its own roots and shoots. Rhizomes, roots, and leaves of your snake plant will retain the water you pour in the pot. You can probably imagine what happens next.
There is also a significant difference between soaking a snake plant in tap water and rainwater. Rainwater has more oxygen, so the soak doesn’t harm your indoor plant. Plain tap water doesn’t have much oxygen, which is why your snake plant begins to drown.
It has a reputation for being a hardy indoor plant, and it is true that it is. However, just because it can withstand mishandling does not mean it is a good idea to do so. We shouldn’t push the snake plant to its capacity, because it absolutely has them. If the leaves contain too much water, they may become mushy and fall over. The roots will suffer a similar fate, rotting. Hence the reason why your snake plant has no roots.
Even in this condition, your Sansevieria might still appear okay. As we stated earlier, a few leaves may tip over, but not all of them. This could give a false sense of security assuming your indoor plant is fine. In addition to the false sense of confidence, the snake plant’s leaves may appear healthy and vibrant.
A healthy snake plant will not have roots growing out of the bottom of the leaves, if they’re loose to the touch and easily pulled up. After that, it becomes obvious that it’s no longer a healthy snake plant.
Here’s How You Fix It!
The snake plant in this condition is pretty dead. After all, the roots have become infected by rot, and they have died from too little oxygen. You have your houseplant to thank for being alive, while most other plant species would not. The above-mentioned hardy nature of the snake plant contributes to its longevity.
Given that your snake plant appears to be in decent shape, is it possible to recover it and get it to grow? You can certainly try. You can take the leaves of your current rotten snake plant and propagate newer, healthier ones. Here are the steps you should follow!
First: Remove Dead Ends of the Leaves
Some sad looking leaves have already been removed from your snake plant and will be used for propagation. You may wonder how it’s possible to grow something from these bad-looking leaves, but we won’t keep the dead parts.
The damaged leaves will look yellowed if they are just starting to go. They may also be dark brown or black. Some plant growers have reported the snake plant leaves look like they are “melted.” You want to make small snips, removing the dead parts. Cut a little into the green portion of the snake plant leaves so you aren’t too close to the decayed ends, but don’t keep trimming too high.
Second: Beware of Fungus
It’s possible that your snake plant has no roots because of a fungal disease that has spread throughout the plant, causing its roots to die. If that’s the case, then following these steps here likely won’t save the plant.
With some cinnamon you have in your pantry, you can prevent the growth of fungus on your fresh leaves. Take a few fingerfuls and rub them on your leaf ends. Leave them on for at least 24 hours.
Third: Make a Peat Moss and Perlite Potting Mix
While your leaf ends are being prepped, you can continue by combining peat moss and perlite into a sort of homemade potting mix. Add equal quantities of peat moss and perlite, about two or three cups of each. Perlite facilitates aeration while the peat moss keeps your potting mix moister, so you don’t need to water as often. Next, add a small quantity of water until the mix feels moist, but it isn’t soggy.
Fourth: Repotting Snake Plant Leaves
You can now take the snake plant leaf cuttings and add them to your new pot with the homemade potting mix. Fill the potting mix mostly to the top of the pot, leaving 3/4 inches under the rim of the pot.
Make sure the snake plant cuttings are upright while placing them in the new pot. You will have to bury the leaf bases in the potting mix to get them standing upright.
Fifth: Be Patient and Continue to Care
Your snake plants are ready to propagate, so it’s best to use a well-lit environment to encourage growth. You need to place them near a window in the north, which provides sufficient, indirect light.
Despite your best efforts, you need to maintain the health of the cuttings while you wait and cross your fingers for eventual growth. You need to water the cuttings when the potting mix begins to feel dry. Do not allow the mix to become bone dry. In the same way that overwatering led to this predicament, underwatering can also do the same thing. Any roots that are able to withstand the dryness will shrivel up if they’re exposed to it, again leading to the snake plant’s death.
Keep caring for the cuttings, and eventually they’ll root to the potting mix. You’ll know it’s happened when the leaves won’t come right off when you gently squish them.
Propagation does not always work, and sometimes it isn’t your fault. If even a few leaves persist, they’ll develop new leaves and your snake plant will live on. Even if that doesn’t happen, you gave it your best shot.
Ultimate Caring Tips
Whether you bought snake plants from propagation or grew them from seed, you don’t want your plants dying on you again. The following snake plant care tips can keep your plants healthy now and in the future:
- The soil must be dry to water the Snake Plant. If you are in doubt, you can test for dryness with your fingers.
- A single monthly watering throughout the year is sufficient for most snake plants, but they require a little extra in the summertime if they’re receiving more light.
- Keep the leaves bright & dust-free by wiping them gently with a damp, soft cloth.
- When watering a snake plant, you should be sure the water reaches near the bottom of the pot to promote downward root growth and to preserve its leaves.
- You should remember that snake plants prefer bright light, but do not require direct sunlight.
- The snake plant’s pot will likely need to be changed every spring if all goes well.
- Although Snake Plants are growing indoors, Spring is still a good time to repot them or divide them.